Page 253 of Restless
“Where are the rest of the kids?”
“Roxanne called Rebel and asked for her help with a cake. Rule tagged along. Zoann is watching Gunner. My kids and Ryder, Ransom, and Axel are with Ophelia. Mort thought it best.”
“Yeah, Mom, the less witnesses, the easier the lie,” CJ said.
“Is Cash and Stretch with Christopher?” Meggie asked hopefully.
“I don’t think so,” Bunny answered. “Ophelia said Stretch and Cash left together at about 3 this afternoon and expect to be gone overnight.”
“I see.”
When they reached the third floor and her bedroom, CJ sat her on the edge of the bed.
“Are you going to be okay, Mom?” he asked, unable to hide his concern. “I-I can stay.”
“I’m fine, potato,” she promised, though she was anything but. She was exhausted and worried about her husband. “I want a quick shower.”
“No, I don’t think that’s wise, Mom. Your pressure went really high and—”
“I’ll be with her, bud,” Bunny promised. “Help your uncles see to the cars.”
Indecision tore across CJ’s face. “Are you sure?”
“Positive,” Meggie stressed. “If anything happens, Bunny will be right here with me, and she’ll call immediately.”
“I won’t be long, Mom.” CJ backed toward the door. “Don’t go anywhere.”
Meggie smiled. “I won’t, son. I’ll be waiting for you.”
The moment he walked out, Meggie sagged. “Has Digger heard from Christopher?”
“No, babe.” Bunny looked as if she hated to answer. “I’m sorry.”
“God—”
“Let’s get you showered, Meggie. Once you’re settled in bed, I’ll see if I can contact Stretch. He’ll get a bead on Outlaw.”
Bunny busied herself in the bathroom while Meggie took a quick shower and washed her hair. Once she finished, she took a towel from the towel warmer, wrapped it around herself and then sat at the vanity to comb and braid her wet hair. By then, Bunny had found a nightgown for her.
In two days, it would be a month since she’d collapsed and went into premature labor. Despite today’s setback, she felt she was doing remarkably well.
“I pushed myself a little too much today,” she said lightly, climbing into bed and settling against a stack of fluffy pillows.
“You did,” Bunny agreed quietly. “I should’ve come with you.”
“It’s okay,” Meggie soothed. “No harm done. I’m fine.”
A ‘person detected’ alert resounded on Meggie’s phone, and she grabbed it to watch Mortician, CJ, and her Christopher enter the front gate and head down the walkway to the door.
If he hadn’t been so worried about Megan, he would’ve fucked up DerbyandDez tofuckinnight. Unfortunately, his retribution would have to wait until tomorrow.
Dez hadn’t done anything more than the previous infractions. But motherfuckingDerby?
The motherfucker stood by Christopher’s side and helped clean up the bodies. His assfucks weren’t nearly as thorough or sophisticated as the time and attention Johnnie, Cash, Val, Digger, and Mortician gave to scenes. Beggars couldn’t be fucking choosers, so Christopher took what he could get.
In the middle of the cleanup, Megan called and told him Bunny was driving her to the coffeeshop to meet CJ. All seemed on target for him to hit the road no later than one and get back to Hortensia about four.
Except…
