Alex knew the others were looking at her. She assumed there weren't a lot of newbies who sat down in the middle of the dining room, instead of somewhere on the edge, hoping to be overlooked. 

They could look at her all they wanted. 

They could consider if they wanted her to become part of their gang. 

She wouldn't get far on her own, that much she knew. She however also knew others would see her potential instead of a willing victim for whatever sick behavior. 

With a blank face she answered the glances of the women who curiously turned their faces towards her. Behind that motionless mask she however observed and judged them, trying to figure out who were calling the shots here. 

She was white — and just like in the biker world, that was still a poor excuse to push people in boxes. Yet, not everyone was that black and white, she realized when a slender young woman sat down across from her. Her skin was black as ink, just like her eyes and frizzy hair. 

"News travels fast," she said. "I've been told you're an ex-marine."

Alex stared at her. She didn't know what she'd expected — but not this. This woman knew a little too much about who was coming in and going out. "Yeah. A commando."

"I was a marine. Did a lot of work in South America."

Alex nodded. 

"There are a couple of others with a military background." She nodded to a table in the corner, where a motley crew of women was sitting. "Feel free to join us."

Their eyes met briefly, and Alex nodded once again. 

The woman got up and walked back to her table. 

Alex however kept sitting where she was, eating her meal in silence, waiting to see if she would get another invitation. She however had already made her decision. She needed protection, especially when she was about to pop out a baby. These women were as drilled as she was; at least they had a connection. It was the safest choice. 

. . .

Her cellmate wasn't unfriendly; it was an Asian woman in her late forty's. She respected Alex's privacy and Alex did the same, and right now, that was all she longed for. During dinner she had introduced herself to the other ex-marines. She hadn't said much, she was still trying to figure out how all this could have happened. Staring at the ceiling, she thought of Juice. He was probably in a state now she was sent to prison. Her secret had been exposed and she hadn't even been around, a scenario she had never considered. When would she be able to talk to Juice again? Would she be allowed to call him tomorrow? She wanted to hear his voice to convince herself he was fine. Especially now he was stressed because she was sent to prison, she feared the influence this all would have on him and how he would deal with the anger of the others — especially that of Jax. 

Next day, she was told that there was a visitor. It was earlier than expected, but it improved her mood immediately. Right now, she really wanted to know how the men had responded. Hopefully they hadn't been too rough on Juice, even though knowing that Kozik had known the truth as well, helped a little. 

It however wasn't the visitor room she was led to, but a confined space reminding her of a interrogation room. And it was neither Juice who was waiting for her — but Jaeden. 

Nevertheless she was glad to see a familiar face. She sat down at the other side of the table, leaving the guard at the door, her arms crossed in front of her chest. Alex aimed her attention at Jaeden, who wasn't wearing his kutte. 

"Hey," he said. The look in his eyes was filled with concern. "How was your first night?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Can think of better nights. How's Juice? Did you talk to him? Do they know who I am?"

"Yeah, he told them. From what I heard, it was mainly Jax who was pissed."

Alex hadn't expected anything else. She however didn't think Jax was going to be the only one. Once the news reached Chibs, he would probably lose his mind as well. But right now, he was in prison, just like her. 

"They say you get fifteen months, Alex."

"Great," she grunted. Lifting her cuffed hands, she rubbed her face. "Fifteen fucking months."

That was much longer than her prospecting period. 

"So they're going to take my baby from me once its born?"

Luckily, Juice hadn't been caught; their child still had a father to go to and wouldn't end up in a foster home. 

"Maybe they won't," Jaeden said. Leaning his elbows on the table, he gave her a serious look. "They are prepared to shorten the penalty substantially in exchange for intel about the Sons."

Alex huffed. "Yeah, bet they do."

A few seconds passed without anyone saying anything. 

Jaeden raised his eyebrows. "You're not even considering it?"

"Of course not," she answered with a threatening frown. "I'm not a rat!"

"You're neither a member, Alex." His voice sounded cold. "And you will never become one."

Her frown deepened. What was Jaeden trying to tell her? "You know how they treat rats. I don't see why you even suggest to betray the Sons."

"We can protect you," he said. "And Juice. You know he doesn't belong in that club. Not really."

Her lower jaw almost dropped. "What? Who the hell is we?" For a few long seconds she stared him in the eye, then she cursed loudly. "What the hell, Jaeden? What the fuck are you doing?! Are you a cop?"

"I'm an informant," he answered. Looking past her, he sighed. "Come on, Lex. For years we fought for justice. Can you blame me for not staying silent when illegal guns are traded, when cartels fat their pockets?"

"If anything, Jax is trying to get the club out of that shit."

"I bet he his. But right know, you're still in the middle of it."

In disbelief, she shook her head. "They'll kill you, Jaeden."

"They won't."

They stared at each other in, a deadly silence surrounding them. Goosebumps spread across her arms as she drew another conclusion. "You betrayed me. You are the one who ratted on us!"

"I attached a tracker to your kutte a few days ago. It proved to be useful much earlier than I thought." He sighed deeply. "I'm sorry, Alex. For using you. They promised a plea bargain if you cooperate, that's the best I could do for you."

Clenching her fingers to fists, she banged them at the table. A scorching anger waved through her body. "You betrayed me."

"I had no choice. You only have to do a few months and..."

"YOU BETRAYED ME!" she yelled. "My best friend betrayed me! Did it even cross your mind what would have happened to me if the other party had found that tracker? They would have killed me right away!"

"They promised me you wouldn't be in any danger. Listen to me Alex. I get that it is a lot to take in now. I know that you're blind to the things they do, that you do, because you're still in the middle of your grieving process, but I couldn't turn a blind eye. It's in my blood to do something about organized crime. It was in your blood too, Alex..." His voice almost sounded pleading now. 

"They will never trust me again," she snapped. "You threw it all away, everything I worked for the past months! I let someone rape me, Jaeden! I stabbed myself to keep my secret and you... you do this?! What the hell were you thinking! Fuck off with your lame excuses!"

He sighed deeply, the look in his eyes becoming sad. 

It only made Alex more furious. 

"There was a time you and me where fighting side by side, Alex. You are the one who chose the wrong path. You can't blame me for fighting for justice. That's who I am. I'm sorry you feel betrayed now, but this was my civic duty. I can offer you a reduced sentence, and I arranged protection for you. I hate the fact that you're involved in all of this, but these are the consequences of your own decisions."

"Yeah," she grumbled. "My decision to trust you. To think that our friendship meant something."

"That's not fair, Alex."

"Leave."

"B—"

"LEAVE!" she screamed. "I never want to see your face again! You hear me? Next time I see you I will cut your throat! Go tell that to your cop friends."

Jaeden bent his head, then he shoved back his chair. 

Alex stared at the table top. Tears stinging in her eyes.