Thank you to dots-fiction, occasional episode, angel 897, PD1957, tellmesweetlittlelies, and xBreezyMeadowsx for the reviews on the last chapter and thank you to everyone who read and followed. Enjoy.
They're about three hours from Charming and Chibs is riding behind Bobby trying to avoid exhaust from the beast that man calls a bike. It has been a long two days. The visit with the SAMTAZ chapter left a lot to be desired and Chibs knows he's not the only one trying to sort through recent events on the dark highway tonight.
To have a chapter of SAMCRO actively dealing to the point that it pushed out a member seems like further proof that the club divide is getting deeper. Drugs are good money but they're risky and Chibs has found they often generate more conflict than the more traditional criminal enterprises. The last two days feel like a case study in this. Maybe he's just old fashioned though.
The larger cloud weighing on Chibs is the side visit with the Cartel. It had taken quite a show to ditch the tail and then the meeting had been less than ideal. Well, that was biased, the actual meeting had gone as planned at least according to Clay. The issue was the news Jax brought back. Luis had asked about River, wanting to let them know that this men would be arranging a hand off for the girl in two days.
Two days to figure out how to get in touch with her family and sort out a back up plan. It feels like not enough time to do anything and too much time to worry all at once. Jax had been thoughtful ever since he'd quietly relayed the news. It all feels off. Chibs can't shake the feeling that Luis knowing who River is and still wanting her back makes no sense. There's a big piece missing from the puzzle and it's starting to make things dangerous.
There's the added bonus of the rest of the club not knowing. That particular barrier isn't going to hold much longer and Chibs knows it. Luckily he has yet to end up in a position where he's had to lie for River but if they don't figure out how to handle things the moment is going to come eventually. He hasn't had to play games like this since he left Belfast and he's starting to remember how much he disliked them.
Up ahead, Clay signals for a stop and Chibs follows the line of his brothers into the rest area. Chibs makes sure to back his bike into a spot next to Jax and waits until the rest of the boys have dispersed to take a piss or get drinks.
"Jackie-boy, stretch a leg?" The question comes out casual but Jax picks up the undertone and dismounts. They walk towards the edge of building and Chibs lights a smoke to provide some cover. "We got to figure out the River situation."
"I know." Jax practically throws himself against the wall of the gas station as he speaks and lights the smoke Chibs offers. "Do you really think her family can clean up if there's a problem?"
"Aye, they'll clean up. No doubt there but why is Luis doing this?" It's the question that's been hanging out there for almost two weeks.
"Has she said anything? I know you two are," Jax pauses and give Chibs a look, "close." Jax hadn't brought up the phone call on the ride but he'd done enough to make Chibs painfully aware that he knew, or at least thought he knew, what he'd interrupted.
"Lass is in the dark too." Chibs chooses to ignore the dig. "Maybe it's time we tell the lads or at least more of them."
"We're going to have to and soon at this rate." Jax tears a hand through his hair as he speaks. "We could bring it to—" he stops speaking as Bobby wanders into hearing.
"Can I get one of those?" The burly biker nods to the cigarette in Chibs' hand and the Scot moves to pull out his pack.
"They're not the all natural shite yeh like." He holds them out as he speaks and watches Bobby pull one out and put it to his mouth. Lighting it Bobby shrugs before he speaks again.
"You two putting your heads together on our poker prodigy. Not surprising she took all of us to the bank Friday night," Bobby hits his smoke and then continues, "considering she won the east coast tour two years ago."
It takes a beat for the words to sink in and when they do Chibs almost loses his cig as his jaw drops. "Fucking-a"
"You know who she is?" Jax shakes his head and bends over to press his hands to his knees.
"Take it you do too." Bobby shrugs and he looks like it's no big deal. "Caught a replay of a game on TV the night before we left. She looks a little different but there can't be that many hot, deaf, poker stars out there." He throws a look over his shoulder as he speaks to make sure no one else is standing around. "What'd she do to the cartel and who else knows?"
"Juicy-boy found her online, she told me n' Jax. No idea why the cartel has her. Yeh figure out the rest of it?" Chibs throws the facts on the table ignoring Jax's frustrated groan.
"The rest of it?" Bobby looks curious.
"She's fucking Italian mafia. Like the boss' daughter level shit." Chibs breathes out hard on a laugh at Jax's description but when Bobby looks to him for confirmation he nods along.
"Shit."
"Aye."
"Have to take it to the table." Bobby presents the option like it's fact. Chibs knows the burly biker is right but it doesn't make the situation any easier.
"Tomorrow." That was a surprise. Chibs opens his mouth to respond but Jax keeps talking, "He's right. All this shit we're in now is because things aren't going to the table. We have to bring it and before Luis calls to pick her up."
There is certainly more to discuss but they're interrupted by a whistle from Tig and it's time to head back to their bikes. Chibs mounts up and follows Bobby's bike back out on to the interstate. They're still three hours from Charming but it feels like they're just getting started.
Jax is exhausted. His good mood of two weeks ago feels miles away and he's been struggling with revelation after revelation for the last few days. The two day run, SAMTAZ's new business, Tara's many attempted calls the day before and the Cartel timeline on the River situation are all weights dragging on his shoulders. In the background of everything is the news Tara shared right before the ride. She had an offer for a new job in Oregon and she wanted to take it.
The idea didn't sit well with Jax. He's never been a man who can live off another person. He wants to earn his own way, that's what this entire cartel deal was supposed to have been. Now between the drama with River and everything else it was starting to feel like it may not be worth it. Before any decision is made they have to figure out the Luis and Italian issue. Very little about the meeting yesterday felt right but Jax hasn't had time to dwell as it was followed closely by a calls from Phil and Tara about her explosive visit to Gemma's house.
Considering the call Jax had tagged along with Chibs to pick up River hoping to get a moment alone with his mom. The goal had been to clear up whatever family drama Gemma had managed to stir up but River had met them on the front steps and insisted Gemma was too ill for visitors. It was a story Phil had confirmed. Jax had been set on going home to deal with Tara, her many voicemails emphasizing their need to talk, but River had insisted he come back to Chibs' house with them. Hoping he could talk to River about calling her cousin and clear up at least one issue tonight Jax had agreed.
He watches River tuck her head into Chibs' broad back as they take the last turn and pull into the Scot's driveway. Jax parks his bike just outside the garage and follows the other two into the dark house. Chibs stomps around the house turning on lights and Jax has a feeling his brother would prefer is he wasn't here. He knows he interrupted something yesterday morning when he called and he has a feeling Chibs is getting a little too attached to their guest. River just nods towards the couch and then joins him turning to sit crossed legged with her back pressed into the arm she considers him seriously.
"What's so important darling?" She's still wearing her leather so he waits while she pulls her phone out.
Your mom isn't sick.
Jax can feel his blood pressure starting to climb. "What's wrong then? You know she pulled some shit with Tara yesterday. I didn't hear what but I know Tara is pissed." River nods along and Jax is vaguely aware of Chibs coming into the room and settling in the red chair.
She got beat up.
Jax is on his feet almost immediately, his mind racing through the possibilities. One of the cartels, white power, Tara, the options are numerous. He's starting to move for the door when River lunges for his wrist and tugs him down hard.
She wouldn't tell me who but someone did a number on her face.
He's barely listening but River is holding out the phone and the image is bright. He hadn't realized the device could take pictures and a far away part of him makes a note to keep an eye on that but then his eyes focus. It's a close up image of only his mom's face. She's got a nasty black eye, a split lip, and another bruise growing across one cheek.
"What the fuck. Why wouldn't she come out and show me? Does Clay know?" He's staring back at River now and she shrugs but the look on her face says the answers to all these questions should be obvious. "Did Clay do this?" River shrugs again then types.
She wouldn't say who but before she iced the cheek there was a pretty clear SOA mark.
He's on his feet again and he can feel River hanging her weight on one of his arms but he's going to kill Clay. He's literally seeing red as he tries to shake the girl off when Chibs' much stronger force is added to the mix.
"Sit down." Chibs has both hands on his shoulders and is forcing him into the couch. "Sit." Jax finally lets his knees give and sinks into the cushion. He can't help cracking his knuckles, his hands curled up into angry fists. "Is there more lass?" Chibs' question has River nodding and Jax turns to her with fiery eyes.
"What more?" He's at the end of his rope with all this shit. He wants to punch something in fury.
There's a lot more actually. Do you know anything about any letters?
"What?" It's such an odd question Jax is shocked out of his rage for a moment. River starts typing quickly.
Today your mom had me trick Phil into going out for cough medicine so she could talk to someone alone.
The phone stops reading and Jax is watching River carefully, she looks a little unsure and Chibs speaks from Jax's side, still holding the younger man in place. "What did yeh do while Gemma was having her private conversation?" Jax is a little surprised by the question but when River starts typing he realizes the Scot has a better feel for her skill set than he'd realized.
I considered playing a game of solitaire but I just happened to be close enough for my phone to pick up a few things on dictation.
Jax isn't sure what to make of this but Chibs seems completely unsurprised. "Did yeh, aye? And what did yer phone happen to pick up all on it's own?" She shrugs and then starts to type.
It's messy, not all the words but Gemma said the visitor was a friend. Wayne Unser? They were talking about some letters.
She waits for the phone to finish reading and then pushes a few buttons before holding it out to Jax. He takes it and realizes she's got an image of the words. It looks like gibberish with no indication of who is talking and missing words everywhere but he scans it once and then again. No matter how much of the words are missing the name Clay anywhere near the phrases dangerous for Jax and the doc are enough.
He passes the phone to Chibs. Taking a deep breath Jax can feel his rage settle into a cold determination. It feels like the last straw to know that after everything Clay has put the club through over the last few months the man still has the nerve to bring family into it.
This is it. Everything that's gone wrong since they got out of Stockton can be laid directly at Clay's feet. Jax is done. Next to him Jax is aware of Chibs letting out a low whistle and then the phone is passed back to River. She starts typing.
I don't know what any of it means but it seemed like it might be important. Between this and Gemma's face I figured you should know.
Jax makes sure he's facing her before he speaks. "Thank you. This makes things easier."
"What's that Jackie-boy?" Chibs is looking at him with a cautious look.
"Tara has a job offer out of state. This is it, brother. I can't leave my family in this shit. We'll sort things out and then I'm done." As soon as he says it out loud it feels real, it feels like the right thing to do.
"Yeh don't even know what these letters are. What if they change things?" Jax shakes his head. He knows this is the right path, who cares about some old letters from JT. Jax let that manuscript mess him up for the last few years and he's done listening to a dead man. He needs to take care of the living.
"I have to do this. This is the right play for my family." The more he says it the more confident the words sound.
"Aye" The Scot sounds torn but certain and Jax is a little surprised.
"That's it?" It's more of a question than Jax wants it to be. Chibs lets out a sigh.
"If I'd followed my gut about family 12 years ago I'd have a much prettier face today. Yeh do what yeh have to do." Chibs sounds defeated but certain, "We're here, all of us until then though." Jax nods.
"We will get the table right before I go brother." It's a promise Jax is happy to make and he realizes there's another one due. He turns to River, "Thank you. You took a risk to help me and my family. I won't forget that." She shrugs and looks away.
I brought you half a conversation and a picture. I'm not sure what that is honestly.
Jax shakes his head. He can feel a plan cementing in his mind. "No, this was a big help. We'll call your cousin tomorrow, I promise. We have to take it to the table first but it will pass. We'll get you home." She gives him a look he can't read.
That's not why I did this.
"Doesn't matter. You helped us and you had reasons not to. Clay is the problem here and we'll deal with him." Jax doesn't wait to see her reaction this last statement. He's got a plan now, a new one and it may have the exit strategy ahead of schedule but it works anyway. He stands up, "I have to get home."
"I'll walk yeh out." Chibs follows him to the door and Jax can tell he wants to get in a word without River reading their lips. "Yeh have a plan to keep her clear?" Jax doesn't miss the way the Scot doesn't ask about keeping the club clear but instead focuses on River.
"We'll get her clear. The only person who's going down is Clay." Jax run a rough hand through his hair, "He's made this whole mess and he can go down with it."
"Yeh know not everyone will see things that way." Chibs is right but it's a problem to solve when the time comes.
"We've got enough for a majority on the call and after that we'll have to see what happens." Jax already has his hand on the door knob, he's ready to go.
"Aye." There's uncertainty in Chibs' voice but then he continues, "I'm there with yeh Jackie-boy." It's enough.
"I'll call you tomorrow with a time for the table." Chibs nods and Jax leans forward pulling the older man into a one armed hug. "We've got this."
Jax ducks out of the house and hunches his shoulders against the chill in the air. He'll get the table right, keep his promise to River, and then get his family safe. With his shoulders set, he gets on his bike and rides home to tell Tara the good news. They're going to Oregon.
Thank you to everyone on your patience while I got settled in with our new puppy. He is awesome but very time consuming. More regular updates to follow!
Reviews are always welcome and thank you for reading!