Page 159 of Relentles
He thrust his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry,” he gritted. “It’s just that Jo is goin’ through so much. And you just had her. I don’t know, Megan. All the babies comin’ slowed down afterAxel, then you end up with Gunner. Now, Jo. With Gunner, you told me about the slip-up and I had time to prepare for when you told me a new baby was in you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Johnnie not shovelin’ his bullshit and peace at the club not the only shit I was used to. I was also happy with you not havin’ babies.”
She tried to give him a watery smile, so sad. “Jo was an accident, Christopher,” she said quietly. “I wasn’t paying attention.” She glanced away. Swallowed. “It was the first time I ever considered aborting one of your babies. I felt so guilty. Ifeelso guilty. She’s here and Idolove her. I don’t want her to die. She was an accident,” she repeated. “But I’ve refused to have my tubes tied and now I’m hemming and hawing about the hysterectomy. Maybe, I am obsessed with being pregnant by you.”
She backed away and opened her mouth. Before she spoke, he knew what she was going to say.
“You’re right, I suppose. Iama selfish cunt.” She met his gaze. “I’m sleeping in my office. I’m tired. Just let me go.”
He did.
Interlude – Respect All Fear None – Big Joe
Holding his daughter in his arms, Joseph Foy twirled, singing the lyrics toPour Some Sugar on Meas the Def Leopard song blasted from a CD. She giggled, her little feet dangling, her arms around his neck, enjoying the song as much as he did. His little girl loved dancing. She was her father’s daughter.
“Another one,” she squealed, when the song ended.
“No, Meggie.”
At the sound of Dinah’s voice, Joe turned, still holding Meggie and met her mother’s unhappy gaze.
“It’s past your bedtime,” Dinah said. “Go to your room.”
Joe glanced at the clock. “It’s only six, babe,” he said gruffly. “You told me yourself that Meggie usually doesn’t get to sleep until ten.”
“I’m not tired, Mama,” Meggie said, her nose scrunching. “I’m hungry.”
“Go run my bath water,” Dinah instructed, “and find aspirin and water for me. Mama has a headache.”
“Okay, Mama.” Meggie turned to Joe and kissed his cheek, tightening her arms around his neck. “I love you, Daddy. Don’t go yet. ‘K? I have to help Mama.”
“I love you, too, angel.” Although he wasn’t pleased, Joe set Meggie on her feet. “Don’t take too long, sweetheart. We can go for a chocolate milkshake afterwards. Let Mom rest.”
Grinning, Meggie nodded, stepped to Dinah and hugged her around her waist. “I love you, Mama.”
“You’re Mama’s perfect nurse, Meggie,” Dinah said, instead of responding to Meggie’s words of love.
Uncertain, Meggie glanced over her shoulder. Joe nodded and his daughter skipped down the hallway toward the staircase, her blonde hair bouncing.
“She just turned six, Dinah,” he snarled, the minute Meggie was out of earshot. “She’s not your fucking nurse!”
Dinah glared at him. “I refuse to allow you to come in and ruin my hard work. I’m a single mother alone. I’m training her to be a responsible child with respect for what I endure.”
He started down the hallway, loving the smell of fresh paint and upgraded hardwood floors. “I’ll help her. She’s a small girl. She shouldn’t—”
Dinah barreled in his path. “Stay here! My name is on the title. Not yours.”
“I paid for it, babe,” Joe said with a grin, trying to butter her up.
“Move one step where I don’t want you to go, and you won’t ever be welcomed back. This house belongs to me!”
That wasn’t quite the truth, but he wouldn’t argue. “Fine, babe,” he sighed.
The situation deflated him. Two weeks ago, he’d rode down to New Orleans with K-P. After spending ten days visiting Bailey, they’d left. K-P loved his daughter, but since Roxanne was married again, he wasn’t as happy in the city. Instead of returning to Hortensia with his brother, Joe headed to Seattle to visit Dinah and Meggie.
“Dinah, babe, I know it’s a lot on you without me here full-time.” He regretted the way their relationship had turned out. She was as different from Kimber as night was from day. Kimber had been a happy, carefree soul. Dinah had a depthless despair that she claimed began with the death of her parents. But he loved and respected her. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Move to Hortensia with me. I’ll buy you a house. Fuck, I’ll have one built—”
Her nostrils flared. “Hortensia is too close to Logan.”
Not liking her tone, he started toward her, but she stepped back and he halted. “Did Logan hurt you?”
