DOUBLE DEUCES (Part 4)

Backfire

Since the Harper's left for their country home I haven't had any contact with them except for the occasional chat with Miri but even she has been acting aloof. I don't like this at all. At least when they was around and I had more communication with Miri I was kept in the loop somewhat. It's working my nerves not knowing if fucking Laney has figured Sam's murder out. I even purchased a disposable phone to communicate with Erica, too afraid that sly lady has bugged my shit. Fuck, the force could use her on the squad solving shit.

Then out of the blue my phone rings and it's Miri. I force myself to wait after a few rings not wanting to seem too eager. Finally I answered. "Sup".

"Hi Jax" her sweet voice purred and my heart rate sped up. I couldn't deny it, I honestly loved this woman. It wasn't about her being a Harper and getting on the inside, no it was Miri and all her goodness. Everything Cole didn't appreciate, I did. Tuning back in to the conversation she told me she had a rather nasty run in with Cole. Instantly my protectiveness surfaced. "Are you okay? Do you need me?"

She assured me she was fine but wanted to come over. I hurriedly rushed around cleaning my apartment. It wasn't that bad but Erica always did the most and I'd let it slide in her absence. Satisfied, I changed my shirt and did a underarm oder check. The door buzzed and I swung it open with a smile. There was Miri along with two of her father's. She entered leaving them in the hall as I stared on questionably. Miri shrugged. "With Luca on the loose Pape insisted."

Nodding, I agreed. No sense in taking chances. I noticed Miri was holding a cake box and she smiled shyly. "I baked them from scratch earlier."

Taking the cake from her, I led us to the kitchen. Sitting the cake on the table, I turned to grab a plate and knife when I noticed her cheek slightly swollen and faint bruising. I gently rubbed my thumb over her cheek and felt my blood heat. "Did that bastard do this?"

"It's okay Jax really". She spoke softly as I grabbed some frozen peas from the freezer. Pulling out a chair, I sat her down and applied the comforting coolness to her puffy cheek. With emptiness in her eye's she mumbled. "I could've killed him, I almost did".

Through tears she told me all the sordid details. Once she was done I looked on in amazement and it also occurred to me that she had the capabilities to kill the strongest of men, yet I didn't fear her. Instead I pulled her into my arm's and comforted her as she wept. After a bit she pulled away and I kissed her nose. I lifted the top from the cake and she gave a nervous grin at the lopsided cake. "I tried". She shrugged now down about the cake.

Smiling, I bent down and took a hulking bite from the cake. Lifting my face back up my mouth was full of cake and icing covered the majority of face. With my mouth full I choked out. "Best cake I ever had". I bent back down digging back in as Miri finally cracked and laughed. Pulling me away she kissed the cake from my face but I was playfuly. Taking a handful I crammed it into her mouth. Eventually we ended up on the floor making love with our bodies smeared in cake. We ended our wild romp in the shower.

Afterwards Miri insisted she must go. So typical of her love me then leave me attitude. I was worried about her returning back to her apartment with what happened earlier with Cole. I insisted on going with her but she was adamant that I didn't. Seeing that I wasn't going to give up she said. "Your not allowed in the building per Pape's orders".

This stunned we and naturally I wanted to know why. "What do you mean?"

She shrugged it off. "It's just Pape being extra cautious due to Samantha's murder".

No, that wasn't it. Something was up. They knew something and I had to find out what it was. Looking at Miri I said sternly. "Don't lie to me Miri. What's going on?"

"Nothing Jax".

"Bullshit. Fucking tell me". I didn't let up and Miri finally broke.

"There's reason to believe that your sister, possibly even you are connected to Sam's death".

My insides knoted up at knowing they've figured it out. My life as well as Erica's was on the line. "I don't know what to say Miri. You know I'd never hurt any of you."

"I know you wouldn't Jax, but Erica I'm not so sure. Had I thought you were involved I wouldn't have came here". Then she went on to say she really had to go. This time I didn't stop her. I had to do something and now was my chance. Miri went to my bathroom to dry her hair and dress. Spotting her gun, I emptied the chamber and placed a silencer on mine. I opened the door to the waiting men and told them Miri needed them. As they entered my living room, I shot both in the head from behind. Moment's later Miri exited the bathroom and I trained my gun on her.

"Jax?" She questioned me with hurt in her eye's.

"Miri I do love you but I can't let anyone kill my sister. No I didn't harm Sam, Erica did it. I promise I knew nothing of it."

"Jax no". Miri sobbed.

"I'm not going to kill you Miri or at least I don't want to. I'm simply going to use you for a trade. Your life for my sister's."

Miri eased over to her gun but I grinned. "No need, I emptied the chamber. Go ahead, give it a try".

She picked her gun up and aimed at me. She pulled the trigger several time's and only the empty clicks filled the room.

"Good to see where your loyalties lie. You couldn't kill that bastard of a husband, yet you didn't hesitate to pull the trigger on me".

"Jax you don't want to do this. If you do you will surely die. Let me go and I can talk to my Pape. Once I clear your name and tell him you ratted Erica out all will be forgiven and you will be unharmed".

"But not Erica right? Sorry, can't do that. I do Miri, I love you but she's my blood and I have to protect her".

I grabbed her arm and led her to the living room. She saw her dead men and gasped out of pure shock. I guess the Harper's really didn't think I had it in me to actually be a true dirty cop, but when a man's family is threatened it can make him do crazy thing's. I sat her in a chair and tied her arm's and legs down. One thing I did know is that you could never be too careful where a Harper is concerned.

"You know you just signed your death certificate right?" Miri sneered.

"I assume your father will come for me and I'm prepared. I have you to bargain with".

She tossed her head back and laughed looking just like London. "No, it will be a blessing if he gets to you first, a favor actually. It will be my lunatic husband that comes for me. Yes, he and only he can threaten me. You let someone else place me in danger it's end game. You should have seen the last man that held me captive. Cole walked, yes walked alone through a building of mad men with guns to save me. When he got a hold of Eli he severed his head from his body and smashed it into the wall. No it want be a Harper that gets you. It will be a Butoni.... king Butoni".

For the first time I could see exactly how vile Miri could be but damn it, I still loved her.