Chapter 12

Jax stood in his kitchen waiting for Thomas' bottle to heat up. His mind heavy. He had tried to write them down but this morning they were just not making sense.

Tara was pregnant, he needed Clay, Tig was dead, Galen was pushing back and he had the heat of the school shooting.

He was trying so hard to keep everything balanced but it wasn't working.

As the water boiled his mind went back to Tig. Tig had always been Clays number one since he could remember. Tig had done many things for the club a lot that some wouldn't have the stomach for but he also crossed the line. Donna, the 16 year witness he would have killed in cold blood if Jax hadn't stopped him, Popes daughter. He had killed her in a fit of rage for Clay. Again all of this was for the club, but all of these came at a price.

The retaliation for Pope's daughter was burning Tigs daughter alive as Tig watched helplessly. It was the worst kind of pay back which was why Jax had no choice but to hand Tig over. August and Pope had shown what they could do. When August thought the MC had killed Pope he went for revenge and it ended with Nicole hurt and that just made him think of Tara and Gemma, his boys. So he gave August the address of the warehouse. There was no choice.

Jax was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of an approaching motorcycle. Grabbing the bottle from the stove he pushed away from the side and headed for the door confused as to who this early guest could be. He looked through the peephole and froze. It was the last person that he expected, but regaining his composure Jax opened the door.

"You're up early brutha."

"Yeah, can I come in?" Jax nodded and moved aside letting Tig enter. "Got quite a surprise last night. Marks showed up with a few of Pope's guys. Shit I thought it was going to go down."

"What happened?" Jax asked playing along to keep his innocence.

"He was looking for you." There was something in Tig's eyes that led Jax to believe that he knew, or at least suspected. "Something about Clay. Marks needs to speak to you about it, first thing this morning."

Jax looked over his shoulder when he heard Thomas start to cry.

"Ok, I'll sort it. Look I better..."

"Yeah sure." They headed back to the door and Tig was almost out when he turned back to Jax. "Funny thing, the Prospects, they never showed with that truck last night."

"Shit, that's my mistake brutha. I've got so much shit going on here."

"That's ok." Again Tig made his way to the door but paused again. "Am I good with you Jax?"

"Yeah, course."

"Okay." Jax reached out and embraced his brother.

"We're good." Or at least Jax hoped so, he needed to speak to August now.

Nicole looked in the mirror as she added a soft curl to her hair. It had been nice to catch up with Lyla yesterday, she understood her fear and panic and admitted that before she had Piper she too felt like she didn't have a clue what she was doing but somehow it just worked out. She had her bad days but your motherly instincts just kicked in. But that was what was causing the fear in Nicole, she wasn't sure that she had that motherly instinct.

"You're up early." Nicole looked over her shoulder at Happy who was lying in their bed. She smiled at him before returning to the mirror to finish her hair.

"Got some paperwork to finish up at TM." Nicole answered "You should go back to sleep."

"You shouldn't be over doin' it." Happy spoke gruffly as he got out of the bed and walked over to her. Nicole couldn't help but admire his naked body in the reflection of the mirror. He really did look good.

"It's just some paperwork Hap. Plus the garage is a mess, club doesn't need it going into the red." Nicole justified turning to face Happy who's naked body was now pressed against her. She was dressed in one of his t-shirts.

"Hmm." Happy didn't believe her but he guessed sitting at a desk would at least keep her out of trouble. "I swear these are getting bigger by the day." He rasped in her ear as his hand trailed over her full breasts.

"Lucky for you then." She replied with a smirk before kissing him, a kiss in which he returned before his hand travelled under her shirt cupping her naked breast. She moaned into his mouth.

He pulled her with him as he moved back to the bed as he sat down she straddled him. Happy made quick work of removing his shirt from her body before leaning back and taking her in. She really was fucking beautiful. His mouth kissed both of her breasts before resting on the right one as he covered her nipple with his tongue.

As he sucked and nibbled on her nipple he could feel her wetness on his thigh and that just made him harder. Nicole felt his hardness grow and her hand travelled his hard length before guiding it inside of her.

Both their breaths caught as he entered her.

Happy loved being inside of her she felt so good and as she rode him her head falling backwards she exposed herself to him allowing Happy to kiss his way along her skin up to her neck causing her to moan in pleasure before her thrusts quickened.

He reached down and his thumb started rubbing her clit, he felt her walls clamp around him this time causing a groan to escape from his lips and against her skin.

Her pace quickened again. She was in control right now and he loved it. He could feel her she was getting close and the way she was moving against him he was nearly there too. Flipping her onto her back Happy stayed deep inside her as her legs came to rest over his shoulders. He pounded into her getting deeper with each thrust.

"Shit..." Nicole breathed as he pounded into her.

Her green eyes met his dark eyes, his pace slowing as their lips met. Bracing his weight over her Happy thrust slow and deep and before he could stop himself he came inside of her. He mouth moved from hers as he trailed kisses along her jaw and to her neck where he let out a grown. Knowing that she was sensitive he let his one hand move between them till he found her clit again, a slow thrust and a rub on her already aroused clit Nicole came.

"Hmmmm..." Nicole tried to catch her breath as Happy continued to litter kisses on her skin. God she loved this man. As she gained her composure she pulled Happy's face to hers so she could kiss him. "I need to get to the clubhouse."

"Yeah." As much as he would love to spend the rest of the day being naked with his girl. He knew that he too had a busy day.

Kissing her once last time he pulled out of her and started to walk over to bathroom for a shower. "I'll get Phil to meet you there." He shouted over his shoulder. Nicole knew not to argue.

Nicole finally arrived at T/M later than planned given her morning antics. Nicole smiled at the memory and she could still feel him between her legs. Parking up Nicole looked around it was completely empty and it was weird to see it so quiet but it was barely 6:30 am. As she looked around her eyes landed on Unser's trailer, or more the open door.

She walked over to the trailer to check if everything was ok but as she knocked on the door and called his name Nicole was met with no response. Popping her head inside the trailer she could see it was empty. Stepping back Nicole looked over to the clubhouse gathering that he must have gone inside.

Deciding to get herself set up first Nicole headed to the office. Dropping her bag on the desk Nicole looked at the paperwork it was a mountain and she knew it was going to be a long day. As she got settled behind the desk she heard a noise from the garage. She remained silent for a moment but it was silent, as she went back to her paperwork Nicole heard the noise again and this time she knew that she wasn't imagining it. Getting up Nicole walked over to the window and pushed the blinds opened. Gasping in shock Nicole took in the destruction but when she he the cry again her eyes went to Unser who was tied up. in the middle of it all. Without thought she rushed inside.

"Unser..."

"Nicole..."

Carefully stepping over the mess Nicole came to stand in front of him. "Oh my God" Nicole muttered as she saw the blood on his stomach and shirt. As quickly and carefully as she could Nicole untied his wrists releasing him from the lift. As she lay him on the floor his shirt fell open exposing more clearly the carving on stomach.

Nicole froze and as she knelt beside Unser she finally took in the full damage of the garage or rather the tags on the wall. She instantly felt sick and her hands started shaking but she was brought from her thoughts when she heard the rumble of a motorcycle. Phil It had to be Phil and in that instant she was so grateful for Happy's being over protective.

"You're going to be ok." Nicole reassured Unser as she pressed her flannel shirt against the open wounds. "PHIL...PHIL." Nicole screamed. She looked over her shoulder as the garage door opened. Her eyes met Phil's.

"Holy shit." he muttered as Nicole left Unsers side and went to Phil.

"Stay with him..."

"What happened?"

"I need to go to the clubhouse get the first aid kit..." Nicole spoke ignoring his question. She started to walk past Phil when she was stopped by him gently grabbing her elbow.

"You can't go in there, whoever did this could be in there." Nicole nodded knowing that Phil would not let her go inside and really she didn't want to see the person responsible for this.

"Ok, the first aid box it's in..."

"I know where it is." She nodded again

"We'll need towels and call Jay we're going to need Tara."

This time Phil nodded and started to run across the lot as he snagged out his cell.

Nicole turned back to the garage but instead of her going straight to Unser she found her eyes lingering on the graffiti that littered the walls. It was only when she heard Unser groan in pain did she look at him and came to kneel beside him.

"You're going to be ok. Tara will be coming." She spoke reassuringly

"Nicole..."

"Was it him...?" Nicole asked fighting back her tears.

"No." Unser admitted knowing exactly where the young tellers thoughts were going.

"Don't talk ok and don't try to move. Help is coming."

For the second time in less than 24 hours Jax found himself standing in front of August Marks. But this Jax was confused.

"I got an early morning visitor." Jax started as August approached. "It was from a guy I never expected to see again."

"Let's just say it wasn't Tragers time." Jax smirked.

"Little loyalty test, maybe?"

"Well if it was you passed." The answer pissed Jax off more he hated being played.

"What's happened with Clay?"

"I got him protection like you asked but I can't control how that was earned."

"What does that mean?"

"Clay offed a peckerwood shot caller. Guards didn't see him do it but the skinheads did."

"Shit."

"Yeah. This could blow back on your MC."

"Yeah." August had no idea how this would blowback. Nords and the MC had a lot of history.

"What's happening with the guns?"

"Haven't figured that all out yet. Irish want to keep the territory and customers. Why?"

"How about I say you set me up with the Irish gun distribution and I'll consider Trager's debt paid." Again Jax fely like he was being played but Jax knew that he was stuck so he nodded before extending his hand. "Good."

Jax's cell started to ring, pulling it from his cut he saw Phils ID. "I've gotta take this." August nodded.

"Let me know about the Irish." Jax gave a nod before answering his cell.

"What is it?"

"You need to get to TM now..."

By the time Jax pulled into the lot he could see that his brothers and Tara were already there. Jax had instructed Phil to call everyone in while he put the call into Tara.

Parking his bike he headed into the garage. His eyes took in the destruction but what caught his attention most was the tags that littered the walls. This was a message.

"Hey," Jax looked to Chibs who was now by his side. "What the hell happened?" Chibs placed his hand on Jax's shoulder.

"Break-in. Clubhouse is clear, looks like all the action happened in here but..."

"What?"

"Nicole found him."

Jax wiped a hand over his face. He saw the all the Nord tags and given the past he knew what this would be doing to her. "Where is she?"

"Clubhouse with Hap."

"Ok." Jax made his way over to Unser. "Holy shit." Jax breathed as he looked over Tara's shoulder as she stitched up his stomach. Jax dropped a kiss upon Tara's head before kneeling beside Unser. "Who did this?"

"Three of them. White. Ski masks. Asshole who did the cutting had these Nazi hooks tatted on his neck."

"Did they say anything?" Before Unser could answer the garage filled with a revving engine. Jax looked to Chibs with silent instruction. Jax looked back to Unser as he continued.

"Just about how bad to carve me up. They didn't sound to organised."

"Wayne I need you to keep still." With the look Tara gave Jax he knew she needed him to back off from the questions.

"Samdino."

Jax looked over his shoulder to Chibs. He raised to his feet, Tig and Juice who had been sat near doing the same.

"We'll find who did this." Jax stated as he looked down at Unser.

"And then what?"

It hadn't escaped anyone's attention that this attack was related to the Nords and Unser had been around long enough to witness the ongoing war between the them and Samcro. If Samcro retaliated it would just mean that more of the family were at risk.

Tara looked up at Jax but she could see that he had no answer.

"Thank you for this." Jax spoke to his wife before turning on his heels. He followed his brothers out of the garage.

"Tig, get Phil and V-Lin to the gun warehouse. No one rides alone."

"Got it." Tig pulled back and headed back to Phil.

Jax, Chibs and Juice embraced their fellow brothers. "What brings ya North?" Chibs asked

"Got a family thing with my cousin but thought we would stop by and get a little face time with Mother." Packer removed his helmet. "What happened here?" He asked seeing the disturbance in the garage.

"Morning visit from the Hitler youth. Let's get everyone at the table." Jax aimed the last bit to Chibs would nodded. Everyone went inside leaving Jax and Packer alone.

"I thought you sorted out this Neo-Nazi problem years ago?" Les Packer had been around along time so he knew the history with the Nords and Jax's little cousin, most crews did. When she started dating Darby's kid and killed him it was almost war.

"We did. Anyway I hope you're here to talk about the Irish details." Jax asked quickly changing the subject to the next problem.

"I am, but, uh, it's not the details you want. Club voted down the gun deal. To much heat."

"Shit."

"I know you went out on a limb to get us that offer which is why I wanted to tell you face to face"

"This is a big problem for us."

"I get that. Sorry. I pushed hard but the table said no."

"Al'right, let me tell the club."

The two men went to head into the clubhouse when Jax's cell started to ring. It was Lyla. He looked to Les. "I need to take this." Les nodded and headed inside.

Chibs arrived at the clubhouse following a call from Jax. Jax had given him the cliff notes but as he rolled into the garage and saw Unser lying on the floor a bloodied Nicole and the tags on the wall Chibs took a breath before coming to kneel beside her.

"I think the bleeding has stopped..." Nicole spoke with a shaky voice.

"E'ye you've done good lass." Chibs motioned for Under to help. Both men carried him carried Unser over to the sofa. Chibs spared a look over to Nicole who was still kneeled on the ground.

"Have you called Hap?" Chibs spoke at a whisper so that Phil could just hear him.

"I called him."

Happy pulled into the lot. When he had got the call from Phil he hung up and jumped on his bike. All he needed to hear was Nicole anords

Cutting off the engine he saw Phil in the garage and started to walk over to him. Phil meeting him halfway. "Where is she?" Happy snapped

"Clubhouse." Nicole had disappeared in there not long after Chibs had arrived.

Happy turned on his heels and ate up the ground to the clubhouse. As he flung open the door Nicole was standing in front of the wall of mug shots but turned to face him upon his entrance.

He took her in. When she had left him she was wearing a white v-neck t shirt with one of his flannels over the top, both were now covered in blood.

"Hap." She croaked wiping at the tears that were now falling. Happy was by her side in a second. His hands cupping her face.

"You hurt?" She never responded as she couldn't control her tears. But Happy needed an answer. He wiped at tears and asked the question again. "Are you hurt?"

"No. It's...uh...it's Unsers blood." Happy felt a sense of relief. "Is this Darby?" She asked trying to compose herself.

"I don't know." Happy answered truthfully. "But ain't no one gettin' to you." Nicole nodded as she moved to him wrapping her arms around him.

A woman was dead. One of the Diosa girls, murdered and dumped on 18. And Nero had been taken in. This was all Jax needed right now. But one problem at a time.

Walking into the clubhouse he saw his brothers gathered around the sofa. It was no surprise to him that Nicole was in the centre. Attention fully on her.

He looked around his brothers. "Everyone take a seat at the table." They all nodded, giving a final nod or a kiss of reassurance to his cousin before heading into the Chapel, all expect Happy. Jax wasn't going to argue.

Jax moved towards Nicole who was now on her feet standing next to Happy. "You ok? " She just nodded in response. She watched as his eyes went to her bloody shirt.

"It's not my blood." Nicole spoke as her voice cracked.

"I'm sorry you had to see this."

"We need to squash this shit." Jax could hear the anger in Happys voice, and he agreed with it.

"I will sort this." He placed a kiss on her forehead. As he pulled away he could see the tears in her eyes.

There was a lot of history between the Tellers and Darby's and some quite recent, some that Jax would really like to forget about as he was sure his cousin would like to as well. But something told him that this wasn't Darby, it seemed to sloppy. But he needed to get to the bottom of this, if not for his club then for her.

"We need to sit."

"She stays here." Happy ordered.

"Agreed."

Nicole would normally be pissed that they were discussing her like she wasn't standing there but to be honest this situation was freaking her out. It was way to close to home for her.

Happy looked back at Nicole. "Head to my dorm, there should be some spare clothes in there. Do not leave this clubhouse till I say." Nicole nodded.

Happy leant down and kissed her before leaving and heading to the chapel. Jax followed.

Sat at the head of the table Jax looked around his brothers. He hit the gavel to show the start of the meeting.

"I've had word that to get protection on the inside Clay had to take out Aryan shot caller."

"Shit." Chibs muttered under his breath the situation of this morning finally becoming clear.

"Looks like we are dealing with the blowback." Jax added

"We lockdown until we know who." Happy rasped as he took a hit of his cigarette.

"Agreed." Jax gave a nod to Tig. "There's something else. I've just heard that one of our girls from Diosa has been found murdered, left on 18. Nero's been taken in."

There were outbursts around the table but Jax raised his hands to silence everyone.

"You think this is linked?" Tig asked.

"If they were going to kill anybody they would have killed you're girl." All eyes went to Packer who was at the end of the table to Les. But Les was only looking at Happy.

Jax glanced between the two men. It was the first time that Jax had heard his cousin referred to as Haps girl by another charter. It looked like word was out. "History there, if I wanted to send a message that would be how I would do it not some random girl."

Happy's fist hitting the table echoed throughout the Chapel and Jax knew that his brother, his SAA was close to losing it.

"I didn't mean to cause any disrespect." Les countered.

"We've gotta find out who they are." Chibs countered knowing.

"Darby." Happy rasped.

"He's been out of the game ever since..." Juice stopped as his eyes flit between Jax and Happy.

Jax nodded. "We can ask him. I know where he is."