Thicker Than Blood

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

A week later, Juice was released from the hospital but still on light duty. He has only been to the clubhouse when there has been church and then right back out. Something doesn't feel right about this. Usually we spend the majority of our time there. Chibs comes by while Juice was resting and I answered when he knocked on the door. "Hey Chibs. Thanks for coming by." I tell him, leading him out to the back deck so we can talk in private. "No problem Lass but what's going on that you only wanted me here?" Chibs asked. "Well, something seems off and I don't know what it is. Juice doesn't seem to want to be around the clubhouse and my dad barely comes by now. What am I missing?" I asked him. Chibs has always been like an uncle to me and we have always been close. "Lass, there's just been a ton of shite going on. Clay seems to be going behind our backs and making deals without talking to any of us. Him and Jax constantly bumping heads and now Jax is challenging leadership. Juice feels his loyalty to Jax but also to Clay and I guess he feels torn on which way to vote." he tells me. I look at him in shock. "Holy shit." I say before the back door opens and Juice walks out carrying Carlos. "Hey Brother." Juice greets Chibs and Chibs takes Carlos from his hands to visit with the baby. "Babe, why didn't you tell me all of this was going on?" I ask him as he leaned against the railing. "I needed to get my head right first, I guess." he tells me. "Is there anything you need from me?" I asked him, with him knowing he can always turn to me. "No, this is something I have to figure out for myself." he tells me. "Babe, remember when I was living with my Aunt and you told me that I needed to take myself out of the situation and try to see things from an outsider's view?" I asked. "Yeah." he responds. "That is what you need to do. Make a list of all of the things good that Clay and Jax have both done for the good of the club and then make a list of what each have done that has hindered the club and then see where that leaves your loyalties." I tell him. "That's not a bad idea. I'll sit down and do that tonight after we put little man down." he tells me as he pulls me to him. "See there, Juicy Boy. That right there is a good Old Lady. She sees how this club works and helps you stay straight." Chibs tells him. "I know. That's why I love her." Juice says before kissing me softly. "Well, I am going to take little dude in here and feed him while you two talk." I tell them as I take Carlos from Chibs, kissing them both before heading back inside.

The next day, Juice comes in with Dad and Kip in tow. "Hey babe." Juice greets me as he kisses my cheek. "Hey babe. How was your day?" I asked handing all three men beers. "Good. Had the vote today. Didn't go like we thought that it would." Juice tells me. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Well, we patched Kip in as a full member. No more prospect, for one." Juice tells me and Kip turns around for me to see his top rocker. I pull him in for a hug and kiss his cheek. "I am so proud of you." I tell him. Then Dad starts telling me more. "Voted leadership. Jax is the new President." he tells me. "Really? Y'all okay with that?" I asked. "Yeah. It's for the better really." Juice tells me. "But there's more. Clay was pissed and started talking about how he was going to go after all the Old Ladies and kids until he got the gavel back that we couldn't do that to him." Dad tells me. "Wow. What are you guys going to do?" I asked. "Well, as soon as the threat came out of his mouth, Happy and I took him out and tied him up with a couple of prospects watching him and had another vote. He was stripped of his patch and his ink was blacked out. He's no longer SAMCRO." Dad tells me. "What about his threat? If you let him go, that gives more free reign for him to come after us." I tell them. "No it doesn't. You know how we are in with the cartel because of Clay? Well, they handled disposal." Kip says. "Wait. Disposal?" I asked. "Clay is dead, Roli. We couldn't chance him coming after you guys." Juice explained. I just sat down and took it all in. Things are really changing but will it really be for the better?