Chapter 10

Jax stared at the bullet holes in the window. What should have been a simple meeting, signing papers and finalising his business arrangement with Collette and Barosky had turned into a shoot out. He was pissed.

Jax looked back at Barosky. Perks of having an ex bent uniform on the side was that he could control the police and the ambulance services meaning it took the heat off. For that Jax was grateful his club didn't need anymore heat after the school shooting. He'd heard the news report this morning, they were determined to find out where the gun came from. Add Lee Toric and August Marks into the equation, yeah the club didn't need anymore heat.

"Hows your guy?" Nero asked as Barosky came to stand with him and Jax.

"Three bullets in the back how do you think he is?" He looked to Jax. "Was this you?"

"Could ask the same question." Jax spoke standing his ground neither of them were innocent men.

"A witness got a partial plate on a white Mercedes. One match. Amir Ghanezi." Hearing the name Chibs spoke over Jax's shoulder.

"Torture porn scumbag."

"I thought that was handled?" Barosky asked, annoyance in his voice.

"It was." Jax said in defence "We did what you said."

"But before that?" Barosky knew that the Sons had arrived before he had joined them.

"We may have rearranged a few things." Tig spoke. Barosky shook his head he knew what that meant.

"Well lets find out. I know someone. Come on."

"Did Clay Morrow sign the Affidavit?" Patterson asked as she walked the halls with Lee Toric.

"I missed him at County, I have to wait till he's processed in Stockton." Patterson rolled her eyes and Toric couldn't agree more.

He thought that Clay seeing Jax was what he needed but it turned out that Clay Morrow never intended to rat on his club, but Toric wasn't giving up, he needed the club, he needed them to pay for what they did to his sister. He also knew that there were other ways that he could make Clay Morrow talk. Otto Delany, if he had a tongue he would confirm that.

"I did speak to the two Byz-Lats. They never said much"

"Couldn't or wouldn't?" Toric hid the smile at the memory. It was more that they couldn't especially after he had broken a bottle cap off in their mouth breaking their front teeth in the process. But he wasn't going to say that to Patterson. "Both. They are protecting Nero Padilla. He's the way to tie the MC to the gun."

Patterson didn't agree. "I have checked him out, he's been living clean, nothing outstanding."

"I hear he's brutal with his girls." Patterson stopped walking to look at Toric.

"You have a witness to back that up?"

"No but If im able to run a check on all the escorts, maybe one of them will want to trade something."

"Ok do it."

Nicole pulled up outside Diosa, giving that her morning hadn't gone as planned Nicole decided to go and see Lyla.

Walking through the doors she was greeted by Tanya. "Hi Nicole." There were no introductions needed, everyone knew who Nicole was and he standing in the club. "Gemma isn't here."

"That's ok I'm looking for..."

"Nicole."

"Doesn't matter there she is."

Lyla came over to the two ladies and embraced Nicole in a hug. "How you doing Lyla?"

"Stressed."

"Kids?" Nicole asked as she took a seat at the bar where Lyla had led her to.

"No, kids are great. Well a little scared about this." Lyla pointed to her face.

"What did you tell them?"

"Car accident. You want a drink?"

"Water would be great." Lyla leant down and grabbed two bottles of water. "Don't suppose there's anything to eat here." Lyla smiled "I think we have some stuff to make a sandwich in the kitchen. Turkey ok?"

"Lovely."

Lyla waved over one of the girls and instructed her to go make the sandwich and of course the girl went off to the kitchen.

"Thanks Lyla, I don't know what's a matter with me lately I just can't stop eating."

"That's because you are eating for two." Lyla said in hushed tones. "You feeling ok?"

"Well apart from eating everything in sight I feel really good. My clothes are getting a little tight though, might need to hit the shops."

"I probably have some stuff from when I was pregnant Piper."

"Thank you that would be great."

"And all that we spoke about, your fears?"

"Still there but Happy does make them go away a little." Lyla squeezed her hand glad to actually see her happy, they had both been through a rough times.

"Well you look glowing."

"Oh god don't say that I already think Gemma is getting suspicious." Nicole said with a laugh.

"When are you going to tell everyone. Don't worry your secret is safe with me."

"Im not sure. I just want to enjoy it a little bit with Hap, but I'm nearly 4 months, I'm just lucky I'm not show..." Nicole stopped as the girl arrived with their sandwiches. They both offered a thank you before she disappeared again. "However if I carry on eating like this, I really won't be able to hide it for long."

"Well enjoy, this is the time you can eat anything."

"So." Nicole paused taking a bite of her sandwich. "What has you so stressed this morning?"

"One of my girls hasn't shown up."

"You worried?"

"Well she left with this guy, he seemed, well he seemed off."

"You tried calling her?"

"Yeah nothing."

"You spoken to Nero, maybe he knows something."

"Yeah maybe."

Tara walked up the driveway. She could hear Abe'ls laughter before she even reached the door. Upon opening it she watched Gemma chasing Abel around the table before scooping him up in her arms and planting a big kiss on his cheek. Tara smiled, and it wasn't soon before her presence was noticed.

"Mommy." Abel squealed as Gemma place him on the ground. He came running over to her. And Tara bent down and embraced him.

"Hi Sweetheart." When she straightened up her eye met Gemmas, before looking back at her son. "Why don't you go get your things."

"Ok Mommy."

"Sweet kid."

"Yeah he is." Tara replied watching him disappear. "Thank you for looking after them today."

"Of course." Tara smiled back her.

Gemma had been thinking about it since Nicole and Wendy left, Gemma didn't completely trust Wendy, what her intentions were with this family, but then again after finding out what Tara was planning there was doubt there too.

"Hey can I ask you something?"

"Sure Gemma."

"You and Jax ever talk to Wendy about that whole guardianship thing?"

"No not really, we got a little pre-occupied."

"Yeah I guess. If you need any help with that..."

"Thanks Gemma. I should get Thomas." Tara went to head for the living space when Gemma lightly grabbed her arm.

"You ok?" Tara stopped and looked back at Gemma a smile creeping onto her lips.

"Yeah. Can I tell you something but you promise to keep it a secret?"

"Secrets are what I do." Yes they were was all Tara could think about.

"I'm pregnant. About 8 weeks."

"Oh my god that's wonderful news." Gemma hugged Tara. "What did Jax say?"

"I have only just had it confirmed. I'm going to tell him tonight."

"He is going to be thrilled."

"I hope so."

Wendy drove to Gemma's after receiving a text from her. She was a little apprehensive but she knocked on the door regardless.

"Hey."

"Hey. Come in."

"Did you talk to Jax?"

"It's not a good time." With hearing the news about Tara being pregnant Gemma wouldn't let Wendy bleed all over them but she also wanted to keep her close.

Wendy watched as Gemma walked over to the table and open a hat box. Gemma pulled something out and offered it to Wendy.

"Here."

"Oh Jesus Christ." It was a gun.

"Hey until this guy is shut down you need to protect yourself."

"What happens if he has his own and blows my head off."

"Then you make sure you pull that trigger first. Look it has no numbers on it, it's clean. Just keeping it in your bag will keep you comfort."

"Ok Gemma."

It was dark when he entered the house he knew that everyone was asleep. He pulled out his cell as it started to chirp. Collette. He said he would check on her after the shooting today but his day had just got fucked up and right now he couldn't deal with her so he cancelled the call.

Chucking his cell onto the kitchen table he took a seat his hand rubbing over his face as he flashed back through the day.

First being shot at, then dealing with the torture porn scum – Chibs words- Amir was pissed that they had killed his brother. It was Tig, Jax knew that but he lied to both Amir and Barosky. Both seemed to buy it or rather he hoped they. And then there was his talk with August Marks.

It seemed like Clay had kept his word, he was leaving County and going to Stockton. Now Jax had no feelings for the man but he needed him whole because of the Irish which meant Clay needed protection. August agreed to help with that but he wanted something to else in return. If he wasn't able to kill Clay because of the Irish ties then he wanted vengeance some other way and that was Tig.

Jax was hesitant, he needed Tig he need the numbers but August had reminded him how easy it was for him to action a plan B last time. Tara and Nicole. So Jax had set it up, and right now Tig was waiting in a warehouse, he was expecting the prospects, but Jax knew that the only person turning up was Marks and his crew.

Tig was dead.