CHAPTER SIX- The only moment we were alone

Nell took a deep drag closing her eyes savouring the burning feeling of the smoke in her lungs. She was waiting. She had been up for two hours and had been surprised to realise that Ray had slept in the guest bedroom he used in the rare nights he came home. She had been married to him long enough to know something had happened and he had come home to lick his wounds. And sure enough, when she had turned on the TV, it was all over the local news. A shoot out had taken place the night before and the initial reports indicated a drug deal that had gone bad. But Nell knew better. She heard him come in the kitchen and opened her eyes.

"You shouldn't be smoking."

"I don't know if anyone told you Ray, but I already am dying."

He pursed his lips together and poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Where's Ella?"

"Out." She took another drag of her cigarette. "You know, she was asking questions about you last night. About what kind of man you used to be. I see so much of you in her, it's frightening. The anger. The pride. The loneliness. I don't want this life for her Ray. I want her to get as far away as possible from this god forsaken house. Because God forbid she ends up like you."

She had spat out the last words with as much as hate as she could muster. That was what had become of their marriage.

Ray finished his coffee and calmly put the empty cup in the sink. "I'm not the reason she's still here Nell." He turned back to face her. "You are."

"You're right. But we both know I'll be dead soon. I need you to promise me you will let her go when I'm gone. No repercussions, no counterparties. No matter what my mistakes were in the past Ray, I know you love her. That you would do anything to protect her even if she hated you for it. But she deserves better. She deserves better than this life. I do not want her to make the same mistakes I did. I need your word so I can go in peace that her life will be different."

Someone else might have missed the imperceptible nod he gave her as an answer, but Nell had been married to Ray for more than twenty five years. She knew that this was his promise to her and that no matter what, he would hold it. After all, Ray Strickland was nothing if not a man of his word.

Kozik sat at the table exhausted. He hadn't slept much the night before. After he'd gotten home, he'd tried to get some sleep but he had been unable to stop thinking about the events of the night. They had barely escaped with their lives and they all knew that. It wasn't the first time Kozik's life had been on the line, he had been in mortal danger many times before but that night had been different and deep inside he knew why. If he had died, there would have been no one to mourn him. Sure the boys would have for a while but no one would actually miss him, visit his grave, and remember him. He had no family aside from the club; he had never met anyone that meant enough for him to make it serious. He had always been a loner and for the first time that bothered him.

He had felt jealous when Tease had told him about his family, his marriage. He had a life outside a club. A life worth living. Kozik was pushing on thirty and the club was his only life. And for years, it had been enough. But now he wasn't so sure anymore. His thoughts went to the girl, the mysterious girl and how close he had been to kissing her. He wished he had been able to. He wanted to find her. Know her. For the first time, Kozik had realised he wanted more to his life. And why not start with her?

The door to the chapel opened bringing Kozik back to reality and Happy walked into the room followed by Stockhard, Stone, Wizz and Chance. "Hey brother."

"Hey."

The atmosphere was still glum. There was usually banter, jokes about the night before. But today, the men sat one by one in silence. As Wizz took his seat, Ray entered the room. He seemed in the same somber mood he had been the night before. He took his seat and looked around. Every man was sitting at his rightful place. Everyone but Pete and Tease who had been called in to work.

"What time is it?"

"9."

Ray looked at the empty sit with frustration. "Let's start." He hammered the gavel down. "What happened last night will not go unanswered. I know you're all hungry for blood. I know you want retaliation. And we will get even, I promise you that. But we need to do this right.

Kozik looked around him. He had something to say but was unsure of voicing his opinion yet "They knew we were coming, Ray. They had to. They knew when, they knew how. Unless those wetbacks just spend days waiting around in their warehouses for us to drop by, they knew exactly when we were going to hit.

"I agree. Someone sold us out and we will find out who. Because that someone doesn't know it yet, but he's already dead.

"Wizz, where are we with the prospect?"

"Everything is ready. The body will go today, I already called the boys in Arizona and they're making the arrangement. It'll be discreet, at night."

"Thanks." He stood up and unlocked the closet behind him taking out a leather cut. "You all agree with this?"

The truth was the boy probably wouldn't have made it in. But he had died for the club like a dignified soldier and he deserved it. So all the man nodded their approval.

"Alright. Wizz, make sure he gets buried with this."

Ray hammered his gavel again and all the men stood up. "Kozik. Happy"

Kozik looked back at the president and waited until everyone left the room.

"Find Pete."

"Sure."

Happy just nodded as usual sparing as many words as he could.

"Pete? You in here? "

Ella let herself into the house. She had been banging on her godfather's door for five minutes and he hadn't answered. Yet, she knew he was there because his bike was parked out front and he would never leave the house without she had used the spare key he had given her years put her purse down and noticed the familiar leather cut resting on the nearby couch. "Pete? It's me Elle. I'm coming so please don't be naked."

The door to the bedroom was slightly ajar and she could hear a light snore coming from the room.

"Please be alone too." She whispered to herself before pushing the door open. Pete was on the floor half dressed, an empty bottle of whisky resting next to him.

"Jesus Christ."

She kneeled beside the man she had known all her life and was slightly taken aback by the smell. He had probably drank the whole bottle in one go. She let out a sigh and gently stroke his pepper salt hair when she heard motorcycles outside.

Kozik followed Happy to the house as the taciturn man knocked loudly on the door.

"Pete, come on open up."

After a few seconds, they heard movement inside the house and the door opened.

"Ella?" It took a second for Ella to react to her name. Her eyes were locked on Kozik standing behind Happy with a bewildered look.

"Hey Happy."

Kozik could only stare as his friend hugged the girl he had spent most of the night thinking about.

Happy pulled back. "You know Kozik?"

"No I don't." she replied hurriedly with a pointed look to Kozik. "I'm Ella. Ella Strickland."

Suddenly everything in Kozik's world shifted. He had heard of Ray's daughter as a snotty brat who hated anything to do with the club which was why they had never been introduced. Well, until now.

"Kozik." He offered in turn but she was already turning her attention back to Happy "He is in the bedroom."

"Is he okay?"

"He's going to be nursing a hell of a hangover but yeah he's okay."

Happy nodded to Kozik "Come on."

They made their way to the bedroom but not before Kozik took a look back at Ella. She kinked her eyebrow as if daring him to say something. They walked into the bedroom and Kozik let out of a big sigh. "You got to be kidding me."

Happy was already bending towards Pete. "Help me out." They pulled the VP up and put his arms around their shoulders before carrying him to the bathroom. They put his body in the shower and Happy turned the cold water faucet on. Pete came to almost right away. "What the fuck!"

Happy smiled wickedly "The man is awake!"

"Jesus Christ, Happy. Turn it off!"

Satisfied Happy complied and turned it off. "Sort your shit out man, we got business." And just like that he turned on his heels and walked out.

"You want to help me out here?" Pete barked at Kozik's attention

Kozik held out his hand and pulled him up. "What the hell happened man?"

"The Arsonist is dead."

"What?"

"His old lady called me last night. She was hysterical. They cut him open and left him on the parking lot of the club."

"Jesus man, I'm sorry."

"Yeah. Me too. Now get out of here"

Kozik exited the bathroom closing the door behind him and walked back to the kitchen. Ella was standing by the coffee machine.

"Happy is outside making a phone call."

His eyes were trained on her aflame with resentment.

"You know I can actually see the steam coming out of your brain." She continued a self-satisfied smug on her face.

"Yeah? Can you also guess what I'm thinking?" he retorted in a hard tone.

Ella just smiled flirtatiously which infuriated him. Now that the shock had gone, he was bloody pissed off. He took quick steps towards her.

"You knew who I was from the beginning. Did you have fun playing with me?"

"You have to be two to play Kozik."

"Except I didn't know who the fuck you were."

"Well then maybe there's a lesson to be learned here. Try and learn a girl's name before you try and get into her pants."

"Don't flatter yourself, sweetheart."

She smiled at the recall. She had used that same sentence with him the day before. "Why are you getting so worked up Kozik? Afraid big bad Ray is going to find out you've been sweet talking his daughter?

"You know it's my bad. They did warn me about Ray's stuck up brat. I should have put two and two together."

Ella opened her mouth to retort but the door opened and Happy reappeared.

"Kozik man, we got to go"

Kozik glared a last time at Ella for good measure before walking away in silence slamming the door behind him. Ella's smile faltered. She hadn't been able to stop her smartass retorts but she had to admit that she had been surprised by the vehemence in his tone. Pete entered the kitchen and she quickly pushed her thoughts aside.

"Well, if it isn't the guy who tried to drink the whole bar by himself."

"Hey kid."

She stood up and hugged him tightly. "It's good to see you." She pulled away and walked to the counter where she had left a cup of coffee for him. "I made some coffee. I figured you could use it." She sat back at the table facing him. "What's going on Pete? This isn't like you. At least, it hasn't been in a long time."

Pete had spent years battling a chronic addiction to the alcohol. He still drank but he had learned to do so in moderation which was why Ella was worried about her godfather falling off the wagon again.

"It's nothing. Just club shit."

"Of course."

"What did you come here for anyway?" he quickly added changing the subject.

"Mum's stock is getting low. I thought you could help."

Pot. Ever since Nell had started her chemotherapy, Pete had been providing her with marijuana to help her deal with the pain.

"How is she doing?"

"I don't know. The new treatment has been hard on her. You should come see her sometime. I know she misses you."

Pete avoided her gaze." Yeah, I just been busy dealing with some shit. I'll get you what you need."

"Thanks."

"Kozik and Happy took off?"

She nodded. "So this new guy Kozik? Is he a transfer?"

"Yeah. Mother Charter."

She hadn't known that. It was curious for Kozik to have transferred from the mother charter, the charter most guys would give an arm to be a part of to move to Tacoma.

"He's a good guy. Great mechanic. The girls love him." Pete chuckled.

Ella couldn't help a ping of jealousy but brushed it off. She had sworn to herself the night before she'd stay clear of Kozik and now that he finally knew who she was, she wouldn't even have to avoid him. No Son in their right mind would come any close to her. She should have been relieved that the situation was back in control. But instead of relief, she just felt something close to disappointment. Something she definitely couldn't understand.

Ray pushed open the door to the diner and stepped in, Chance trailing close behind. They scanned the morning crowd and spotted Desmond Banks, seated in a booth his closest lieutenant by his side, both nursing a steaming coffee.

Desmond Banks was the 25 year old president of the Niners Tacoma branch. Despite his young years, he was a long time member who had recently taken the gavel when his brother Lucius Banks was killed during a shoot out with a rival gang. He was full of nervous energy and had a tendency to speak before thinking which would no doubt get him into trouble very quickly in this world. But he also had a running hatred for the Mayans which worked in the Sons favor. Ray made his way towards them and sat in the booth. "Desmond."

"You're late."

Ray did not respond instead taking the time of lighting a cigarette without taking his eyes off Desmond.

"You want to tell me what the hell we're doing in this joint? We were expecting a delivery today."

Ray let out a long trail of smoke. "I don't give a rat's ass about your expectations son. You lied to us."

"I didn't lie to nobody." Des interjected agitatedly

"I lost one of my boys because of your so-called Intel. "

"Hey, yo , the Intel was good. Your boys messed it up."

Ray stood up calmly "I think it's time for you to find a new gun source."

"Wow, wow, calm down alright, calm down. Sit down old man."

Chance's phone started ringing and he looked up at Ray who nodded to him to go before sitting back down. "What do you want?"

"The Mayans knew exactly when we were coming. They were waiting for us. I want the son of a bitch who sold us out."

"It wasn't my guys."

Ray shifted forward with a menacing look. "I don't give a shit if it was. Somebody did. I want a name."

"Alright."

"We deal with him. Us not you."

"Fine. Now what about my guns?"

"Find me the rat. Then we can talk about your guns."

He stood up and joined Chance who was just hanging up the phone. "You're not going to believe this. That was Romero. He wants a meet. Today."

Ray took this new information in. "Set it up. Call Happy and Kozik. Tell them I want them with this."

"Already done, they're on their way."

Augusto Romero hang up the phone and watched from the window as the cops retreated in their cars and left. They had tried to question him about the warehouses that had been the scene to a shoot out the night before. Of course, they had no way of tying the shooting to him or his club but it didn't mean they wouldn't try. They'd probably use it as an excuse to knock on every known gang in Tacoma. That was why Augusto hadn't wanted the ambush with the Sons. They already had too much shit to deal with without giving an excuse to the cops and maybe even the feds to start breathing down their necks. It was bad for business. But the truth was he was starting to lose his sway with the club, as old members died or were sent to prison and new young dogs stepped in, ready to follow his nephew Juan anywhere. It was how he became vice president. Soon Augusto knew he would be irrelevant to the club and they would try to out him. For good. THey had to be dealt with, quashed. They had to understood he didn't become president on of the biggest Mayan Charters by playing nice and if they tried to take him out, he wasn't going without a fight.

Ella couldn't get her conversation with Kozik out of her mind. She had tried to brush it off, to get her mind off of it but it hadn't worked. She knew what most of the club members thought about her and it had never bothered her before, but somewhat coming out of Kozik's mouth, the words had hurt a little.

The truth was that as much as she wanted to believe Kozik was the same man as her father, there was something about him, something Ella couldn't quite point out, but it told her that there was something more about him than a mindless brute.

Of course, she knew why he had been so angry with her. Despite their name, the Sons of Anarchy had a very strict set of rules. Some spoken, some unspoken like this one. Club members didn't go chasing after other club members daughters. They were off limits. Especially the president's daughter. Especially Ray's nineteen year old daughter. If anyone had found out that Kozik, freshly arrived from Charming, had been sweet talking the pres' daughter, he could get in serious trouble. She never had had any intention of letting it go anywhere though, and she wouldn't have said a word to anyone but he couldn't know that. Ella realised she was almost home and laughed derisively at herself. She couldn't believe her of all people would let herself agonize over a guy like Kozik so much so that she could drive all the way back to the ranch without even realizing it. She had to let it go. After all, what was done, was done. Now that he knew who she was, he would do his best to avoid her at all costs and she decided was fine with that. She parked her car in the driveway and made her way to the house.

"Mum?" she called out once inside the house

She took the stairs and walked into her mother's bedroom. "Mum?". She noticed the light in the bathroom was on and picked up her pace, a bad feeling coming over her.

Ella found her mother lying on the cold floor unconscious and got on her knees. "Mum! Wake up! Mum!". She checked her mother's pulse realizing her mother wasn't breathing; she took out her cell phone and dialed 911.

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