Chapter 33 : Full Disclosure
[SAMCRO Clubhouse — July 11, 2008, 3:00 PM]
Bobby's face was grim.
We sat in the chapel—just four of us. Jax at the head of the table, Bobby and Chibs flanking, me in the prospect's chair that felt increasingly like something more.
"So she approached you directly." Bobby's voice was measured. "Outside the hospital. While your girlfriend was working."
"Yes."
"And she implied a threat to the girlfriend if you didn't cooperate."
"She didn't say it outright. But the meaning was clear."
Chibs leaned back, arms crossed. "That's Stahl's style. Find the pressure point, apply pressure." His scarred face twisted with disgust. "Woman's got no limits."
"She's already crossed lines with the Abel threat," Jax said. "This is just escalation."
"What did she offer?" Bobby asked. "Specifically."
"Immunity. Fresh start. Protection for people I care about." I met his eyes. "Standard rat package."
"And you turned her down."
"Immediately. Then came straight to Jax."
Bobby and Chibs exchanged a look. Something passed between them—an assessment, a judgment, a conclusion I couldn't read.
"That took guts," Bobby said finally. "Most prospects in your position would've panicked. Made a bad decision. Or at least waited to see what they could get."
"I know what side I'm on."
"Do you?" His gaze was sharp. "Because this life isn't something you can halfway commit to. Once you're in, you're in. Stahl approaches you again, the pressure only gets worse. You ready for that?"
"I'm ready."
Chibs leaned forward. "The lass—Sarah. She know anything about this?"
"No. And I'd like to keep it that way."
"Might not be possible. Stahl's not subtle when she wants to hurt someone." He shook his head. "If she thinks she can get to you through the girl..."
"Then we protect her." Jax's voice was firm. "Cole's one of us. His people are our people."
The words hit harder than I expected.
His people are our people.
Four months ago, I'd arrived in Charming as a stranger. A ghost in borrowed skin, running from nothing toward something I barely understood. Now I sat in the chapel, being defended by men who'd kill for each other without hesitation.
"What's the plan?" I asked.
Bobby glanced at Jax. "We take this to Clay?"
"Eventually. But not yet." Jax's expression was thoughtful. "Clay's got his own issues with Stahl. If we tell him now, he might do something rash. I want us aligned first—me, you two, Cole. Then we present it as a united front."
"And Opie?" Chibs asked.
"Opie needs to know Stahl's still hunting. But carefully—he's got enough on his plate without thinking every prospect is a potential rat."
"I'm not a rat."
"We know." Jax met my eyes. "That's why we're having this conversation here, instead of voting on your future."
The reference to what had happened to Opie—the church vote, the accusations, the near-death sentence—hung unspoken between us.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank us yet." Bobby stood. "Stahl doesn't give up easy. She'll come at you again, different angle. And she'll definitely go after the girlfriend if she thinks it'll work."
"I can protect Sarah."
"Can you? Without her knowing why? Without changing her routine, without making her suspicious?" Bobby shook his head. "That's a hard line to walk."
"I'll manage."
"You better." He moved toward the door. "Because if this blows up, it doesn't just affect you. It affects all of us."
---
[TM Parking Lot — 4:30 PM]
Chibs found me near the garage.
He didn't say anything at first—just handed me a cigarette, lit one for himself, stood there smoking in companionable silence.
"Ye did good in there," he said finally.
"Just told the truth."
"Aye. That's what made it good." He exhaled smoke. "Most people, they get approached by feds, first instinct is to hide it. Figure out their options. Play both sides."
"I know what side I'm on."
"So ye said." He turned to look at me, those scarred eyes seeing more than they let on. "The thing about this life, Cole—it's not the big moments that define ye. It's the small ones. The choices nobody sees, the decisions ye make when there's no witnesses."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying ye could've handled this differently. Kept it quiet, weighed your options, maybe even taken the deal. Nobody would've known until it was too late." He smiled—a rare expression that made his face look almost kind. "Instead, ye came straight to Jax. That tells us more than any words."
"I meant what I said. Same enemy."
"Aye." He clapped my shoulder. "Welcome to the family, brother. For real this time."
He walked away.
I stood there, processing. The weight of acceptance. The warmth of belonging.
Brother. Not prospect. Brother.
[RELATIONSHIP UPDATE: CHIBS TELFORD — BROTHER (62)]
The notification flickered. I let myself feel it this time.
---
[Cole's Apartment — 11:00 PM]
Sarah's voice on the phone was soft.
"You sound different tonight."
"Good different or bad different?"
"I'm not sure yet." A pause. "Something happened, didn't it?"
Federal agent threatened you today. I spent the afternoon in a secret meeting discussing your safety. My entire family is now on alert because of you.
"Nothing you need to worry about."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I can give right now." I stared at the ceiling of my apartment. "But I want you to know—whatever happens, whatever complications come up—I'm going to keep you safe."
"Keep me safe from what?"
From a woman who manufactures evidence and destroys lives. From a world you never asked to be part of.
"From anything that threatens you."
The silence stretched. I could hear her breathing, processing.
"You're scaring me a little, Cole."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Just..." She took a breath. "Just be careful. Whatever's going on, whatever you can't tell me—be careful."
"I will."
"And come see me tomorrow. I want to look at you when you tell me things are okay."
"I'll be there."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
The call ended. I lay in the dark, thinking about promises and protection and the woman who deserved better than the life I was dragging her toward.
Stahl won't stop. She'll come at Sarah again, different approach. And eventually, Sarah will have to know the truth.
But not tonight. Tonight, she sleeps safe. Tonight, that's enough.
I closed my eyes.
Tomorrow, more planning. More counter-moves. More navigating the dangerous waters between the club and the feds.
But tonight, the family had my back. And that made all the difference.
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