A Flicker of Redemption

Chapter 16

Once everyone had found their seats, Jax immediately got down to business. He wanted to get off lockdown as quickly as possible. Happy just stared at the reaper that had been carved into the table as Jax talked. People gave their opinions on what they should do but he remained quiet. The group debated for more than an hour on their course of action before they finally came to an agreement. Happy wasn't sure it going to work but he was going to go with it if it lifted the lockdown. Bobby was about to stand up thinking all their business was finished but Jax held his hand up and looked down the table at Happy.

"After what happened this morning, Happy, we need to know a few things." Jax stated.

"What happened?" Juice asked.

"Angelika threatened Tara with a knife." Jax replied making everyone but Chibs gasp in shock.

"Why'd she do that?" Quinn asked.

"Something about being called a biker slut. Now she's reacted violently twice now to incidents that didn't call for it. You need to tell us what's going on with her." Jax stated.

"Everything she's told me was in confidence. I won't betray her trust." Happy eyed his Prez as he spoke.

"Bullshit." Jax exclaimed, "Tell us what's going on."

"The girl's had a hard life. Doesn't trust easily. Has had some bad run-ins with other bikers." Happy tried to not go into details.

"What else?" Jax demanded.

"Anything else is for her to tell you." Happy stared down the table to the blond.

"Why doesn't she trust people?" Juice asked.

"Long story." Happy replied.

"Quit skirting around things and tell us about her." Jax demanded.

"No. You want to know about her, go ask her yourself." Happy growled making everyone look between him and Jax.

"She attacked my 'ol lady this morning. I want to know if she's unstable and needs to be removed from the premises." Jax stared right back at the Killah.

"Her self-preservation instincts are in overdrive because of this lockdown." Happy's voice lowered even more as he became angry.

He wasn't going to let anyone throw her out.

"Ok, emotions are running high. We have club business to deal with. This isn't club business." Bobby stated.

"How is it not club business? First she attacks Tig and now Tara!" Jax exclaimed.

"Tig violated her by smacking her ass. Tara instigated the fight." Happy growled.

"Tara..." Jax started to speak until Chibs chimed in.

"Hap says she 'as trust issues. If she's 'ad bad run-ins with other clubs then getting her t' trust us will be even harder. Trusting our 'ol ladies won't be easy either. She goes t' work then goes t' 'er dorm. She doesn't come out much and doesn't seem t' want t' get in any one's way.

I say we leave 'er be for now. She doesn't generally cause problems with people. Jackie Boy, you know Tara instigates things when she walks up and accuses women o' sleepin' with ya. Who knows what all was said this mornin'." Chibs looked around at his brothers.

"Fine." Jax slammed the gavel down.

Happy was quick to leave the chapel and head to his dorm. Jax huffed before walking over to where Tara sat with their boys. Happy knocked on his door and told her to let him in. She slid off the bed and opened it up. He quickly shut and locked it before grabbing her, pulling her to him, and crashing his lips to hers. It took her off guard but she eventually began kissing him back as she slipped her arms around his waist. The kiss was aggressive and she liked it. A lot. He finally pulled away and told her to stay in his room until he got back. They had to go deal with the threat that caused the lockdown then he'd be back. She promised she would before he kissed her again then promptly left the room.