Strays

Change Of Heart

Chapter Ten 

Stockton State Prison

Jax

Pulling up to Stockton I get my attitude in check. Tully calling me up here for an impromptu meeting pisses me off. I can't let him know that though. Not if I want to make sure things go smoothly for the MC after this war is said and done.

It's not that I have a problem with him personally. When I originally sent Jayce to see him, I never expected them to plot behind my back like this. Her being his old lady has put a huge wrench in my plans. She has been my right hand since Opie... I need her home and level-headed.

The asshole is already waiting for me when the guards let me into his private interrogation room. It's odd, he looks... Younger than the first time we met. 

Clearing his throat he says, " glad you could make it ".

" You called, I'm here. " I sigh out while spreading my arms as if it's no big deal. 

He gives me a weird look. " We need to have a talk... About Jaycee. " 

" Yeah, I'd say it's long overdue. " I tell him steeling my resolve.

Nodding he says, " I'm aware that you're pissed off. You think I've stolen your best gunner. " 

" Is that not the case? " I ask failing to keep the bark out of my tone.

He's silent for a moment. " ... No. " 

" Then why is she under the radar? " I ask still not fully clear as to why he would want her away from her family. " She won't tell anyone where she is. " 

He smirks. " I asked her not to tell anyone... She's at my home in Encino. I assume she has told you about our little " deal ". " 

" Her being your old lady, you mean? " I ask through gritted teeth. 

Nodding again he says, " Yeah "... 

" My cousin has been through a lot... She isn't in the right head space to be separated from her family. " I reiterate. 

It's his turn to sigh. " That's where we disagree. I think she's getting her head together just fine what with the death of your uncle. She needs space to heal from everything that has been dealt to her in the past few years. I'm worried about her mental health and safety if she goes back to Charming. "

" And you don't see that as controlling? " I ask trying to flip the script.

" A bit but your cousin agreed to it. I think she was just begging for a way out honestly. " I say smugly knowing how irritated he is. 

So he really thinks Jaycee will be his for the long haul? Not hardly. " For how long though? How long is she going to want to stay with you after... " 

" After I dispose of the rat? " He asks knowing exactly where I'm going with this. 

I nod simply. 

" I imagine she'll be mad as all hell. " He says clearly not liking where this conversation is going. " I can cross that bridge when we get to it. "  

Shaking my head I laugh at his foolishness. " She'll be more than mad, Tully. This is the man that she crossed her club president to protect. "

" She loves him, right? " He asks out of nowhere.

Of course, she does. It's apparent in the way that she consistently tries to protect him. " Yeah, she does. I think you can understand her being angry that her best friend died alone in prison at the hands of her old man. "