Chapter Three
Stockton State Prison
Jax
" If I find the right size bowl, how much do you think you're gonna be feeding the dog? "
I don't know why he can't just make things simple. He's a shot caller you'd think he'd be smarter. " Two cases. High-end rice chow. "
Thinking about it he asks, " is that an old Asian recipe "?
" That's right. " I confirm.
He hesitates for a moment. " I have some relationship issues to work out, some sharing-the-dog-park shit. "
" So is that a yes? " I ask hoping to get this deal in place.
Shrugging he says, " You're gonna meet my dog walker. He'll make the final call. "
" Well, it's gonna have to be soon. " I tell him seriously. " Dog food's got an expiration date. "
He nods. " Yeah. " He says pulling out a smartphone.
" What are you doing, man? " I ask looking in the top corner of the room. " Cameras. "
Shaking his head he tells me, " oh, no, I bought this room. They ain't on. "
" Then why the hell are we talking in code? " I ask incredulously.
He shrugs indifferently. " I miss my dogs. "
" I'm guessing German shepherds. "
He makes the call and sets up a meeting with his boys on the outside. I go to get up but he points down silently saying he has more he wants to discuss.
Tully
" Now that we have that piece of business out of the way, I want to talk about another. " I tell him calmly.
I've been really looking forward to having this talk.
" What's up? " He asks looking instantly on guard.
It should be insulting but I get it. " Your cousin... The brunette that came to see you before you got out. "
" How'd you know about her man? " He asks in confusion.
Shrugging I say, " I have my ways... You should know I had the chance to speak with sweet Jaycee before she left. "
" She ain't so sweet, trust me. " He informs me.
This surprises me but I don't let it show. " I wish I had cousins. You know why I end up doing these long bids for the brotherhood? "
He shrugs.
" Because I don't have anyone on the outside. No family, woman, or kids. " I say blankly. " You're lucky Jax. I know what happened to your wife, but to have family... That's something I've only ever dreamed of. "
He chooses his next words carefully. " Me and my cousin are... Complicated. "
" You had ought to uncomplicate things where she's concerned. " I say while staring him down a little.
Giving me a look he asks, " and why should I do that "?
" Because I want to arrange a meeting with her unrestrained. " I say simply.
He laughs like it's a joke, but I'm very serious.
Jaycee
TM
I'm just finishing up on the last bike of the night when I decide to go up to the roof for a quick smoke break. It's actually mine and Jax's " secret " place to hide away from the world. Of course, the secret got out years ago but most of the guys respect this space and let us be.
Going into my cigarette pack I pull out the joint I rolled on my lunch break and light it up. I've been working pretty much nonstop since one and it's going on nine now. We've gotten so backed up the last week but it feels good to know we're back on track now. This is the only place I really enjoy being anymore.
" Share the wealth, lass. " I hear from the ladder.
He climbs all the way up and comes to sit next to me. I pass the joint and try my best not to get aggravated with his company.
" Ye should know... Juice got in contact with me. " He says passing it back to me.
Are you fucking kidding me? I knew there was a reason he hasn't called. The first chance I got I was going to head up to Nate's to kick his ass.
I shake my head. " What? "
" Took Unser at gunpoint and had him meet me at some diner. Ye know anything about that? " He asks as if he already knows.
Shaking my head I ask, " Why would I "?
" Come on, Jaycee. " He says tiredly. " Of all the men in yer life, ye can't lie ta me. I know ye better than that "
Then he should also know that I'm not one to rat on myself. " I do not know anything about him making Unser call you. Nor would I have allowed him to meet with you if I did. That's the dumbest thing he could have done. "
" Y'er right on that part. Good to know we don't have to worry about ye betraying SAMCRO. " He says as if he'd ever have the balls to do something about it if I ever did.
Not caring either way I say, " I'm not saying I would turn him in if I did see him... I'm just not interested in getting involved at all. If I'm really honest, I hope he gets far away from here. "
" He says he has nowhere else to go. " He leads knowing it will pull at my heartstrings. " We're his only family. "
And that hits me right in the gut as he intended it to. " Which is exactly why he needs to get out of here. This is my fault. "
" No, lass. It's his fault. " He says not for one moment allowing it to fall on my shoulders.
It's a sweet notion but I know better. " I'm the reason he joined the MC. I brought him in and gave him the family that he'd rather be dead than lose. Oh, my God. " I hyperventilate.
What part of Gemma's words did not sink in for him? He's going to get himself killed! Damn, Juice!
" He's a rat, lass. " He says trying to calm me down. " Ye can't blame yerself for that. "
" He's my best friend, Fil! " I near yell. " I can't help but feel responsible. "
We both look at each other for a moment. Last year we were hot and heavy. Hell, I almost let him claim me and accepted his crow. Now all I see when I look at him is how he let me go without a fight. It's over and if it means losing his respect, I will make sure Juice gets out of this.
" Look around. " I tell him and spread my arms out for effect. " My mother, Tommy, Uncle John, Opie, Piney, Dawn, Clay... I don't know about you but I'm sick to death of losing people that I love. Don't you ever wonder if everything we've lost is worth it? "
He looks shocked. Almost as if he has seen a ghost. Maybe the ghost of the woman he thought he knew. " It's the price we pay, Jaycee. For better or worse. "
" And what of happiness? Is that something we can never hope for? " I ask desperately needing the answer.
Jax
" Do I look like her pimp? " I ask the man seriously. " No offense, but I think you've spent a little too much time in here. On the outside, you actually have to get someone to like you for who you are, not what connections you have. "
Although, with who Jayce likes to spend her time with I may just be lying. She never used to be like this but that's a story for another time.
Tully gives a dirty side smirk. " I said I might need a few things from you in the future... I'm not asking you to sell her to me, I just want a meeting. That's where you come in. "
I open my mouth to argue when he puts his hand up. " I'll make it more than worth your while. "
" What do you want with her? " I ask not understanding his sudden interest.
Jaycee is beautiful of course, but I can't see what a man like Tully would want with her. Especially since she's so diverse when it comes to the men in her life.
Tully
" It's like I said, Jax, I'm getting out soon. " I tell him choosing my words very carefully. " I've been in for a long time. Once I'm out it's for good. I'll always be in the brotherhood, but with all the work I've put in... I've earned an early retirement. I'm done with the illegal activities and I want a little of what I've been missing out on. "
The truth is, I've maybe spent eight of my thirty-one years of adulthood on the outside. The first time I went inside was for a ten-year bid for moving H. I was eighteen fresh out of high school. That's when I joined the AB. I got a reputation after a while and worked my way up in the ranks. When I got out I was welcomed home by the brotherhood and given one of the highest positions available.
Being a shot caller definitely has its perks. Just about the only one, it doesn't have is freedom. Once they felt I had enjoyed enough time on the outside I was sent back in to run things from the inside. I'm not complaining at all since I now have more money than I know what to do with. At forty-nine I just want to take a wife, my millions, and live a quiet life.
" Don't get me wrong, I can have my pick of bitches on the outs, but sweet little Jaycee? She's the kind of woman you breed with. " I say poking at him for a reaction.
He does not disappoint. " Watch it, man. That's still my cousin you're talking about. And there's the issue of you being old enough to be her father. "
" I wouldn't mind having her call me daddy... " I tell him with my signature asshole grin. " Seriously though, I'm not trying to hurt Jaycee or even force her into anything. I just want to get to know her. "
Jaycee
He can't even look me in the eyes.
" Everything that has happened... What's continuing to happen... " I struggle to get out. " I don't want anything to do with it. I never did. Once the man that killed Tara is done, so am I. I want out. "
The expression on his face is one of shock and disbelief. " Ye can't just leave, Jaycee. This is yer home, yer family. "
The truth is, I'll never leave the people I love. I just don't want to be apart of this anymore.
" Yeah, and just look at the state of it! " I say running my fingers through my hair before lighting a cigarette. " We should have never got into drugs. I knew it wouldn't end well and now look at us. Once drugs are involved it's easier for what has happened, to happen.
He can't argue with that and he knows it.
" With the way this war is going... " I say rocking back and forth a little. " We're only going to lose more. Once the dust settles our family will never be whole again. "
He's silent for a few moments before asking, " Is that some kind of prediction, lass "?
" It's the inevitable, Fil. There's no fighting what has been set into motion. " I tell him factually. " I know that's why Jax is keeping me away from the runs. No one is going to hesitate to come after me to get to him. They look at me as a weak link. "
He chuckles a bit. " That mindset will be their downfall, I'd say. "
" It's always the least expected to prevail. " I agree. " I'd like to be on that side of this war. "
Jax
He really has me by the balls here. On one hand, I don't want Jaycee to see a skinhead in any capacity. On the other, she could be the key to securing the partnership between the Sons and the AB. Then I get to Tara's killer.
" I can try to talk you up... " I tell him before I can talk myself out of it. " But I can't promise anything. "
He purses his lips but nods in agreement." That's the best I can ask for at this point. "
" If I do get her to come back up here... You might want to buy the room. " I tell him just so he's prepared. " She's pretty mouthy and loves to test people. If I were you... "
Tully
This surprises me. I've been known to get... Pretty rough where my bitches are concerned. Jaycee isn't someone I'd like to be that way with. " You giving me permission to pin her? You sure know how to give mixed signals. "
" No... " He says quickly. " Not really. If she pisses you off, just push her around a little bit. Show her who's in charge. Trust me, I've seen firsthand that she gets off on that. Your only free piece of advice. Anything else you want to know is gonna cost ya. "
He's got balls I'll give him that. " You owe me one from my last count. Tell me what kind of perfume she likes to wear. What kind of flowers does she like... Things like that. Money isn't an issue I want her to know that. "
" Look man, I keep trying to tell you that you have the wrong idea about my cousin. " He says getting a little heated. " Your money and what it can buy isn't going to turn her on. "
Well, that would be a first. All women like to be spoiled from my experience. Not that I have much with women but on the outs I got mine in. Never had an old lady but I never had a need for one.
" And you know... " I say with a smirking. " What turns her on I mean? "
He shrugs. " I think she gets a thrill out of bringing dangerous men to their knees. She doesn't brag about it, but she has connections that SAMCRO would have and has worked for years to get a meeting with. "
It must be different for him because she's his cousin. I can definitely see that little girl doing exactly what he describes and getting off on it. Bringing men to their knees, pushing their buttons... I can't help but wonder how she'll push mine.
" I think you've forgotten, I'm a dangerous and connected man myself. I also don't mind being on my knees if that's what it takes. " And that's the God's honest truth.
Jax can't help but chuckle. " You know what, Tully? You're a strange dude. She might just find you interesting enough to at least hear you out. "
Author's Note: Ik Ik, I've turned Tuly into a simp... Or was it the writer of the show? Let's be honest the character was a hopeless " romantic ". For a psychopath or whatever lol.