Chapter 19

It was another month before we heard anything about the trial. Jax, Hap, Alex and I had taken up residence in the clubhouse, not wanting to take any chances. ATF had shown back up and finally given us the court date for the trial. They told me what they expected of me, and it made me nervous. They had Putlova in custody but I was scared…not only for myself and Alex but also for my family. Putlova had a large presence in Stockton, if any of SAMCRO ended up there, they would all be dead. I worried for Lenny and Otto.

The morning of the Trial finally arrived. Jax and I were getting ready. For once, SAMCRO had decided to wear button up shirts and no Kuttes. I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror straightening my hair when Jax walked up behind me. "It's going to be fine." He said. I wanted to believe him. I really did, but I was finding it hard. "You believe me don't you?" He asked me.

"I want to, but I know how strong Putlova's presence is in Stockton. What happens if you guys get locked up." I said.

He put his hands on my shoulders and gently squeezed. "You let us worry about that. Okay?" He said and I nodded.

When I was dressed and ready to go, Jax and I headed out to the barroom to meet everyone. We'd decided to take the vans and my car as well as Gem's Caddy to make it less obvious. We headed to the courthouse. To say that Alex and I were nervous…was an understatement.

Arriving at the courthouse, there were cops everywhere. We were led into the courthouse by multiple ATF agents and led into a small room. "Ms. Jacobs, my name is Agent June Stahl, ATF." The woman leaning against the table.

Jax pulled me closer into his side. "What're you doing here, Stahl?" Jax asked her.

"Trying to help. Whatever issues we've had in the past…is just that in the past. The important thing right is that I'm here to help." She said.

I wasn't sure who this woman was or what her angle was, but she clearly had a history with SAMCRO. "What's your angle?" I asked. She stared at me. "Well, I mean clearly you have a history with SAMCRO, I've been meeting with other ATF agents for months but this is the first time that I've seen you. So, what's your angle?"

Stahl let out a sigh. "I've read the file. I've read the history of the case. I've also looked into your family history. But with the company you keep, I assume that you already know that. I'm just here to keep you safe." Stahl said.

I scoffed. "I've got that under control. So thanks but no thanks." I told her.

She held her hands up in surrender. "Fine. Have it your way." Stahl said. "It'll be a few minutes before we bring you in." She said before she stepped out of the room.

I turned to Jax and buried my face in his chest again. I felt him rubbing my back trying to comfort me. "Shh…it's going to be okay. I'm right here." He said.

I don't know how much time had passed but when I looked up at Jax, I felt like I could relax a little bit. It was another few minutes before either of us moved. I didn't care who was looking at us. All I wanted was to just be held by Jax.

After a while, a couple of agents came in and told us that it was time. When Jax and I walked out of the room, I linked my arm with his. "Don't leave me." I whispered to him.

"Never. I could never leave you." He whispered back.

We walked into the courtroom, and we sat behind the DA. I sat there and I listened to what was going on around me. I looked over and saw Putlova sitting with his attorney. I hoped, I prayed that he would not be leaving this courtroom today. The attorneys went back and forth with their opening arguments. It wasn't until I heard my name that I was pulled from my haze. I stood up from my seat and made my way to the stand. After I was sworn in, the DA looked at me. "State your full name for the court." She said.

"Kristin Alana Jacobs." I said.

"Thank you. Kristin, do you recognize this man?" He asked pointing to Putlova.

"Do I recognize him or do I know who he is?" I asked.

"Whichever."

I nodded. "I know that he is Mr. Putlova, leader of the Russian mafia. Have I ever personally met him…not that I can remember." I said.

The DA nodded. "How do you know who he is?" She asked me.

"I've been told that my mother was his goddaughter." I said.

"Interesting. How do you know this?" She asked me.

I refused to rat Lenny out. "I left my childhood home for a while to go to college and do some traveling where I met my best friend. When I returned home a few months ago, I was cleaning out my attic and I found some of my mother's things. There was a letter from Putlova." I said.

"And what was in this letter?"

"The letter said, that no matter what, he would always find her. No matter what she did or where she went, she'd never be able to completely run from the life that she was destined to lead." I said.

"Did the letter say anything else?"

"Only that he would come for her and that she would regret leaving. That she would be punished." I said.

It wasn't a complete lie. I had found a letter. I just hadn't told anyone about it. Until now. "Thank you. You weren't raised by your parents were you?" She said.

I shook my head. "No I wasn't." I said.

"What was that like?" She asked.

"When I was little my parents were taken from me. I was raised by my godmother and my godfather. They treated me like I was their daughter. Still do. I grew up never knowing my parents. I only knew stories. I never knew their families because we weren't sure if it was just my parents that they were after or if they would come for me. My father will never get to walk me down the aisle. My parents will never get to see me get married, or become a mother." I said.

"Thank you. You mentioned a best friend that you met while at college."

I looked at Alex and she nodded. "Yes. I did." I said.

"What can you tell me about her?" She asked.

I let out a sigh. "She grew up in Washington, her father is an attorney for the state and her mother left when she was little because she feared for her life." I said.

"Why did she fear for her life?" She asked me.

"Like my mother, hers was also part Russian. She feared that Putlova was going to push her into a life that she didn't want. She escaped and hasn't been heard from since." I said. That was all of the information that I would give them about Alex.

"Thank you. That is all." She said.

The DA sat down and Putlova's attorney stood up. "Ms. Jacobs, you grew up in Charming, California is that correct?" He asked.

"It is." I said.

"Your father was a member of the Sons of Anarchy." He said.

I knew where this was going. "He was. Is there a point?" I asked.

"Why do you think that your mother would leave the comfort of her family to be with a criminal biker?" He asked.

I saw red. I tried to calm myself down. "First off, my mother was scared. She left because she knew her fate if she stayed. Secondly, my father was not a criminal. He was a mechanic and a Harley lover. So, do you have any real questions that you want to ask me?" I said.

I looked over at Jax and Clay. Clay had a proud smile on his face. "No, that'll be all." He said.

I looked over at the judge. "You may step down." She said.

I walked back and took my seat between Jax and Clay. We spent the rest of the afternoon listening to the attorneys and the different witnesses be questioned. The judge sent the jury away to determine the verdict. "Jax, I need a breather." I told him.

He nodded. He led me out of the courtroom and back to the room that we'd been in before the trial. He wrapped his arms around me and just held me. "I've got you." He said as I started to cry. "Let it out. You did good babe. You did good." He told me.