Jax disappeared inside. And just like that, the waiting began. I stood perfectly still where I was, completely ignoring Stahl. I knew she wanted to know what Jax and I talked about, but I refused to acknowledge her existence around me. Chibs came up beside me and slipped his hand into mine. I gripped his hand, not realizing how tight I was holding onto him. "Ye're gonna crush my fingers, lass," he told me, and I looked down at his hand, bringing it up closer to me, wrapping my free hand around his. "Good," I mumbled, looking back to the building, really wanting to know what was happening, but there was no sound from there. "How long do you think this is going to take?" I asked, not really towards him. I felt his free hand around me, and I could feel him shrug. "Can't say," he replied. "Ten minutes?" I asked, and Chibs huffed slightly. "Maybe," he replied. "Twenty?" I asked again, but this time I felt no answer from Chibs. I turned my head to look at him. "Chibs." I quietly said, worried, and he rubbed his thumb over my knuckle. "We'll wait until they come out," he finally replied. I felt my throat tighten. "Both of them?" I asked. He held my gaze. "That's the plan," he said with a slight nod. Nearby, Juice paced back and forth. Bobby stood with his arms folded, his expression grim. Happy watched the windows without saying a word. Clay was speaking with the police commander, trying to get information, but the officers had little to offer. Every so often, somebody's radio crackled. Every time that happened, I turned to where the sound came from, but every time it was a false alarm. Every time, it was something else. A change in position. An officer requesting an update. A voice giving instructions that meant nothing to her. Nothing about Tara. Nothing about Jax. Minutes stretched unbearably. I leaned my head against his shoulder, and I felt his head on mine. "Ye alright?" he quietly asked. "No," I whispered; I didn't bother pretending otherwise. "I know," he quietly said. There was a pause when I finally spoke again. "I should be in there," I said quietly. "No," Chibs replied right away. "I could help Tara if she's hurt," I told him, slightly looking up at him. "Riley," he said, looking at me without releasing my arms. "I know first aid. I know how to—" I tried to say, but he interupted me. "I know what ye can do; I saw ye patch up people," he told me, squeezing my hand. I looked at him. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "But ye can't help her if ye rush into a building full of armed police and a man who's already lost control," he told me. I swallowed. I hated that he was right. I hated even more that she couldn't argue with him. I leaned into his side and kept watching the entrance. "I'm going to kill Salazar if he touches her," I grumbled. Chibs pressed a brief kiss to the top of my head. "Get in line, lass," he replied. Under any other circumstances, I might have laughed. Now I could barely breathe. They couldn't see what was happening beyond the doors. They couldn't hear the conversation. They could only imagine Jax standing somewhere inside, facing Salazar and trying to convince him that surrendering would be enough. I pictured Tara frightened and alone. I pictured Jax trying to keep Salazar focused on him instead of her. I pictured the moment when somebody would have to decide whether to keep a promise. My fingers tightened around Chibs's hand again. "Please," I whispered. Chibs looked down at her. "Lass?" he softly asked. I didn't take my eyes off the building. "Please let them both come home," I mumbled.  He pulled her closer. "Aye," he whispered into my ear. For once, he didn't try to reassure her with promises. He simply stayed beside her. And the Sons waited together behind the police line, watching the entrance where Jax had disappeared. Every second felt longer than the one before. Tara was inside. Jax was inside. And nobody outside knew whether the next person through those doors would be walking out freely... or being carried. The waiting was slowly driving me insane. I had checked my phone at least twelve times. Juice had worn a path into the pavement from pacing. Bobby was trying to keep everyone calm, which wasn't working particularly well. Happy stood beside one of the police cars, watching the building with the same expression he'd worn for the last twenty minutes. And Chibs... Chibs hadn't let go of my hand once. Not that I'd given him much choice. I was practically attached to his side. "Any news?" I asked for what felt like the hundredth time. Chibs shook his head. "Not yet, lass," he replied. I groaned. "I hate this." I grumbled. "Aye. So do I," he said into my hair. I looked toward the entrance again. "Jax better come out of there in one piece." I grumbled. "He will." Chibs replied. I turned to him. "You don't know that," I told him. His expression softened. "No. I don't." he paused, squeezing my hand. "But I'm hopin' just as hard as ye are," he added. That shut me up. For about three seconds. Then I started pacing again. Clay glanced over. "Would you sit down before you wear a hole in the pavement?" he grumbled at me. I stopped. Looked at him. "Would you like to try stopping me?" I asked him. Juice immediately turned away, pretending he hadn't heard. Bobby rubbed his forehead. "Christ, she's worse than Tig," he grumbled. "HEY!" somebody yelled. The shout came from somewhere behind us. Everyone turned. Tig wasn't even there. Juice lost the battle and burst out laughing. I pointed at him. "You're next," I told him. "Sorry! Sorry!" he replied quietly.