Page 27 of Relentles
“Rule, take your sister and brothers home,” Christopher said. “I’ll be there shortly.” He nodded at Rory. “Go with them.”
“Why, Uncle Chris?” Rory asked with unease.
At the rising fear in the boy’s eyes, Christopher felt a moment of guilt.
“The Lord has instructed my dad to disinfect Uncle Johnnie’s wounds, Rory,” Rule said.
“The Lord didn’t do shit,” Ransom said. “Dad wants your bitch ass old man to suffer so we’re pouring lighter fluid on his shoulder and setting that motherfucker on fire.”
“Oh! Can I do it, Daddy?” Rebel asked, her tears completely forgotten.
“You’re a girl, Rebel,” Diesel barked. “Cruelty shouldn’t enter your thoughts. A kind, decent woman makes a good mother.”
More than one motherfucker was suffering ma and pa issues. Val allowed Ryan to run wild while Diesel categorized women as good or evil. His business, except he couldn’t target Rebel with his trauma.
“It’s the law of the wild,” Diesel continued. “A cold, unfeeling bitch turns into a cold, unfeeling mother.”
“Uh, yeah, Diesel, check your bullshit,” she snapped before Christopher formed a response.
“Both of you shut the fuck up,” he cut in, his phone dinging with another text.
Once again, he thought it was Megan. Once again, it wasTorie.
Catch you at a bad time?
“Don’t blame me for what that cunt did to you,” Rebel snarled. I’m not her and if you can’t remember that, don’t fucking talk to me.”
Yeah. And I coulda been home with my wife.
“I will punch you in your fucking mouth if youevertell me what the fuck I can’t do because I have a pussy, Diesel.”
She won’t mind. You’re looking after her baby daughter. I’m just helping. She will love you even more for that. Trust me.
“No!” Rebel yelled to something Diesel said but Christopher missed because of Torie. “You’re a fucking dickhead.”
Torie had misunderstood his attention as a romantic interest a few fucking days ago.
I’m a mom. I would love the type of help I’m offering you if I were in your wife’s situation.
“If my mother,yourmother since we’re brother and sister, was that cold, unfeeling bitch, you might have a fucking argument. But she isn’t. She’s loved you and protected you and coddled you since she was twenty-two years old, dickhead, so shut the fuck up.”
Christopher’s head was starting to hurt. He missed Megan and willed her to come back to him fully. He wanted to talk to her about Jo, show her the photos,askher if Torie texting him was okay. He was a man without an anchor, without his best friend. Without Megan. She was still dealing with so fucking much. And, if he wanted to be honest, it was going to be harder to relinquish Jo’s care over to Megan since he’d taken care of her for almost 24 days with only the guidance from Torie and the doctors.
“If you have mommie issues,” Rebel blared, “don’t blame me because I’m not your fucking mother, fuckhead.”
Look at this sweet angel.
Those words accompanied another photograph of Jo. Christopher’s heart melted.
“I’m your sister and I can do any fucking thing I fucking please.”
“Rebel,” Diesel started. “Your mouth is filthier than a dockside whore.”
“Efuckinnuff! Rebel, you a fuckin’ kid. Stop talkin’ like you a grown fuckin’ woman.”
She ignored him and Diesel. “Furthermore, I don’t want children. Momma almost died.” She heaved in a breath, her eyes pooling with real emotion. “I’m scared to have kids.”
“Rebel, baby…” Christopher started, not sure where to begin.
