Page 265 of Restless
“And I fuckin’ suffered just as much,” Christopher said. “Ain’t like you can talk, motherfucker, since you could’ve fucked all of us up and Big Joe couldna done fuck all cuz of Logan.”
Johnnie snapped his mouth shut.
“I want a lockdown,” Christopher said. “I need your support, Johnnie. Yours, too, Cash.”
“No.” Johnnie glanced away. “I’m sorry. I really am. My life is different now, Christopher.Ourlives. We’d prefer to find solutions rather than war. One of these days, we’ll come out the loser.”
“Bruh, if you lost your stomach for it, patch out,” Digger said with sympathy. “Or step down and become a regular member.”
“Fuck no! It is my god given right to be in the position. I should’ve been…Never mind.”
“President, right, Johnnie?” Christopher said quietly. “You should’ve been Prez. Except you ain’t ever had the patience.”
“Or the diplomatic skills,” Val said, looking and sounding more like himself now that Ryan was out of danger.
Meggie swore regret flared in Johnnie’s eyes before it morphed into coldness.
“I had the fucking education. I had the knowledge to not sound like a fucking idiot. Even now, when everyone is behind you, you can’t keep it straight. You’re not a leader. You’re a fucking joke, Christopher. Do us a favor and step down, take your family, and leave us in fucking peace.”
“Speak for your fucking self, Johnnie,” Mortician spat. “Without Prez, the club going down.”
“Don’t you mean without Megan?” Johnnie barked.
“Fuck you, John Boy,” Stretch said. “Mort means Outlaw. I’d say OutlawandMeggie, and I stand with them, although I’m sure Cash doesn’t.”
“Fuck off, Woo Woo Boy,” Cash said in disgust. “You don’t get to speak for me.”
“And you don’t get to fucking talk to me,” Stretch replied. “How dare you go against Outlaw’s wishes for a lockdown. The Scorpions should be dealt with once and for all.”
The words floated around Meggie, but she focused on Christopher. His pain was almost palpable. He hadn’t taken his gaze off Johnnie in the last several minutes.
She took Christopher’s hand in her own, brought it to her lips and kissed it, before squeezing gently. “I’m tired,” she said softly.
“Okay, baby,” Christopher said. “Ima…I’m gonna…I’m going todrive you home.”
She kissed his hand again. “You know what I’ve realized, my love? When you’re relaxed or angry, you say what needs to be said without bothering who you offend or any errors you might make. But when you’re worried about me or vulnerable to morons, you’re uncertain. We love you, Christopher. Your family don’t care what words you choose as long as you’re you.”
“Maybe, Johnnie right, Megan,” Christopher said, instead of addressing her words. “Maybe, it’s time to step down. That might be the best fuckin’ way to protect you.”
Over the years, Johnnie had made questionable choices followed by questionable actions. These decisions fell into three categories. Some were by design, others by accident, and others were because he saw no other option. Usually, varying degrees of repercussions followed. Often, meted out by Christopher or Mortician.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so low in his dealing with Christopher. Johnnie meant to anger Christopher, not hurt him. Take Megan on a vacation to cool off and by the time he returned, Johnnie could have Bash in hand.
Obviously, the motherfucker was running rampant if he’d not only confronted Megan but had a run-in with Ryan and Rule.
Arriving back at the club, he parked his bike in its place and dismounted. Most of the members were already back. The parking lot was overflowing.
In silence, he watched as Christopher held his hand out to Megan. She took it without hesitation and allowed her husband to help her out of her SUV. Mortician, Val, and Stretch crowded around Christopher and Megan, while Cash and Digger headed to Johnnie.
“You were so fucking wrong, Johnnie,” Cash said.
He was. At the moment, he couldn’t quite remember his initial reasons for keeping Bash’s bullshit away from Christopher. Now, he was running scared. For Kendall, Mattie, and Megan because of Bash, and for himself because of Christopher. The only way he could escape with his life was to double down on the pressure he put on Megan and his insistence for peace.
Anytime Christopher thought about killing Ryan, Johnnie wouldn’t stand a chance. If he had to die, he wanted it to be in exchange for his wife and daughter’s lives. If Christopher killed him, that wouldn’t happen.
“What you said to Outlaw was foul,” Cash continued. “Meggie should’ve punched you more than twice.”
Johnnie preferred her punches to Christopher’s.
