Page 178 of Relentles
His brothers pushed for the Outlaw Trauma Center. Christopher vetoed the idea. Any motherfucker going to the Outlaw Trauma Center would be traumatized from jump, so he’d decided upon the Caldwell Trauma Center.
Instead, his fiftieth birthday was passing with only those closest to him and his wife. Donationsweremade and the renaming ceremony occurred, but without much fanfare. After his birthday celebrations, preparations for the annual Mardi Gras Ball would kick into high gear. Normally, he hated the fucking idea of those monkey suits. This year, he was looking forward to a light-hearted familiar routine. Maybe, it would herald a reset and their lives would return to normalcy. Since she had no intentions of sitting this year out, Christopher preferred a low-key birthday.
He thought about allowing CJ and some of the older kids to attend, but his boy had been affected by Harley and Molly.
Hospital surveillance showed Tom Harris carrying her to an unmarked van and speeding away. The license plate was fake. Stretch tracked it through various streets in Hortensia equipped with cameras, but then lost sight of the van on the expressway. Christopher had Derby, Boy, and Dez’s clubs on the lookout, but five days in yielded nothing.
Sighing, Christopher tasted his beer.
In the den, where the party was being held, Megan and the other women talked amongst themselves on the sectional and chairs, while he and his boys lounged around the built-in bar. Their many little motherfuckers were downstairs in the basement.
He’d barely slept a fucking wink, reliving every moment of his argument with Megan. Remembering her reciting Johnnie’s harshness. Her pain and accusation.
Her confession that Jo was a mistake. That Megan had considered an abortion. When he’d come down for breakfast, he hadn’t known what to expect. He knew it wouldn’t be the usual celebratory birthday greeting.
Bunny had been there, helping Megan serve breakfast. All their kids were there as well as Digger, frowning like a motherfucker. The cigarette burn would probably leave a small scar. Christopher didn’t care. He’d add another one to the other temple if Digger didn’t back the fuck down.
Mealtimes were always loud affairs with or without Bunny and Digger’s kids. Sometimes, the noise annoyed the fuck out of Christopher. It couldn’t compare to the heavy silence.
When breakfast was done, Megan asked to see Jo.
“If you have time,” she’d said quietly.
“C-can we give Dad our gifts, Mom?” CJ had asked her.
“That’s between you and your father,” she’d replied, and walked out.
Now, Johnnie stood next to Christopher behind the bar, pouring whisky for himself and Knox. Christopher imagined adding hemlock to Johnnie’s glass and watching him suffocate.
Kendall would probably scream, beg, and plead, but Christopher didn’t care. She’d either survive, leave, or die. Third option was most likely. She’d blame him for fucking with Megan and, in turn, blame Megan for that motherfucker’s death.
Christopher would have to kill her and nip that in the bud.
“Wait until my fiftieth in July,” Johnnie said and sipped his drink, unconcerned at the fucking mistrust he’d unleashed in Megan.
It would be a fucking miracle if he walked out of this party alive.
As of five days ago, he’d removed the sling, although he winced every time he moved his arm. “I told Kendall all thatMegan should’ve done but neglected. I hear Kendall has big plans in motion.”
Christopher swigged from his tequila bottle and glared at Johnnie. “Ifyou fuckin’ survive to fuckin’ fifty, motherfucker.”
“Johnnie, bruh, don’t start no bullshit,” Digger ordered. “This Outlaw birthday.”
Johnnie poured more whisky for himself and guzzled half the contents.
Val leaned over and swiped the expensive bottle, studying it.
“Try it,” Mort said, his face as sad and mopey as the rest of them.
Shaking his head, Val sat the bottle back on the bar, in front of Johnnie. “I don’t like whisky.”
“Me neither, bruh,” Digger said. “Give me fermented potatoes any day.”
Forcing a smile, Val nodded.
Sloane glanced over his shoulder.
“My sister isn’t talking to you either?” Cash said morosely.
