Page 251 of Restless
“I’m going to call her, Prez.”
“She had a doctor’s appointment today, Mort. Suppose…suppose…? What if she ain’t okay?”
“Then you would know.” Mort winced at the lie. For now, it was the best he could do. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll hit you back.”
Mort disconnected and studied CJ for a few minutes.
“I think I fucked up, Uncle Mort,” he said into the silence, leaning forward and returning to the position Mort found him in. “Dad would want me to take Mom’s SUV, but he tracks her, so I followed the ambulance in his pickup. I took her wallet with her ID and insurance cards and stuck her phone and purse under the driver’s seat.” He glanced over his shoulder. Was I wrong?”
Mort smiled gently. “No, little dude. You was dead on.”
The door opened and Johnnie walked in. Unlike earlier, CJ didn’t lunge. He deflated, seeming too weary for one so young.
“Megan is asking for you, CJ,” he announced. “The doctor is recommending she remain overnight, but she’s demanding to be discharged.”
CJ stood. “I’ll talk to her. If she wants to leave and the doctor wants her to stay, it’ll just upset her more.”
“I need to call Bailey, CJ.”
Mort’s life was forever changed because Harley’s was. At one time, he would’ve known what to say to her. Now, he felt like an outsider. Although Bailey seemed to have a change of heart, shehadworked her ass off. Besides, he didn’t want her to throw in his face what she gave up “for him” down the road. He didn’t trust that she wouldn’t turn against him again. Especially once he told her about Harley, though it wouldn’t be tonight.
“Yeah, whatever,” CJ said to Johnnie.
“Without Christopher here, it’s the only way, CJ,” Johnnie said. “He has the final say in these situations.”
“I think Meggie checked herself out a few days ago, Johnnie,” Mort pointed out. “If you saying Prez wants to make that call, even over Meggie, then his instructions wasn’t followed.”
“Maybe, because she was going to be released soon anyway?” Johnnie suggested.
“Fuck, if that’s the truth, and Mom finds out, she’s going to be madder than a motherfucker,” CJ grumbled.
“Meggie girl used to Prez taking extreme measures to try and keep her safe,” Mort protested.
“Fine, Uncle Johnnie. I’ll let you know if the doctors deny her request so you can help her out.”
Johnnie nodded and held out his hand. “Friends again, nephew?”
CJ visibly gritted his teeth, but accepted the peace offering and shook Johnnie’s hand. “Friends, uncle. Stay away from my mom and that will continue.” He snatched his hand away and stalked out, leaving the door wide open.
Mort snickered, then headed toward the hallway.
Johnnie’s voice stopped him. “Why doesn’t his privileged behavior annoy you, Mortician?”
“Let me flip that, John Boy. Why the fuck itdoesannoy you? When I first met you, your ass was privileged. Entitled. The golden child. Whatever the fuck you want to call it.”
“I set that aside and chose loyalty to Christopher—”
“Maybe. What you forgot to leave at the fucking door was your condescension. A part of you always put yourself above us lowly motherfuckers. What you didn’t have then and don’t now is a natural born ability to lead. CJ and Prez got it, and your bitch ass hate them for it.” Mort walked out, turning his attention to his wife.
Fuck Johnnie.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Despite the ER doctor suggesting she remain for overnight observation, Meggie insisted on going home. Christopher had left early this morning, and she’d only talked to him once when she telephoned him. She’d thought maybe he was seeing to business. However, none of his officers or, as far as she knew, any of his club members accompanied him.
Whatever it was, his silence indicated he wasn’t in Hortensia. She refused to have him get into an accident after trying to get to her from miles away.
Once she received her discharge papers, she directed Mort to guide CJ to the back entrance. Whoever was on gate duty might note her arrival in Christopher’s pickup, instead of her SUV.
