"Dani, I made a mistake."

Jax was staring at her feet, his hands in his pockets.

"A mistake? What do you mean? What was a mistake?" she could hear her own voice quivering as she stared at the man that had been by her side the past few months.

"I thought that I was over her but I'm not. Vivian...she still has a place in my heart and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to shake it away. It makes me feel guilty. Guilty that I can't love you as much as you deserve. This," his hand moved back and forth in the space between them, "This was a mistake. I don't think we should see each other anymore. Not ever."

Her mouth became dry as she sputtered for the right words. What could she possibly say to change his mind? Her eyes widened as she watched him turn away from her.

Any minute he would turn around and shout, "Just kidding, Panda Eyes!"

Dani watched him open the door to her apartment and leave. His exit punctuated with the small click of the door closing shut.

A few shuddering breaths escaped her as she tried to process what just happened.

Jax was dumping her.

Dani raced to the hall outside her apartment but he was gone. Jax was gone. He had left her without a second glance. Her shoulders slumped and she turned back around.

"Dani," a voice whispered behind her.

"Jax?" Dani spun around and shrieked.

At the end of the corridor was death.

"No!" Dani cried as she sat up in bed. Jax's arm was wrapped around her waist.

"Dani? Are you okay?" he mumbled against the pillow his face was buried in.

"I'm...I'm fine. It was just a nightmare."

Jax sat up, a lazy smile on his face, "You know I'm here for you right, Panda Eyes? You want to talk about it?"

"I was there," she whispered. "And you were there too."

"So it wasn't a nightmare but a sex dream. Dani Deleon you're a dirty bird, you know that? I like it," he chuckled as he kissed her bare shoulder.

Dani lightly pushed him away, "I'm serious. It was so weird. I don't think it was your dream though."

"Do you think someone was dreaming about us? That's kind of creepy. Did it have to do with Los Lobos Locos?"

"No, it was just you and me. You were angry and you said you never wanted to see me again. You left me."

"Dani, I would never-"

"I know...but that's when I realized something. I'm always seeing other people's nightmares. But for the first time, I think I saw my own. Don't you see? You leaving me. That's my worst nightmare, Jax."

She felt Jax pull her down beside him. She could feel his heart beating in tandem to her own.

"Dani, let's get this straight. I would never leave you. If I could, I'd handcuff myself to you for life but I don't think you'd like that and it might make going to the bathroom awkward."

"Jax-"

"But I was serious about what I said last night. I'd never leave you Dani. I love you. It would take death for me to leave you. You know that, right?"

Heat spread through her belly to her heart, "How do you always know the right words to say, Detective Michaels?"

"Easy. It's called telling the truth."

------------

Roberto could hear his brother-in-law yelling at him to slow down but he didn't. He couldn't. Every moment with Tristan was a moment he couldn't soley focus on Gladys.

He was walking down the alleys that were known spots of gang activity. One way or another, he'd find his wife.

"Are you out of your damned mind?" Tristan's hand tugged at Roberto's shoulder. "Acting like an idiot isn't going to get my sister back."

"No? Then what is? No one wants to help me and going undercover like you suggested isn't going to work."

"Why not?"

"They have a man that's been there for over a year. If he can't find out anything how can either of us? As total newbies, why would we be able to learn anything new?"

"Right now that's all we can try," Tristan reminded him.

"No, I can go into each one of these buildings and look for her."

"And get shot in the process?" Tristan crossed his arms. "I can't believe my sister married such a stubborn man. I'm telling you, my plan will work."

"And if it doesn't? Then what? We just wipe our hands of the whole situation because at least we tried? Hell no to that! I want my wife back. I need my wife back. If it takes me going into every single one of these buildings then I'll do it. You don't have to come with me."

Tristan took a step forward, "This is dangerous! What has to happen for you to understand that? You can't take on these gang members alone. This plan is suicide."

"Don't you get it? Living without the love of my life is already a death sentence. I'm going on ahead. You go home. Call me if something comes up about her."

Tristan cursed before turning around. He looked over his shoulder, "Fine! Die if you want to. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Roberto waved a hand in the air as he continued walking. Fifteen minutes later, he found himself staring at an abandoned brick building. There was something about it that drew him to it. He walked around the building cautiously, careful to avoid eye contact with the few homeless people that were around the building next door.

His shoes tapped against the cement steps and the door squeaked open as he entered the dark building. He used the flashlight application on his phone to take a few steps forward. The building was trashed. Beer cans, random debris, and sheet rock were scattered across the floor. He passed an open door when he felt arms encircle his neck and squeeze. He gasped for breath and tried pushing out of his attacker's grip.

He dropped his phone and everything went dark.

------------

"You can stay in here until I'm ready to use you," CJ shoved at Chencho who tripped over his loosely tied up feet and landed on his side.

The room was dark with the exception of a utility lamp hanging in the corner.

"Who is that?" Gladys asked as she stared at the strung out man that had closed his eyes and was now snoring. Hours had passed since she had seen her abductor.

"He's no one important. He's just another pet to me."

"He needs a doctor," Gladys said. "He looks sick."

"Nah, he's just strung out," CJ kicked at Chencho's still body, causing the man on the floor to groan. "See? He's still alive. He'll be fine."

"You're going to regret this," Chencho said, his words coming out in quick bursts of anger.

"Regret? Me? I don't think so. Regret is for the weak. Now play nice you two. I have a few errands to run."

"When are you coming back?" Gladys asked, her eyes still on Chencho.

"Why? Are you scared of being alone with this beast?" he placed a hand on her cheek and forced her to look in his direction. "Do you want me to protect you, Gladys?"

"I want you to let me go," she answered.

"Now, that's not going to happen. You know that."

"My husband-"

"Isn't going to save you!"

Gladys' felt the spittle from his words. If she could've wiped at her face, she would have. Instead, she heaved a long breath bit her bottom lip.

"How many times do I have to listen to your pathetic cries that your husband is going to save you? Shall I tell you the truth? I was saving it for a day when you were feeling better."

"Truth? Do you even know the word?"

His hand was still on her cheek and she swallowed her cry of pain as he pinched her cheek.

"Don't get sassy with me, it might just turn me on."

CJ laughed at her horrified expression.

"You told me before that I was the weak one and that my brother was better than me. Perhaps you're right. As the weak one in my family, I'm always striving to prove myself. Do you know how it's done in the animal kingdom?"

Gladys shook her head.

"Well if one animal wants to take over, it usually has to kill the strongest one. The leader."

"Why are you telling me this?" Gladys asked.

"Because I want you to understand why I did what I did."

"What did you do?"

"This entire time you've been crying that your husband is going to come and save you but the truth is that he won't. He can't."

Gladys felt goose bumps form on her arms, "Why can't he?"

CJ leaned in close until his lips were practically touching her ear before he answered.

"Because I killed him."