The SAMCRO biker king was completely and utterly helpless for the first time in his life.
For the past half hour he had listened to Gemma confess to the lies she created over the weeks. Listened as she confessed what truly happened the night of her supposed 'car crash'. Watched as she choked on the words several times, the enormity of what she had to reveal too much for her to handle. Watched as she glanced over the table at the good doctor, who nodded almost imperceptibly back at her in reassurance. Watched that face he knew and loved so dearly turn to him and impart the information she had kept hidden away for so long.
"They raped me… All three of them. More then once."
Clay could do nothing but sit in that dining room chair as he was blown over by the torrent of violent emotions inside of him. Rage, fear, overwhelming sadness, and a bone-deep need for revenge, to name a few.
A hand found his shoulder- Jax's. Clay took it in his own. He accepted the comfort graciously, squeezing his adopted son's hand back before letting go. At that moment all the shit going on between them was forgotten. It wasn't important anymore. All that mattered was Gemma.
Silently, they made an agreement.
They would put aside their hatred and work together until Zoebel was either dead or praying to sweet Jesus that he was.
Clay mustered the strength enough to look up at her. His heart broke all over again. His wife…his love...
He reached out, cupping her cheek gently, cradling her face in his hands. She leaned into his touch and he brought his forehead to hers.
Hot tears slipped down his cheeks. Now he understood. Now he knew why she had acted so coldly to him-- why she refused his bed and forewent his company and affection for so long. God, how could he be so blind? He had blamed her. He had resented her for the unwanted change. He had almost thought she was turning against him, just like Jax...
Jesus, how could he be so damn selfish while Gemma was suffering alone? He should've known. He should've payed more attention. He should never have let this happen. Not to Gemma. Not to his queen.
Shame pressed down on his chest like a dead weight- he could scarcely breathe.
"Gemma…" he whispered hoarsely.
"I wanted to tell you, Clay. I wanted to get those sons of bitches and-and…" She broke off, swallowing hard. "But that's what Zobel expected. It would've broken the club, and that's exactly what he wanted."
"You don't have nothin' to apologize for." He hushed, more tears streaming from his brilliant blue eyes. "Nothin' at all. I should have known it was something more then a car crash. But I didn't. I-I blamed you for--" His eyes slid shut and a strangled sob sounded in his chest. "Jesus, I was so selfish! I'm sorry-- I'm so sorry my love."
Her hands closed over his. "I know baby. I know."