Mina hadn’t heard from Jax all day. She had a horrible feeling in her gut. He never went all day without checking in. After helping Tara wash the boys and put them to bed the two women went to the kitchen for a drink. Taking out two glasses of wine, Mina poured the wine into the cups but kept her eyes on the clock 11PM. 11PM and no news from Jax. She looked over at Tara who was just as nervous. “I’m sure he’s fine.” Mina said, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room.

“You just can’t help but wonder in his line of work.” Tara nodded, accepting the glass as Mina handed it out to her.

Letting out a small laugh, Mina nodded as she spun the wine around in her glass before taking a sip. “So do you have any idea where you’re moving too?”

“Yeah. The first time we were going to leave this hell hole we had picked out a home. It’s perfect for the boys. I found out it was still available, put in an offer.” Tara said. More doubt in her words than hope.

“Tara, I promised you I was going to get you guys out. I meant it.” Mina said, placing a hand over the old doctor’s, brushing her thumb over the large scar across it.

Tara looked up at her, reading into her deep chocolate eyes as a small smile crept onto her face. “I never thought you’d be the one I could trust..”

Laughing lightly, the younger woman agreed. “Yeah. I never thought I’d see this day either.”

As Tara was about to respond, Mina’s cell phone began to ring. Not noticing the number she picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Mina, it’s Wayne” The voice on the line said, panic ridden.

“Unser?” She asked, standing up quickly. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s Jax. He found out Gemma was the one who attacked Tara. He’s on his way to her father’s house now. I’m here with her but she refuses to leave. He’ll kill her Mina.”

Mina’s eyes shifted left to right, trying to process everything. “Wayne, text me the address, I’m on my way. Tara -” She said turning to the worry ridden ex wife. “I need to go. Adrianna’s downstairs if you need anything.”

Turning to the stairs she grabbed her hoodie and ran outside to her car. Looking at her phone at the address Unser had just sent before taking off down the road.

---

Jax’s mind had never been more clear. His mother. The only person he had complete and indisputable trust in had caused so much torment in his life. As he entered the house, it became more and more clear what had to be done.

Unser stood in front of the doorway, holding a phone up in the air. “I’m arresting her, son.” He said, unconvincingly. ‘Taking her back to Charming.”

Looking at Unser’s frail figure in front of him, Jax spoke as calmly as he could. “I need to be alone with my mother.”

“I can’t do that.” The old man answered, holding his hands out slightly in a shrug as he shook his head. “I can’t let that happen. I- I already called it in to the Oregon State Police.”

“No, he didn’t” Gemma’s voice rang out.

Jax just stared as his mother as Unser turned to walk towards her. Following Unser into the room, he shook his head, giving him another chance. “Get out of here, Unser.”

“No.” Unser said, holding his ground. Pulling a gun out of his pocket, he turned to Gemma waving his hand at her. “Come on, let’s go. You’re coming with me.”

The young president had had enough, pulling his gun out pointing it at the old family friend.

Unser pointed the gun at Jax, his hand trying to steady. “What happens now, Son?”

Feeling the stinging sensation of tears burning his eyes, Jax shook his head. This isn’t what he wanted to happen. “This is between me and my mom.” He managed to croak out as his voice cracked.

“Haven’t we had enough of this?” Unser tried to reason again. “Look where we are, Jax. What we’ve all become. This has to end. Here.”

Nodding his head, Jax agreed. “I know.” He said quietly, losing his patience. “I know.” Lowering his gun, he shook his head again. “Go home, Wayne.”

Jax watched as Unser looked into Gemma’s eyes before he shook his head. “I can’t do that. This is all I got left.” He said not breaking eye contact with her.

Gemma sighed, lowering her eyes to the ground. Jax nodded his head. He’d had enough. As Unser turned to face him again, Jax brought his gun up, shooting him in the chest. He heard Gemma gasp loudly as the body fell back onto the tables before she closed her eyes, shuddering. Jax closed his eyes tightly, trying to control his anger. She’d attacked the mother of his children and went on acting like it didn’t happen but she couldn’t look at this. Breathing in deeply, he made his way over to the couch, exhaling as he looked at her.

Gemma picked up a picture off the ground, handing it over to him. “Your grandfather in World War 2.” Jax accepted the picture, staring down at it. “You look like him.” She continued. “The eyes, mostly.”

A small smile came across his face as he looked at the picture, before setting it aside on the table as Gemma got up off the floor sitting on the edge of the couch across from him.

“Who else knows?” She asked.

“The club.” He said bluntly. “Mina knew all along.”

“Smart girl that one.” She said looking down at her hands. “You talk to Nero?”

“Yeah,” He said nodding loosely

“He had no idea.” She said looking up at the disappointment and conflict in her son’s eyes.

“I know.”

“He’s a good man, Jax. Stay close to him.” Jax looked down at the ground, hearing her soft, loving voice. “Mina too. We’ve had our differences, but I’ve never met anyone more loyal to you. Even more than the club.”

Jax lifted his eyes, watching as she flipped through the pictures. “Do you still have JT’s manuscript?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “It’s in the storage locker. Birth certificates. Death Papers.”

“Okay.” He nodded.

“I love Tara very much.” She started.

“Don’t” He said cutting her off.

“This is not an excuse. I’m not defending myself.. I barely remember what happened that night.”

“But it happened,” Jax jumped in again, unable to stop the tears filling his eyes.

“Yes.” She nodded. “It did.” She gave him a moment before continuing. “And all those other things because of a lie. I never saw any of that coming. I know there’s no apology that can touch what you’re feeling, Jackson.” Her son’s silence was enough. She could no longer take the pain in his eyes. Exhaling slowly, Gemma stood up, Jax following, as they headed out to the garden.

---

Mina swerved back and forth across lanes. She couldn’t imagine what was going on in that house. Gemma deserved to die. That was for sure. But Jax couldn’t go through this alone. And Wayne. Poor Wayne, caught in the crossfire of this. She knew how much love he had for Gemma, only praying that he’d done the smart thing and left.

As she screeched her car to a halt, she jumped out quickly running inside. looking around the first room she saw Unser’s body, laying on the ground. “Shit.” She yelled as she went to go check. Feeling a faint heartbeat, she slapped his cheeks slowly trying to wake him. “Wayne, sweetheart. Wake up, darlin’ come on.” She said, grabbing blanket off the couch applying pressure to his wound.

As he started to stir, she took his hand putting it on the blanket to keep as much pressure as he could keep on it. She needed to find Jax. She continued through the house until she heard voices coming from outside.

“You have to do this.” Gemma’s voice sounded. “It’s who we are, sweetheart. It’s okay. My Baby boy. It’s time.”

Mina followed the voices out the door to the garden where she saw Jax, pointing his gun at the back of Gemma’s head. “JAX!” She screamed as the sound of a gunshot filled the air.