Chapter 1
As I sat staring at the same four wall's that had surrounded me for the past 13 months, my thoughts wondered to what got me locked up in here and the reality of what awaited me on the outside. I knew going in guns blazing was a stupid idea, but Clay was President of the mother charter and I could not deny his request. And so due to my loyalty to my club and one president's blind rage here I was locked up for 14 months.
Thankfully, we were able to put a plan in place to only get 14 months. If that had not happened, we would have been looking at a lot longer. Luckily Jax played rat quite well (a bit concerning but a thought for another time) and was able to fool the dumb bitch into believing he had turned on the club. But now not even a month left of my sentence and I had received the worse news. Looking back at the letter in my hands I reread it, wishing, hoping, and praying that the words where false and it was just some cruel prank.
Dear Mr Lowman,
We regret to inform you that your wife, Rosita Lowman (32), was killed on this day Tuesday 16th August 2011, during the theft of her car. Funeral arrangements have been taking care of by Mrs Lowman's parents and of course will be covered by the life insurance policy as per her last will and testament. Your children have been put into the care of their maternal grandparents due to your mothers failing health. Please speak with them to arrange the return of the children into your care at your earliest convenience.
Kind regards,
Eric Sullivan
Lowman family attorney.
Scrunching the letter up in my hand, I lowered my head as I let the tears fall from my eyes for my beloved Rosita. Thoughts of my children quickly came to mind. Why where they with her parents and not their godfather? We had him in place for this exact reason.
"I'm going to fucking kill Kozik" I growled.
"Why you are killing the other blonde?" Asked Jax as he and Juice stopped outside my cell. Shaking my head at them, I stood up and followed them to the yard. Quickly walking over to our other brothers that where inside with us.
"Just think boys just another three weeks and we will be home free." Tig said with a joyful smile on his face, some of the others laughed.
"yeah, what do you all plan on doing first?" Jax asked the group, most of the answers where the same. Either woman or booze or both. I was hardly paying attention to the conversation and so I almost missed it when Jax called me personally.
"What about you Hap? Any special plans for when you get out?" Thoughts of my now dead wife crossed my mind, but I kept my face passive. I couldn't tell them that I planned on visiting her grave because there would be too many questions and I couldn't risk exposing my children to this life. Rosita and I had worked too hard to keep them protected.
"A cold beer would be nice." I grunted out, most the guys nodding their head in agreement.
Time skip, three weeks later.
It was finally here; we were finally getting out of this hellhole. Unfortunately for me it was to walk into another as I dealt with the consequences of my wife's death and raising my children alone. Hell, the youngest wouldn't even know who I am, he was all of 10 months old when I went inside.
Taking a deep breath as the gates opened to let us out, I prepared myself to deal with a new shitstorm that I just knew was brewing. After being greeted by our brothers that where left on the outside, I pulled Kozik aside to find out what had happened while everyone else caught up with each other.
"What happened to Rosita?" I asked in a rushed whisper, Kozik gave me a confused look before answering.
"What do you mean what happened to her? I thought she was still in Oakland with the kids?" I stared at my best friend for a moment before it hit me. No one told him.
"Shit, I've got to go." I said and started walking towards my bike just to have Koz pull me back.
"What's going on Hap? What's the rush?" He asked, still speaking in hushed tones.
"Rosita is dead, Koz. I got a letter from our attorney three weeks ago. The kids are with her folks and I couldn't understand why you didn't have them but now I see they made sure you didn't find out." Kozik looked at me in disbelief before heading to his bike.
"Let's go then!" He shouted over to me.
"What's going on?" Clay asked as we both climbed onto our bikes.
"Sorry, Prez. I gotta go. A family thing, Koz is going to ride with me." At Clay's nod, we started up our bikes and began riding towards Oakland City.
An hour and a half later we were pulling up at my father-in-law's house. I couldn't help the smile as I saw my daughters playing in the garden with their younger brother. All three children were quick to turn at the noise of the bikes.
"DADDY!" The two beautiful dark haired and caramel colour skinned girls screamed as they came running towards me. I of course saw the worried look come over my mother-in-law's face but choose to ignore it in favour of greeting my girls.
"Hello, my beautiful babies. Oh, how I've missed you both." I said as I scooped them into my arms and placed kisses all over their faces causing them to laugh.
"We missed you too, Daddy. Gramps said that you wouldn't be coming back. Like mama." One of them said as a sad look overtook the twin girls faces.
"Well Gramps was mistaken. Mama can't be with you anymore but I'm never leaving you again. I swear, my darlings." The girls nodded as I kissed their foreheads and they snuggled in close.
"Adora, Alecta. Time to come inside." I heard the voice of my father-in-law.
"But Gramps, Daddy is here." Alecta said as she turned to face the man.
"I know sweetie, but I have to talk with your daddy. Can you go inside just now?" He asked the girls, who nodded and slowly walked back to the house. Letting out a sigh as my girls walked away, I stood up to come face to face with my father-in-law, Marcus Alvarez.