Page 163 of Restless
“Before I punch the fuck out of you—”
“No, Mort, on the real. Prez a good motherfucker to Meggie and she pay him back in kind. You not only a good brother to me, Bailey couldn’t ask for a better husband. You spoil the fuck out of that woman. If you happy withherkind of ride-or-die, then go home. You not winning with Bailey over Harley.”
Mort didn’t want to face the truth of Digger’s words. Going home meant facing their hostility for something he didn’t do and had no control over.
“As much as I bitch and complain, I’m lucky, Mort,” Digger said quietly. “Meggie influenced Bunny, not by word but by deed. Bunny see how effective it is to band together in front of the children, even if we disagree with each other. I’m not sure about Zoann and Fee, but I know Kendall like that, too. Somehow, Bailey got away from the closeness of our women. If you love her, compromise.”
“I can’t if she won’t cooperate,” Mort said tiredly.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to bring you down. Maybe, you being here good anyway. You can scope out more information.”
That was true, a fact Mort hadn’t considered. “I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“Nevada City?”
He nodded.
“Want company?”
“Fuck, fool, if you want to leave your warm bed and rough it a few days, I’m not stopping you.”
Digger grinned.
“What are you two talking about?” Johnnie asked, staring at Mortician.
“If they wanted us to know, they woulda spoke louder,” Outlaw growled.
Johnnie threw Meggie a cold look. For a moment, Mort thought Prez would pull his piece and shoot the stupid motherfucker. Outlaw’s black fury should’ve deterred whatever plans Johnnie had.
“Isn’t Momma pretty, Daddy?” Rebel asked.
Mort hid his grin. She sounded like a sweet little kid, though she looked as angry as her father.
“Rebel—”
“Watch how you talk to my girl, Johnnie,” Outlaw warned.
“Tell her to look at me with more respect, Christopher.”
“How did my sister look at you, Uncle Johnnie?” CJ inquired, accepting the cigarette Outlaw handed him.
Envy hit Mort. He wished his own family was so close. Rebel traveled Harley’s path first, but it didn’t splinter the Caldwells. They stood together and came out stronger.
Fuck. This was crossing a goddamn line. Instead of licking his wounds, he’d go on his run and discover what he could about Bash and Johnnie. In the meantime, he’d find a way to bridge the chasm between him and his own family.
“Do you want me to tell Ophelia to bring Gunner back to our place before you get home, sweetness?” Cash asked into the silence.
Johnnie must’ve ran off at the fucking mouth.
“We haven’t brought him to visit you in a couple days, Meggie,” Stretch added, his glance at Cash barely civil. “I know he’ll be so happy to see you. Perhaps,toohappy?”
“Yeah, Meggie girl,” Mort added, catching Stretch’s drift. “He might be a little rambunctious.”
“It’s okay—”
“No, the fuck it ain’t. Mort and Stretch right,” Outlaw said. “Tell Fee to bring the lil’ motherfucker back to your place, Cash.”
“What are you three planning for the evening?” Mort asked, smiling between Cash and Stretch and hoping Meggie picked up on the tension. He hated to add to her burden, but they seemed to be arguing over shit that happened months ago.
