Page 135 of Relentles
That’s what he thought. His heart began beating in a slow, painful rhythm. “Nothin’ at all?” he asked, feeling lightheaded. “You care about nothin’?”
She lay sobbing in misery for a few seconds. Believing Megan didn’t care about him was worse than anything Christopher had ever imagined. Worse than losing his mother, Big Joe, or Patrick. Worse than the hell of the last few weeks.
“You,” she said finally, quietly. “I care about you. Our children. I don’t care about Johnnie. I care about his children and Kendall. They need him. I’d prefer never to see him again in my life. The death of Big Joe almost tore this club apart. Whether by design or by accident, Johnnie has managed to divide the club. It’s why you can’t get the votes you need. Even ifhis death wouldn’t destroy Kendall and their kids, it would ruin the club.”
He nuzzled her neck, burying his nose in the silk of her hair and closing his eyes. Slowly, she started to relax in his arms and his heart settled back in his chest.
“Give Torie half, Christopher. Youallowedher to chastisemydaughter. You must be out of your mind. You’re her father.Youchastise her or call Roxy or one of her aunts. Don’t youeveragain as long as I’m breathing put another woman who isn’t a family member over Rebel. Keep her card for a week. I’m not happy with her either, but she’s just like you. Hotheaded. If I’m not around to talk you down, things go bad quickly. If anyone responds with anger to you, someone will die. It’s the same with Rebel. Challenging her exacerbates her bad behavior.”
“She’s still a kid.”
She stiffened.
Christopher tightened his hold on her, afraid she’d pull away.
“She was protecting me, whichyoudidn’t do for me or her.”
Fuck.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I am but allowin’ her to go unchecked not the answer.”
“I agree,” she relented, rolling onto her back again. “Unfortunately, we’ve completely lost control of the situation in these last few weeks. Of the kids. I don’t believe I will ever get the pig poo smell out of the back hallway. The responsibility we’ve put on CJ’s shoulders is horrendous.”
She looked so fucking sad. He’d give anything to undo the past few days. His first mistake was confiding in Johnnie. It didn’t mean other people had to pay for his dumb motherfuckery.
“While you’re busy worrying aboutTorie’sson,ourchild is drowning in grown people’s problems. Rebel’s a child? So is CJ. His eighteenth birthday is eighteen months away.”
“Our kids got food, a roof over their heads, clothes, every fuckin’ thing they can dream of.Herkid got nothin’. And I’m not tryin’ to make CJ grow up. We both agreed he should have a childhood, then you got sick.”
And, suddenly, he turned into a man?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“Megan—”
“As for Torie’s son, two hundred fifty thousand dollars is enough for him to have a decent life.”
He was almost afraid to disagree, but she saw it on his face.
“You’re not giving her a half million dollars. You’re lucky I’m agreeing to allow her anything.”
She was right. He was lucky she was still fucking talking to him. “I can’t think straight when you sick,” he told her softly. “I always told you that I’m a good father because that’s what you expect.”
“I expect it whether I’m sick or healthy.”
He flinched. “I’m sorry,” he said again.
She turned her head.
“Megan, baby, I swear I’m not askin’ you to let Torie keep all the money cuz I’m interested in her—”
Of course, he did piss her off. He wanted her to tell him she trusted him and knew he’d never cheat, no matter how it looked.
“Get the check from her and give it to me,” she ordered, instead of backing down. “I’ll write the check to her if it means that much to you.”
“She’s already in LA.”
