The Final Ride

Chapter 28

*The Next Morning*

"How close are you guys?" Rory asked over coffee once the kids had gone for the day. "It sounds like the name is locked up pretty tight."

"We got ways," he shrugged. "Someone knows someone who owes a dude a favor, type of shit."

Rory sighed and nodded. "Are you scared?"

"Nah," he shook his head. "Pissed but not scared."

"You must be really confident you'll find them, then."

He took her hand and kissed the tips of her fingers sweetly. Rory suppressed a sob but could not hide it completely.

"Don't be scared, baby," he whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."

Nodding, she pulled her hand away and covered her face. "I know," she sputtered.

"Hey." Happy pulled her chair away from the table and towards him. They sat facing each other, her legs wedged between his, and he grabbed her face. "Whoever opened their mouth isn't gonna do it again. Without the rat the case is shit, it's all going to be fine."

Again, she sobbed, and Happy huffed, not so much annoyed with her but with the fact he couldn't console her.

"I love you," she whinnied.

"You're the only woman I ever loved," he spoke in a raspy whisper. "You're my goddamn Queen, Rory."

"I know," she nodded. "I know, baby."

"I gotta go." He kissed her cheek. "I'm gonna be out a lot until this is handled."

She nodded. "Yeah, I figured." He got up and headed toward the door. "Hey wait," Rory called out after him. "You want a quickie?"

"I'm running late." Happy looked at the stove clock and hesitated before nodding. "Who the fuck am I kidding, yeah I do."

Stripping quickly, Happy and Rory kissed and blindly headed for the laundry room. They had found the dryer was the perfect height for a quickie and often used it for a change of pace. He hoisted her up onto the machine and without missing a beat entered her. The entire time she held back tears, her nails digging into the back of his neck as their bodies moved perfectly in sync together.

Happy left her with a fleeting kiss and although it wasn't what she imagined, she was sure it was their last time together, and she'd never forget it.

As soon as she could no longer hear his bike in the distance she called Trevor. "When can we go?"

"Tonight," he said sadly. "We run up and then I'll come back and being Hap. Mrs. Whittle will have the kids. If everything goes according to plan Johnny will come pick them up tomorrow morning."

"He's gonna kill me, Trevor." She whimpered.

"Ror, you knew that was a possibility," he sighed. "I mean, I'm not gonna let him touch you, but him wanting to was always in the back of your mind."

"It's not like I don't deserve it." Rory had no intention of letting Trevor kill her. As scared as she was she'd take the bullet. She signed the paper work and she knew the consequences.

"Stop that shit," he grumbled. "No one likes a martyr."

"I'll see you around five?"

"Sounds like a plan. Be careful."

Rory rolled her eyes and ended the call before running up to the shower. She suddenly felt nostalgic, walking around the house she loved so much, remembering all the happy moments they shared under that roof.

--

Later that day the guys all gathered at the table, an envelope sitting in front of Jax, and waited with baited breath for the name. It was always intriguing to find out who. They wondered if it a personal issue or some of random witness?

"I want Hap, Juice and Tig with me. We'll take care of this," Jax tapped the envelope.

"I'm damn ready," Happy growled.

Jax silently ripped the edge open and pulled out the paper the snitch had managed to get. Despite all their issues when he read Rory's name Jax was shocked and gutted.

"I need the room," he grumbled. "Everyone out."

"Who is it?" Bobby asked eagerly.

"Out!" Jax snapped. "Cept' Hap and Tig."

Happy and Tig looked at each other anxiously as he other members filed out. "What?" Tig asked quietly. "Who is it?"

Handing Happy the paper, Jax watched as he read his old lady's name over and over. His face went white, his jaw hanging open, as he slowly shook his head.

"No." He inhaled. "She wouldn't."

"Who?" Tig asked, unable to believe what he assumed. "Who is it?"

"Rory," Jax said quietly.

"It ain't Rory," Happy barked.

"It's probably how she got out, Hap." Jax sighed. "All that evidence? We were stupid to think it was just a witness."

Tossing the paper to the ground he moved for the door. "We can't be wrong about this."

"We're not." Jax said sadly. "You can call the snitch yourself."

Happy nodded and grabbed his phone from the cigar box before joining them again. Jax called the number and waited, Happy's his stomach churning, for someone to answer.

"Yeah?"

"I need proof man," Jax muttered. "It's someone close, we gotta be sure."

"I got you," he sighed. They could all hear the shuffling of papers over the phone. "Aurora Harvelle Lowman, says she'll identify members but," his voice trailed off. "Trager and Lowman, they two of your guys?"

"Yeah," Jax suddenly grew tense.

"They're part of the deal, neither of em' gets touched. Everyone else is free game though."

Happy hung his head, sniffling for a second, before jumping to his feet. "Let me handle it. Please, Jax. I gotta do this myself."

Jax looked at Tig. "Take Tig with you."

"You don't think I'll do it?"

"No, you're the only one I think I would," he said darkly. "Bu you don't think when you're pissed."

"I'm not," he sighed. "I'm...numb."

"Either way, take Trager."

Tig and Happy stepped out of chapel and the latter called the house. "Rory home?" Mrs. Whittle answered as usual.

"No," she said casually. "Ran to pick up groceries. Should be home any time now."

"Bring the kids to the clubhouse," he said ominously.

Mrs. Whittle knew they found out. "Oh no, are we safe?"

"Yeah, it's just to be sure. Come now, I'll find Rory."

--

When Happy and Tig arrived at the house they found Trevor in the front yard. "She ain't here, I'll take you to her though. She wants to explain everything."

"There ain't nothing to explain," he growled. "She made a deal."

"She did, but it's more than that."

"What, she made sure we stayed out?" Tig scoffed. "Doesn't count."

"Nah man, no one is getting locked up."

"Where. Is. She?"

Trevor hated this. He hated that he promised Rory he'd take them right to her. "You gonna let her talk?"

"She can say whatever she wants," Happy shrugged. "She's still a goddamn rat."

In truth he wanted to hear her excuse, her reasoning, in hopes of making sense of it. He was crushed, utterly broken over the betrayal, and he needed to know why before he killed her. Happy had no hesitation, he knew what had to happen he just wanted to know why.