Chapter 12

Broken Family

The next morning I woke to the smell of bacon and eggs through the house. I wandered down the hallway, and saw Happy in the kitchen cooking. I leant against the doorway, watching him work. His pants hung low on his hips, and his tattoos danced across his back and shoulders as he moved around.

"I love a man who can cook," I said, wrapping my arms around his waist.

He turned around and kissed me. "You're out of luck then. My cooking skills are limited."

I looked into the frypan, and shrugged. "I'm impressed," I assured him.

"Good. Now you sit down," he said, pulling my chair out. He scooped out an egg and some bacon onto my plate, and came back two seconds later with a plate of toast. He dished some onto his plate too, and we sat down together.

"This is lovely, Hap," I said. "Thank you."

"It's just the start," he explained. "Big day ahead."

"What are we doing?" I asked. "Or is it a secret?"

"You'll have to wait and see," he told me. "Now eat up. You'll need your energy."

I was curious now, and I spent the rest of breakfast trying to get out of Happy what we were doing. He wouldn't tell.

I went to get dressed, and Happy had a pile of clothes out on the bed already. I picked them up. Sports top, gym shorts, jacket, sweatpants... What the hell? I shrugged as I pulled them on, and threw on a pair of runners.

"Ok, I'm more confused than ever," I said, walking out of the bedroom. Happy was leaning outside the door, and smiled when I came out.

"You ready?" he asked.

"I still have no idea where we're going, but sure," I agreed, following him out the front door.

He threw me the keys to my bike. "Follow me."

I smiled, and pulled on my helmet. No matter what came next, today was already a win in my books.

I followed Happy to the other side of town, and pulled up at an old gym. Without saying a word, he grabbed my hand, and walked me inside.

I looked around the old building. It was just one big open room, a boxing ring and bags filling most of the space.

"Boxing?" I asked, confused.

He nodded, pulling off his jacket. "You told me you used to take self defense classes. I want to see how good you are."

I smiled, stepping out of my sweatpants. "Challenge accepted. I stepped over towards the bags and bent down, stretching. I felt Happy walk up behind me, but I ignored him and continued stretching. He turned on some music, then walked over to one of the bags, and let out a few punches. I watched him out of the corner of my eye, and I knew he was doing the same.

Once I was stretched, I made my way over to join Happy at the bags. I found my space, and bounced on the balls of my feet, getting my rhythm. My first punch connected perfectly. I smiled a little, and kept punching. I kept peaking glances towards Happy. He saw me watching him, and pulled his shirt off. He continued as if nothing had happened. I continued for a few more minutes, before I pulled off my jacket. I kept my eyes on the bag, as I stepped and punched. It didn't take long for Happy to come over.

"You've got nice form," Happy said, holding my bag, a thin layer of sweat making his chest glisten.

"Thanks," I said, as I kept punching. "You're not too bad yourself."

"You're tense," he commented after a while. "Loosen up, you'll move better. Here." He came and stood behind me, his hands resting on my waist. "Move with your whole body. Let it flow."

His hands pulled at my waist as I moved, lightly directing me on which way to turn. "Better?"

I nodded. He dropped his hands from my waist, and walked off to the back of the gym somewhere. I used the minute to catch my breath, but it wasn't the exercise which had me breathless.

He came back, carrying two sets of gloves. He climbed into the ring, and held out his hand. I walked over, ducking under the ropes as I climbed up. I took the gloves from Happy, and we both silently strapped them on.

"Ready?" I asked.

He nodded. "Remember, just sparring."

I struck at him first, a quick left jab he blocked with his arms. He returned the punch, and I dodged to the left and hit him with a right undercut. It caught him lightly in the stomach. He laughed, and came back with a quick double. Back and forward we went, trading blows and working out way around the ring.

I managed to back Happy to the corner of the ring. I held up my hands in victory. "Winner!"

Happy stepped closer, and before I knew what happened, he swiped my legs out from under me, and I was flat on my back, and Happy was above me, his hand pinning both of mine above my head.

"Who's winning now?" he asked.

I pursed my lips. "You cheated."

He kissed me hungrily, releasing the sexual tension that had been building all morning. I moaned and squirmed under his hold. He pulled away, and unfastened the Velcro on our gloves. Once my hands were free, I grabbed the back of his head, and pulled him back down to me. Our lips met again. I wrapped my legs around Happy's waist, pulling myself closer. I threw my weight to the side, rolling Happy over so he was now pinned.

"God, you are so fucking hot," he growled. "I want to take you. Right here."

I shuddered at his words. "So why don't you?"

He shook his head, almost willing himself to stop. "Nope. Not yet."

He sat up, kissed me again. I sighed as he pulled away, and I stood up. I climbed down from the ring, and pulled back on my sweatpants and jacket. Happy followed, pulling on his shirt, and took my hand as he lead me outside.

I climbed onto my bike, and Happy kissed me before I pulled on my helmet. "Meet you at home."

I nodded, starting my bike as he jumped onto his. I pulled out onto the road ahead of him, turning left at the end of the street.

I beat Happy home, and figured I would get a shower ready. I turned the water on to warm up, and pulled off my clothes. I stepped into the shower, washing the sweat off my entire body. I was just about to switch off the water when the bathroom door opened.

"What took you so long?" I asked, as Happy pulled his shirt and pants off.

"Just had to organize something," he replied cryptically.

"Alright, keep your secrets," I said, opening the shower door. He smiled as he stepped in, his hand reaching for me.

We both heard his phone ring at the same time. "I got it," I told him, grabbing a towel and stepping out.

"Come back when you're done," he called after me.

I smiled as I picked up his phone off the bed. I checked caller ID - it was Jax.

"Hey Jax, Hap's just in the shower, what's up?"

"Hey, Georgia," he replied. "Can you let Happy know I need him? Tell him we trailed Hightower to the boatyard, it's on Canal and Hayward. We're heading over there now."

"Alright, I'll let him know," I said, hanging up.

I walked back into the bathroom. "Wrap it up, Happy."

"Who was it??"

"Jax. He needs you."

Happy switched off the water, and I handed him a towel. I went back to the bathroom to get dressed. Happy followed a minute later.

"Who is Hightower?" I asked, pulling down my shirt.

Happy tensed, before answering. "No-one..."

"Happy?" I warned. "The truth."

He sighed. "He killed Opie in Stockton."

"Right, I'm coming with you," I said. "And you can argue, but remember, I know where he is, so I either come with you, or I can jump on my bike now, and beat you there. Either way, I'm going."

Happy shook his head. "Jax is going to kill me..."

We pulled up outside the boatyard alongside a blue van. I climbed off my bike, and rested my helmet on the handlebars, just as half a dozen bikes rode up behind us.

"No, Georgia, " Jax said when they pulled up. "You shouldn't be here."

"Of course I should, Jackson," I told him. "You should have told me yourself."

"Look, we're just here to talk to the guy," Bobby explained. "Let her come, as long as she stays out of the way."

Jax looked torn, before he nodded. "You stay behind us," he warned. "Not a word."

I nodded, and followed behind the guys. We walked past three bikes, one bright red. Before we reached the docks, three guys intercepted us.

"How'd you know we were here?" one of the guys asked. His patches said he was president of the Grim Bastards. This must be T.O.

"A friend," Jax said. "You remember what those are, right?"

"I'm trying here, man," he explained. "I can't convince Randy you guys ain't gonna kill him."

"Come on. Where is he?" Chibs asked.

"Listen," T.O. said. "I talked to him about Opie. The order came down from Pope to take you guys out in County. GN recruited Randy 'cause of his size. It was the guards who set up that kill. Cuz had no choice, man. He was in too deep."

"So who were the other guys?" Tig asked.

T.O shook his head. "He hardly knew them."

Jax stepped closer to him. "Let us hear that from him."

"I need your word, man," T.O said.

"Yeah. Okay." Jax agreed.

He sighed, looked around at the Sons, before he lead us to the docks where the boats were moored. Before we reached the docks, a large guy, easily seven feet tall, jumped from the boat and took off up the ramp toward the buildings. That must be Hightower. Jax was hot on his heels, Chibs, Happy and I close behind.

"No, cuz, they just want to talk!" T.O called after his cousin as he followed us. "Hey, let him go, let him go. They just want to talk, cuz."

"Bobby, we got the back," Tig called, as he and Phil ran the other way.

We followed him into the building, Jax and Chibs pulling their guns as we ran. I was lighter than the others, and I passed Happy and Chibs, and was right behind Jax as we caught up to Hightower. He tried to open the back door, but it was locked. He turned back around, his gun pointed at us. Happy had caught up, and pulled me behind him, away from the gun.

"Hey!" Jax warned, his gun aimed right at Hightower.

"Back off!" Hightower shouted.

"Put the gun down," Jax said.

The Bastards ran into the room, followed closely behind by Tig, Bobby and Phil.

"You're gonna kill me."

"No, man. We want to talk to you." Jax explained. He turned back to the Bastard's president. "Your call, T.O."

"Randall, listen," he pleaded. "They gave me their word, all right? Just put the gun down, man."

He hesitated, before he lowered his gun. Jax and Chibs stepped closer.

"Who else killed our friend?" Chibs asked, circling behind Hightower.

"One guy, his name was Aldo. Smith, I think. Other guys, I just knew their first name. Vox and Mace. That's all I know. I swear."

Chibs stopped circling and stood behind him, and looked at Jax. "I got this," Chibs said, raising his gun to the back of Hightower's head. He fired his gun, and Hightower dropped to the floor.

"Jesus Christ! What is this shit!" T.O yelled, pulling his gun as Chibs fired two more shots into his cousin's body. "Jax, you gave me your word, man."

"And so did you," Jax replied angrily. "You said you were gonna deliver him. You didn't."

T.O slowly lowered his gun, and everyone else relaxed slightly and lowered their weapons. He looked at Jax with a mix of shock and disgust. "Who the hell are you?"

Jax stood, looking indifferent, before walking past T.O and out the back of the building without a word. Happy put his hand on my waist, and guided me to follow the rest of the Sons as they left.

Everyone was silent until we reached TM. Once we pulled up, Bobby followed Jax, calling after him.

"You just shit on two decades of brotherhood," he explained once he caught up. "What you did back there was wrong. And it hurts all of us."

"You know, you might be right," Jax conceded, "but you didn't see the pleasure in that animal's face when he caved in Opie's skull! We did!"

Jax walked away, sitting on one of the benches and lit a cigarette. Bobby looked torn for a moment, before turning and slowly walking inside.

"I'll go talk to him," Tig said, following after Bobby. I stood back and watched as Chibs sat down next to Jax, lighting his own smoke. They were out of earshot, but I watched them as they spoke. Chibs stood up, and indicated for Jax to do the same. He asked Jax something, and he nodded. Chibs kissed his cheek, before he went inside.

Once Chibs left, I went to sit next to Jax. Happy grabbed my arm, warning me to leave it. I sat down regardless.

"Please, Georgia," he said, glaring at me. "Not now."

"Yes, Jackson. Now," I said. "What the hell was that all about?"

"This doesn't involve you."

"That's bullshit," I told him. "Our fathers started this together this club together almost 40 years ago. They're not here anymore. That means its up to us as their children to ensure that legacy continues. Do you really think that this is what Opie would have wanted? For you to kill this club for the sake of revenge?"

"How the hell would I know that?" he snarled. "It's not like he's here to ask!"

"What's your end goal here? Just keep fighting your demons until you've spilt enough blood to cover the pain? I've been there, Jax, and trust me when I tell you, that it is never enough. All you get in return are friends for those demons, until you are so lost that you forget what you were fighting for in the first place."

Jax stood over me, seething. "You may think you know everything here, Georgia, but this is not your home, and we are not your family."

"Hey," Happy said, stepping closer. "That's enough."

"No, she needs to hear this," he said, ignoring Happy. "If you have fucked your shit up so badly in Australia that you needed to run away here, then that's your own fault. But do not bring your shit here and act all high and mighty. You are no-one here, just a little girl who is trying to play with the big boys. Just as you always have been."

I felt tears forming in my eyes, my heart completely broken. I got up and walked over to my bike, slamming my helmet on. I heard someone call my name, but flew out of the parking lot, without looking back.