Back To You

Just Business

Cherry

Later that night, Cherry was a ball of nerves as she found herself in Clay Morrow's apartment, pretending to be there for a hook up, when she was really there with a mission in mind. The man sitting across from her at the small kitchen table had no idea that tonight was different from the others. He had no idea the shit storm he was caught up in with the IRA, and a part of Cherry felt for him, even though she knew he had to answer for the things he'd done. She couldn't believe he had set Jax up, and that's why he was in Ireland. She knew something was off but never thought it would be that! Jax was his stepson, and she wondered what could've been so bad to lead to him framing Jax for murder. She couldn't dwell on it now though. She had to complete her mission, and save her own ass right now. Everything else was irrelevant at the moment.

They had been talking casually, as Clay recounted a particularly frustrating interaction he'd had earlier in the day, but Cherry's mind wasn't on his words. It was on the gun, she needed to deliver to Father Kellan. She got up and poured him a drink, the whiskey he always liked... Jameson. A smooth, Irish whiskey. She forced a smile as she brought it to him, setting the glass down on the table. "Here you go, sugar." She said softly.

Clay nodded in thanks, taking a slow sip, then another. The minutes passed, and Clay continued to knock back drink after drink, until eventually, they ended up in the bedroom, settling into their familiar rhythm. But tonight, Cherry's mind wasn't fully in it. When it was over, Clay fell asleep almost immediately, and the room was filled with the sound of his loud snoring.

She lay still for a moment, thinking, as she listened to his breathing. Then, quietly, she slipped out of bed. Her heart pounded as she moved through the dark room, searching for his jacket. When she found it, she carefully padded it down until she felt the heavy piece of steel in his pocket. Using a piece of toilet paper to avoid leaving prints, she slid the gun into her purse.

After getting dressed, she gave one last glance to the bed. Clay was still asleep, still completely unaware. She then left. She always did after their nights together, so she knew he wouldn't suspect anything unusual when he woke up. Not until he found his gun missing.

Cherry arrived at the church just past midnight, and Kellan was standing outside, still as a statue, waiting for her. She got out of her car and walked up to him, holding her purse out.

"Got what you asked for." She said, feeling smaller than she was in front of the large Irishman. Kellan who was wearing gloves now, took the gun from her purse, and nodded.

"Ye did well, lass. Now, lay low for a few days. There's no tellin' if Clay'll put it together that ye took his gun, but it's best to be cautious."

Cherry nodded, as her heart pounded in her chest from the adrenaline of what she had just done. She got back in her car, and left quickly, disappearing into the dark night.

Kellan

As Kellan tucked the gun into his jacket, he stood silently for a moment, feeling the cold metal of it pressing against his chest. His mind raced, just knowing what he was about to do, and the night around him was eerily quiet, as if the world itself had paused to witness the ungodly act that was about to unfold.

"May God forgive me, for this is the only way." He muttered to himself, as he could feel the conflict settling deep in his chest. But the cause was righteous. At least that was what he told himself to justify it. Clay Morrow had betrayed more than just Jackson, he'd betrayed the trust of the very men who once called him brother. Now, Kellan would make sure Clay answered for his sins, and the gun in his jacket would soon seal the grimy bastard's fate.

The next morning, Kellan stood at the loading docks, waiting for Declan. The younger man arrived right on time, walking toward Kellan with a casual confidence that only made what was about to happen more tragic.