Harley woke up feeling like she got run over. Her eyes scanned the room and as much as she had prayed this was a dream, she was still cuffed on the ground. The door swung open and one of the men approached her. “Rise and Shine bitch. Time to get going.”
Harley looked up at them with narrowed eyes. “Fuck you!” She spat.
He fisted her shirt and lifted her up forcefully. She screamed in pain as the cuff broke her wrist from the position she was in. Another one came in and uncuffed her. Her hand immediately grabbed her wrist holding it tightly as it began to swell. The other guy hit the man holding her over the head. “You stupid fuck you weren’t supposed to hurt her!”
“She keeps fightin’ how else am I supposed to get her?” he held her by her hair as they walked out of the room. Harley bit her lip tightly trying not to cry out in pain as one of them blindfolded her.
Clay had told everyone that Romeo found Harley and set up a meeting with the guys who took her so they could get her back saying that they were holding her for ransom and wanted $200,000. Everyone nodded. After church Kozik walked outside for a smoke and Jax followed.
“Hey” He said lighting his own cigarette.
“Hey” Kozik nodded staring blankly at the lot.
“It’s my fault she got taken man.” Jax looked down while Kozik’s eyes flew to Jax. “I made her promise to look out for Tara and that’s what she did. She got taken saving Tara.”
Kozik sighed and shook his head. As much as he wanted to believe it and blame someone, he knew harley better. “Nah brother, whether you’d ask her to or not, she would have done that regardless. You know how she is.”
Jax looked up at him and nodded. “Yeah, I guess I do. I owe her a lot, ya know? Even before you came back she’s done so much for me and my family.”
Kozik nodded and looked at the ground. “You’re one of her closest friends man. That’s who Harley is.”
Jax sighed and nodded as the rest of the guys walked outside. Everyone got on their bikes and drove off the lot to the designated meeting area.
Pulling into the opening in the woods, they spotted a black van with two men standing in front of it.
Kozik was the first off of his bike walking over to them “where is she?!” His voice deeper than normal as he demanded.
“In the truck, you got the money?” One of them spoke looking directly at Clay.
“I want to see her first.” Jax spoke noticing the eye contact between them and Clay.
One of them knocked on the van door and a third guy came out holding on to Harley’s arm like a vice. Immediately the guys stepped forward in anger and when the other two men pulled out their guns so did the Sons.
Kozik and Tig took out the two men on the side but froze when the guy holding Harley pulled the gun to her temple holding her in front of him as a shield.
“The fuck did you do to her!” Kozik lunged at him seeing her bruised face and swollen wrist. Juice and Happy held him back so they didn’t piss the guy off.
Harley looked up at him as a few tears fell. “Kozik what are you doing?! Shoot!” She let out a small yell when the guy tightened the grip of his arm around her neck.
“I can’t! you’ll get hit!” He held his gun back up at the guy.
“Koz, I trust you! Finish this prick!” She yelled before sinking down a bit with all her weight exposing the guys head.
Before the guy could lift her back up Kozik shot him in the head and he fell back. Harley fell to her knees trying to catch her breath while clutching her wrist. Tig and Kozik immediately ran to her.
“Fucking shit” She mumbled as she sat on the floor trying to fight back tears. Kozik kneeled beside holding her against him, while Tig checked out the damage before calling Chibs over. “Where’s Tara?”
“Shh she’s safe babe” Kozik’s voice immediately relaxed her.
“Baby, I’m so sorry” she whispered hugging him tightly.
“Shh, I’m sorry baby. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there?” He stroked her head lightly.
Kozik held her close and Chibs checked out her injuries. He confirmed that her wrist was broken but not her bruised cheekbone but she would need a few stitches on her cheek and the back of her head.
Harley dug her face into Kozik’s neck still breathing in and out deeply. “It’s alright babe, I’m here. I’m here Harley. ” he rubbed the back of her head soothingly calming her down. His eyes shifted to Jax and Clay as they seemed to be having a heated argument further away from the rest of the guys.
“Can you ride?” He asked her as he held her wrist carefully. He felt her nod and helped her to her feet.
“Koz?” He heard her small voice and stopped to look her her. “Call Neeta to take Belle let her know I’m okay but I don’t want her seeing me like this.” He nodded and walked over to the bike helping her on. She adjusted herself to hold onto him as tight as she could hanging onto his cutt with her good hand.
She refused to go straight to the hospital so Chibs and Kozik stitched her up as best as they could. “Where’s Jax?” She looked up at the two.
“I’ll get him, lass. Just take it easy.” Chibs walked out the room and Kozik kissed her lips softly.
“How you feelin’ babe?”
She shook her head and leaned her forehead on his chest. “Like shit” she whispered. Jax walked in and Harley looked over at him. “I need to take a shower, but we need to go for a drive.”
“Babe we got to get you to the hospital to check out that arm.” Kozik interjected.
She shook her head “The hospital can wait. We need to talk.” she looked up at Jax who nodded and got up off the table heading to Kozik’s old dorm room to take a shower. She needed to wash the last twenty four hours off of her. She was careful around her stitches and cleaned off as much as she could with her good hand before getting out and putting her clothes on.
Walking out into the main room, Tig came up to her putting his arm over her shoulder. “You alright, doll?”
She leaned her head over his shoulder and took a deep breath. “Are any of us ever alright Tig? Where’s Gemma?”
He shook his head with a slight laugh. “Guess you have a point, but I don’t know she ain’t been here all day. “Weird. It’s like she lives here.” Tig shrugged and Harley walked over to Jax and Koz who were sitting by the doors. “Ready?”
Jax stood up and nodded before they noticed Kozik not moving.
She noticed him hanging his head. She knew how much it hurt him that she’d always go talk to Jax, but she could put a bit more trust in him. “Come on babe.”
He looked up at her “You want me to come?”
She nodded, with a slight smirk as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”
A smile crept on his face as he walked with her to her truck with Jax. Kozik got in the drivers seat since she couldn’t drive and Jax hoped in the back. “We need to go somewhere private.” She nodded and leaned her head back on the passenger seat. He drove them to the lake and pulled the car over.
“What’s going on, darlin’” Jax asked leaning forward in his seat. Kozik turned her attention to look at her.
Harley took a deep breath and slowly turned her body to face him, wincing in pain. “Jax. Those guys were after Tara. I heard them talking through the door.”
His face hardened as his hand squeezed into the seat turning his knuckles white. “Why? Why Tara?”
“I don’t know and what I’m about to say doesn’t leave this car.” She locked eyes with Kozik then Jax as they nodded. “I think this was an inside job.”
Both men’s eyes widened then Jax’s eyes narrowed at Harley. “How so?”
“One guy was yelling at another about how they got the wrong girl. They had a picture of Tara, Jax. They were paid to take her out. That’s exactly what they said and I don’t know who Romeo is, but they said they couldn’t afford to fuck this up because they knew how important this deal with the Sons was to Romeo. He said this favor would show you he was loyal.” She looked between Jax and Kozik who were still trying to process the information. “Like I said. Not a word leaves this truck.”
Jax looking between the two and took a deep breathe. “I think it was Clay.”
Both of them looked at him floored. “What?” Kozik asked.
“Tara’s been terrified of him. He’s been actin’ real sketchy lately. Really closed off and secretive. Doin’ shit behind the club especially with this Cartel business.” He paused taking a deep breath. “I’m not sure why they would go after Tara but I’m going to find out. Harley..” He turned to look at her taking in all the scrapes and bruises. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been there. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.” He took her good hand in his squeezing it lovingly. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done. For me. For this club. I love you Harls.”
“I’d do anything for you and Tara, sweetheart. And I better be that child’s godmother.” She let out a small painful smile. “But if you think Clay had anything to do with this. We need to keep quiet. At least until we know for sure and the only person who can find that out is you, VP. I’ll see if I can get anything from Gemma or Tara, maybe he said something to her.” She looked over at Kozik taking his hand in hers. “Babe, I know how pissed you are, but for now we need to act like this was any other attack on the Sons. It’s all speculation with Clay. Until we can prove something, we can’t let anyone know our suspicions”
He held her hand tightly and nodded. Kozik was beyond confused with the Clay accusation. He’d noticed his behavior change but to think he’d intentionally put one of their own in danger, especially Harley, made him livid. His free hand squeezed the wheel tighter thinking of the fight he’d had with Harley. He’d do anything for the club and she’d understand that but to have this happen because of his president was an entirely different issue. He backed him on everything even knowing the turmoil this would cause, yet he still lead them into this.
“Yeah, alright,” he managed to get out as he put the car in drive. “Let’s get you to the hospital.”
Harley leaned her head back into the seat. “They’ll ask too many questions.”
“You don’t have to answer to any of them.” Jax reminded her.
She nodded looked back at Jax. “Where’s Tara?”
Jax looked down and sighed. “She’s at the hospital. The van door slammed on her hand and she had to go into surgery to repair the nerve damage. “
She closed her eyes and shook her head knowing how much being a surgeon meant to her. “Is she going to be okay?”
He shook his head “Best case scenario, she has use of her hand, but she’ll never be able to operate again.”
Harley hung her head down. “I’m sorry Jax.”
“No. No you can’t put this on you. You saved her life Harls.” she nodded turning her head to look out the window.
After waiting for 45 minutes, Harley finally got pulled into a room, the guys in toe.
“Ms. Delaney, can you tell me how this happened?” The doctor finally asked after the nurses had been in an out non-stop.
“I broke my wrist.” She answered dryly.
“Ms. Delaney, this looks more like an assault.” His eyes looked over Jax and Kozik who were standing on one side of her bed. “Maybe we should talk privately.”
Harley let out a chuckle. “I don’t think so darlin’, I broke my wrist. Now fix this so I can get out of here.”
He sighed. “And you’re refusing to let us examine you?”
“Yup, broken wrist, just cast it up and I’ll be out of your hair.”
He nodded as walked out of the room. Kozik stroked her hair gently as Jax sat back in the seat chuckling.
Moments later, Sheriff Roosevelt walked into the room. Looking over Harley then at Kozik and Jax.
“Sheriff. To what do we owe this pleasure?” Kozik spoke up with a smirk.
“Seems Ms. Delaney was assaulted. We need to file a report.” His eyes set on Harley’s.
Harley laughed and shook her head. “No need. Just here for a broken wrist.”
His eyebrow raised slightly. “Want to tell me how you got the rest of those marks?”
“Ran full speed into a brick wall.” She said with a smirk, looking him in the eye.
“Harley, if I can call you that, don’t bullshit me. Tell me what happened. I’m just here to help.” His stern voice pissed her off.
“Look Sheriff, I told you what happened. You can write that down in your little report. The only way you can help is if you get that fucking doctor back in here to cast me up so I can leave.”
She sat up straighter and Kozik stood up. “You heard her.”
Roosevelt looked over the three of them again, more annoyed than before. “Well if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
Harley simply nodded her head towards the door and smiled.
Finally after getting X-Rayed and a cast put on her wrist, they checked out of the hospital. Jax had gone to Tara’s room earlier and Harley wanted to go see her as well. They made their way down the hallway, Kozik had his arm over her shoulder, holding her tucked into his side.
“Thank you.” she whispered, her good arm wrapped around him.
“For what?” He held her a little tighter looking down at her.
“Being here. Loving me. Now matter how much doubt I have in you.” she sighed, gluing her eyes to the floor as they walked.
He stopped them and stood in front of her. His calloused hands cupping her face softly. “Harley, you’re my everything. I have and will always love you.”
She looked up in his eyes as he pressed his forehead against hers. “I love you babe.”
A cleared throat interrupted them as Clay approached the two, the rest of the group behind him. Harley stiffened slightly but smiled at the older man. Kozik on the other hand, kept a straight face, watching him move towards them.
“What’re you doing here, Old Man?” She asked him jokingly.
“Came to make sure you were okay. Heard he finally got you to get your wrist checked out.” He came to stand in front of them.
She laughed a little and shrugged. “Yup, all fixed.” she lifted her arm slightly showing him.
“Staff give you any shit?” His expression turned serious.
She shrugged again. “They called Roosevelt. I told him I ran full speed into a brick wall.” The guys laughed and Kozik eased up knowing the rest of them were there to look out for her too.
Clay laughed and rubbed her hair lightly. “where you two kids headed off to now?”
“Checkin’ in on Tara. She refuses to leave until she sees her.” Kozik answered.
Clay’s eyes flashed dark momentarily but a smirk appeared on his face. “Is Jax there too?” The both nodded. “Alright then lets get goin’.”
“I’m goin’ downstairs for a smoke with Hap, you going to be okay?” He asked as they approached her room.
She nodded and leaned up giving him a kiss. “Yeah babe.” She nodded on the door before opening it slowly, to see if she was sleeping, before walking in.
Tara gasped seeing her friend and sat up straighter, her free hand covering her mouth. “Oh god. Harley.”
Harley approached the hospital bed, a sad smile on her face. “Hey, shh. I’m okay.” She put her hand over her friends. “You okay? The baby’s fine and everything?”
Tara squeezed her hand and nodded. “Yeah, thankfully. I can’t even begin to thank you for that. I know what you’re doing Harley and having you behind this means so much to me.”
Harley pulled a seat up to the bed, holding Tara’s hand still, she laid her forehead against the bed. “I don’t like the thought of you leaving, but I’ve seen what this club does to families. It’s what’s best. I’ll handle Gemma.”
Tara’s eyes began to water as she pulled her hand away from Harley to cover them. “To be honest, I don’t even know if I can leave anymore, Harls. My hands were my lively hood. They were my way out of Charming. Now with a dead hand, I’ll never be able to save any more lives.”
She sighed and looked at the large cast on the doctor’s hand. “You gotta have faith, sweetheart. You’re hand will get better, you gotta believe that.” Jax walked in and Harley stood up giving him a hug. “I’ll drop by to check in tomorrow alright?” They both nodded and Harley walked outside.
Seeing Clay heading towards the chapel, she ran over to him. “Hey, you seen Gemma?”
Clay’s face got serious and he nodded. “Yeah, she’s feelin’ under the weather so she’s been at home.”
Harley nodded, noticing his malicious smirk. Tig walked up to the two, giving Harley a hug. “Koz’s lookin’ for you doll.”
She nodded and made her way outside and wrapped her arms around Kozik’s body. He hugged her back and held her close. Something in the pit of her stomach told her something was very wrong.