JAX

“What’s the deal with the chick behind the bar?” Clay asked me once we were all in Church.

I rolled my eyes and lit up a cigarette.

“Look, she’s new to town and broke and needed a place to stay. And you’ve been saying we can’t keep Half Sack behind the bar if he wants to patch in and plus she’s pretty hot and when we have parties and shit, everyone will love her.” I said.

Tig shrugged and nodded to Clay and he sighed.

“You better make sure she keeps her mouth shut.” Clay said as he pointed his finger at me.

I just nodded and took a drag of my cigarette.

“The chick isn’t the problem. The problem is the Mayans.” Chibs said.

We all nodded and looked at Clay.

“Eh they’re probably still pissed about us selling to the Niners.” Clay said with a wave of his hand.

He puffed on his cigar and leaned back in his chair. I looked down at Piney who was shaking his head and pushing his oxygen nubs into his nose.

“So what are we gonna do about it? We can’t just have them riding through our backyard.” Chibs said.

Clay thought about it for a minute before answering.

“Were they officers?” He asked me.

I shook my head and blew out smoke.

“No, they were patched though but I didn’t recognize them.” I said.

He nodded slowly puffed some more on his cigar.

“Alright, I’ll talk to our brown friend about keeping his compadres out of Charming.” He said.

We all nodded in agreement and Clay slammed down the gavel. Tig drummed on the table and we got up.

“Jax, stay.” Clay said as I made it to the door.

I pushed them shut and turned to face him.

“What’s the real deal with the chick?” He asked me.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head and crossed my arms.

“Exactly what I said it was. She needs work and we need a bartender.” I said.

Clay stood up and stood two feet in front of me.

“You better make damn sure that you can trust her. The last thing we need is some piece of pussy running to ATF and flapping those pretty lips.” He said in a low voice.

I was fuming. I could feel my lip twitching into a snarl and we just stared at each other.

“I’ll handle it.” I said slowly.

“You better.” He said just as slow.

Clay opened the doors and walked back out into the club. I gripped the back of the chair and took a few deep breaths before walking outside to talk to McKayla. She was sitting by the boxing ring we have set up talking to Chibs, Tig and Half Sack.

“So why do they call you Half Sack?” She asked him.

Chibs and Tig started laughing and Half Sack blushed.

“Well, I was in the army and-“

“And now he only has one nut in his sack.” I said as I walked up to them.

McKayla flushed a little and Sack just nodded. Tig and Chibs laughed harder and I nodded for them to leave. Tig stood first and whispered something to McKayla that made her roll her eyes and Chibs put his hand on Sack’s shoulder and they went to the garage. McKayla shook her head and turned to look at me.

“So, I’ll show you where you can stay.” I told her.

I held out my hand and she slowly put hers inside mine. I smiled at her and led her back into the club.

“Down this hall there’s a bedroom and bathroom. We call it the apartment.” I said as I opened the door.

“I’ve been crashing here for a while so some of my clothes are in the drawers and shit but I’ll get them out.” I said to her.

She walked in slowly and smiled at me.

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t have much anyway.” She said.

She set her backpack on the bed and sat down herself.

“Is it okay if I have a shower?” She asked me.

I chuckled at her and put my hands in my pockets.

“It’s your place sweetheart. But if I were you, I’d lock both doors.” I said.

Her face fell a little and she rolled her eyes.

“Men.” She muttered under her breath.

I chuckled and smirked and backed out the door, closing it behind me.