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She Will Be Loved

Chapter 60: Trouble Ahead

By Love Ink

Happy watched as his cousin and the idiot prospect flirted with each other in his mother's kitchen. Angela was stirring something in a pot with Juice beside her, teasing her about something from the looks of it because she was laughing. The kid looked happier than she had in a long time, more at peace. He'd never admit how thankful he was that it was Juice making her so happy and not the Mayan. The only problem was the damn Mayan didn't want to let her go. He was stirring up all kinds of shit. He had no doubt that the asshole was the one behind the whole scheme to get the Niners to break into his Ma's house to steal the Sons' guns. It was an idiot move, one that would surely get him killed by his own club if they ever found out. If his club didn't kill him, Happy would. The Mayan had threatened his family, and he wasn't about to let that slide.

Angela spotted him first, nodding a greeting to him. "Hey Hap," she said with a nervous smile. He had a feeling the idiot had told her what had been discussed at the table, but she knew better than to mention it.

He moved between them to kiss her temple. "Hey kid," he replied before turning to Juice. "Let's talk."

"Shit," Juice cursed under his breath. He exchanged an anxious glance with Angela before nodding. "All right."

"Backyard," he said, heading towards the backdoor. He heard the distinct sound of a kiss before Juice's heavy footfalls followed him out. Someone had to teach the idiot how to be stealthier. Once outside, he turned towards the prospect, arms crossed over his chest. "What'd Chibs tell you?"

Juice brows furrowed in confusion for a minute before he shrugged. "Basically nothin'. Just gave me a lecture about talkin' out of turn. Said he was disappointed and told me to get outta there."

Happy contemplated how much to tell the prospect. He'd been impressed when the idiot spoke up about Angela at the table. It'd been a stupid act; there was no way in hell he'd ever let anything happen to his cousin, but it showed how much Juice cared about her. The idiot was willing to risk his top rocker to defend her. Happy appreciated that. He didn't want to dissuade him from doing it again should the occasion arise. "What you did was stupid," he started, glaring at him. "Shit didn't even get put to a vote. Even if it did, it wouldn't a passed. Kid's well protected in there."

He could practically see the wheels turning in Juice's head as he calculated who at the table would protect her. Happy wasn't about to tell him, but he knew for sure there were at least three people there who'd vouch for her, and he was positive Jax would be on their side too. " 'm sorry, I just..." Juice trailed off, glancing over his shoulder at the kitchen window where Angela was barely visible. "I heard her name, and I couldn't stop myself. Didn't think about you and Koz."

"Appreciate you standin' up for her, but it wasn't needed. We don't hurt women anyway. If anythin' we'd give you up," he said on a smirk as he slapped him on the back. Juice paled a bit, and he chuckled. "Relax. Didn't even come up."

With that, he walked away, leaving Juice gaping at his back. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge. "What'd you do to him?" Angela asked from behind him.

"Nothin'," he said, leaning against the fridge and taking a sip of his beer.

"Really? 'Cause he looks like he just saw a ghost," she replied, pointing to the backyard where Juice was still standing looking like a scared idiot.

"He's fine," he stated on a shrug. "You good?"

The smallest hint of a smile turned up the corners of her mouth. "Yeah. Real good."

"Good." He nodded, leaning in to kiss her temple. He'd never admit that he'd been worried the club would put her safety up to a vote. If they'd even considered it, it'd seriously tarnish his opinion of his own club. Of his brothers. He wasn't sure he could keep putting his own life on the line for brothers who wouldn't protect his family like they were his own. His family was everything to him. No, instead, they'd agreed to stop selling guns to the Mayans and start selling to the Niners. Their warehouse was almost done, so they'd be moving the guns there and away from his Ma's house as soon as possible. It was a relief to him. He trusted Vivica, but a part of him knew they weren't completely safe until the guns were out of the house. "Love you, kid."

Her smile grew and for a moment, he could picture her at eight years old, hair in braids, with that same smile give or take a few teeth. "Love you too, Hap."

Angela watched the air mattress slowly inflate from her spot on the living room couch. Juice was testing it's firmness from where he was kneeling beside it. Her aunt was in the kitchen, making sure he was setting it up to sleep on instead of beside her in her room. Elena's hardcore Catholic beliefs had never really bothered Angela until this moment where she was being stubborn about Juice not sleeping in her room again. "This is ridiculous. I'm a grown ass woman," Angela muttered miserably. "We were fine last night."

"I slept on the floor last night," Juice reminded her. It was a lie, of course, but they both knew Elena was eavesdropping.

"Right," she said on an exhale, feeling her cheeks warm at the memory of having him wrapped around her so they could both fit in the tiny twin bed. It was the best sleep she'd had in a long time. "You can sleep on the floor again."

His eyes were filled with mischief when they met hers. "Wouldn't mind that," he said, the sexiest smirk turning up the corner of his lips. "But your aunt would, so help me put on these sheets. Don't want to get on her bad side."

Sighing, she got off the couch and begrudgingly helped him make the bed. Elena walked in just as they finished. "It's a good bed, no?" she asked the couple. "I told Happy to get me a comfortable one."

Of course her cousin was behind it, Angela thought with a roll of her eyes; if it were up to her Aunt and Happy, she'd never have any sex. Juice nodded in response to Elena's question. "Looks good, Lena. Thanks," he said, getting to his feet.

"No problem, mijo," she said, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Get some rest. You, come with me, Angelita."

Angela furrowed her brows in confusion. "Are you really going to walk me to bed, Tia?"

She nodded as if it was the most normal thing. "Of course. I'll even tuck you in. Come on," she said gesturing for her to follow. "You can help me up the stairs."

"It's not even that late," she muttered, scowling a bit. She moved closer to Juice, slipping her arms around his waist. "Guess this is goodnight?"

"Night, beautiful," he replied, cupping her cheek in a hand and dipping his head to place a chaste kiss on her lips. "See you tomorrow."

Angela felt butterflies flutter in her stomach at the warmth in his eyes. She wanted to attack him right then. Throw her arms around his neck and kiss him until he couldn't breathe. Swallowing hard, she nodded. "Tomorrow."

Elena tugged on Angela's wrist, and she reluctantly followed her up the stairs. Her aunt stopped in front of her room, and she sighed. "You're not gonna lock me in, are you?" she asked the older woman.

Elena chuckled, kissing her cheek. "No, mija," she said with a smile. "You know I love you. Buenas noches, mi vida. I'll see you tomorrow. You be good."

"Love you too, Tia," she replied, kissing her cheek and heading into her childhood room. She went through the motions of getting ready for bed, aware of the sound of the toilet flushing downstairs which meant Juice was doing the same. It was weird to know he was so close yet so far. She threw herself onto the small twin bed, staring at the ceiling, wide awake.

She did her best to fall asleep, but it was proving to be difficult. It felt too cold, too lonely. It was strange how much she missed Juice after only sleeping beside him for a few days. Missed the comfort of his warm body beside hers, arms wrapped around her, the soothing beat of his heart while she lay with her head pillowed on his chest.

Sighing, she threw back her covers and got out of bed. She was an adult. She could make her own damn decisions. She crept into the hallway, listening for a moment and smirking at the sound of her aunt's snoring. Carefully, she made her way down the hall, avoiding all the creaky floorboards as she went; she'd snuck out of the house many times growing up and knew the path well.

She'd just made it halfway down the stairs when she ran into her mother. Graciela had just come home from a shift at the hospital, and she looked exhausted in her burgundy scrubs. It was a look Angela was familiar with. When she was about eight, she went through a phase when she'd spend hours listening for her mom to get home from a late shift, then sprint down the stairs to greet her. More often than not, Graciela scolded her, told her to get back to bed without a kind word or an offer to tuck her back in. Eventually, Angela stopped waiting up for her. Graciela's dark eyes swept over her for a moment as her brows pulled together in a frown the same way they had when she was little. "What are you doing, mija?"

Angela shrunk back a bit out of habit. "N-nothin'. Gettin' some water."

Graciela smirked, the wrinkle between her brows fading a bit. "Sure," she drew out doubtfully. She nodded towards the living room. "Go 'head. I don't think he's sleeping."

"I just want some water," she insisted.

"I was young like you once, Angelita, and my sister wouldn't let me sleep in her house with my own novio until we were married," Graciela commented with a roll of her eyes. "Go. Make sure to wake up early enough to leave before Elena wakes up. I won't say anything."

Angela let out a breath of relief and kissed her mother's cheek as she walked down the rest of the stairs and into the living room. Juice was laying on his back, one arm tucked underneath his head, the other resting on his chest. The TV was lighting up his face, though he was watching it with no volume on so as to not wake the rest of the house. His eyelids were flagging a bit, blinks becoming slower and slower. She watched him for a moment, aware of the warm feeling spreading through her body. It wasn't lust, though; it felt different. Everything about being with Juice felt different.

She moved towards him, catching his attention. His dark eyes followed her as she moved to sit on the edge of the air mattress, her back to him. "What're you watchin'?"

"Infomercials," he replied around a yawn. His voice, sleepy and raspy, made her shiver in the best way. He must've noticed because he reached out a hand, trailing it down her arm. "Cold?"

"A little," she lied, goosebumps raising on her arms at his touch.

"C'mere then," he murmured. The air mattress dipped as he sat up, surprising her a bit when his strong arms moved around her shoulders before pulling her back down to the bed. She held back a laugh, trying her best to stay quiet so as not to wake her Mom and aunt. He moved to his side to face her, mirroring her position. He dragged his fingers across her cheek before burying his hand in her hair, bringing her face to his and fusing their lips together. It was a soft, warm kiss that sent butterflies stampeding through her stomach. He pulled away, dotting quick kisses to her nose and then her forehead. His thumb stroked over her cheek, the smallest smile turning up the corners of his mouth. She loved that smile.

This was a familiar position to be in with him. They'd often spend nights on the roof of her apartment building in New York, laying out on some blankets, high as hell, just talking. Back then, there was a lot more space between them and never any kind of contact, but he still looked at her with that same loving look in his eyes. When she caught him looking at her like that, she'd blush and roll onto her back, needing to look at anything else lest her own feelings take over. Now, she let the warmth his gaze held surround her like a warm blanket.

"Why does everything feel so different with you?" she asked, drawing a finger down his nose.

He wrinkled his nose in response, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "How so?" he asked, the smallest hint of worry in his eyes.

"I don't really know how to explain it," she admitted, feeling her cheeks heat in a blush because she did know exactly how to explain it. Being with Juice made her feel whole, loved. He gave her butterflies, gave her strength and confidence, and made her feel safe in a way she hadn't felt before...but she wasn't about to tell him that. "It just feels different than how I felt with Raj and E."

"Good different?"

She nodded slowly. "Definitely."

He grinned at her, a full fledge grin that made her breath catch in her throat. "Good," he murmured, leaning in to kiss her again. She pushed at his chest, making him lay back as she deepened the kiss. He groaned softly, his hands tangling in her hair.

He pulled away, a little breathless, his light brown eyes sparkling. "We're gonna get in trouble," he said on a happy sigh.

Angela smirked, laying her head down on his chest. "I'll set my alarm. Wake up before Lena does."

Juice snorted in disbelief. "You don't even have your phone."

She sighed, realizing he was right. Leaning over him, she grabbed his phone. "I'll set one on yours then." He watched her set the alarm without any hesitation or annoyance. Esai would've swatted the phone out of her hand and set it himself, but Juice didn't seem to care. She set the alarm, closed the phone, and put it back on the ground beside the air mattress. "All done."

"Good. Just don't sleep through it," Juice said around a yawn. "Get in here. You're too far."

She laughed; she was literally on top of him with the barrier of sheets and blankets between them. She stood with a grunt, throwing back the covers and snuggling back into his side. "Better?" she asked, glancing up at him.

He nodded, dipping his head to kiss her while he enveloped her in his arms. "Night, baby."

"Your arm's gonna fall asleep," she pointed out despite how much she loved having his arms around her.

"Don't worry about it," he murmured sleepily. "Don't need it anyway. Just go to sleep."

"Whatever you say, goof." With a smile, she nuzzled her cheek against his chest and drifted off peacefully.

Esai was drunk. He knew because the words on his phone were blurring in front of him. He was trying to text her, but it wasn't working out so hot. Beatrice was currently grabbing him another drink, but all he could think about was Angela. His girl. His soulmate. He'd managed to convince one of their newest prospects, Fernando, to snitch on SAMCRO to the Niners. Told him it was to help the Mayans distance themselves from the Sons so they could finally push their drug trade into the Charming mills and increase their earnings. Said if he did it, he was sure to earn that top rocker; he just couldn't tell anyone it wasn't his idea. The prospect had done it without even asking questions like a sucker.

He sent the text, already knowing she wouldn't answer it. She'd probably blocked his number. Was probably with that mohawked asshole. His hands all over her body, her lips on his skin. Esai's blood boiled in his veins. That asshole had to die just like that moron in New York. Esai would get rid of him and swoop in to comfort Angela while she was grieving and this time, he wouldn't mess it up.

He saw Lino sitting standing in the corner with Fernando and made his way over. "Where's my girl at?" he asked Lino, leaning into the wall beside them.

"If you're talkin' about Angela, she ain't your girl anymore, man," Lino replied, standing a little straighter, a protective look in his eyes. "Best leave her alone."

"Don't tell me what to do prospect," he muttered, scowling at him. "Just miss her is all, 'n' she's with that stupid Son pendejo. He ain't better than me. No way is she gonna be happy with him."

Lino shrugged indifferently. "She is. Treats her better than you did."

Anger flared up inside of him at Lino's dig. "The fuck does that mean?"

"I mean, there's a reason you two didn't work out. It's done, man. Get over it," he replied on a shrug as if it was easy to do. "You already moved on to Bee. Leave Angela alone. She's happy."

"Nah, she ain't happy with him. No fuckin' way," Esai spat stubbornly. "He ain't ever gonna make her happy."

Lino puffed out his chest a bit. "No. You didn't make her happy."

He pushed him back, getting in his face. "The fuck do you know? Think you're better than me? Huh?"

"Least I treat my girl right," he shot back, not backing down.

Esai glanced over his shoulder to where people had stopped what they were doing to watch. Lino's girl, Vanessa, included. "Least my girl isn't some ugly ass puta," he said quietly, wanting to insult the other man.

Lino launched himself at him before he had time to prepare for it. Lino might've been a small guy, but he hit hard. Esai hit back, the two of them rolling around on the floor trading blows until someone pulled them off of each other. "The fuck is going on?" Vanessa's dad, Luis, demanded, looking between the two of them.

"He's disrespecting my girl!" Lino shouted, his eyes alight with an angry fire. "Callin' her names and shit! That don't fly with me! Just 'cause you couldn't keep a hold of Angela, don't come for mine!"

Luis looked over at Esai in disgust. Had it not been him, had Esai not made the mistake of insulting an officer's daughter, Lino would have gotten a beating for speaking out of turn as a prospect. Luis didn't say anything though; he patted Lino on the back with a look of pride on his face. "C'mon, mijo, let's get you cleaned up."

Esai swiped his tongue over his lower lip, hating the taste of blood that came with the action. Shaking his head, he moved towards Fernando, happy to find he was alone. "You good? Want some ice or somethin'?" Fernando asked, thick brows drawn together in concern.

"Nah, 'm good," Esai replied, waving away his concern. "How's our little secret mission goin'?"

Fernando frowned and shrugged a shoulder. "Dunno. Told the Niners what you said I should, and they didn't do shit. Don't really think anythin'll come of it."

"You know what you should do? Stir shit up," he said on a smirk. "Get some a your boys and hit up the house. Make it look gangsta. Incriminate the fuckers. The Sons'll come runnin' to us. Beggin' us for help or some shit."

He didn't look so sure. "Won't it like...start a war?"

Esai knew it could, but he didn't really give a shit. He wanted that mohawked idiot gone just like the one in New York. Once he was out of the picture, Angela would be vulnerable again, and he'd get another chance. "Don't think so," he lied, shrugging a shoulder. "Think it'll draw the Sons in closer. Give us a common enemy, y'know? Club finds out it was you that started it, and you'll get you top rocker for sure."

A hopeful look crossed the younger man's face. "Yeah?"

"Definitely," he lied on a nod. He was drunk, willing to promise everything as long as it got him what he wanted. "Knock out the prospect. Make it a quest for revenge. Sons'll decimate the Niners for revenge, and we'll push in on their territory. That's good shit."

Fernando contemplated it before nodding. "All right. Might need some firepower, pero I think I can get a couple guys to help."

Esai bobbed his head slowly. "Good. I'll get you what you need." He glanced over to the corner of the bar where Lino was currently sitting with Vanessa at his side, a bag of ice in her hand that she was pressing to his cheek. He hated the jealousy that rose inside of him as he watched the girl dote on him. That should be him and Angela. They should be together. They should be happy. But Lino had ruined it. Angela could swear up and down she'd overheard someone talking about him cheating, but he didn't buy it. It was Lino who was responsible. The little bitch. "Don't ask Lino. He's a snitch."

"Nah, seems like a pussy to me anyway. Never wants to do anythin' to advance," Fernando said on a shrug.

"And he never will. Shit, only reason that fool is in here is 'cause he's fuckin' Luis' daughter," he said on a scowl. "He don't belong."

Fernando nodded slowly. "Yeah, he's soft," he agreed, clearly willing to say anything for approval. "You think he'll get his top rocker?"

Esai shrugged. "Don't know, don't fuckin' care. He ain't my problem anymore," he said, shrugging a shoulder. "You gonna do what I said?"

"Yeah, man," he said, his voice shaking just a little. "I'll make it happen."

Oof. Esai's doing some sketchy stuff...

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