Clay and Tig were already back when Chibs and I pulled up. It still didn’t make any sense. It took pretty big balls to put a hit out on us, but to have help from an ex prospect? It just didn’t sit well with me.

“I’ll go tell Clay what we found out.” Chibs said.

I nodded and lit a smoke. Gemma was walking over to me and I put my helmet on the mirror.

“Everything okay?” She asked.

I sighed deeply and shook my head.

“I don’t know.” I say.

She put her hands on her hips and chewed on her cheek.

“What’s wrong with McKayla’s voice? Did you too get drunk last night and she couldn’t handle it?” She asked me with a small smirk on her face.

I rolled my eyes and got up off my bike.

“No mom. She…she had a nightmare last night and was screaming.” I said in a quiet voice.

Gemma looked towards the club house and then back at me. I blew smoke out of my nose and started walking. Behind the bar, McKayla was talking to Tig. He was making her smile and laugh. A fire burned in the pit of my stomach. He reached over and took her hand. She blushed and rolled her eyes. I clenched my fists and stalked over to the bar.

Through my pissed off rage, I saw her eyes light up when she saw me sit down. She pulled her hand from Tig and smiled at me.

“Hey Jax.” She said.

Her voice wasn’t as raspy now and her eyes weren’t as red. She got me a beer and I took a long pull from it.

“So how does a pretty thing like you, end up in Charming?” Tig asked her.

She smiled at him and took a sip of her own beer.

“An 18-wheeler.” She said.

Tig smirked at her and took a drink. I slammed my bottle down a little harder than I’d meant to and McKayla jumped. Tig caught my glare and got up from the bar. McKayla took a step back and started to sweep up.

“Rough day?” She asked softly.

I shook my head and took another drink. McKayla bit her lip and walked away from the bar and I caught her hand.

“Where’s the kid?” I asked her.

She stared at me for a moment before answering.

“Gemma called Neeta to pick him up after you left.” She said.

With that she headed back to the bedroom and closed the door. I sighed and put my head in my hands. What the hell was wrong with me? McKayla was talking to Tig, big deal? It’s not like she’s my old lady or anything. I’ve known her for three days. A little while later, she came back out wearing a plain black shirt and jeans and she’d redone her hair.

She raised her eyebrow at me and grabbed her beer from the bar.

“Are you alright?” She asked softly.

I sighed and shook my head.

“I don’t know. We didn’t get anywhere today and we still don’t know why the Devil’s are after us.” I said.

My voice was full of frustration. McKayla put her hand on mine and smiled softly at me.

“You’ll figure it out Jax. It’ll be alright.” She said.

I turned my head to look at her and met her eyes. They were still full of worry, but still beautiful. All I could do was nod at her. I suddenly felt really shitty for the anger I had a moment ago. Tig was just being Tig and McKayla was just being nice.

“Hey Jax, Opie and Juice are back.” Tig called from outside.

I groaned slightly and McKayla pulled me off the barstool.

“Maybe they found something out.” She said with a shrug.

I rolled my eyes playfully at her and she giggled. With a small smile I dragged myself outside. Juice, Op and Sack were just reaching the boxing ring and Clay and Tig were sitting down.

“Did anyone call Bobby?” I asked.

Clay nodded.

“He’s stuck up at Cara Cara. You can fill him in later.” He said.

I didn’t say anything. I just lit a cigarette and breathed it in deeply.

“Alright so Laroy says he didn’t put out a hit and they’ve never heard of the Devil’s.” Juice said.

Great, this rouge ex Mayan is looking better and better for this.

“So what, we’re thinking this ex prospect got in bed with the Devil’s to take us out so he could prove himself to the Mayans?” I thought out loud.

No one had an answer. Clay looked at me and then to rest of the guys.

“It doesn’t matter. The only thing that does is getting the bastards.” He said.

We all nodded in agreement.

“Unser said that he’s never heard of them, but he’s checking into it. For now, I say we continue business as usual. If they try something again, we’ll be ready.” Clay said finally.

“I say we track them down and take them out before they get to us.” Tig said.

I shook my head and crossed my arms.

“We can’t. We don’t know anything about them, and we’re not stone cold killers. From what Alvarez says they’re not to be messed with. They’re big into torture and don’t play by MC rules. For all we know they want us to find them so they can trap us.” I said.

Clay nodded in agreement for once and stood up.

“Jax is right. We don’t need that shit. We need to focus on the guns and keeping ATF off our backs.” He said.

I agreed tossed my cigarette butt on the ground.

“All in favor?” He said.

We all raised our hands and Clay nodded.

“Good. Jax go fill Bobby in would ya?” He said to me.

I nodded and walked off towards my bike and headed to the porn studio.

McKayla

They’re getting worse. The nightmares. I didn’t think I’d even have them now. I was free and well hidden; there was no reason to be afraid. Right? I replayed the terror in my head over and over all day while everyone was gone. Neeta had the baby and Gemma was working so I was all alone. I thought about calling home to let everyone know I was okay, but I decided against it. If I did that, he could find me.

The guys were coming back in the club so I pulled more beer. Jax didn’t come in with them. Chibs wanted a shot too so I poured him and myself one.

“Where’d Jax go?” I asked him.

He slammed his shot down and winced a little.

“To talk to Bobby at Cara Cara.” He said.

I raised my eyebrow and poured another.

“Cara Cara?” I asked.

A grin spread across his face and he nodded.

“It’s a porn studio that we’re involved in.” He said.

My stomach turned and I slid him the bottle. Of course they would be involved with porn. I wondered how many pornstars Jax had fucked in the very bed I was sleeping in. I forced myself to push the thought from my head and I went out back to get a case of beer. As I was walking to the door, the wind blew hard and slammed the door shut. It didn’t have a handle on it.

“Perfect.” I said to myself.

It was a long walk to the front especially with the beer. I knocked on the door and prayed someone would hear me. My prayers were answered by Tig.

“Well hello there sweetheart.” He said with a grin.

I forced one back and shifted the case in my arms.

“Here let me get that for you.” He said as he took it from me.

“Thanks.” I said with a smile.

We walked down the hall and before we reached the others Tig stopped me.

“We should go out some time. You and me, drinks, music, maybe a little more? What do you say?” He asked.

He was raising his eyebrows up and down and had a sleazy smirk on his lips. I flushed and felt my heart speed up. Go out with Tig? Yeah I don’t think so.

“I think you’re just looking for the ‘little more’ huh?” I said as I crossed my arms.

“No no no baby. I’m just suggesting we go out. But I definitely would love to see you out of those tight jeans.” He said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed the case from him and stomped off to the bar.

“What?” He called after me.

I was fuming. Is that honestly all men think about? My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped the bottles as I pulled them from the case. First Jax last night and now Tig? Maybe being here around all these men wasn’t a good idea after all. After I finished stocking the beer, I crushed the box and went into my room and shut the door.

I didn’t even bother turning the light on, I just flopped on the bed and covered my face with my arm. Before I knew it was asleep. When I woke up, the clock said it was just passed 10. It was quiet out in the club from what I could tell. I was thirsty, so I took a deep breath and went out.

The only person in the place was Jax. He was smoking and just sitting at the bar.

“Where is everyone?” I asked.

He jumped a little at my voice but smiled at me.

“Home. It’s been a long couple days.” He said.

I nodded and took a bottle of water from the fridge.

“How was the porn place?” I asked him.

His face went blank and he looked away.

“Fine. I got Bobby up to speed.” He said.

I could see he was gritting his teeth from the way his muscles on his face were twitching. I sat down beside him and nodded.

“That’s good.” I said.

He slowly turned back to face me and locked his eyes on mine. God his eyes were beautiful. When I looked into them, I feel like he’s looking straight into my soul. I shivered and had to look away.

“Are you going home then?” I asked him.

I felt him shift and he took my hand in his.

“Do you want me to?” He asked softly.

My mind screamed no, but I couldn’t really ask him to stay with me because I had a nightmare. I’m a big girl after all.

“I’ll be fine, Jax.” I managed to spit out.

The truth was I was scared to death to go to sleep. Jax had managed to get me to sleep peacefully for the first time since I’d left home.

“You’re a bad liar McKayla. I can tell you’re afraid of something, I can see it in your eyes. I want to help you and if staying with you makes you feel safe I’ll do it.” He said.

Tears were threatening to fall as he spoke. He knew I was afraid. I didn’t even have to say anything and he knew. Jax pulled me into his arms and held me tight. The smell of leather and smoke filled my lungs and I breathed deep.

“I am afraid.” I whispered.

I pulled myself away from Jax and wiped my eyes. Jax was staring at me. His hands never let go of mine.

“Of what?” He asked.

I shook my head and looked away.

“Please, I can’t. Just don’t leave tonight okay?” I said to him.

His hand left mine and rested on my face.

“I’m not leaving.” He said seriously.

I just nodded and a few tears spilled over and landed on Jax’s hands. He pulled me close and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes and let out a shaky sigh. Jax stood from the stool and we went into the bedroom. He took off his vest and put it on the back of the desk chair and put his gun on the nightstand. I went into the bathroom and changed into his t-shirt. When I came out, Jax was down to his boxers. I flushed and looked at him. His back was to me and I could see the huge Reaper tattoo on his back that was exactly like what was on his vest. I could also see scars scattered over his back and arms.

I cleared my throat and he turned around. A soft smile was on his face and he held his hand out to me.

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna try anything.” He said. His smile turning into a smirk.

I rolled my eyes and dropped my clothes into one of the shopping bags I was using for a hamper. Jax slid into bed and laid on his back with his arms behind his head. I crawled in beside him and faced away from him on my side. I heard him chuckle and I turned to look at him.

“Don’t be afraid to cuddle up with me darlin’. I won’t bite.” He said.

“I think I’ll be alright.” I said.

He chuckled again and reached over to turn out the light.

“Goodnight McKayla.” He said quietly.

“Goodnight Jax.” I whispered.

Within seconds I heard his breathing settle and he was asleep. I bit my lip and as quietly as I could rolled onto my other side and laid my head on his chest. The sound of his strong heartbeat lulled me to sleep in no time.