Strays

The Shot Caller

Chapter One

Stockton State Prison

Jaycee

I hate Stockton. You would think with the amount of time I've had to come up here I'd be used to it by now. I guess that's the price we pay in order to be a family.

Why am I here? My cousin is behind these walls for a crime he didn't commit. Since he's the club's president and we're all a team, I have to come up here once a month with a status on TM and other club-related things. I know what you're thinking, how is it that a woman is this deep into an MC's business?

No, technically speaking I'm not a patched member of SAMCRO. It isn't allowed for women and that's a rule that won't ever be broken. Let's just say that I'm a decent gunner and hacker. Working closely with the guys gives me an unofficial title within the MC. I even have my own set of rules to follow. It's a mess.

Getting off of my bike, I make sure I don't have anything in my pockets and that my two Baretta's are safely locked in my secret compartment. Call me crazy but I was not driving all the way up here by myself without them. Not with the enemies we have.

Heading inside, I go through the whole process of going through metal detectors and even a quick pat down. I then get my visitor's pass which I clip on the bottom of my shirt. As we walk to the designated visitation area. It's really just a bunch of tables with chairs on either side but it's efficient enough to be watched the entire time by the crooked guards.

There are a few people in here already but I pay them no mind. I'm here to see Jax after all. I only have to wait a few minutes when he's escorted in. They watch him like a hawk until he's seated across from me.

" Jesus Jax, what happened? " I ask noting the shiner under his left eye.

He just shurgs it off. " It's nothing I can't handle. How's TM? "

" Business is booming. " I say proudly. " We've been getting more work than we can handle as of late. "

He nods as he lights a cigarette. " And the drop-offs? "

" Been running smoothly. No drama, no bloodshed. " I promise. " You know how we do. Chibs has been handling things pretty well in your absence. "

He doesn't speak, but I know what's going through his head. " I know it's hard because of what happened, but I need you to look at the silver lining. Your boys are fine all things considered. Just keep that close to the surface when you're feeling lost. "

" You lose the one person that means the most to you and tell me how easy it is to find a silver lining. " He mutters.

Rolling my eyes, I say, " I'm twenty six. I've never been married; I don't have anyone special, any more that is, " I say, narrowing my eyes. " And I don't have children. So yeah, I guess you're right. "

" I see you're still mad. " He says simply.

I steel myself at that remark. " Why would I be mad? You only took the best part of my life away. "

" It shouldn't have ever happened. Clay should have never bent that rule for you. " He says with the nerve to not even look me in the eyes.

Yeah, I was telling the truth when I said I have my own set of rules. The main one being? No fraternizing with a patched member of SAMCRO. And that includes all of the sister charters as well. That's a story for another time though.

" Whatever, Jax. I'm not having this argument right now. " I tell him with a bitter tone.

He sighs and at least looks a bit guilty. Even if he'll never say it out loud. " Tell me about what my boys have been up to. "