Why Hailey ever thought this ride to Arizona would be peaceful was beyond her. She actually thought it would give her time to think on the open road. She wasn't sure who was on her last nerve but she knew that both Gemma and Maddie were very close. They were 5 hours into the journey and were about to pass into Arizona where another group of Sons were waiting for them. Pulling into the gas station was a relief for many reasons. Number one being that she had to pee and number two that she just needed a minute away from Gemmas insistent questioning about when she was going to give Jax another chance.

"I'm just saying Hailey that in this life you get one chance to love someone and when you find them you need to hold on no matter what."

Hailey has several remarks on the married but bit her tongue when she remembered her daughter in the back seat who was stirring awake after a very much needed nap.

"Watch her please. I'll be right back."

With that she waved to Zokik and Donut and headed inside to use the bathroom and gather herself. She looked in the mirror and touched up her hair and makeup, she grabbed some snacks and water for herself before making her way outside.

"So who are we meeting?" She asked Kozik. He sling his arm over her shoulders while stretching his back. She saw Maddie giggling while Donut and Murphy threw her up the air. Gemma was having a cigarette and was on the phone with Clay.

Her phone rang in her and she pulled it from her back pocket looking at the ID, Jax.

"Hi Jax."

"Hey babe, I wanted to check in and see how things were going."

Hailey rolled her eyes and walked to the side away from nosy ears.

"Between your daughter and your mother I don't know he's making me more crazy. She spoke lighthearted so he knew she wasn't actually upset.

He laughed at her answer. "Oh so she's MY daughter when she's pissing you off? I see how it is." Hailey chuckled with him.

"Your mother is another story."

Jax could here the irritation in her voice. He sighed and gathered his thoughts.

"Look my mom is meddling we all know that. I already explained shit to her and told her not to pressure you."

Hailey knew he was telling the truth. "I know it's nothing I can't handle. Just promise me that when we get there you show me the same respect I am going to show you."

"I'll have you know babe that I have been very well behaved."

"Ha, how I doubt that very much darlin'."

He could hear the smile in her voice and the use of his famous pet name.

" Listen Hailey, I promise you that you coming here and doing this ain't gonna slap you in the face. I appreciate it. Really." Jax was smoking a cigarette and trying to calm himself down. He may have been well behaved in terms of not bedding a woman since his last incident but he left out the fact that it's made him a ticking time bomb. One of the patches from Miami could attest to that after Jax pummeled him in a bare knuckle brawl last night.

He couldn't promise that something like that wouldn't happen again but he could promise that this time around with Hailey he was determined to get it right.

"The guys from Fall River and some more Nomads are gonna be there soon. They're gonna escort you guys the rest of the way. No more stops."

"Mayans?" Hailey asked. She knew they were driving deep into their territory in order to get to their destination. Only because it cut at least three hours off of the trip.

"Nah. Marcus and I talked. He has his guys watching out for you and is around if we need them. There's a lot of crews around this way and we just want to be careful. It's only about two hours if you step on it."

Step on it she would. "Alright. I hear the rumbles so I'm going to get Maddie back in the car and I guess I'll see you soon."

"See you soon, Darlin. "

"I hate you. " she rolled her eyes and laughed towards him. She ended the call and made her way to the vehicle.

"You talk to Jax?"

"I did, he said he loves you Gem."

"No he didn't." She smirked and got in the car.

"Come on Mads!" Hailey yelled.

"She didn't get a reply. She poked her head around the car door looking for Maddie. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. Kozik, Donut, Murphy, and Jay were talking to the guys that just pulled in. Maddie want with them.

"Maddie!? " she was more frantic. The tone of her voice made the guys stop and look. Realizing what was going on she saw Kozik order some of the guys into the store and others to check where the other customers cars were parked.

"Maddie where are you?" Hailey was becoming irrational. It was a parents worst fear. Gemma was terrified as well and ran inside the store to see if she wandered off. Hailey felt her heart racing and her vision tunneling. She walked around to the back off the building.

"Maddie!"

She heard a laugh and giggle and whipped her head in the direction. She ran over and sure enough. There was Maddie. There was a man standing next to her as well. He was dressed in a suit and turned towards her. She didn't recognize him but he somehow seemed familiar.

Maddie spotted her mother and ran over.

In the moment Hailey picked her up and closed her eyes. Inhaling the scent of her daughter's strawberry shampoo and felt her heart rate slow down.

By the time she got herself together the man was gone. Hailey held Maddie right against her.

"Mommy that man said he knows daddy."

"What else did he say baby?"

"He said you don't know him yet but you will."

Hailey looked at Maddie and tears came to her eyes. "Maddie promise me that you will never ever go with a stranger again."

"I promise".