Chapter Nine

Tully

Once I hang up with Jaycee, I look back at Juice. " What do you know about the Elvis impersonator? "

" Bobby? " He says as his ears perk up. " He's an important member of our- her family. The voice of reason. Why? What happened? "

I really hate being the bearer of bad news. " I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but he was murdered. "

" Fuck, Bobby. " He says as he furiously wipes at his eyes.

The broken look that comes over his face makes me think I shouldn't have told him. Seeing him so fucked up over this information damn near breaks my heart. Sitting back on the bunk I pull him into my arms.

He tries to push me away and I know why. It's dangerous to show emotions in here. Lucky for him, I'm a softie for Latinos. Call it what you want but I've never stuck to one gender. Once he stops fighting it he holds onto me while shaking like a leaf.

" It's okay, let it out. " I whisper as I rub the top of his head.

TM

The first person I see when Leland and I get out of the truck is aunt Gemma. Once our eyes lock I run to her and let her embrace comfort me as it used to when I was a little girl. It's then that I break down completely.

" I know, baby. I know. " She says sounding as though she's holding back tears as well.

I cry out, " why? Why him? He was what we couldn't afford to lose. "

" I'm sorry, baby. " She says holding me tighter.

When I calm down a little I wipe my face with the hankie aunt Gemma hands me. Looking back at Leland I point him out to her. " This is Leland. He's with me. "

She eyes him in distrust. I know it's the Swastika tattoo he proudly lets peek out from under his shirt. See, aunt Gemma is Jewish and she has never respected skinheads. I give her an " I'll explain later " look, she shrugs it off and we head inside the clubhouse.

Leland posts himself at the entrance of the clubhouse and keeps an eye on everyone coming and going. Heading to the bar I pour myself a large whiskey and down it all at once.

It's then I hear a Scottish accent from behind me. " What's the nazi doing here? " He asks before sitting next to me at the.

" Security via, Tully. " I tell him. " He's... Protective. "

If looks could kill, I'd be dead right now. Chibs looks from me to Leland hopelessly and I feel kind of bad for three seconds. That is until I remember that he's screwing the sheriff. He has no right to be angry when he didn't even fight for me.

Shaking my head I get up and leave him to sulk. The whole time I have to remind myself that he's the past and Tully is my future.

That's when I stop halfway to aunt Gemma's office.

When did I start thinking of this man as my future? When did this happen? HOW did this happen? This was only supposed to be a " for business " kind of thing.

Don't get me wrong, I do find him interesting as I told him. However, I've never been one to think of any man in my life in the future tense. Family not included obviously. This is complete lunacy.

" Jaycee. " I hear and know who it is instantly.

Turning around I come face to face with Jax for the first time in a week. I honestly don't know what to say to him. I know what I want to ask but I know that Juice is still alive for a reason. And the reason is something he will never tell me.

" I'm glad you came. " He says nodding to the empty garage. " We've been missing you around here the last week. "

Shrugging I say, " yeah well, I've been protecting my sanity ".

" And apparently you're being protected by Tully's lap dog. " He accuses.

Giving him the " you have a lot of nerve " look I say, " it's not something I asked for... Ronald insisted that he come with me. "

" Oh, so it's Ronald now? " He asks narrowing his eyes.

I nod simply. " Yeah, it is his name after all. "

" We've checked the dispensary and your house... You went completely AWOL. Where have you been? " He interrogates.

Smiling I say, " Tully thinks it's best if I stay at his place for now. "

" And why would you listen to what he wants? " He asks clearly oblivious to the deal that was made between us.

I have no problem informing him. " Because that's the deal we made. "

" Deal? " He asks in confusion. " What deal? "

Seriously?

" The deal we made. " I reiterate.

Sorry cus, you keep things from me so the turnabout is fair play.

The interrogation doesn't end there. " Where? "

" I can't give the location away, Jax. " I tell him incredulously. " That defeats the purpose of keeping me safe. "

Huffing he says, " so you made a deal that you won't tell me specifics about... You've been staying in the home of a white supremacist... And most importantly, you've abandoned your duties to TM and the club. I got that right? "

" Honestly, Jax? " I start. " I really don't know what to tell you. It was you that begged me to go see him. Now that I've agreed to be his old lady... He's exercising his right to keep me safe by any means. "

" His old lady?! " He damn near explodes. " We need you here, Jayce. "

Matching his anger I yell, " Bobby is dead, Jax "!

" I know! " He roars like a fucking lion.

I then start naming all that we've lost in the past year. " Opie, Piney, Bobby... How many more family members are we going to lose for you to stop the madness? I'm tired, Jax. "

" I'm sorry. " He says for the first time in years as he calms down. " I know how hard it has been on you but you can't just abandon us when we need you most. I won't allow it. "

I almost laugh in his face. Almost. He has a lot of balls trying to guilt me into anything. He has been the cause of all of the heartbreak I've been going through over the last year and a half. Now that I have an outsider with power on my side... I'm going to use it to my advantage.

" How do you think Tully will feel about you pulling a power play on me after our deal has already been made? " I ask fighting a grin that wants to spread across my face. " You think he'll be happy that you stepped in between what we have going on after everything you've gone through to earn his trust? "

The look on his face tells me everything I need to know... The alliance with Tully has him by the balls. He just realized that he has no power here. It's about what me and my old man want from here on out. No more controlling Jaycee's every move.

" I didn't think so. We all have our parts to play in this war, cousin. This is mine. " I say before taking my leave to let him stew just like Chibs.

I'm not gonna lie, pulling my own power move over him feels damned good.

I finally got to talk to your boy.

Sitting up in my bunk I feel my heart race. " Is he okay? "

As okay as he can be Peaches. He's pretty messed up about Bobby.

Relief fills my body at his words. I know my fear is far from gone where he's concerned. If Jax has his way Juice won't make it out of there alive. Try as I might, I just can't make peace with that. At least someone let him know about what happened with Bobby. Lord knows no one from the club would have passed that on.

" Thanks for telling him. " I say after a minute. " It's not something he should have to deal with right now, but he needed to know. "

Baby, don't worry so much. I got eyes on him in here he'll be okay.

" For how long is the question? " I say sadly.

I just want you to focus on Bobby's funeral right now. It's today right?

Looking at the clock on the wall I sigh. " Yeah. I actually need to get ready soon. I've been laying here dreading having to say goodbye. "

It's never easy to say goodbye to someone you love. If you don't though, you'll regret it. So go on and get ready. I'll call you when you're back in Encino.

Sighing hard I say, " okay. Aunt Gemma is probably going to be barging in here to force me up any second anyway. "

Stay safe, Peaches.

" You too, Plum. " I joke humorlessly.

You don't have to make jokes, Jaycee. I know you're hurting.

Goosebumps form all over my arms at his words. " If I don't I'll just end up a crying mess. No one wants that. "

It's good to cry. It cleanses the soul.

" Thank you. " I whisper.

For what, Peaches?

" For some reason, you care more about me than anyone in my life. " I say sadly. " I always thought the MC is where I belonged and then you came along and opened my eyes. "

O come with me, thus ran the song, the moon is bright in autumn's sky, and thou hast toiled and labored long with aching head and weary eye.

Did he just recite poetry to me?

Your family loves you, Jaycee. They've just lost their way and I want to be the safe haven for you to rest your head. I know you have your doubts, but when I get out, I plan on proving that this is real for me. For us.

" Hope is scarce around here. I could use some for once in my life. " I say as I hear the inevitable knock on the door. " I gotta go. I'll talk to you later. "

Okay, Peaches. Keep your head up baby.

" I'm up! " I call and get out of bed.

The door opens revealing aunt Gemma as suspected. " Morning baby. I have your funeral clothing. " She says as she hangs up a garment bag on the door.

" Thanks. " I say while stretching.

She gives me the same motherly look she gives everyone around here. " So you wanna tell me what's going on with the skinhead? "

There isn't even a hint of judgment in her tone. Jax has probably already told her most of it.

" Well... " I say not wanting to give her anything more than I gave him. " Jax wanted me to get close to someone and this is part of it. "

Pursing her lips she says, " he doesn't seem too happy with you at the moment ".

And there it is. He sent her in here thinking I'd spill my guts. It used to work when we were teenagers, but I'm a bit smarter now than I was back then.

" He's mad that I haven't been around. I had to remind him that this is what he asked me to do. I've always done exactly what he has asked of me after all. " I say letting her know that I'm not above guilting the people that have screwed me over.

Sitting down next to me she wraps an arm around my shoulders and sighs. " I know it has been hard, baby. I'm not thrilled at the company you're keeping at the moment, but if it's doing the club some good then keep going. I just don't want you to lose yourself in this war. "

" I'm going to be fine, auntie. I promise. " I tell her truthfully.

She smiles knowingly. " I know you will be, baby. You're a fighter like me. Go on and get dressed. This bad day has only just started. "

Aunt Gemma was right. This bad day was only getting started. The wake was okay mainly because it was a closed casket. I, unfortunately, did see what he looked like when I slipped a picture of him and me when I was a kid. I put it on the inside of his flannel breast pocket. We're both smiling big cheesy smiles. That's how I want to remember him, not like this.

It was at that moment that I knew a closed casket was for the best. Bobby can go out with the same dignity he had while he was living.

When we get to the funeral I slide my darkest sunglasses on to hide my puffy eyes. I hate crying and I do my best to avoid it, but Bobby wasn't just some prospect. He was family. His memory deserves the grief I feel right now.

His memory... All day long I've had different memories of Bobby running through my mind. When my mom was killed he was the first person that made it to the house. He got me out of there before the cops came to protect me. I had already seen her body, but he didn't want me around to see them carrying her out.

He was the one that taught me how to balance a checkbook. How to build up my credit, which came in handy when Juice and I started our business. He taught me how to ride a bicycle and later how to ride my bike. Hell, he helped me pick her out from the junkyard. We spent all summer restoring her under the watchful eye of Jury.

I remember how proud he was after my first run went successfully. It took a while to earn the other patch's respect, but I had Bobby's from day one. And he had mine.

Tig, Jax, Chibs, and Happy lift his casket out of the hearse bringing me out of my memories. They carry it to the grave site while the rest of the prospects, Chucky, me, and Aunt Gemma follow a few feet behind them.

Just before the grave diggers are to lower him into the ground, Jax places Bobby's kutte on top of the casket. Once he's secured in the ground, we all take turns showing our respect to our fallen brother. Grabbing a handful of dirt, I hold it over the grave and let it free fall.

My whole body shakes as I try and fail to hold back a sob. The next thing I know, Tig is holding me to his chest and walking us both away from the others.

" I know, Jaycee, I know. " He repeats over and over as I cling to him and let all the pain out.

All I can say is, " he didn't deserve it! He didn't! "

" I know, I know. " He says through his own tears.

Once everyone has paid their final respects Jax and I share a look. I'm not quite sure what passes between us, but somehow I know he has accepted the situation we're in. After hugging everyone I head over to Leland's truck. I repacked my bag before leaving for the funeral so there's no time like the present to get the fuck out of Charming.

Getting in I look Leland in the eyes and say, " take me home ".

...

Later that night I'm settled into bed when my phone pings.

She dried her tears, and they did smile to see her cheeks' returning glow; nor did discern how all the while that full heart throbbed to overflow.

With that sweet look and lively tone, and bright eye shining all the day, they could not guess, at midnight lone how she would weep the time away.

Tully. He has been so good to me the last couple of days. It makes me long for his release to get here faster. Who would have thought that the big bad AB shot caller would end up being such a romantic? Typing a message back I hit send before

Goodnight, Ronald. Please make it home to me.

Tully

Goodnight, Ronald. Please make it home to me.

I smiled down at the message Jaycee sent. She misses me. Words can't describe how that makes me feel.

Goodnight, Peaches. Don't you worry, I'll be home real soon.

Yeah, I'll be home soon. Just as soon as I figure out how to get Jax what he wants and find a way to keep Juice alive. This deal with the Mexicans is too big for me to double-cross the MC. At the same time, my deal with Jaycee and my feelings for Juice are too strong to kill him.

It seems I've made it to an impasse.

Author's Note: Hey guys, we're almost ten chapters in! I literally started this fic from scratch after watching the last season of SOA. I loved the Tully character but hated the whole " white supremacist/prison rapist " plotline.

P.S. Obviously Tully isn't going to be prison-raping Juice in this story. It's just not my vibe. Whatever happens, will be consensual.