Juice paced the floor of the living room of Bones' house nervously. After his little talk with Chibs, staying within Charming lines put him on edge. Though he knew the ranch house had good security and no one knew he was there, he still jumped at every little noise. He'd heard a motorcycle go by and practically crapped his pants. He couldn't stay in Charming. He realized that now. He had to find a new place to hide out while Angela figured out how to get them all out. There just weren't any options. He didn't feel comfortable checking into some random hotel. He needed some place safer than that. Somewhere Angela would be able to get to him easily.

Then it hit him. It wasn't the smartest idea, but it'd put him close to his girls and out of Charming. He just hoped it worked. He grabbed his pack, pulling his hat low over his head. His hair was slowly starting to grow in, and he wasn't doing anything to stop it. He'd gotten the tattoos on his head to look tougher than he was, to fit in with SAMCRO. Now, he didn't feel they were necessary. He knew he was strong without them. He had Angela, he had Evie, he had a family to draw that strength from. He didn't need to look tough to fit in with them.

He picked up Evie's little monkey stuffed animal with its tiny blanket attached, bringing it to his nose to inhale the warm lavender scent he would always associate with his daughter. He'd thought about giving it back to Angela when he'd last seen her, but he couldn't part with it. It was the only thing pushing him forward, a tangible item that reminded him what he was fighting for.

With the blanket safely tucked into his pocket, he got into the big black Escalade and started it up. He didn't play any music, just headed out of the gate with his mind on his daughter. "We're going to be okay, Monk. Promise you that," he said, his eyes glancing at the rearview mirror to make sure no one was following him. "This plan's going to work. It has to. We're meant to get out, I know we are. Your Mama's losing hope, but I'm not. I know we can do this. Angel will see. We're going to be a family. We're going to be happy. Its just going to take some work, that's all."

A sense of relief washed over him as he finally passed the Charming town sign. If it weren't for the APB that was out on him, it would be easy for him to just keep going, to find that safe spot where he could wait for his girls. Now with the APB hanging over his shoulders, there was no place that was safe for him. Maybe Hawaii wasn't the best choice anymore. Mexico could work though. If they could find an easy way to get south of the border, they could set up in a nice little place in Puerto Vallarta or Cabo. He had more than enough money saved up for them to live large down there. Maybe get a beachside cabana or something. His Spanish was getting better, and Angela was pretty fluent so communicating wouldn't be too hard. It wasn't a great idea, but it wasn't terrible either.

"Mexico's not the safest place, but your Mama's got connections, Monk," he said, putting one hand in his pocket to touch the soft blanket there. "Alvarez will help us. He's got to. Angel always said she was a part of their family. Why wouldn't he help us? If he wants shit on the Sons, I'll give him somethin' old or wrong. Just skate by. 's not ratting if it won't hurt the club. If it'll save my family. Think even your Uncle Hap would agree with that. It's a risk, but its gotta be done. We gotta get out, Monk. That way we can be a real family, make you a sister or brother, get a real nice house with a pool 'n' shit. Yeah, that'd be good. Your Mama would like that."

He drove by the dark green house he'd grown so familiar with over the past couple of years, slowing at the sight of the new baby swing hanging from the tree in front. He bet Evie loved that thing. He drove down the block and up the street behind the green house. Parking the car a few blocks down, he tugged his cap down and walked up the street slowly, not worried about being found out there. Cops weren't an issue. They knew better than to drive down that block. He paused in front of the house with the gorgeous garden, the '#1 Mom' sign hanging crookedly over the door. Taking in a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

It opened slowly, a large man standing behind it, his light green eyes looking him over as he crossed his arms over his chest. Juice was familiar with the cold greeting, Luther always treated people who visited his mother like a bouncer would treat shady looking people trying to get into their club. "Can I help you?"

"Ms. Vivica around? Need to talk to her," Juice asked, shifting nervously. The longer he stayed out on the front steps, the bigger chance he had of getting caught.

"About what?"

Juice hesitated, looking over his shoulder when a car drove by. "I'm in some deep shit, Luther. Like, really deep shit with the club."

Luther nodded slowly. "Your girl mentioned that. V 'n' I have been checkin' up on your other family. Making sure that baby stays safe."

Relief flooded through him upon hearing that. He couldn't thank Vivica and her family enough for looking after his girls. "Thank you," he said, hitching his backpack up on his shoulder a bit.

He nodded again before looking at one of his younger brothers over his shoulder. "Warwick, go ask Mama if we can let Mohawk man in."

Warwick ran inside only to re-appear a few seconds later. "Yeah, Mama says let him in."

Luther nodded, reaching out to shake Juice's hand and pull him into a half hug. "C'mon, she's in the garden," he said, showing him to the back where Vivica was kneeling by a garden plot. "Mama, Mohawk man is here."

Vivica lifted her head and gave Juice a toothy smile. "Alo, 'chere. What brings you here?"

"Need some help, Ms. V. I'm in deep shit," he admitted, holding on tightly to his backpack strap and trying to look as calm as he could.

She stood, nodding to him and clapping a hand on his shoulder. "All right. Come, tell Ms. V everything."

And he did. He explained everything from what happened with Roosevelt to why Jax wanted him dead. He kept out everything about Darveny, knowing it wasn't needed; he was in enough shit without that little detail. After he was done, he let out a long breath, feeling as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "All I want is to get back to my girls, Ms. V. I don't wanna hurt the club or cause you any trouble, I just want to get outta here with my family all in one piece."

Vivica's dark eyes softened a bit as she nodded. "You can stay here, in our guest room, for now," she allowed with another nod. "I expect you to help with the chores. Inside the house. 'Appy's always nosin' over the fence to see what we're growin'. Don't want him to find you out now, do we?"

"No, ma'am," Juice said with a relieved smile. "Thank you, Ms. V."

"Think nothing of it. Like I said, family is everything. I can see how much you want it. How much you love them. Who am I to get in the way of that?"

He sighed, running a hand through his short hair. "Thank you," he repeated. "You got no idea how much this means to me. I'm...I'll clean the whole house, Ms. V. I swear."

Vivica stood, patting his cheek. "I'm 'oldin' you to that, Mister Mohawk."

----------------

Angela eyed Quinn warily on her way out of the funeral home, Evie held tightly in her arms. He'd just gotten there to relieve whatever idiot SAMTAC member they'd had following her around earlier that day. Something was off about the large former Nomad, though. She recognized the look on his face as carefully veiled worry. Her heart dropped in her chest. "What happened?"

"Need you to get everyone outta the funeral home. Fast as you can. We're headin' to your place for the night," he ordered, nodding to the light coming from Bones' apartment.

She furrowed her brows together. "Why?" she asked, opening the back of the hatchback to let Rigor in. He jumped up and stretched out with a tired yawn.

"A grenade was just launched through the window of the shop. Worried they'll hit this place next."

Angela swallowed hard, immediately handing him her daughter. "Put her in the car. I'll go get the kids out," she instructed before practically running to the upstairs apartment. She threw open the door to find the boys deep into Halo. "We gotta go. Someone just tossed a grenade into Scoops 'n' Sweets. They're worried they'll come here next."

Kenny immediately got up to go grab his back pack, calm and cool as ever while Bones scrambled to his feet, his eyes huge behind his glasses. "A grenade? Like a real grenade? Seriously?" he exclaimed in incredulously.

She was surprised by his disbelief for a moment, then she realized she shouldn't be; normal people weren't used to this kind of thing. Though she was proud of Kenny for keeping his head, she knew Bones' reaction was the normal one. That hearing a grenade had gone off somewhere remotely close should be shocking. "Yeah. Really. You two go grab Ellie and bring her back to my place. I'll meet you there. Let's go."

Angela waited until Bones had left in his Jetta before pulling out of the parking lot. She rolled down all of her windows as she drove, trying to relax as the cool air blew across her face. She'd give anything to have Juice riding shot gun at the moment, have his hand in hers as she drove to their spot. Letting out a long breath, she tried to distract herself from that thought. It wasn't going to help her to get all sad again. She let out a long breath and glanced up at the rearview at her daughter. Evie wasn't sleeping, she was staring wide eyed at the world around her, her Harley Davidson pacifier moving up and down as she sucked on it. She was completely unaware of the grenade that had gone off, unaware of the bomb she'd survived. Totally naïve amidst the chaos that colored her life. She was just a happy baby.

How would her life continue if she kept her in Charming? Would she grow jaded like Kenny who hadn't even questioned the fact that a grenade was thrown into the shop? Angela didn't want that. Not for her girl. No, she wanted her to grow up blissfully unaware of that kind of violence. She wanted her to react like Bones did at the mention of grenades and bombs and guns. Despite the many times they'd practiced, Bones was still uncomfortable holding and shooting a gun while the Winston kids both handled them as if it were no big deal. As if they were born to use them. Angela didn't want that life for her daughter. Sure, she would teach Evie to shoot and to protect herself, but she didn't want her daughter to ever have to even think of using those skills in a real life scenario.

Before she'd left her mother's house that morning, her mother had mentioned leaving Evie there to keep her safe. Angela had freaked out about it, called her mom selfish and accused her of wanting to steal her daughter away for herself. It was a rash reaction to be sure, but she'd already had her husband ripped away from her, she couldn't bear to be separated from her daughter too. But now, she was starting to see that her mother might just be right about taking Evie out of Charming just for a little while especially since an attack on the makeshift clubhouse would inevitably mean a club lockdown. A lockdown she was sure Hap would force her to take part in, and she definitely wasn't going to put Evie through that again. Not after the explosive way the last lockdown had ended. She could deal with being away from her daughter if it kept her away from SAMCRO, if it kept her out of danger. "Abuela Graci and Nana Lena are goin' to be so fuckin' happy, Eves. Get you all to themselves for a couple days," she told her baby girl, trying to make light of her decision. "No way is Mama letting you anywhere near a SAMCRO lockdown again. Just temporary, though, Monk. You're definitely not going to stay there. Mama wants you with her as soon as its safe, okay? I love you so much."

Her stomach churned in her chest once she rounded the corner and saw their little house in the distance. She'd once loved driving home. Loved the excitement that came when she spotted Juice's Dyna sitting in the driveway. Now, she dreaded it. It had become a prison, complete with its own guard. She pulled to a stop in front of it, frowning when she saw that all of the lights were on. That was odd. She usually turned them all off before she left.

"Tig's there with his...special friend," Quinn explained as he walked up the drive. His bike stayed parked at the end of it, blocking her car. "He caught a bullet earlier 'n' needs a place to rest. Gemma's got a full house, so we brought him here."

Angela grit her teeth together. Not only was she a prisoner in her own house, but apparently, it was also being used as a care unit without her permission. "You didn't think to ask me first?"

Quinn shrugged a shoulder as he let Rigor out of the back. "Was Hap's idea. Gave us the key 'n' everything."

Angela sighed, lifting Evie out of her carseat and grabbing her diaper bag. " 'course he did," she muttered, walking towards the front door. "Better not be bleeding all over my furniture."

"Nah, we got towels 'n' shit," he said, patting Rigor's side affectionately while he waited for her to open the door.

With another heavy sigh, she opened the door and frowned at the sight of Tig stretched out across the couch. Rigor immediately ran to him, going to lick his face. "Hey doll," he greeted Angela, his ringed hand stroking through Rigor's fur. "Sorry 'bout this. Figured it was the safest place."

"No worries," Angela replied on a sigh. Honestly, if they'd have asked her, she would've been okay with Tig staying the night. She liked Tig. He had a good heart. And he was one of the only members who had yet to ask her about Juice.

"Alexander, baby, I got you some water. I want you to drink it all. Do not want you gettin' dehydrated on my watch," a woman said as she walked in from the kitchen.

Tig sat up with a grunt, taking the glass from the woman's hands. "Thanks, sweetheart," he said with a sigh. "Angela, this is Venus. Venus, this is Angela."

Venus held out one well-manicured hand. "It's so very nice to meet you, Angela. Alexander here has told me all about you and the kindness you've shown him in the past."

Angela smiled a bit. "Nice to meet you too, Venus," she replied, shaking her hand.

"And who, may I ask, is this precious little angel?" she asked, stroking a hand over Evie's soft hair.

Evie looked up at Venus with her big dark eyes, her hand clutching tightly to the crow skull that hung around Angela's neck. Angela smiled down at her daughter. "Evangeline," she answered, feeling weird saying her full name since she used it so rarely. "Evie for short."

"Aren't you just precious?" Venus asked Evie, stroking a finger of Evie's chubby cheek.

The baby girl squirmed in her mother's arms, snuggling her face closer into Angela's neck. Despite being constantly surrounded by people, Evie was a little wary of strangers. "Thank you," Angela replied, rocking back and forth to make Evie stop squirming. She knew she was tired, that she'd fall asleep at any moment. "How you doin' Tiggy?"

Tig gave her a weak smile. "Been better, doll," he answered, his blue eyes landing on Venus. "Got an angel of my own to take care of me."

Angela glanced over at Venus with an eyebrow raised but didn't comment anymore on the matter. "I got the Winstons and my apprentice comin' over in a minute. You want to claim the futon in Evie's room before they get here? I've got air mattresses and stuff for them, but I don't think it'll be too comfortable for you, old man."

"Futon sounds nice," he said, sitting up with a grunt. Venus was at his side in a hurry, helping him stand. "Where's baby doll gonna sleep?"

"With me," Angela replied, showing them the way to the baby room.

Tig laid down on the futon with a grunt, stretching out a hand to Venus. She sat down at the edge of the futon, talking to him in that low, loving tone that made Angela yearn Juice. The strength of that emotion hit her like a freight train, and she had to excuse herself before she ended up in a crying mess on the middle of the floor.

She pressed her lips to Evie's head as she headed to the bedroom, rocking the baby slowly so as to help her fall asleep. Evie's little pop up crib had been set up in their bedroom since Juice had left. She was too afraid to let her actually sleep in the bed with her, but she didn't want her baby girl to be any farther away from her than she had to be. "Time for bed, Monk," she murmured, kissing her again before laying her down in the crib. "Love you, baby girl."

She grabbed the baby monitor and turned it on, putting it in the little pocket of the crib. With a heavy heart, she sat down on her bed, staring at her daughter. How could she just leave Evie with her mother? What kind of mother did that make her? Abandoning her child like that? On the other hand, what kind of mother let their child live in a place where bombs and grenades were going off on a monthly basis?

Sighing, she raked a hand through her hair. "I need a drink," she muttered, standing and heading to the kitchen. She opened the cabinets, rooting through them for a bottle of tequila. It'd been awhile since she'd last drank anything harder than beer, but tonight, she needed something stronger.

She frowned when all she came up with was a dusty bottle of wine that Chloe had left behind after one of their girl's nights. "You'll have to do," she muttered, studying the top. It was a twist off. Chloe was just as cheap as Happy sometimes. Twisting it off, she grabbed both glasses and headed back to Evie's room.

Venus was perched on the edge of the futon next to Tig, her fingers running through his hair as she murmured things to him. "He's sleeping now. Poor little lamb," she told her as she rose from the bed.

Angela wasn't surprised Venus had known she was standing there; she seemed to be very aware of her surroundings. She was willing to bet Venus didn't get caught off guard much. "Good," she said on a nod. "I've got two glasses and a cheap bottle of wine, if you're in the mood."

"Oh God bless you, baby. You really are an angel, you know that? After a night like this, a glass of wine sounds like perfection," she replied with a grateful smile, following Angela to the living room. "May I ask which of those ruggedly handsome ruffians belong to you?"

She handed her a glass of wine before taking a long sip of her own. "Hap is my cousin," she stated simply. Juice wasn't a part of them any more. Jax had cast him aside like a used tissue, ready to throw him away after he'd served his purpose.

"Mean looking? Deep, knee-weakening voice? Big ole snake on his head?"

Angela nodded, running her finger over the rim of her glass. "That's the one."

Venus' hazel eyes studied her for a moment as she took a sip of wine. "And which one is that sweet baby girl's father?" she asked. At Angela's surprised look, she smiled. "Sugar, I know your house isn't covered in Harley stuff because its your style. You got a huge rock on your finger with a nice tattoo right above it. You're somebody's girl. Just curious as to whose."

She was wrong about the Harley stuff. Angela had grown up surrounded by Harley Davidson gear and accessories. She loved the logo and had no problem decorating her house with it. It was one of the few things she and Juice agreed on decorating-wise. "Juice," she answered softly, a sad smile on her face as she thought of her husband. "Mohawk, tattoos."

"Big smile?"

"Huge," Angela answered on a nod. "My daughter has the same one."

"Now that smile will get her in heaps of trouble if I remember it correctly," Venus said on a laugh.

She laughed along with her. "Oh, I know," she said, smiling genuinely for what felt like days. "He's already worried about that, I think."

"And where is this handsome young man at the moment? I find it hard to believe he would let two beautiful girls such as yourselves out of his sight for too long."

Angela looked down at wine in the glass for a moment before clearing her throat. "He's uh...he's not in good standing with the club right now. It's not safe for him to be here, so he's...away."

"Oh sweetheart," Venus clucked, rubbing a hand over her shoulder. "I'm so very sorry to hear that."

"Thanks," she said, sniffling slightly.

Her brow furrowed in concern. "What's a matter, baby?" she asked, reaching out to brush a stray hair away from Angela's face. When she hesitated in answering, Venus smile. "You can tell me, angel baby. I won't tell a soul, I promise. Just let it all out, sweet girl. Venus is here for you."

She wiped at her eyes and let out a long breath. It'd been a long time since she'd been able to talk to someone truthfully. She kept things from her mom and aunt out of fear of worrying them, Kenny, El, and Bones were too young to understand, and she didn't trust Chloe or Happy like she used to any more. But here was this woman, asking her to tell her how she felt with no judgement in her eyes, no ulterior motive. She couldn't stop herself from complying. "I'm just...scared for Evie, y'know? She's so little, and she's already survived one bombing. Then a grenade goes off 'n' I'm starting to think..."

"That its unsafe here for your baby?" she filled in.

Angela swallowed hard as she nodded. "Yeah," she breathed, wiping at her eyes. "My mom...she offered to take her for awhile. She's far from Charming and well protected. But I...what kind of mother abandons her child?"

Venus wiped a stray tear from her face. "The kind that loves their child very, very much," she murmured. "It takes an awfully strong, selfless mother to realize their child is unsafe and then let them go."

"I don't know if I can do it, Venus," she admitted softly as she looked down at her hands. "I already lost him, I can't...I don't want to lose her too."

"She's not going anywhere, sweetheart," Venus assured her, stroking a hand over Angela's hair in a motherly fashion. "I assume your mother's not some...crazy woman? That she truly loves your little girl?"

Angela smirked, wiping at her face. "God, yes. She's going to spoil her rotten," she replied on a sad laugh. "Her and my aunt. They love her. So much. I just..."

"Don't want to let her go. I know the feeling, angel baby," she confided, putting her arm around Angela's shoulders and pulling her closer. "I'm afraid I've had to let my own dear, sweet baby boy go so he could be safe as well. Twice. I just want a better life for him than what I can offer in my current situation. That's all. I want to see him thrive. Sometimes the best thing you can do for them is to let them go. It doesn't make you an incompetent mother by any means. Makes you a good one, a strong one."

She nodded slowly, letting out a long breath as she glanced up at Venus. "Thank you."

Venus kissed her temple, smoothing a hand over her hair again. "Happy to help, Angela. Alexander has told me so much about you and your little Evangeline. He really does love the two of you so very much."

Angela raised an eyebrow in surprise. She didn't interact with Tig much, but she knew he had a soft spot for Evie. "Really?"

"Oh yes. He said you helped him in his hour of need. You provided a perfect place to rest for the daughter he lost, and I do believe he sees you as a bit of a replacement, in a way."

She smiled a bit at that, wiping at her eyes and taking in a deep breath to keep from crying more. "And what about you, Venus? What's going on with you and Tiggy?" she asked, trying desperately to change the subject.

"I'm afraid I don't quite know just how one would classify the nature of our relationship just yet, but I care for him, and I've been led to believe that he reciprocates those feelings," Venus replied, a fond smile spreading across her face. She stood then, grabbing the wine glasses and heading to the kitchen. "Now, I really must go. I have a few early engagements and Venus needs her beauty sleep. Will you be okay on your own?"

"I've got my back up crew on their way soon. I'll be fine, thank you," she said, standing up and following after Venus.

Venus pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close before pushing her back, her hands on her shoulders. "Sleep on that decision, Angela. It won't be easy, but if it's the right thing to do, your heart will let you know," she assured her. "And please, keep an eye on Alexander. He's doesn't like to admit he's injured. See to it that his dressing is changed at least once, please."

Angela nodded. "Promise."

"I feel quite sure I'll see you around, angel baby. If you need anything don't hesitate in asking him for my number. I've been told I'm a great listener," she told her with a wink.

"Thanks, Venus...for everything," she said, truly meaning it. She needed to hear that it was okay to let Evie go from someone who wasn't a part of this whole mess. Who would tell her with total honesty and without being tainted by the club views. She knew now that it was the right decision to let Evie go. Just for a little bit. Especially if it meant she'd be safe. Venus headed out, saying a quick hello to Bones, Kenny, and Ellie as they walked in. The two teenage boys stared after her, a mixture of awe and confusion on their faces. "That would be Venus. A friend of the club, I guess. She's...pretty awesome."

Kenny shrugged it off and headed into the house while Bones stayed staring at the little hot rod Venus got into. "You have the weirdest group of friends, Ang," he muttered, shaking his head as he walked into the house.

"Yeah, and you're one of 'em so shut up," she teased, pushing him forward a bit before closing the door behind her. "Spread out in here. Tig's got the futon in Eve's room. El, you can share my bed."

Once the boys were all settled in, Angela walked back to her bedroom where Ellie was already under the covers, reading a book from some series she was newly into. Ellie was always reading something. She said it was her way of escaping the real world. After setting Evie down in her crib, she climbed in next to Ellie. "Good book?" she asked the younger girl.

"I've read better," Ellie answered on a shrug.

Angela sighed, snuggling her face into Juice's pillow. She always slept on his side of the bed when he was gone, comforted by his scent. His smell was almost gone now; he'd been away for too long. "You see what happened at Scoops 'n' Sweets?"

Ellie sighed and nodded. "Huge explosion. It was insane. Firetrucks everywhere. The dress shop wasn't touched by it, but they made us evacuate anyway. Questioned all of us at the dress shop. 's why it took so long to get down here. That new Sergeant is a bitch."

"Holy shit. Sorry, El."

"Is it weird that I watched this place blow up and I got this...sick sort of pleasure in it?" she asked softly. "Like I saw it go up in flames and kind of hoped Uncle Jax was hurt or killed in the process because of all the shit that he put my family through. I mean, think about it, Ma, Pops, Grandpa, Piney, you 'n' Juice, all of it leads back to him in one way or another. I just want him gone so that we can all go on living our lives in peace. That's wrong isn't it?"

Angela sighed softly. She knew exactly how Ellie felt. "Objectively? Yes. Its wrong to want someone dead. Subjectively, I totally agree with you," she admitted on a frown. "But Jax loved your Dad and your Dad loved Jax, El. And if you or Ken needed something, I know Jax would help you. He got Lyla that nice new house, didn't he?"

Ellie gave her a small smile. "You're too nice, Angie. I know you hate him."

She smiled a bit at her perceptiveness. "Yeah, but I don't want you to because I do."

"What I feel for Jax started long before he messed with you," she replied, staring up at the ceiling. "I still think its weird you guys have a mirror up there."

Angela laughed, rolling onto her side to turn off the light. "You'll understand when you're older."

----------------

The sound of a burner going off woke Angela up. In her sleepy haze, she reached out to smack Juice only to remember at the last second that it wasn't Juice sleeping next to her. That it wasn't his burner that had woken her up. Luckily, Ellie was curled up on her side, her back to her, out of reach of Angela's hand. Groaning, she got out of bed to go check on Evie. Her daughter was awake, just starting to squirm. "Hey Monk," she whispered, leaning in to scoop her up into her arms. The distinct smell of dirty diaper filled her nostrils, and she pulled a face. "Gross, Eves. We gotta get you all cleaned up, huh? How about we visit Uncle Tiggy so I can change your diaper?"

Evie snuggled her face into Angela's shoulder, her little hand grabbing tightly onto the front of her shirt. She smiled when she realized her daughter was snuggling close to the t-shirt because it smelled like Juice. Apparently, she wasn't the only one who felt his absence. "I miss him too, Eves," she told her, kissing her head. "But we'll see him soon...I hope."

She walked into the nursery, nodding her greeting to Tig who was currently on the phone. She did her best not to listen as she changed Evie's diaper, but a few things caught her attention. Something had happened at Diosa. Something big. Tig hung up the phone and cleared his throat. "Hey kid," he greeted on a tired sigh. "Baby doll all right?"

"Just needed a diaper change," Angela explained, buttoning up Evie's onesie. She grabbed her little foot as she kicked it in the air, pressing a kiss to the arch of it. "Huh, Monk? You little stinker."

Evie giggled back at her, two little white specs apparent in her bottom gums. Tig smiled at the sound of the baby's giggle, reaching out an arm. "Mind if I hold her?" he asked, sitting up slightly. Angela hesitated for a moment before crossing the room and helping Tig situate her against his chest. He smiled, stroking a ringed hand over her back. "Don't know why Jax has got such a hard on for your old man, doll," Tig stated out of nowhere. "He's keepin' us in the dark about whatever that idiot did. Chibs knows. He's pretty damn hurt about it."

"I don't know where he is, if that's what you're fishing for," she replied, going to fold some of Evie's onesies she'd left in a laundry basket to keep her from grabbing Evie back from him. She'd been so thankful he had never asked about Juice, and here he was, baiting her.

"I'm not askin'. I don't care. Don't really think what Jax is doin' is fair, to be honest. Don't know why Chibs 'n' Hap 'n' Bobby are all jumpin' on that ship. Doesn't make sense. We've all broken rules. Dunno why Jax is goin' after him so hard."

Angela raised an eyebrow, turning to face him. She wondered if he was still drugged or drunk to be speaking so frankly to her, but his blue eyes were clear as day. "If they brought him to the table for a Mayhem vote, it has to be unanimous right? Would you vote against it?"

He shook his head sadly. "Can't. Jax has got my balls in a vice, I don't go along with him, I sign my own death warrant," he admitted on a frown. "My life ain't that great, but I ain't ready to give it up just yet. Sorry."

"That's okay," she murmured, sitting on the edge of the futon. She was quiet for a moment, just watching Tig interact with her daughter. Biting her lip, she hesitated before asking, "Why won't Jax just let us leave?"

"APB went out on Juice. We let you leave 'n' he gets scooped up, Jax doesn't trust him to keep quiet. Thinks he'll rat to get back to you lovely ladies," he explained, nuzzling his nose into Evie's hair. "Thinks he'll want to come back to you, baby doll. And who wouldn't, cutie?"

Angela sighed, knowing Tig was right. Juice was done with the club. If it meant getting away from Charming safely, there was no telling what he might do. "I don't think he'd give them anything...prevalent."

"Don't matter. RICO needs old shit and new shit. Anythin' is dangerous at this point 'n' that new Sergeant might be sweet on Chibs, but she ain't gonna do shit for your idiot. She's the one who put the APB out in the first place."

"It just the APB making Jax do this? 'cause its starting to feel real personal."

Tig narrowed his eyes as he thought about it. "Dunno, doll. Might be he doesn't want Juice to have somethin' he's always wanted. A way out, a wife, a family. 's all Jax wanted with Tara."

She considered the notion for a moment, wondering if Jax could really be that vindictive, that petty to keep a man from being with his family because he couldn't be with his own. It wouldn't surprise her, though. Nothing Jax did ever surprised her any more. What did surprise her, was how Tig had picked up on it. "Y'know, you're very astute for a badass biker," she told him with a small smile.

"Yeah, don't let that get out," he said on chuckle.

Angela looked down at her hands and then back up at Tig. "I like Venus," she offered, changing the subject to one she was more comfortable with. He supported her and Juice, and she wanted to let him know she was in full supported of whatever it was he had going with Venus.

"She ain't bad, huh?" he mused, playing with Evie's hair. After a moment, he sighed and glanced up at her. "Look, doll, don't want you to get blindsided but that call I just got? Was 'cause a bunch of Chinese just shot up Diosa."

Angela blinked at him, trying to wrap her head around the curve ball he'd just thrown at her. "What?"

"Blew all the girls away. Every single one 'cept Lyla. She was at Redwoody workin' on shit. She's okay."

"Shit," she breathed, raking a hand through her hair. "How many?"

"Dunno. Rat's pickin' me up in the van tomorrow mornin', so I'll know more then. Means a lockdown, though. For you 'n' baby doll."

She shook her head slowly. "Not Eves. She's going to go spend some time with her Grandma and Aunt. Safely away from all this insanity."

Tig nodded in agreement. "Smart move, undertaker," he agreed on a nod. "Wish I could help you. If I can find a way, I will. You don't deserve this shit."

Angela felt a lump rise to her throat at his words. She'd never imagine in a million years that it would be Tig wanting to help her instead of Happy. Words couldn't explain how much she needed to hear that someone other than the little trio in her living room was there for her. She smiled at him, swallowing hard. "You have no idea how good it is to hear that."

" 'ey, 'ey, no tears, doll. 'm just statin' the truth," he said with a smirk. "You helped me with Dawnie. Came right when I called you. No hesitation. That's somethin' I'll never forget."

"Yeah, well, I knew Hap put you in charge of lookin' after me. Figured I'd return the favor," she explained on a shrug.

He smiled a bit at that, shaking his head. "Knew you were goin' to be trouble when that idiot couldn't stop talkin' about ya that first night. Called Hap, told him you'd caught his eye. Hap wanted to come down and rip out his throat. I told him to hold off on it. Nothin' with Juice ever sticks 'n' you didn't seem interested. 'course I knew it'd stick. Juice would talk about you, but he never gave us details. No bedroom talk. That's when I knew he was serious. Meant he didn't want to share."

Angela laughed a bit. She'd never really thought about Juice telling his brothers stories of what they did behind closed doors. To be honest, she was grateful he kept it to himself. Probably saved him from a few beat downs from Happy. "Thanks for keepin' Hap away."

"Don't mention it," he shrugged, carefully lifting Evie off of his chest and handing her to her mother. "Figured as long as the idiot was respectful, I'd let you two be."

Evie stirred a bit during the exchange but fell asleep again quickly. "Do you think we'll get out?"

"The three of ya?" he asked, looking up at her. She nodded, holding her breath for the answer. Tig's blue eyes studied her for a brief moment before he sighed. "I dunno what to tell ya, kiddo. I hope so. Just be careful with whatever it is you got planned. Don't want anythin' to happen to you two."

Angela pressed a kiss to Evie's head as she nodded. "I'll do my best."