The next afternoon Jax sat quietly in the Teller-Morrow office with Abel sitting on his lap. He looked over watching Tara cradle their infant son and smiled.
In a matter of hours he would be embarking on what most people would classify as a suicide mission. Jax understood the likelihood of his death and that didn't deter him one bit. His only concern was what his family would do in the event of his demise.
Tara bit her tongue in an attempt to hold back the flood of tears that were threatening to fall. She wanted to be strong for Jax but her confidence was shot after hearing the particulars of what he'd be doing tonight. She was certain that by the end of the night he'd be dead or in jail.
She groaned helplessly as the tears started to flow against her will. Tara closed her eyes refusing to look at Jax. She couldn't see the concern on his face. She wanted to be angry. She had the right to be angry.
"You know that I have to do this, Tara. There is no way around this," Jax explained.
He reached out and lightly cupped her chin.
She shook his hand off of her face and said, "What I know is that I just got done being a single mother and I'm not ready for it to be a permanent state of being. Those months with you in prison were nearly impossible, Jax. I'm supposed to do that again until the boys are adults?"
Jax ran a tired hand over his face. He wanted to be angry at Tara but she had a right to her feelings. He was putting her in a terrible position. "You knew the deal when we got together, Tara. You knew what my life could be like. You weren't coming into this thing blind."
"The deal?" asked Tara incredulously.
"You aren't some novice to the outlaw life, Tara. You might not know all of the ends and outs but you've been around long enough to know that prison sentences and death are a part of the package. I told you yesterday that I was going to have to go nuclear on this and you were on my side," said Jax.
He let Abel down off his lap and watched as the little boy ran over to a toy fire truck.
She sniffled and glared at him. "You're right. I did know that prison and death were a part of the deal but I was under the impression that I might get a little happiness in between all of the incredible sadness. More importantly I believed you when you let me read JT's manuscript. I believed you with every fiber of my being when you told me that you wanted to go a different way."
Jax said, "You say that like it was a lie! I do want to go a different way, but that takes time. I have to deal with what is right in front of me! The Russians struck at this club and my family. What am I supposed to do, Tara? If I don't hit back they'll just keep coming and I'll end up dead anyway. At the hospital they were gunning for me. They wanted me dead. You think that changes just because they hit Miles and Gemma instead?"
Tara stood up cradling the baby in her arms and walked over to the window. She looked out seeing the guys working on various projects for the night ahead. The lot would be fortified by the time they left to hit the Russians. She only hoped it'd be enough to keep them safe if the Russians decided to retaliate.
"I don't know what I am supposed to do here. I am scared out of my mind but I know that you have to do this. I'm scared that we are going to lose you and that we'll be all alone. I was okay with this until you told me just what you and Opie have planned. It is insane and you are going to get yourselves killed," said Tara.
Jax sighed quietly and said, "When I was in prison being away from you and the kids was hardest part. I can do prison time no problem. You keep your head down and do your time. It is inconvenient but easy, but being away from you guys kept me up at night. This move isn't just about vengeance it is about protecting my family. I can't have anyone else I love catching a bullet meant for me. That could have been you in the hospital parking lot with me. The boys could have been there with me. I could have lost everything in a hail of gunfire. I've got to do what I have to do to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Tara nodded slightly but refused to look at Jax. The pain in his voice was too much. She couldn't bear to see that expression on his face. "I know."
"No matter what happens tonight you will never be alone, Tara. The thing about the club is that it is your family. They will always look out for you and the boys. It won't be the same as having me around but you won't be alone. You have my word," Jax said.
She sniffled and then laughed, "You've got to come back because I cannot get stuck taking care of your mother for the rest of her life."
Jax chuckled heartily and shook his head. "You are never getting rid of her, darling. You made the mistake of letting her decide to accept you as family. After that…she gets pretty clingy. Not to mention you are the mother of her grandsons. Come sit with me…please."
Tara laid the baby down in his carrier and had a seat next to Jax on the couch. She rested her head on his shoulder and toyed with the cuff of his flannel shirt.
Jax kissed the top of her head and moved his arm around Tara pulling her in closer. He inhaled deeply taking in the scent of her shampoo. He wanted to memorize everything about this woman and this moment. "If everything goes to plan tonight I may have to drop off the radar for a little bit. The cops and the feds will me on my ass."
She asked, "Where will you go?"
He shook his head and said, "It is better that you don't know. I don't want to put you in the position of aiding and abetting a fugitive. If I am on the lam you are going to be the first person they question. I'll get in touch when I can though. Make sure you always keep the pre-pay on you."
Tara nodded slightly. "What about Gemma and Clay's conditions? I mean you're supposed to make the medical decisions. Neither of them is out of the woods. They could take a turn at any moments."
Jax said, "I had Rosen take care of that last night. I gave you power of attorney over everything and everyone. I trust you to make the right decisions. I trust you more than anyone, Tara."
She scoffed and said, "Yeah right. You and Opie have a bromance for the ages."
He chuckled and asked, "Bromance?"
"Don't be all macho. I think it is cute that you and Opie are so close. You are a badass that is still friends with his childhood buddy. I like that about you," said Tara, she interlaced their fingers and squeezed gently.
"You're right. I do love Opie. He's always been there for me but when it comes to making medical decisions for my parents and taking care of my kids…you're the only person I would trust. No matter what you go through…you never fall apart until after the shit is over and done with. If anything permanent happens to me Rosen will get in touch with you. He knows everything about my business and insurance policies."
Tara took a breath and then nodded, "Okay, but I'd really like for you to be safe so that you can come back home to us. Cashing out your insurance policy would be great but I'd rather have you."
Jax grinned and asked, "You'd rather have me? That's good to know."
Tara yawned tiredly.
He smiled and gently caressed her back. "You didn't get any sleep last night. Why don't you put your feet up and take a little nap? I'll stay awake and keep an eye on the boys."
"I only have a little time left with you. I don't want to spend it sleeping," Tara argued.
The fear that she wouldn't see him again was overwhelming. Tara was just barely holding it together.
He kissed her softly. "You won't be any use to anyone if you are exhausted later. I can guarantee that it is going to be a long night. Go ahead and close your eyes. I'll be right here when you wake up from your nap."
"Promise?"
Jax nodded and said, "I promise."
She kicked off her shoes and curled up on the worn out couch. Tara laid her head on Jax's lap and closed her eyes. "I'm just going to close my eyes for a few minutes. I doubt if I even fall asleep."
Jax lightly rubbed her arm but didn't say anything. He had no doubt that she'd be knocked out in less than ten minutes if he didn't talk to her. He closed his own eyes for a moment to think about the night ahead.
Jax had spent the majority of the day working out every painstaking detail with Opie, Tig, Chibs, Happy, and Piney. He wanted to get as many brothers back home safely as he could. More importantly he wanted to make sure that SAMCRO would live on. He couldn't let the club die with all of them so he and Opie had decided what members would have to stay behind: Piney, Juice, Chibs, and the prospects. It wasn't much but it was enough to keep SAMCRO alive no matter the outcome.
His attention shifted to Abel pushing his fire truck on the floor. Jax's life changed completely the day that Abel was born. From that point on the blond haired biker had been on a mission to try to make a better future for his son. He didn't know if he'd be around to see Abel grow older but he trusted Tara to give him and Jonathan Thomas a good life.
Jax took a small notepad and pencil from his pants' pocket. He took a breath and began writing a note he hoped his boys would never have to read. It wasn't quite as grand as JT's manuscript but it would tell them both how much Jax truly loved them.
Around 7:30 that night all of the guys were heading to their motorcycles. Others were headed to dark colored vans and cars. There was no levity or joviality in the air. Everyone was set and ready for one thing…carnage.
Jax had already said his goodbyes to his family and was seated on his bike waiting on the rest of the guys to finish their own goodbyes. He'd gone to the hospital just an hour ago to see Clay and Gemma. Neither of them were conscious but he hoped that they both felt his presence.
Opie walked over and climbed onto his own bike. "You ready, brother?"
Jax nodded and said, "I've never been more ready for anything in my life. I just hope that we run into Putlova. Nothing would make me happier than making that Russian pig beg for his life."
The bearded biker nodded and said, "Well, maybe if you've been a good little boy this year Santa Claus will grant your wish."
Jax chuckled and shook his head at Opie. No one else would get their morbid sense of humor but it damn sure amused Jax. "How's Lyla?"
"She's scared shitless. How's Tara?"
Jax laughed and said, "Pissed off and scared.''
Opie nodded and said, "Sounds about right. They try but they don't understand why we do what we do."
Jax glanced at his watch and then stood up straddling his bike. He whistled loudly to get everyone's attention. Jax motioned toward the gate signaling that it was time for everyone to ride out.
On cue engines began to rev as bikes, cars, and vans started a mass exodus off the Teller-Morrow lot. Jax and Opie were at the back of the pack and were the last to leave the lot.
Once they were gone the gate was closed and locked behind them. The club members left behind quickly set up a previously constructed blockade. They were hopeful that the structure would keep cars from breeching the lot's gate.
The massive club convoy began to split off and head in different directions. Opie and Jax were headed toward a Russian safehouse in Brentwood.
It was one of the more luxurious safehouses and it was Jax's hope that Putlova was holed up there. Their second best option was his strip club, Jellybean. They'd go looking for him there if he wasn't at the safehouse.
Jax and Opie were riding with six other bikers and a black panel van was following close behind. The van was loaded with their weapons and could be used to transport any wounded that had to abandon their bikes.
The 30 minute ride to Brentwood seemed to go by quickly for Jax. His adrenaline had him too pumped to think about anything other than destruction. Before long they were two blocks away from the safehouse. Everyone pulled into the empty parking lot of a doctor's office.
Jax climbed off his bike and nodded to a member of Rogue River, Cory. He said, "Check for cameras. If you see any…you know what to do."
Cory nodded and pulled his ski mask down over his face before taking off to explore the camera situation.
As the other brothers gathered around Jax said, "We cover the last two blocks on foot. If you hear the cops drop the guns and take off. The van will be waiting on Kercheval Street."
Cory came back and said, "There was a camera at the front but I knocked it out. We're clear."
Jax nodded and said, "Good. Alright, everyone arm up and let's go."
A guy in the back of the van started handing out guns and clips to the various brothers. Once everyone was armed he hopped out of the back of the van and asked, "How long do I wait until I take off?"
Jax said, "You wait 5 minutes from the first siren. If everyone isn't in the van by that point you take off and get the hell out of dodge."
The van driver, Oliver, nodded at Jax and climbed into the driver's seat.
Opie said, "Well, let's do this, ladies."
The group quickly and quietly made their way toward the safehouse ready to strike. However, as they approached the house they saw squad cars lining the upper middle neighborhood.
Jax tucked his gun into his waistband and waved the other guys off.
The bikers made a quick retreat to their motorcycles.
Jax kept walking toward the commotion.
Opie frowned and tucked his gun into his waistband as well. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I just want to see what is going on. You don't have to come with me. Go back, Opie," said Jax.
Opie rolled his eyes and said, "It's not like I am going to let you go by yourself."
The two men approached the scene and were directed to move across the street by a police officer.
Jax and Opie stood in the growing crowd that watched in awe as dozens of guns were carried out of the safehouse along with a massive amount of heroin.
Opie looked at Jax and asked, "What are the chances of a raid happening tonight?"
Jax shook his head and said, "I don't know but I don't like it. Call the other guys and let them know we're blown."
Opie nodded. He walked a ways away to put some space between him and the crowd.
Jax watched intently as more product and weapons were carried out of the house. His jaw clenched wondering how the hell this happened. Jax's eyes scanned the squad cars but didn't see anyone inside of them. He was beginning to think he might still have a chance to get Putlova at a different location.
Ten minutes later Opie walked back over to Jax and said, "I was able to get in contact with everyone. I told them to send one person to scout out each of the locations. If they don't like the look of things they are supposed abort and head back to TM. The group that went out to Lodi already said there were cops at their target. Tig said he was just about to call me to tell me about the situation."
Jax took out a cigarette and lit it as he watched the house intently. "We've got a fucking rat problem."
Opie shook his head and said, "You don't know that. Putlova and his crew just might have been on law enforcement's radar."
"Fuck that. Someone's been running their fucking mouth. Putlova's crew has been running drugs, pussy, and guns for years. The day we decide to give him what's coming to him his whole organization gets rolled up by the cops. It feels too clean to me."
Opie had to admit that he didn't believe it was a coincidence. However, he had no clue who would turn rat against the club. It could have just been someone not interested in dying or going to jail. Not that it mattered what the motivation was…the penalty would be the same. Jax was feeling particular antsy and unforgiving. The person responsible for this betrayal was sure to get his full wrath.
Jax looked up seeing a large inmate transport vehicle rumbling up the street. He stood straighter and his eyes shifted back to the house. Jax was waiting to see if Putlova would emerge.
Two officers got out of the inmate transport vehicle and opened the back. They stood guard waiting for the suspects to be led out of the house.
A few minutes later the police began leading handcuffed Russian thugs out of the house.
Jax began to growl seeing that Putlova was one of the suspects. He opened and closed his gloved hand in anger. It would be hard for Putlova to get bail after being found in possession of that much firepower and dope.
Opie glanced at his best from and said, "If we can't get him on the outside…we'll be sure to get him on the inside. The best thing about prison is that there's nowhere to run."
"Yeah…"