Chapter Eight

Stockton State Prison

Tully

Today is the day. It's finally time to meet Juicy boy. I've been watching him from a distance and I can't lie, I don't see how my sweet Peaches has been able to control herself. I'm barely able to control myself. He's one fine Puerto Rican specimen. I especially love the scalp tats. Too bad I can't have a little fun without pissing my Peaches off.

John, the only guard on this block that can be bought, gives me a nod. I tell my guys to pack the bones up so they can keep watch while I have my meeting with the new fish. Walking over to John with a hop in my step, he cuffs my wrist and escorts me to one of the private cells that are usually used for solitary confinement. It's perfect for what I need.

The cuff comes off and John leaves me to get the boy. I note the one pillow and blanket folded on top of the bunk. Unfolding the blanket I spread it out and make the bed at least look decent. It's then that I hear the buzzing of the door opening. John's back with the new fish in tow.

" You're Tully? " He asks with his guard up completely.

As well it should be. I stare at him with zero emotion on my face. It's how I've had to move in here. You show emotion, you show weakness. And I've never had a perceived weakness. Ever.

Nodding I say, " That's me. I'm glad I could finally get an audience with you. I've heard a lot. "

" Yeah, I'm a rat. " He spits out with venom. " So you here to do me or what? "

I didn't expect him to just come out with it, but I don't show my surprise. " No. I'm here not because of Jax, but Jaycee. "

" Don't. " He growls sexily. " Don't bring her into this, okay? Just don't. You do what you want to me, just leave her out of it. "

Grinning I say, " Oh, Juicy baby, I've known Miss. Teller for a while now. We've got a deal, me and her. "

" What? " He asks clearly surprised by my words. " Why didn't she tell me? "

Shrugging I say, " my guess would be that she didn't want you to know ".

He doesn't need to know that the deal was made only three days ago. I want to see how he handles it.

" Thanks for pointing out the obvious. " He mutters while looking at the ground.

Grinning I say, " You're welcome, baby. She says you two are close... " I say thinking about my next words wisely. " She's a bit standoffish when we talk. I'd like to know more about her. That's where you come in. "

" She isn't up for grabs. " He claims while puffing out his chest.

His anger is sexy as hell. " Are you sayin' she's your ol' lady? " I ask baiting him.

" We were never allowed and even if we were, she never would let anyone claim her. " He says confirming what I've been told.

It's good to know I'm getting true information on the woman I have staying in my home. " Untamed and unclaimed, huh? Liking her more and more. Go on. "

" I got no incentive to tell you anything, Tully. " He growls. " Don't mistake my compliance for weakness. I really don't care if I die as long as she's okay. "

Ha! I knew it. " So you're in love with her? " I ask already knowing by the look on his face. Ain't that something? " Here. " I tell him before throwing him a vial of H.

He looks at me in question.

" Your incentive, Juicy baby. " I say watching him sit on the bunk and looking at the vial.

Don't get me wrong, this life isn't easy. After being in and out I can honestly say I've been through what he's going through now. Some men get stronger physically and mentally. Some... Some break completely. Juice is teetering on the latter. The H is both incentive to give me what I want and a small act of kindness so he can at least forget for a while.

Or maybe I'm letting myself think otherwise. In truth, after hearing more about the boy from my sweet Peaches... I can't help but feel more connected to the man I've paid a thousand dollars to have a few hours with, in this cell. We've got more in common than I thought.

He leans back against the wall so I take the only pillow and set it in his lap. Leaning back against him I say, " Now, tell me all about her ".

I hear him snort above me, taking the H in before shuddering. " Well for one, she isn't a white supremacist. So good luck getting her to see past that. "

" That's Mickey Mouse baby. " I say not fighting the smug grin that spreads across my face. " I'm retiring after this bid is over. "

In truth, I've never felt superior to anyone but playing the part has gotten me a huge fortune. In turn, I've been able to spend my bids in relative comfort. Don't get me wrong, I've never committed the cardinal sin of getting too comfortable on the inside. That's when you know you're institutionalized. No, I have things on the outside that I'm looking forward to getting back.

My dogs are one of them. Anti, Crusher, and Lucifer are my babies and I would be lying if I said I don't miss them terribly. I've been trying to push my release date in the back of my mind knowing that it's coming up quickly... Thinking about it constantly will only make the next few months drag on.

I can feel his confusion. " I thought the only way out is death? "

" Usually... " I mutter getting comfortable. " But I've done my time and my backup is more than ready to take my place. "

It's true, Leland has been damn near begging to take over the prison trade. Give me a few months to prep him when I get out and he'll be set. As long as he keeps Jaycee safe until I get out that is.

" She uh... " I start. " She told me a little about you. "

I feel him stiffen up. " What'd she say? "

" That you're her best friend. " I say craning my neck to look up at him. " So much so that she was willing to stab her only cousin in the back to help get you out of Charming. "

He sighs hard. " She feels guilty. "

" Yeah, I've gathered that. " I tell him honestly. " She brought you in and now that things have gone left she's blaming herself. It's a woman's trait. "

He shakes his head. " She didn't force me to do anything. I wanted in the club. To belong. "

" But you didn't. " I say matter fo factly. " Belong that is, and she beats herself up for not seeing it sooner. "

It's then that my cell rings. Looking toward the guard on duty, he nods, so I answer. " What is it, Leland? "

Hey boss, your girl just got some news. You ain't gonna like it.

" What is it? " I say while pinching the bridge of my nose.

She got a call from Jax. Their uncle was killed and she needs to go back to Charming for the funeral. Says she might be needed there a few days.

Fuck! How can I keep her protected if they keep dying off? " She never told me about an uncle. Who is he? "

The Elvis impersonator. I told you about him.

Yeah, he did. According to Leland, he was the voice of reason on the few times the MC met with my guys. " Fuck. Okay, I know how it is to lose someone. You go with her and if someone has something to say, tell them to deal with me. "

Sure thing, boss. She's in the house packing now.

" Okay, I'm going to call her. " I say hanging up.

Jaycee

I'm doing the breakfast dishes while listening to the oldies station on the radio. I'm still not used to being in Tully's house but I'm getting there. At least I'm not here alone with these dogs.

Don't get me wrong, they're very well-behaved, but I'm not used to being around them. From listening to Leland, Tully loves his dogs more than anything so I better get used to them. Anti and Satan are very friendly, but Crusher? He's a beast that loves letting me know that I'm in HIS house.

Leland, the guy I previously referred to as the inbred, has also been posted here. He keeps Crusher at bay. Along with a guy named Freddy who never speaks. At least I've never heard him speak that is. It doesn't bother me as long as I'm not in this huge house alone all of the time. Leland has even stopped being the douche I know him to be and we actually have been getting along. Maybe it's his alliance with Tully but I don't really care at the moment.

Can I just say... His bed is huge and is the most comfortable I've ever slept in. The last two nights sleeping in it were heaven on earth. It has had me in the best mood I've been in for years.

My burner starts ringing and TM's number flashes on the screen. Thinking its aunt Gemma I answer right away.

" Hello? " I answer.

Jayce?

It's Jax, great. " Hey. "

I know you're pissed off... But you need to come home.

The tone of his voice tells me this isn't a business call. " Why? What's going on? "

... Bobby's dead.

My heart leaps into my throat. " What? " I ask as I do my best to not hyperventilate.

This can't be happening! Bobby can't be dead. He's a survivor damn it! He isn't supposed to die.

Pope had his people kidnap him. They fucked him up pretty badly before they killed him. Like I said, I know you're mad, but you need to be here for the funeral and your family.

As if I wouldn't pay my final respects to the man that was always there for me when I needed him. Finding my voice through my grief I say, " yeah. I'll be there in a few hours. "

Thanks, Jayce. I'll see you when you get here.

Sighing I finish making the bed and then head downstairs and over to the sliding doors that lead to the backyard. Leland and Freddy are working on their truck back here. When I step out of the door they both look up from what they're doing.

" You need something? " Leland asks.

Sighing I say, " I need you to get ahold of Ronald. I have a funeral I need to go to and I'll probably be gone a few days. "

" He ain't gonna like it. " He says after staring me down a few moments.

I nod knowing that it's the absolute truth. " I know, but it's my uncle. The man was there for me my whole life. I have to be there. "

" I'll let him know and we'll finish up here. " He says while wiping his hands on a shop rag. " Go get packed. "

Smiling I say, " thanks ".

It looks like MC's aren't the only gangs that put family before all. Good to know. Heading back in I go to the bedroom and pack a bag with enough clothes for a few days.

The landline rings and I know exactly who it is. Picking the receiver up, he's speaking before I can even greet him.

What's going on Peaches?

I can't lie, hearing his voice after receiving such bad news makes me feel a bit better. " My uncle was killed. I need to be with my family right now. "

I'm sorry, Jaycee. Were you two close?

I think this is only the third time he has used my real name. It's then that I allow the tears to flow. " He was there for me every step of the way. He was captured by Pope's people and they tortured him! "

Why, baby?

" Club business gone wrong. I say knowing I can't give away too much of the club's business. " He was collateral damage. Once Pope got what he wanted, he had his hired man kill Bobby even though the deal was to get him back alive. "

How long are you planning on being gone?

" Not long hopefully. " I tell him honestly. " Maybe a few days to get the funeral together. "

Okay, I'm sending Leland with you. He's your personal security.

Shaking my head I start, " that's not nessa- "

No arguments, Jaycee. I want to make sure what happened to Bobby doesn't happen to you. If they were willing to kill your uncle and break the deal they made, they'd have no problems trying to get at any perceived weak links. I know better, but unfortunately, they do see you as such.

He's right. Why wouldn't he be? " Okay. "

You're not gonna fight me anymore on this?

" No. " I say with a sigh. " It's pointless anyway. "

I see you're finally learning.

Rolling my eyes I can't help but smile. " Thanks for making me feel a little better. "

Anytime, Peaches. I'll talk to you later.