A Happy Coincidence

Chapter 2

Happy wasn't sure where to take Rory but with no actual options he made way for the lot. She wasn't gripping as tight as he expected, more than comfortable on the back of bike, but he could see her relief as she swung her leg over. Her fingers curled around the railing he'd parked along as she investigated her surroundings. He could see exactly what she was doing, he did the same things.

"Where are we?"

"This is Charming. TM is an auto shop and that's our clubhouse."

"Charming. All your names are adjectives, huh?"

"I didn't pick em'."

Rory nodded and smiled, genuinely feeling safer. "Thank you. I can call a cab or something if you'll let me use your phone."

Glancing around the lot he shook his head. "Maybe we can get you out of town or make it so you can stay." Happy looked her up and down, her red jeans and black tank top were frayed and filthy, her boots scuffed but looked to be closer to new than anything else she wore. "What's the Triad want with you?" It was a question he'd asked before and the second time around Happy got the same answer.

"Doesn't matter, man. They screwed me over, I screwed them over and they're gunning for me again. Looks like they're winning, huh?"

Gruffly, he took her arm and brought her into the clubhouse. "We gotta bathroom, shower and shit, clean yourself up."

"Jesus," she yanked her arm free. "Hands off. I don't need the charity. Thank you for getting me out of the woods but I'm good now."

It wouldn't take long, once Juice returned, to figure out who this girl was and if she was worth anything to the club. Not that he'd pass her over to the Chinese but she could be of use he could see that just by the way she walked.

"You smell like shit. Go clean up." He wanted her story and the only way he knew to make her stay was to embarrass her.

"You come in there and I'll cut you." She flicked up a small blade from her ankle. Happy laughed and with one swift motion snatched it away.

"I ain't scared of this damn pig sticker." He examined the knife and made a note to tell Juice the name engraved along the blade.

James Edward Harvelle.

"It was my dad's, asshole." Tossing it in the air he caught it by the handle and offered it back to her without an apology. "Thanks." Rory turned on her heel and headed into the apartment, Happy heard the lock flip as soon as she shut the door.

He trotted out to the main room again to questioning eyes but as per usual he didn't speak. Sitting at the bar he snapped for a beer and thought over the possible reasons she could be running but they were endless.

"So uhh, who's the chick?" Half-Sack asked as he poured Happy a shot. He downed it with a blistering stare. "Right. Never mind."

Clay and a bunch of the others trudged into the clubhouse. Jax, Bobby and Opie rounding out the group. Chibs and Juice were probably still with the Russian, he was a job left incomplete and Happy despised that.

"Prez, we got a problem." Happy moved silently across the room and pointed off to the hallway.

"Did you bring that Russian bastard back here?"

"No. It's a girl. I found her by the gun warehouse, Lin's after her. She won't tell me much but I got a name Juice can run."

Clay's eyebrows furrowed as he listened to every word. "Get him on it then."

"He's with Chibs, they've got the Russian."

With an exasperated sigh Jax stepped up. "Let me deal with the fuckin' Russian. I'll bring Ope and Bobby."

"What's this girl about anyway?" Bobby asked with intrigue as Rory stepped out of the hall. Her clothes were still dingy but the dried mud had been brushed off partially and she'd cleaned herself up well enough to pass.

"Who knows anything about what Hap does and why? I sure as shit don't want to know what's in that head of his." Ope joked with the three of them. Their curiosity satisfied for the moment, the trio turned away and headed to switch spots with Juice and Chibs.

--

Juice's fingers flew over the keys as he searched for James Edward Harvelle, it wasn't a hard find. He scanned the information to pluck out the most important details. Interesting was an understatement. He snapped his fingers to call Chibs' attention but keep Rory focused to her conversation with Tig and Happy. She'd tried to bolt a few hours before but by that time she was settled calmly sipping her water.

"Her dad was military then a cop, he got booted for a shady kill and decided to take up bounty hunting." Juice's face turned dark as he said it, his eyebrow arching high and his lips pursing tight.

Chibs slapped him playfully. "Aye, you look like a right bitch with that face." He leaned closer to the screen. "Family?"

"Two kids, twins, who towed the family line. Aurora a.k.a Rory, our guest." He tapped the screen as her DMV photo loaded on the page. "And Emmett, deceased."

"Dad died when?"

"Seven years ago but the brother only died eight months ago."

"I smell revenge, Juicy."

"Looks like she won't get it. They fucked her up." He spoke in a harsh whisper now as they both let their eyes wonder toward her table. "Wait, what if she's after us?"

Chibs rolled his eyes and slapped Juice hard upside the head. "You got a warrant?"

"No."

"Aye, we're not that stupid. She's not a cop unless we have outstanding shite she can't do anything."

Juice smiled and nodded, he swore knew that he just didn't think of it until Chibs reminded him. "Oh, cool."

"But she's not someone I want around. Get Clay away from her, he should be brought up to speed."

--

"I was up in Washington, came down for my mom and aunt." Happy downed another shot but Rory kept sipping at her water. "You drink?"

"Gotta keep on my toes, besides I don't know you."

Happy chuckled, it was raspy and deep. "I didn't throw you to the Chinese."

"And I'm thankful for that." She peered behind him to the terribly tense conversation between Clay, Juice and Chibs. "They looked pissed. I should probably go, don't want to wear out my welcome."

How they found out who she was, Rory didn't know, but she was sure they had. The mug shots littering the walls proved she was far from friendly in their eyes. They began to walk from the clubhouse, still chatting. Juice began furiously typing an informative text to Happy. He read it as he followed her out to the lot, undeterred and more interested in her now.

"Nah, you're cool."

"Thanks," she winked. "I got work to do though."

"Same job as before?"

"Why?"

"Let me help." He offered, wanting more of the story. "It's been a while since I got nasty." It would be easy enough to keep out of view, he was sure he wouldn't be spotted by the Triad.

Rory laughed at his cold demeanor and disturbing words. If her dad taught her anything it was to know who had eyes on her and this man surely did. She'd rather be closer and know where he was than go blind. "Alright, Happy. Let's go get some Chinese."