In disbelief and at the same time full of anger, she stared at the blonde who was standing in front of her with an apologetic look, his head cocked slightly as more words left his mouth. However, she only heard the words blurred, as if her head were under water. After Jax explained what had happened, that Happy and Tig were being taken by the Rivals and would probably die if the Sons couldn't convince Lin to play dead, her hearing had gone dead. Instead, she had disappeared into her own world, her thoughts racing.

The fear she felt and the concern for Happy quickly turned to anger. Anger at Jax and why he let this happen. To save Lyla, she knew that and was glad Lyla was safe, but Jax should have done something about the Rivals much sooner to prevent shit like this from happening.

The palm of her hand met Jax face as he tried to put a hand on her shoulder and comfort her, then she slammed her hands against his chest over and over again. He was the last one she wanted to be comforted by right now.

“Why did you let that happen?!”, she yelled at him, her eyes shining with tears forming in them. “You allowed these bastards to become a threat to your club. You should have done something right after they attacked Happy!”

It was James who pulled his sister back, his arms wrapped around her body in comfort as she burst into tears, probably on the verge of a breakdown. Secretly, he thought the same thing as her, that Jax should have acted sooner, but he also had to stand behind his Pres' decisions. Even if they weren't always the best for the club.

“There wasn't much I could've done, Cassie.” Jax let out a sigh, sincere compassion in his tone. He wasn't mad at her for lashing out at him, he kind of deserved it for letting this happen. “But we'll get them back, I promise.”

“Don't you dare to promise anything you can't keep”, she snarled at him and wriggled herself out of James' arms, coming face to face with Jax again. “I swear, if anything happens to Happy, I'm⸺”

“That's enough, Cassie”, James cut her off to stop her from making threats to Jax. Even though he was angry himself, Cassie was still just an Old Lady who had no right to speak to a member like that. Even if he understood it, but rules were rules.

Angrily she turned to James, pissed that he really wanted to tell her that she was about to cross a line. “Don't tell me what's enough! How would you react if they kept Lyla, huh?! Happy has a son who needs a father, a son that's not even two weeks old yet, and I need him, too. He would give his life for the club and you're still standing here instead of doing anything? I have every right to be angry!”

Genma, who had been with Cassie all afternoon and was still there, came to the younger woman's side and put an arm around her waist. She looked at Jax with a shake of her head. Right now even she was disappointed that the boys hadn't done more to protect Happy and Tig.

“She's not wrong. Ever since you started having problems with Tara, you've barely got a clear head for the club. We all support you, Jax, but you need to show others again that they can't mess with you and your club like that. You better get the boys back, and fast”, the matriarch spoke up, earning a surprised but grateful look from Cassie.

The Connor woman was glad that at least one other person agreed with her and told Jax the ugly truth.

Jax shoved his hands in his pockets, his mother's words ringing and repeating in his head making him sigh deeply. Apparently it was obvious that he had neglected the club somewhat at the moment and it angered him that they no longer had the status that other clubs feared back then. He knew he had to do something, and fast.

“A meeting with Lin is already planned. We'll meet in two hours and I'm sure he'll help us. I don't see why not, after all we're not really killing him. And once we have Happy and Tig back, I'll make sure our club will get respected again”, Jax promised.

For the first time in months Gemma was sure that this time her son was serious and would focus more on the club again. “Good. I'll stay with Cassie. If there's anything new, we want to be informed, Jax.”

He promised Happy to keep Cassie up to date, so that's exactly what he was going to do. Part of him envied Happy for being able to share everything with his Old Lady. Tara never really wanted to know everything and was happy when she was kept out of things and didn't get involved in club shit.

“I'll let you know what Lin said”, the blonde nodded briefly, his eyes locking with Cassie's weary ones again. “I'm sorry, I really am, Cassie.”

Cassie swallowed softly, arms crossed stubbornly across her chest, still angry and disappointed. But she also knew that she might have overreacted a bit because her fear for Happy was so great and it was driving her crazy. His apology was genuine, she could see that in his eyes, causing her features to soften a little.

“Just get them back, please”, she mumbled, looking for support from Gemma, in whose arms she leaned into. The next twenty four hours would be sheer agony for her. Well, twenty three hours now.

With a nod, he turned on his heel and nodded James with him, who gave his sister one last concerned look. She in the other hand just glanced away, still angry that he actually told her to shut up. In a more polite way, but still. Happy was his best friend, how could he be so calm about this?

Right now Cassie was glad Gemma was around for some support. This way she wasn't alone with Callum and Lily. They were in bed already but Cassie knew she wouldn't be strong enough to take care of of them in case they'd wake up until she didn't know if her Old Man was okay.

“Come on, baby, let's distract you”, Gemma said softly after she closed the door behind the two men and led the young woman she cared for greatly towards the living room. Distracting Cassie was exactly what she'd do for the next twenty three hours until Happy was back.

⸺

Jax's clenched fist came down on the table he was sitting at with Chibs, Lin and one of Lin's men. The conversation didn't go as he had hoped and if Lin didn't change his mind, they would have a huge problem.

“Come on, man. It's only for a few hours,” Jax urged the man, desperation in his eyes.

“No I'm sorry. You know I would help, but I have appointments I can't reschedule that will determine the future of my people. And while we're on good terms, my people come first, Jax. I'm sorry for your two men, but it's not my problem,” the man in the suit replied indifferently. There was respect in his voice, because he respected Jax, but that didn't mean he would neglect his own people for the man sitting across from him.

“What is it that you want? Money?” Jax, who was now really desperate and could hardly hide it, was even willing to pay a large amount of money. He couldn't think of any other way to convince Lin to help them. Even Chibs shifted nervously in his seat, hoping they'd be able to make a deal.

Lin raised a brow, spreading his arms out to the side. “Do I look like I need money, Jax? You could promise me a million and I wouldn't reschedule my appointments. I'll be back in town the day after tomorrow, I would have time to help you and play dead then. At least it would save the life of one of your brothers.”

Jax and Chibs shared a look, not happy with the outcome of this conversation. How fucked up would it be to let one die and only save one? Of course they would still accept the offer to avoid two deaths, but maybe at the meeting tomorrow they could convince the Rivals to give them an extra day.

⸺

The remaining Sons nervously stood in a row in front of their bikes, impatiently waiting for the Rivals. No one knew how the meeting would end and Jax hoped he didn't have to bury one of his brothers today. He wouldn't forgive himself for that, after all he was the one who had let it come to this in the first place.

The sound of bikes in the distance made Jax tense up, his jaw clenched tight and his pulse so high he could feel it beating in his throat. The bikes lined up side by side, a van parked behind it. Probably with Happy and Tig in the back. Hopefully.

Jax watched with disgust at how carefree Jeffrey got off his bike and walked towards the group with a devilish smirk on his face.

“Well, I was hoping that we could shake hands today, but a little bird told me that Lin is still alive. I told you what happens if you don't take care of him..”, the man spoke with a playful spark in his eyes, fake friendliness present in his tone.

“We need one more day”, Jax sneered darkly, his eyes never leaving Jeffrey as he watched every step the man made. “Lin wasn't in town, but he'll be back tomorrow.”

“Oh, great, at least you get one of your guys back”, a deep laugh vibrated through the man's chest, provoking the Sons even more.

“What difference does waiting an extra day make?”, Jax hissed and closed the gap between them, his hands gripping the collar of Jeffrey's kutte, causing the Rivals to draw their guns, which in turn caused the Sons to pull their guns as well. “If you kill one of my guys today, I'll make sure you and your club won't last a day longer.”

The smug grin on Jeffrey's lips widened as he gave Jax a provocative look and pushed him away. “Oh yes? Then I'm curious what happens at the end of the day, because one of the two is already dead. I told you that you have twenty four hours, no exceptions. Well, what can I say? We knew Lin was alive and fulfilled our promise an hour ago.”

Jax face turned chalk white, his eyes blank as he stared at Jeffrey, ready to kill the man in front of him. He drew his gun and held it to his head. “I want proof, now.”

“You better don't shoot me or my men will make sure the other guy dies, too”, Jeffrey warned and waved one of their prospects over who held a small box in his hands, blood was already dripping through the saturated cardboard.

Chibs took the box and opened it quickly. He'd seen enough horrible things in his life, and in and of itself, this wasn't any worse than some other things he'd seen. But knowing that the organ in the box belonged to one of his brothers made him feel sick to his stomach. There were two pictures that proved that the person was dead. Shot and lying lifeless on the ground, a pool of blood all around the body. He held the open box out to Jax so he could see who it was and both the blonde and Chibs swallowed hard.

“Forgot how to speak?”, Jeffrey asked, his tone cocky and arrogant. “The same will happen to your other brother if Lin isn't dead by tomorrow. You better stick to our agreement.”

Jax, just feeling sick and wanting revenge, slowly turned his head to Jeffrey, the images in the box now burned into his mind. For that he would make them bleed, but only after they got their other brother back and until then, he would think of a slow and agonizing way of dying.

“We want his body. His Old Lady should be able to say goodbye,” Jax said dangerously calm, his gaze fixed on the dark haired man. He was struggling with himself to look strong right now and not break down and Jax knew it was affecting the others as well.

“You can have it once Lin is dead. Back here tomorrow night, same time,” Jeffrey winked and pointed to the box, still amused. “Oh, you can keep that. You can give the heart to his Old Lady.”

That was enough. Jax and Chibs lunged at the man and within seconds all club members were attacking each other. The whole thing escalated and ended in a brutal group brawl until none of them had any strength left. After about fifteen minutes they broke apart, all breathing heavily and each with at least one major injury. And yet the provocative grin was still plastered on Jeffrey's face.

“See you guys tomorrow!” With that, Jeffrey turned around and hobbled to his bike.

Jax crouched down, running his hands over his face, allowing himself to feel it all once the Rivals were gone and so did the others. Chibs put a hand on his shoulder, fighting his own tears for the loss of his brother. But the hardest task was yet to come, and that was to tell Cassie what had happened.

James had been watching from behind, his gaze fixed on the dusty desert floor, blood dripping from his split eyebrow. A part of him had died with Happy, the best friend he ever had and who would never be replaceable. An emptiness filled him that made him seem absolutely cold and apathetic and at the moment he was planning his very own revenge on Jeffrey and the one who had killed his best friend. But most of all he felt for Cassie and right now he hated himself for kind of putting her in her place earlier, which he shouldn't have done. Instead, he should have shown understanding.

⸺

authors note; please just keep reading, lol. I'm not letting anyone I love die. 😂