As an apology for the cliffhanger, here is a swift update! :)
"You." Rodriguez growled, pointing at the guard responsible for the havoc that just unfolded. "Get spare uniforms."
"But-." the over weight man huffed, his beady eyes flicking to Harlowe and Tara.
"This shit is on you. You want me to go to the warden and tell him you're takin' bribes? That you set up a prison hit?"
"Like you haven't."
Rodriguez stepped forward and stood nose to nose with him. "Sure but its your fuckin' hand that's caught in the cookie jar. Not mine. Get the clothes and bring the maintenance schedule with you. Now."
Harlowe stood nearby, her hands shaking as the blood began to dry between her fingers. Her breath was coming in short pants, the edges of her vision blackening as shock settled in. She'd just murdered two human beings. It was justifiable self defense, she didn't regret it but it was still system shocking.
"This isn't how I thought you'd handle this bitch." He growled once the other guard left, his eyes scanning the scene critically as he pulled on rubber gloves.
"Yeah, well I wasn't given a choice." She huffed, looking over at Tara as she felt her bruised neck.
"She was protecting me." The woman croaked, her arms crossing tightly. "Doesn't that count?"
"I'm fucked either way." Harlowe grunted, sitting down while holding her aching ribs.
"Nah." Rodriguez replied, pulling the weapon out of Amber's ribs before wiping the handle of the makeshift knife clean of prints. He walked to each woman and wrapped their fingers around it, making sure it seemed as though they'd both handled the blade. Harlowe watched numbly before she asked, "What're you doing?"
"Well seems like these two got in a fight and stabbed each other."
"How's that work?"
"Well obviously one hurt the other worse before they both died." Rodriguez offered, tipping his chin to Harlowe's hand. "You bleedin' at all?"
"She nicked my hand and neck."
"Alright." He grunted, wandering into the kitchen and coming back with two bottles of floor cleaner, pouring them onto the floor and the nearby bodies. Harlowe watched as he worked, her brow furrowed as he added some to the mop bucket.
"Why are you doing that?" Tara asked, her mouth downturned.
"Contaminating the scene in case her DNA is lying around." He commented, looking up as the other guard returned with a stack of clothing and clipboard filled with maintenance records. Rodriguez glared at him. "You know what'll happen if you speak a word of this shit."
"Man I don't care which two of these bitches gets blamed as long as I don't get brought up."
"These two, " he motioned to Tara and Harlowe. "We're never here. Change the record to the dead ones. They took each other out."
"And where was I?"
"Taking a leak."
"I'll get written up." He tossed the clothing on the table.
"Better you get written up than have the Sons of Anarchy tearing your ass up." Rodriguez threatened, picking up the clothing.
Harlowe's eyes widened at the remark, her head turning towards Tara.
"What're you talking about?" The guy muttered, his face paling at the statement.
"You got no idea who these two are?" Rodriguez huffed, motioning to Harlowe and Tara. "Not only did you try to get the Sons President's wife killed but have you ever heard of the Tacoma Killer? No? Well it's not just a fun nickname. She's his old lady."
"Fuck."
"Yeah. So you might want to start helping me cover this shit before you end up sliced and diced in a hole in the desert. You got me?"
"Yeah, yeah I got it."
"Cool."
Harlowe left the cafeteria and entered the kitchen with Tara and Rodriguez. He set the new clothing down and instructed, "Strip and give me those to burn. I'll put them in the incinerator."
The man wandered into the supply closet to collect a garbage bag and extra towels as they worked.
Harlowe moved to the sink and washed her hands and arms, yanking off the soaked T-shirt. She scrubbed herself clean and then dressed in the new uniform. Tara stood nearby, her arms folded as she worked.
"Are you okay?" Harlowe asked, her eyes going to the redness on the woman's neck.
"Yeah." Tara rasped, her voice hoarse from the abuse. "You?"
"Yeah." She grunted, probing the newly forming bruising on her side. "Think this rib's broken."
"I'll look it over when we get back."
"Okay, both of you never left your cells." Rodriguez informed, motioning for them to follow him. "Whatever injuries you got you need to hide. Anyone questions you, you heard nothin', saw nothin'. Got me?"
"Yeah." Harlowe muttered, glancing at the bodies behind him. "What happens when her crew comes knocking on my cell door?"
"Let me worry about that."
"How'd you know about our old men?" Tara asked as they strolled towards their cells.
"After Wentz pulled strings to get you in her cell, I did some research. My wife's crew has an agreement with the Mayans, who have a truce with the Sons. We keep out of each other's ways. I'm keeping the peace."
Harlowe sat down on her bunk with a groan as the guard locked the cell door.
"Stay out of trouble." He grinned widely, before adding. "I'll let my wife and her brother know you took care of the issue."
Harlowe merely nodded, the adrenaline from the attack turning her into a shuddering mess. Tara waited for him to leave before motioning for her to stand up.
"Let me see."
"Don't worry about it. We don't need people noticing."
"Stand back here." She motioned to the end of the bunk bed where the toilet sat. "They can't see us."
Harlowe stood in the small sliver of privacy, lifting her shirt for Tara to inspect. She flinched at the touch but stayed still as the former doctor examined her injuries.
"Not broken, deep bruising." She remarked, looking over the tiny cuts on her knuckles and neck. "These don't need stitches but we should wash them out with soap. You don't know how dirty that blade was."
"K." She muttered, moving over to the sink to clean out the superficial wounds. As she worked, Tara stood nearby with concerned eyes.
"You could've been locked up forever, maybe even death row."
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"That's what the club wanted." Harlowe rasped tiredly. "Protect the Queen, right?"
"I guess." Tara huffed, crossing her arms. "It's not right though."
"Doesn't matter if it's right. It is what it is."
"Thank you." Tara replied softly, her eyes troubled. "For saving my ass and risking your own."
Harlowe sighed, laying down on the bunk bed while cupping her ribs. "You're welcome."
Harlowe sat down stiffly, her side throbbing from the bruises left behind by Lottie and her cohort. She picked up the phone receiver and finally made eye contact with Happy. His face was stormy, the obsidian of his eyes gleaming with a fire she remembered all those years ago. The rage that used to burn him up inside, like glowing embers on black ice.
"You okay?" Happy asked, leaning forward to get a better view of her pale face.
"Nothin' I can't handle." She rasped back, her eyes narrowing a bit at the pain in her side.
"The fuck happened?" His voice was low and gruff, his words heavy with concern.
"Nothin' I can't handle." Harlowe repeated, her eyes going to the guard walking passed.
Happy leaned away, his jaw rocking back and forth as though chewing on all his questions. He finally settled on telling her that he would be out of town for at least two weeks but he put his phone number on the list for her to call. She nodded along but felt detached from the conversation. Ever since the attack she'd found herself staring off thinking of the sound Lottie made when she stabbed her. She could still feel the blood between her fingers and slick on her palms.
"Harlowe." Happy growled, his finger tapping on the glass.
Harlowe blinked hard and returned her attention back to Happy. She could tell he'd been trying to get her attention for a while now.
"You been to medical?" He asked, concern for her creasing his forehead. Harlowe shook her head a bit and finally gave him some kind of reaction.
"Tara looked me over." She replied, smoothing her hair back some. "I'm fine. Just... tired. Look uh... be safe on your run, I'll call if anything changes."
"Yeah." Happy rumbled, scrubbing his shaved head while looking away from her. "I'll send Jax to see you when he visits Tara."
"Don't bother." She scoffed, brushing her thumb across the cuts on her knuckles. "Rather be in the SHU than talking to his majesty."
Happy smirked, leaning closer to the glass. "He's not that bad. He's just a hot head when it comes to his old lady."
"Hmph. Sounds familiar." Harlowe drawled, a smile tugging at her pale lips.
Happy flashed her an elusive grin and tipped his chin up a bit, an obvious pride for his violent nature despite his words of denial. "No idea what you're talking about."
"Right." She chuckled, her hand cupping her ribs at the action.
"Time." The guard barked near the door.
"I'll see you later, Hap. Ride safe, yeah?"
"Yeah." He rasped, bobbing his head a bit. "Take it easy in there. Try to stay clear of the shit."
"Will do." She snarked, rolling her eyes.
"Hey." He muttered before she hung up. "Call me even if nothing changes."
Harlowe's brow furrowed at the request but nodded after a second of hesitation. "Okay."
Happy dipped his chin and hung up the receiver as Harlowe was escorted out of the visitation area.
Normally she wouldn't look back, the sight of him watching her walk away too much to bear, but this day she kept her eyes on him until the gates closed. She could tell he noticed the change in habit, his eyes soaking up every second of eye contact.
"You have a call from an inmate from Chino Women's Federal Penitentiary," The robotic voice crackled into his ear before Harlowe's voice cut in. "Harlowe Wentz."
"Do you accept the charges?" the automated voice asked.
"Yeah." Happy rasped, leaning against the leather seat of his ride. He was parked at a rest stop, several of his brother milling about in the background. They were on a protection run from San Diego to the Canadian border. They were escorting several semi trucks carrying a few dozen high-end vehicles and motorcycles. It was a completely legal transaction between dealerships, but also a huge target for thieves. Both owners were friends of the club and cashed in on their friendship by using the Sons to guard their product.
It was easy money and it gave him a lot of time to think. Jax had gotten the lowdown on what happened inside to have Harlowe stiff with pain. There'd been an attempt on both their lives and Harlowe had used deadly force to end it. He was both proud and saddened by the news. Happy never wanted her to be in the position to need to kill but he was thankful she had.
Jax pulled him aside and vowed that no matter what happened, Happy's old lady would be taken care of. She'd earned her weight in gold by killing to protect Tara, she was the closest of family now.
"You alright?" Happy asked, his rasp a low rumble as he watched traffic pass by.
"Yeah." Her words were quiet. "How're you?"
"M'good."
He could hear her breathing but neither said a word for a full thirty seconds. Happy closed his eyes as she started talking, her voice pulling him through a memory.
"Last night I dreamt about the first night we met. You were leaning near the pool tables in that shithole I was bartending, your kutte was brand new and you had this cocky grin on your face. You were talking to Poe and when you looked up I felt like the air was sucked from my body and my heart kick started. I could barely string a sentence together."
"You had on that yellow tank top and those little jean shorts that showed off that tight little ass." He added, his voice hoarse with the sharp longing he still had for his old lady.
"Yeah." She breathed, "You may have mentioned staring at it all night."
"Couldn't help it." Happy grunted, shifting in his seat uncomfortably as his dick hardened at the memory.
"You saved me from that asshole and then we went for a ride. It was the most fun I'd had in my life."
Happy glanced over at his brothers. "Sounds like you don't need saving anymore."
Harlowe didn't speak for a moment, her breath even but elevated. "Yeah."
"You did what you had to."
"I know."
"You're still the best person I know." He rasped, knowing what would be troubling her. "Doing what you've got to, doesn't change that."
A sniffle had his throat tightening, his own eyes burning a bit as she croaked, "Thanks, Hap."
"Just words."
"No, Hap… they're not.. I needed that."
"I know." Happy murmured, squinting as the sun reflected off the chrome of a passing vehicle.
"When will you be back?" Harlowe asked over the chatter of other inmates in the background.
"Couple days. I'll come by as soon as I can."
"Good." She spoke cautiously. "I uh.. I miss you."
Happy's heart clenched painfully at her statement, the confession completely out of the ordinary for her. "Miss you too, Lowe."
"Hap, brotha." Jax called out from the chapel, the tip of his chin gesturing him forward.
Happy's face was an empty facade but inside, his arteries pumped hard and heavy at the sight of the club's lawyer. The last time he'd sat down with Lowen he was told he'd be spending 14 months behind bars, but that wasn't what had him popping a toothpick into his mouth to chew anxiously. It was the memory of Desi's dirt-bag lawyer explaining that Harlowe was going down for his club kill.
"Sit brotha." Jax instructed when Happy stood waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Tell me." He grunted without taking a seat, his black eyes landing on the lawyer.
"When we found out about Ms. Wentz."
"Harlowe." He hated that she wasn't a Lowman, he should've married her the day he inked her.
"Harlowe." Lowen amended, opening a leather binder. "When we were informed of her connection to the club, we looked into her and the case that was brought against her. Upon this investigation we discovered the ATF agent involved in her prosecution is currently under indictment for witness coercion and evidence tampering amongst a myriad of other charges."
"The prick was Stahls training officer." Jax informed, lighting a cigarette with a flick of his zippo.
Happy growled at the mention of the agent who'd nearly destroyed SAMCRO by shady tactics. The woman whose actions led to Opie's wife's death and the years of downward spiral that event caused.
"Agent Roberts cases are all under scrutiny now due to the IA investigations. I'm confident that if we file an appeal for the courts to overturn Harlowe's conviction, I could have Harlowe out with all charges dropped within a month."
The heavy drum of his pulse kicked up as the words sunk in, Harlowe could be home sooner than expected.
"File them." Happy growled.
"Hap." Jax's voice pulled his stare from the lawyer, to his brother's regretful eyes. It took a second before the pieces clicked together and Happy realized why Jax didn't look enthused by the news. Harlowe's earlier release would leave Tara unguarded inside.
"No." Happy growled, his right hand clenching into a fist.
"Hap, just give us six months. Tara will be out-."
"No." He cut his brother off, his eyes turning sharp.
"When we have Tara's release day secured, I'll file the appeal." Lowen began.
"No." Happy snapped, slamming his hand onto the chapel table. "We're not waiting."
Jax's jaw was tight, the muscle flexing as he chewed on his response. "She agreed to protect Tara for her whole sentence. She's got under six months left."
Happy clenched his teeth, his chest rising and falling rapidly at his President's statement. He wasn't sure if he was referring to Tara's or Harlowe's at that point. Her agreement to help the club might as well be considered a prison sentence now.
The lawyer cleared her throat and offered, "What if we informed her, let her choose?"
Jax sat forward, ashing his cigarette into the overflowing bowl on the table and shook his head, "We tell her and she'll walk out."
"She doesn't belong there in the first place." Happy roared, throwing one of the chairs against the wall with a loud clatter. He could see some of his brother's watching from the bar, their faces concerned at the outburst. "We aren't keeping her locked up to serve the club anymore."
"Hap."
"I'm telling her." He growled, his tone final. "She's my ol' lady. She's getting a choice. If she wants out you're filing the damn appeal."
"Wait. Hap." Jax called out as Happy stomped out of the chapel and into the bar. He grabbed a bottle of tequila and headed towards his dorm room.
"Hey killah, what's goin on?" Tig asked as he shoved passed him roughly.
"Ask Jax." He rasped, slamming his door shut in his brother's face.
Happy sat down with a groan, popping the top off the liquor to chug a mouthful. A knock on the door had him growling a response to fuck off but it only happened again.
"What?" He snapped at Lowen as he opened the door.
"I can get you a face to face with Harlowe."
"What'd you mean?"
"I'll pull a couple strings. It'll cost us a bit because legally you aren't her spouse but I can get you in a room with her. It might make explaining it easier."
"Make it easier for her to shank me for even suggesting she stay inside for the club."
"It's up to you, Mr. Lowman, but I'll need couple days to get it arranged."
"Do it." He rasped, his heart kicking up at the thought of being in a room with Harlowe with no glass partition. "Whatever it costs."
Coming soon: Happy and Harlowe without the bars.