Chapter 5

They all lay on the ground hands behind their heads. They had headed to Stockton and found the men who hurt Lyla. The place was disgusting, women were trapped in cages, bound by rope to the beds. There was even a bath of piss. All the women had marks on them and it disgusted Jax to think of Lyla ever being in a place like this and he wasn't the only one. It was written all over their faces. Jax couldn't stop them in that moment and he didn't want to.

Punches were thrown, and guns were drawn. The situation escalated but before it could descend into complete chaos police charged their way inside, their own guns drawn as they shouted for everyone to hit the the ground which they all did.

As Jax lay on the cold dirty concrete his eyes sort out Nero's, and he was pissed.

Nero had warned him that by heading to Stockton, to the docks, that they would be heading into dangerous territory but Jax didn't want to listen. All he wanted was to exact revenge on the men that harmed Lyla.

The contact was cut short when Jax and Nero were pulled from the floor. Jax watched as Happy tried to get to his feet but Jax shook his head. It may be part of his new role but Jax didn't need Happy reacting and making it worst.

They were dragged out of the building and hauled into the back of a police car. The distance travelled was short and it was travelled in silence although Jax could feel Nero's eyes on him. When the car came to a stop they were both pulled from the back of the car and that was how they found themselves in front the infamous Barosky.

"So you bounce into my neighbourhood turn shit upside down. Do you know who I am?"

"Yeah we know." Nero spoke but he noticed that Baroksy's eyes shifted over his shoulder and the was when he saw Jax take a step forward.

"I'm sorry about stepping up into your place. But they hurt one of my girls. They are doing torture and rape porn and not exactly being clear to the talent."

"We run Diosa." Nero added gaining Barosky's attention. The older man looked Nero up and down. Baroksy had heard about Diosa, heard of Nero. His understanding was he lost his original business and then gone into business with a gang of bikers who by the looks of it was none other than the outlaws Samcro. Barosky was familiar with the club from his earlier days on the force but those days they were out of his jurisdiction but now as a retired bent ex- detective it seemed Sons of Anarchy were now part of his jurisdiction but right now he was more intrigued but the other guy.

"Nero right?" Barosky spoke his eyes narrowing in on Nero as he lit a cigar.

"Yeah." Nero stepped forward extending his hand. "Nero Padilla." Barosky shook the hand which was extended to him. Jax stepped forward following Nero's action.

"Jax Teller." They shook hands but Barosky's attention again went back to Nero.

"I thought you moved out of Stockton."

"We did, we're set up in Morada. It's all legit"

"That's just outside Charming, where my MC is based." Jax spoke even though the questions were directed at him.

"You still an escort service?" Again Baroksy reverted his eye contact to Nero.

"Yeah."

Baroksy nodded inhaling on his cigar. Although the mornings antics were causing him a headache there was a bigger headache that he had with a Madam called Colette Jane. Maybe these two could be the answer to his problems

"Got a friend. She runs a house. Wants to go legit." He watched the two exchange a look. "Be interested in a meet?"

"Yeah sure." Jax spoke jumping in before Nero had a chance.

"Alright let me make a call. Get a meet set. And this problem, the men that hurt your girl it's sorted."

Happy was pissed. He had told her to stay at the clubhouse that he would pick her up but he had received a message from Phil saying otherwise. Happy's day had already gone off plan. The retaliation had ended up in him face down on the floor. Jax and Nero had been taken away but it wasn't long before they all got the call to meet them.

Following the directions Jax provided they arrived at a local bakery in Stockton which was not what he was expecting. Himself, Tig and Chibs had been cautious to approach given the Police car outside but Jax had given them the text so they entered. Happy was taking every detail in, and he hadn't missed the way that Jax was looking at the woman across from him. With all the shit going on with Tara Happy wasn't surprised but the last thing they all needed was Jax's personal shit making more drama, because fucking around on your old lady home does not hold the same rules as if you were on a run. This could start a fire and as he looked up at the house he was sat outside of he knew that somehow his girl would get into the middle of it.

Opening the door he walked into the house. The kitchen was encased in darkness but he noticed the flashing light coming from the other room, he entered the room to find Phil sat on the couch watching the TV.

"Where is she?" Happy snapped causing Phil to jump to his feet. Happy tried to push down the rising anger that he was able to get the drop on him, as that meant someone good get the on Nicole.

"She's uh...she's in her bedroom."

"Why you here. Why are you not at the clubhouse like I ordered?" Happy spoke trying to steady his breathing but he was just angry.

"She wanted to come back."

"And." Happy snapped.

"It was the school shooting." For the first time Phil had Happy's attention. "When we left the hospital we drove by the school and...and she just wanted to come back here. She seemed upset." Phil confessed cautiously as he was weary of Happy's reaction as he could tell he was furious.

Happy and the guys had heard about the shooting, it was always shit hearing about kids killing kids, it didn't sit right with anyone and for the first time since realising Nicole wasn't where she was supposed to be.

"Go." Happy watched as Phil nodded and scooted around him and out the house. When he heard the door close behind him Happy looked down the hall. Running a hand over his shaved head he walked down the hall and opened the door.

Nicole was sat on the bed crossed legged dressed in her bath robe as her wet hair fell around her shoulders. Her attention had been on some pamphlets until he opened the door and then her attention went to him.

"Before you say anything..."

"Wasn't going to say anythin." Happy lied.

As soon as she looked up at him he could tell that she had been crying and his mind went straight into a bit of panic seeing her like that. "All good with the Kid?" Happy asked anxiously as he leant against the door. Her smile eased his panic and he watched as she grabbed something from the dresser and held it out to him. Pushing away from the door jam he walked over taking the picture from her.

He just stared at the picture. He wasn't sure he would ever get used to seeing these, knowing that this was his kid. He was also surprised by how much he already felt for this person that wasn't even born yet. And with that thought he looked back to Nicole. "You never messaged."

"Sorry. Did you hear the news?" And from what Phil had said he instantly knew what she was referring to.

"Yeah."

"They're just kids Hap." Happy sighed taking a seat on the bed knowing where her head was at. "How are we suppose to protect..."

"Ain't gonna be able to protect it from everythin'." He spoke honestly as he cut her off. "But I'll try. Plus our kid will have smarts. They would know what to do." He watched her roll her eyes. Nicole looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders, and that was he remembered what the nurse in Tacoma said 'No stress' and he knew right now that this wasn't the case. Nicole always did this, she always took on shit she didn't need, and this school shooting it wasn't her worry. H

Reaching for her hand he pulled her to him and surprisingly she came to him easily. Happy knew that he had been a little rough on her this morning at the clubhouse, Happy found himself flipping between feeling angry towards her to protective, then pissed off and frustrated. in Tacoma his anger towards her had vanished, seeing her lying in the hospital bed he was scared he might lose her, the baby but once they were back in Charming Happy couldn't shake the memory of what she had try to do behind his back, but one thing that he found never changed was his feelings toward her was that she was his and he loved her. Kid or no kid he knew that she was under his skin and there was no getting rid of her even if he was pissed and he knew in this moment he couldn't punish her anymore, it wasn't good for anyone.

Leaning in he caught her lips with his. He felt her hesitate but Happy deepened he kiss until her felt her give in and kiss him back.

Nicole had yearned to have lips on hers, for him to kiss her like this ever since the night they left for Tacoma. She loved him so much. She needed him.

Happy was surprised when she moved to straddle him but he didn't stop her instead he wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her closer as he shifted back on the bed. His one hand moved down her body till his hand connected with the smooth skin of her thigh.

"Hap..." Nicole spoke breathlessly

"hmmm" Happy mumbled against her skin as his lips moved to her neck.

"Hap..." Nicole repeated only to receive the same mumble from Happy. She felt his fingers dig into her skin before moving up her thigh and under her robe but, but it was sitting right with her she needed him to know. Reaching down she placed her hand ontop of his stopping his hand from exploring any further.

When he felt her hand on his stopping him he pulled back from her. In their closeness they looked into one another's eyes Happy so the glisten of fresh tears. He brought his hand to rest on her cheek.

"I'll do whatever I can to make this right with us...bu...but I'm scared Hap." Nicole confessed.

"You need to get out of your head Nic." Happy sighed hating that he was having to do this again.

"But..."

"You aint got nothin to be scared of. I've got you." Nicole looked into those dark eyes knowing that this was one of those times were she had broken through the tough exterior of the killah and she loved this man so much. Leaning forward she recaptured his lips kissing him softly.

"I love you" Nicole spoke in a whisper.

"I love you." Nicole sucked in a breath at his words. She knew he loved well at least she hoped he still did but even when things were good between then Happy wasn't someone to just say those three words so hearing them now when she needed to hear it more than ever Nicole just gave into him.

The kiss was passionate on both sides, both needing one another.

Happy wrapped his arm around her waist and moved them so that he was now ontop of her but as his hands continued their exploration of her body underneath her robe he felt her jerk away.

"You ok?" He rasped breathlessly as her lips parted from his.

"It's just the stitches. Just...Just be gentle ok."

He nodded and pulled back from her ever so slightly. He reached out and untied her robe letting it drop to her side leaving her naked. His eyes roamed over her body from her perfect tits which he swore were bigger, but as his eyes moved down her body he looked at the swell of her stomach but it was the stitches to her side that looked red and sore which really took his attention along with the bruises that were littered her skin. As his eyes went back to hers he moved a stray piece of damp hair from her face revealing the cut on her eyebrow.

She was hurting. In more ways than one.

Pushing himself off the bed he came to stand. He watched her eyes follow him as he started to remove his clothes until he was as naked as she was. He moved back towards her, bending down he kissed her again. The kiss was soft and he felt her move backwards on the bed and his body followed hers until he was laying on top of her. He trailed his kisses down to her neck before reaching her breasts as he took her erect nipple in his mouth causing a moan of pleasure to escape from Nicole's lips.

Tonight Happy was going to give Nicole everything that she needed.

Jax looked at the woman lying next to him the woman that was not his wife. Colette Jane.

Today had been hard for many reasons. Having Lyla hurt, seeing the place where that hurt had happened, made him feel sick. He had made a promise to Opie, on his grave, that he would look after his family, his kids, his mother and to Lyla and Jax couldn't help but focus on how much he had failed her and failed Opie.

Jax had become consumed with his own issues that he had dropped the ball but he wouldn't do it again. He couldn't. And it was with that thought that his mind went to Nicole. He had neglected her and she ended up hurt too and even though it seemed liked she had forgiven him, he still felt the distance. The distance he had created.

And then Ally Lowen had delivered the final blow today.

Tara didn't want him at the hearing. He had been hurt when he learnt about her plans, her plans of making Wendy their guardian in a move that could see her take his children from him, but despite the hurt he still loved her. And knowing that she didnt want him at her hearing hurt.

He felt like he was losing grip on everything. So when Colette rested her hand on his cheek Jax gave in. He needed the comfort, he wanted to feel whole again which is why he let Colette lead him to her bed, but as he looked at her sleeping next to him he realised this was not the place to feel that.