6

Chapter 468 Did Not See That Coming

"

These were the moments that Jax treasured the most, riding with his brothers off to raise hell. The danger was intoxicating. Scarlett was the only reason he wasn't enjoying the situation more.

He was worried about her safety. He had brought this danger to her and he didn't care that she and her father didn't hold him responsible for that; he knew he was responsible and this was all on him. Esai needed to die not just for coming after Scarlett, but to make sure that everyone knew that if you go after SAMCRO's women, death will follow.

He kept his mind off Gemma and what he was going to do about her constant interference in his life. There would be a time to deal with her and he didn't want to ruin this ride to see Alvarez with thoughts of his mother. He just wanted to enjoy the moment, but he knew there was going to be a tough confrontation between them sooner rather than later.

The original plan called for just Jax, Clay and Tig to meet with Alvarez, but that changed with the attempted kidnapping of Scarlett. They wanted to show Alvarez that the Sons were united and were taking this threat seriously by having most of SAMCRO and members from San Bernardino, Tacoma, Indian Hills and Rogue River ride with them as a show of unity.

Piney had been left behind because he didn't ride much these days and he needed to watch over TM. Bobby had been the other member to stay behind because he tended to think before he reacted. A cool head might be needed if anything happened in Charming. A member from San Bernardino, Tacoma, Rogue River and Indian Hills also stayed behind at the clubhouse just in case the Mayans might be planning something in Charming. Clay was wisely not taking any chances.

Happy wasn't pleased with having to drive the van, but Clay didn't want him riding. He still wasn't healed and handling a Harley required a certain amount of brute strength and Happy would never admit he wasn't physically up to riding. Clay didn't want to risk Happy losing control of his bike while they were riding and either getting injured or injuring someone.

The meet with Alvarez was at a park midway between Charming and Oakland in the rundown debris of a city called Edgewater. The city was the opposite of pretty pristine Charming. It was dirty, crime ridden and struggling for money as businesses and residents fled.

The park had picnic benches, a few swings and a slide. When the MC rode in, Alvarez was already there sitting at one of the picnic tables that was off to one side, a member of the Mayans ten to fifteen yards away.

Happy and a couple of the guys stayed back with the bikes while the others spread out around the park watching the few people in the park carefully, hands close to the inside pocket of their cuts. They were all armed with knives and guns.

Tig took up his position ten yards or so from Jax and Clay who had walked up to Alvarez. Jax noticed that Alvarez had gone a little pale at the sight of all the Sons.

"Got a lot of guys with you," Alvarez said eyeing the guys. "Different charters. Something I should know?"

"We weren't sure if we were walking into an ambush or not," Jax said.

"We've had some developments in Charming," Clay said.

"Mayans have no part in anything that may have happened. We are honoring our deal."

"Your son paid us a little visit yesterday," Jax said, his eyes sparked blue fire and his face was flushed with anger. "He tried to kidnap my old lady."

"Is she OK?" Alvarez said.

Jax was sure he detected concern in Alvarez's voice. He just wasn't sure if the concern was for Scarlett, Esai or the truce between Sons and Mayans.

"She held him off at gun point," Jax said tersely. "We went down to her store to grab him. He fled in a car running over an old man in a crosswalk. He only got away because we wouldn't run over the old guy."

"This has nothing to do with me or the Mayans," Alvarez said carefully.

"That may or may not be true, but you had something to do with the attempt on my life. Your kid doesn't decide on his own to try to take out SAMCRO. We've come to an arrangement over that, but that arrangement is hanging by a thread. Why the hell is Esai going after my old lady?" Jax asked fury in his voice.

"I know the rules. We would never go after old ladies. I raised him better," Alvarez said this time with anger in his voice. "He must be desperate. That's the only reason I can think of for him doing something so wrong. What do you want from me?"

"We want you to go to Esai's ex girlfriends and put it out there you want to help him get out of Cali. You've even had ID made for him," Jax said. He reached into the pocket of his cut and handed Alvarez the passport and driver's license he had made for Esai. "Flash this around so Esai thinks it's real. Say you will give her money if she gives money and the ID to Esai. You give her a burner phone and he calls when he gets the money and ID and then she'll get her money. We need to get him before he goes after another woman and this escalates into a war."

"I don't know if he's still in touch with any of his ex-girls, but I'll put the word out. What happens when he gets the money and phone?"

"You tell us where the meeting is. That's all we need. We'll take it from there," Clay said.

Alvarez nodded.

"I want something in return," Alvarez said.

"What's that?" Jax demanded.

"I know he has to die for what he did. I just don't want him to suffer. I don't want him tortured."

"Fair enough," Jax said.

"Agreed," Clay said.

"Here's the phone," Jax said reaching into his cut, pulling out a prepaid phone and handing it to Alvarez.

"I'll be in touch. Let you know."

"This needs to happen soon," Jax said. His temper had cooled but he was still angry and determined to remove Esai from life as soon as possible.

"I'll start putting the word out today. Clay, I'll call you tonight and let you know. I want this to be over with. One last request . . ." Alvarez's voice broke. It was the first sign of weakness in the man. "Could you leave his body somewhere and tell me where so I can bring him home and bury him. That's for his mother. She needs that."

"Yeah," Clay said. "We can do that if you help us find him."

Jax wasn't heartless, but it was one thing to target an MC rival for death, it was another for someone to go after the women. He didn't feel bad about killing Esai, but he did have some sympathy for Alvarez. Setting up your kid's murder would be tough for anyone, but Alvarez had to pay a stiff price for trying to kill off SAMCRO.

Alvarez extended his hand and shook hands with both Clay and Jax sealing their deal. He and the Mayan with him left the park.

"That went well," Clay said.

"He could have just been faking his cooperation. I'll believe it when he's actually helped us," Jax said.

Tig had moved closer to Jax and Clay. He was intently studying an oleander bush twenty feet away.

"Gun," he shouted tackling Jax and knocking him to the ground.