instructed.
The prosecution and defense attorneys stood.
“I want it understood there will be no outbursts in the courtroom, regardless of the verdict,” the judge said firmly as he studied the group.
I nodded my head.
The judge turned toward the jury.
“Has the jury reached a verdict?” the judge asked.
“Yes, your honor, we have,” the foreman responded.
I reached to my left and right, and after a moment of fumbling, grabbed both Sydney’s and Avery’s hands and held them firmly.
“In the matter of Jackson Shephard versus the United States of America, what say you?” the judge asked.
“In the matter of Jackson Shephard versus the United States, we the jury, find him not guilty ; as he was entrapped by the ATF to commit the crime listed in the indictment, your honor,” the foreperson responded.
Holy fucking shit.
Kurt reached down and patted Jackson on the shoulder. As the judge questioned each juror regarding their finding, Sydney leaned forward. Tears streamed from her face as she made a few attempts to speak. After collecting herself, she began to whisper to Avery, who was bouncing her right leg a hundred miles an hour.
“What now?” Sydney blubbered, “How long…uhhm…how long does he….uhhm…go back to prison for?”
“He doesn’t go back to prison,” Avery responded, “He goes home. He’s free.”
“He doesn’t have…” Sydney sobbed, “He doesn’t…uhhm, he doesn’t have a home.”
“The hell he doesn’t. We’ve got two extra rooms. He’s got a home,” Toad said.
And he’s got a family.
Most of them are out in the street, and the rest are right here.
OTIS
Feeling somewhat frustrated Axton and Toad had women in their lives, and Biscuit was arguably close behind with Kat - while I continued to live a life of solitude - I sat at my kitchen table sipping a cup of coffee.
Wondering if my way of living life and the precautions I took regarding outsiders was possibly a little stricter than it should be, I stared blankly through window and into my back yard. Attempted to count the possibilities I had over the years of women I felt comfortable allowing into my life - but didn’t - I searched my mind for those who had escaped me. After an entire cup of coffee worth of consideration, I came up with one woman in fifteen years.
Avery.
Avery’s participation during our botched gun deal with the MS-13, along with her quick thinking, reacting, and accuracy with a handgun not only saved my life, but provided me with all the reassurance I needed to understand she was a woman who I could trust. Looking at Avery with a broader field of vision provided a view of a woman who was confident, intelligent, brave, beautiful, and responsible. Prior to Axton’s acceptance of her into his life, I considered inviting her into mine. After Axton’s claimed her as his Ol’ Lady, she became off limits, and now remained nothing more than a close friend.
Realizing there was one woman through the course of fifteen years who provided me with a level of comfort great enough to allow me to let my guard down was nowhere near reassuring. In fact, the more I thought about it, the clearer it became.
My life was one I was living not for me, but for the betterment and the security of the Selected Sinners MC.
I had been in the club since the beginning, and although I wasn’t close friends with every member, I viewed each and every one of the Sinners as a brother. After moving me from Sergeant-At-Arms to Vice President, I fully understood I was no longer responsible for their protection as far as the club was concerned, but releasing me from the responsibility completely was impossible.
The club was family to me no differently than my father and mother were, and I was naturally a protector of what I loved and cherished. Living the life of a Sinner allowed me to understand the camaraderie shared by military members who had spent time in combat together. Being a member of the club was
The prosecution and defense attorneys stood.
“I want it understood there will be no outbursts in the courtroom, regardless of the verdict,” the judge said firmly as he studied the group.
I nodded my head.
The judge turned toward the jury.
“Has the jury reached a verdict?” the judge asked.
“Yes, your honor, we have,” the foreman responded.
I reached to my left and right, and after a moment of fumbling, grabbed both Sydney’s and Avery’s hands and held them firmly.
“In the matter of Jackson Shephard versus the United States of America, what say you?” the judge asked.
“In the matter of Jackson Shephard versus the United States, we the jury, find him not guilty ; as he was entrapped by the ATF to commit the crime listed in the indictment, your honor,” the foreperson responded.
Holy fucking shit.
Kurt reached down and patted Jackson on the shoulder. As the judge questioned each juror regarding their finding, Sydney leaned forward. Tears streamed from her face as she made a few attempts to speak. After collecting herself, she began to whisper to Avery, who was bouncing her right leg a hundred miles an hour.
“What now?” Sydney blubbered, “How long…uhhm…how long does he….uhhm…go back to prison for?”
“He doesn’t go back to prison,” Avery responded, “He goes home. He’s free.”
“He doesn’t have…” Sydney sobbed, “He doesn’t…uhhm, he doesn’t have a home.”
“The hell he doesn’t. We’ve got two extra rooms. He’s got a home,” Toad said.
And he’s got a family.
Most of them are out in the street, and the rest are right here.
OTIS
Feeling somewhat frustrated Axton and Toad had women in their lives, and Biscuit was arguably close behind with Kat - while I continued to live a life of solitude - I sat at my kitchen table sipping a cup of coffee.
Wondering if my way of living life and the precautions I took regarding outsiders was possibly a little stricter than it should be, I stared blankly through window and into my back yard. Attempted to count the possibilities I had over the years of women I felt comfortable allowing into my life - but didn’t - I searched my mind for those who had escaped me. After an entire cup of coffee worth of consideration, I came up with one woman in fifteen years.
Avery.
Avery’s participation during our botched gun deal with the MS-13, along with her quick thinking, reacting, and accuracy with a handgun not only saved my life, but provided me with all the reassurance I needed to understand she was a woman who I could trust. Looking at Avery with a broader field of vision provided a view of a woman who was confident, intelligent, brave, beautiful, and responsible. Prior to Axton’s acceptance of her into his life, I considered inviting her into mine. After Axton’s claimed her as his Ol’ Lady, she became off limits, and now remained nothing more than a close friend.
Realizing there was one woman through the course of fifteen years who provided me with a level of comfort great enough to allow me to let my guard down was nowhere near reassuring. In fact, the more I thought about it, the clearer it became.
My life was one I was living not for me, but for the betterment and the security of the Selected Sinners MC.
I had been in the club since the beginning, and although I wasn’t close friends with every member, I viewed each and every one of the Sinners as a brother. After moving me from Sergeant-At-Arms to Vice President, I fully understood I was no longer responsible for their protection as far as the club was concerned, but releasing me from the responsibility completely was impossible.
The club was family to me no differently than my father and mother were, and I was naturally a protector of what I loved and cherished. Living the life of a Sinner allowed me to understand the camaraderie shared by military members who had spent time in combat together. Being a member of the club was
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