Chapter Six
Jaycee
Finally, I'm back in formation with my guys. Plus the Grim Bastards of course. Jax is trying to get the bylaws changed so they can patch over.
This is the first time since Tara's murder that I've gotten to go on a run. Not that I particularly like it but I've been itching for some action. Also, apparently, the guys we're meeting with are Tully's " dog walkers " so I guess they're trustworthy or whatever.
Once we're almost to the meet-up spot Jax signals to slow down.
" Yo. Why don't you wait here? Shouldn't be too long. " He tells T.O.
The G.B. leader nods. " All right. "
We continue on as the G.B. wait at the end of the long driveway. Once we park I can't help but notice the creepy atmosphere. Getting off my bike I go straight to Jax's side as four guys walk up.
" Well, well. You bring another police escort? " One of the more inbred looking ones says.
Tig puts his hand over his face and says, " just us bad guys ".
" We had nothing to do with the sheriffs. " Jax tells him. " Of course, you gunned them down, so now they're everyone's problem. "
Ain't that the fucking truth? Who thinks killing cops is a good idea anyway? Tat should only be a last resort and I mean a very last one at that. I guess you can't expect these inbred bastards to have any common sense.
" We hear the bitch lived. " One of the guys in the back says rudely.
Another winner, great. Tully sure knows how to pick his friends that's for sure.
" Yeah, unfortunately. " Chibs says sarcastically. " But she is critical and not talking. "
The inbred-looking one asks, " and if she does "?
" Well, if she does... " Chibs says putting his glasses into his cut. " Then we'll take care of her. "
Looking over at the Scotsman, I can't help but hope he's only blowing smoke.
" Did you talk to Tully? " Jax asks not liking where this is going.
The inbred-looking one takes his own glasses off to reveal his beady little eyes. " Yeah. How the hell did the chinks steal your heroin? "
" Uh-uh. Technically, it was their heroin. " Tig informs him. " They just stole it back. "
Bobby nods. " Yeah, and now it belongs to the Sanwa D.A. "
" Look, we want to make this right, man. We can sell you guns. As many as you want. "
" Nah. See... I deal drugs, not gats. The n*gg*r*s and the w*tbacks got a chokehold on heroin. You promised us two keys. "
" That H fell into our laps. (Phone ringing) And we did Tully a solid by sending it his way. "
The rude one's cell rings and he walks off to the truck to answer it. Yes, I'm keeping my eyes on all of these motherfuckers.
The inbred points his finger at Bobby. " Yeah, and he's already made arrangements based on that solid. "
" What, credit in Stockton? " Jax asks looking surprised.
The inbred nods. " Yeah. Set in motion a lot of favors. "
" Jesus Christ. " He sighs out looking worried.
What the fuck? I do not need to be getting on Tully's bad side by way of Jax and his own fuck ups. What the hell is going on?
The rude one comes back from the truck. " That was Danny. He's on his way in and he said there's a pack of c*ons on Harleys sitting at the turnoff. "
" What the hell is that? " The inbred asks.
Jax smirks. " They're with us. "
" Maybe you're planning a little... payback ambush? " He asks Jax.
Jax shakes his head. " Or maybe I'm just a white guy who's not living in 1956. "
Damn straight. He's also a guy whose parents are related to each other.
The inbred spits on the ground a little too close to Jax's feet for my liking.
" I'm gonna talk to Tully. " Jax says noting the disrespect.
The inbred nods. " Yeah, you do that. " He says before landing his gaze on me for the first time. " And you, " he says pointing his finger, " Tully wants you to be reminded that you have three days to give him an answer. "
Well damn. Looks like Ronald has told his guys all about me. I'm flattered, kind of. " He'll get it. " I say simply and he turns to walk away.
I don't miss the look of disgust on a certain Scots face, but I don't have time to worry about that now.
" I hate these nazi pigs. " Chibs grunts.
It's then that rude one rushes him from behind like the coward he is. Luckily Chibs reverses and slams him to the ground. Jax then comes up and kicks him in the face.
I hear the inbred yell out, " shit ", looking over I see him pull out a shotgun from the bed of his truck. At this point, the three other motherfuckers jumped in and are getting their asses kicked by my guys. It's then that the inbred lets off a round in the air.
And just like that my twin berettas are out one aimed at the inbred Leland and the other aimed at the three motherfuckers along with the rest of the M.C.
I hear Jax call out, " come on, man. That ain't necessary. It's just a friendly little fight. " He says to the inbred. " Come on. Put 'em away. " He tells us.
I reluctantly reholster my guns as Jax walks up to the inbred. " What's the matter? " He asks chuckling. " You afraid to put down the gun, bitch?
The inbred laughs and takes a punch to the face by Jax. And then the brawl is back on. Not being a fighter I head over to the inbreds truck and lean against it to watch the action.
Where the hell are the invoices from last month? Damn it! My burner rings and I don't even bother looking at it this time. Chibs keeps calling but I'm busy at the dispensary. Life can't always be about the club after all.
Things have gotten a bit backed up since one of the owners had to go on the run. Juice is the one that did all of the paperwork here and now that he's gone...
I gotta stop doing this to myself. This is for the best. For both of us.
Hearing the text notification I sigh and open the flip phone. I see two text messages. The first is from Marcus.
From: Marcus
555-6754
5:02 P.M.
Chiquita. Come to the clubhouse ASAP. There's something you should see.
" Of course there is. " I say saucily. " More like there's something he wants to see. "
Yeah, I hit that thank you very much. More than once.
Checking the last message my blood runs cold.
From: Juice
555-5656
4:38 P.M.
I'm sorry. I just can't be a sitting duck. I love you.
Jesus Christ.
Pressing send I put the cell up to my ear and wait for it to ring. It doesn't. And that's when it clicks. I got to get to the Mayans clubhouse before Jax.
" You've got to be fucking kidding me. "
Pulling up to Mayan territory is always just a bit unnerving. We're all cool... When I say we, I mean me and the Mayans not the Son's. But things go south very quickly where M.C.'s are involved.
" If it isn't my favorite, Teller? " He says pulling me into his embrace.
Pulling back I say, " where is he "?
" The rat? You look concerned. " He says in confusion.
I lean in and say, " I need to see Juice. I just want to see that he's okay. "
" Why would you want to see if the rat's okay? " He asks in shock. " I only let you know first because that was your boy and I thought you'd be glad to have the traitor back. "
I put my hand on his bicep. " Please, Marcus, I know what he did but I need this. He's my best friend and living on borrowed time. If you don't let me speak to him now I might never get another chance. At this moment I'm all he has. Call it a final act of kindness or whatever. "
He looks like he's about to deny me but sighs before shaking his head instead. " Fine. Fifteen minutes. Through that door. "
" Thank you, Marcus. " I say heading over.
He calls over his shoulder, " just make it quick ".
When the door to the supply room opens I run in and see the dumbass who thought coming here was smart.
" What the fuck, Juice?! " I damn near scream at him before launching myself in his arms.
He stumbles back a bit in confusion. " JJ? What are you doing here? "
" What am I doing here? " I say pushing him back and slapping his chest a few times. " What are you doing here? You're supposed to be out of Charming. Not in some closet on Mayan territory. "
" Gemma double-crossed me. She was supposed to take me out to her grandfather's house. In the car, she thought I fell asleep but I saw her pull my gun out of my bag. She tried to kill me, Jayce. "
Everything in me wants to call him a liar. Aunt Gemma would never do that but the look on his face says that he's telling the truth. " I should have been there to take you myself. "
" I still don't get it. Why do you go against Jax to help me like you do? " He asks as if the answer isn't clear as day.
Narrowing my eyes I say, " seriously? Besides what happened the other day, you're my best friend. "
" But the club. If the Mayans tell them you're here... " He starts but I put my hand up.
I shake my head. " As far as I'm concerned, fuck the club. I'm sick of living by some fucked up ass rules. Besides... I feel like this whole thing is my fault. If I would have never brought you home in the first place this wouldn't be happening. "
" Jax always said you love bringing home strays. I was the first human one. " He sighs sadly before shaking his head.
A stray tear falls down my cheek as the weight of what undoubtedly is going to happen sets in.
It's then that I'm in his arms again. " I don't regret it. You've given me something I never had before. "
" Yeah, some family we have. " I say rolling my eyes trying to get rid of the rest of the tears.
A knock sounds at the door before it opens. " Times up Chiquita. "
I give him one last hug before heading back out.
" You too, ese. " Marcus tells Juice.
I look at the leader of this M.C. in confusion. What is he up to?
" Bones, Chiquita? " Marcus asks as his boys set the game up.
I shake my head and sit next to Juice and wait. For what? I don't know.
...
Juice sighs. " When's he gonna be back? "
I'm assuming the " he " is Oso. He's usually the one shot calling.
" Oso had to take it to his table. You remember how that works, don't you? " Marcus asks him rudely.
Juice doesn't even balk. " Yeah. "
The doors open revealing Oso and another Mayan. Right on their heels are Jax and Chibs. Im on my feet instantly and so is Juice.
" Shit. What the hell is this? " He asks looking ambushed.
Because that's exactly what this is, an ambush. What the fuck, Marcus?
" Relax. They're just some old friends. " Marcus says standing up.
The sons come closer and Jax's eyes are immediately on me, then him. " How'd he get here? " He asks Marcus.
" He showed up at the store. Offered to trade club secret for passage into Mexico. " Marcus tells him.
Jax actually looks impressed. " Big move. " He says before looking back at the Mayan leader. " What do you want? "
Marcus nods and he and Jax go off to talk. Chibs comes over to me and Juice looking angrier than I've ever seen him. He grabs juice roughly and forces him to sit back down. I get in between them both and give Chibs a damn near pleading look that says " please, not in front of me ".
He still looks angry, but he knows what it will do to me so he puts distance between us.
Once Jax and Marcus are done talking they come back and my heart is literally jumping out of my chest.
" Take that kutte off of him. " Jax growls at Marcus. He then looks at the guys and says, " let's go ".
I want to ask where they're going but I can't risk any more wrath that I know is coming my way.
Marcus nods. " Pull his kutte. " He orders his guys.
One of them gives Juice a sick-sounding uppercut as two others forcefully take his kutte from him.
" Hey! " I yell but before I can do anything Marcus restrains me. " That isn't necessary! "
I can only watch helplessly as they lead him away. Once he lets me go I turn around and glare up at the Mayan leader.
" Is this what you wanted? For me to be here to witness his death? " I ask hearing my voice break and hating it.
Pity washes over his features. I fucking hate that even more.
Sighing he says, " no, Chiquita, this isn't what I wanted ".
" That's funny because that's exactly how it looks. " I tell him with venom in my tone.
He shrugs. " I have to do what's best for my club. "
" Yeah... And when I have to do what's best for me don't go wondering why. " I spit out.
His eyes soften and I think I even see a hint of regret. " You look hungry. Come. " He says leading me into the kitchen whether I want to or not.
Jax
Fuck has it been a long day. Between Leland, Juice, the Mayans, Tully, shooting up some low-level criminals, Leland again, and back to the Mayans, I'm beat.
After getting Leland on board with the H we headed back to the Mayan clubhouse for Juice. I'm ready to get home to my boys. I feel like I haven't seen them all week.
Once business is done, Alverez pours us all shots. " To our renewed friendship, huh? " He says as we clink glasses.
I nod and smile. " The way it should be. "
We take our shots and Marcus walks over to where Juice's cut is. I nod the others away and go to take the cut from Alverez. Looking over at the traitor I see my cousin, the other one.
" What the hell is she still doing here? " I ask myself more than anything.
Marcus sighs. " Uh, don't be too hard on her eh? I'm the reason she's here because something in my gut told me something was up. I was right. "
" Do you think she's a traitor? " I ask him.
He shakes his head. " Nah. Jaycee's a good girl, Jax. She loves you... But she also loves him. She's just trying to navigate a fucked up situation. "
" I know. " I tell him honestly. " She has been taking the brunt of my bullshit lately. Only she knows just how much this whole thing is bothering her. "
Alvarez nods in understanding. " Just for the record, even if we couldn't make a deal, I would've never made one with a rat.
" Thank you, brother. " I say as we embrace.
Jaycee
Watching Jax and Marcus' talk is making my hair stand on end. What the fuck are they talking about with Juice's cut? Juice sighs next to me. He knows his fate just as well as I do. The deep pit of despair in my stomach is the only thing keeping me from crying like a baby.
When they're done talking Jax makes a beeline toward where we're sitting. Juice stands up and Chibs intercepts by leading Juice away.
Getting up I'm at Jax's side instantly. " Jax what are you gonna do? " I ask feeling the panic set in.
He ignores me.
Grabbing his arm I say, " Jax... Please ".
He turns around and angrily points his finger in my face. " No! Go home, Jayce. That's an order. "
Looking to Chibs I get the same cold shoulder. " Aye, lass, do as you're told for once. "
" Fuck off Filip. " I say as they all head off with a dead man walking in tow.
Once they're out of sight, I fall to my knees as tears cloud my vision. " They're going to kill him " I sob.
" I'm sorry Chiquita. " I hear from behind me.
Looking up at him I wipe my eyes and do my best to get my breathing in check. Getting up I grab my cigarette and head to my bike.