Chapter Ten:

Angel watched Tatum through the sliding glass door, a frown on his face as his brown eyes watched his wife sitting on the swing set with a blank look on her face as she stared straight ahead. Tatum had been like that since last night when they returned to Cal and Ima's after Ty's wake. Angel had tried to get his wife to talk to him, but she just stayed silent, and it had gotten even worse after Ty's funeral that morning. Tatum made a beeline for the backyard once they returned from the cemetery, bringing a bottle of vodka along with her.

"She still not talkin' to anyone?"

Angel didn't have to turn around to know Jax Teller stood behind him. The Mayan had become all too familiar with the Prince of Charming's voice of the years, and he fucking hated it. He always hated how cocky Jax's voice sounded, like he was in on some secret that you weren't.

"Nah." Angel shook his head as he kept his brown eyes focused on Tatum. "Think she's realizing he's actually gone." He added while running a hand over his hair.

"You mind if i try?" Jax asked, though he really didn't give a fuck if Angel Reyes cared or not.

"Be my guest." Angel sighed. He had his doubts that Tatum would talk to Jax out of all the people who had tried, their friendship was frayed, but the blonde VP was welcome to try.

Jax nodded before sliding open the door and heading towards Tatum. His blue eyes watched as she took a long sip from the bottle of vodka that she held in her hand, a frown forming on his face. He knew Tatum well enough to know that she was lost, that the loss of Ty was suddenly hitting her, and it was hitting her like a truck. Jax wanted nothing more to comfort her, but he wasn't so sure that she would let him.

"Hey darlin'." Jax said with a soft smile on his face as he sat down on the empty swing next to her. "You still givin' the silent treatment?" He said, trying to lighten the mood.

Tatum continued to stare ahead not bothering to acknowledge Jax or his words. She didn't want to talk to anyone, the thought of opening her mouth to try form sentences was tiring to her. All she needed right now was the bottle of vodka in her hand and that was all.

"You remember that time Unser placed you in handcuffs for smoking a joint at the park?" Jax asked with a small chuckle as a smile took over his face.

"He brought you to the clubhouse because he didn't want to put you in a holding cell." He continued once he realized Tatum wasn't going to answer him. "Your dad was actually smiling when he saw you standing there." Jax let out a laugh as he remembered the day fondly, remembering the proud smile on Ty's face.

The ghost of a smile tugged on the corners of Tatum's mouth. She knew exactly what day Jax was talking about. It was one of the fonder memories she had that included her father.

"Do you remember what he said when you found out why Unser put you in handcuffs?" The blonde biker asked, hoping to get an answer from the dark haired female.

"Damn kid you smoked my good weed." Tatum said after a moment, a small laugh leaving her lips. "He wasn't smiling after that." She laughed while finally looking at Jax.

"He wasn't but everyone else was." Jax chuckled.

"Jax," Tatum said softly as she stared into Jax's intense blue eyes. "We've got to talk about things." Her voice firm as she watched a storm of emotions flash through his eyes.

Tatum couldn't wait any longer. She needed to know what Jax knew about her father's murder. She needed answers and she wasn't leaving Charming without them.

"Yeah." Jax nodded as he ran a hand over his hair.  "I know."

—

Tatum wrapped her arms tighter around Angel as he pressed his lips against hers, a sigh leaving her mouth as he reluctantly removed his lips from hers. It was time for him to head back to Santo Padre. The funeral was over and the rest of the club had left last night after paying their respects. Angel hated that Tatum was staying in Charming until she got the answers she needed from Jax, he hated that Jax was using the information he had to keep Tatum in Charming. He just wanted Tatum back in Santo Padre with him, at least than he knew she was safe.

"I love you." Tatum whispered as she clung onto Angel.

She didn't want him to leave but she understood he needed to. Tatum wished she could go back with him, but she needed answers first. A part of her wished she could just let go of wanting to know about her father's murder, just chalk it up to him being part of SAMCRO or being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but she couldn't. It would of been easier just to believe that his death was a product of being a member of SAMCRO, Tatum knew most members went out bloody. A peaceful death was never expected when you wore a kutte.

"I love you too." Angel said as he rested his forhead against Tatum's. "Be safe."

"Always." She said with a small smile.

Angel placed a kiss on the top of her head before mounting his bike and beginning the long eight hour ride back to Santo Padre without his wife. He prayed Tatum knew what she was doing, because he had a feeling if she went digging too deep for answers she wasn't going to like what she found out.

—

A/N: Next chapter you'll finally find out who killed Ty and why. There's probably not too many chapters left, I don't want to drag this out too much longer. I am thinking about writing a prequel about Tatum and Jax. Thank you for all the votes and views! I appreciate it so much! Also - this is unedited sorry if there's any mistakes.