Page 161 of Relentles
Joe had been so guilty over Pattie, he’d added an extra carat to Dinah’s diamond and aquamarine ring. He’d been so heartbroken over her rejection, he’d given it to the girl Sharper sent to him while he was in Los Angeles. He shrugged.
“Asshole! You gave this one away, too?”
“I sure the fuck wasn’t keeping it,” he snapped.
She bared her teeth at him. “It’s your money. Waste it all you please.” Smirking, she glanced at the house he’d paid for in cash. It was in Dinah’s name, but it was meant for Meggie. “I need a little extra income,” she said sarcastically. “I might put this up for sale. Our apartment was just fine.”
“If that makes you happy,” Joe said. He’d just buy his baby girl a house when she turned eighteen. “I’d do anything to make you happy, Dinah,” he said quietly, meaning every word.
“Stop fucking your whores,” she spat, her eyes flashing with burning distaste.
“Babe, when we’re together, I keep my cock to myself. I swear.”
“And when we’re not?”
He drew in a heavy breath. “I use condoms. When we make up, I get tested before I touch you. But I’m lonely, babe. I miss you so fucking much. I miss Meggie.”
“Liar! We couldn’t live in Hortensia because of Loganandyour son.”
“Then let’s see what’s in Camas, Dinah. Please, I’m begging you to consider—”
“No, fuck you! I’m sorry I ever met you. I’m sorry I had Meggie!”
Anger surged into Joe, but he held himself in place, so he wouldn’t shake her for her blasphemy. “Don’t ever talk about my baby girl that way. She’s the best fucking thing that ever happened to me and you, Dinah.”
“She isn’t! If she were a boy, you would love me because I bore your son. But poor, weak, pathetic me. I could only give you girls!”
“A girl, babe. A beautiful, sweet child that you should be so proud of. I am—”
“No, you aren’t!”
“Why don’t I take her with me for a bit?”
He’d find a place in Camas for them and hire Hopper to look after her. Maybe, he’d even tap Christopher. The boy loved his mother, Zoann, and Ophelia. Although he could take or leave Bev, Nia, and Avery, he’d protect them. Undoubtedly, Christopher would watch over Meggie if Joe or Hopper couldn’t.
Once Dinah declined his last proposal, he’d already installed another president in the new Seattle chapter. He was happy it worked out, though it didn’t solve his dilemma over Dinah and Meggie. “I’ll keep her safe so you can get a second wind, babe.”
“You’renottaking my baby and you’re especially not allowing her near those whores and yourChristopher.”
The way she spat the name saddened Joe.
Dinah frustrated him to no fucking end. She strained his patience and tested his loyalty. So many times he thought of walking away and just giving up on her,them. Then, he’d remember their good times together. Her rare smiles. What a good mother she was to their daughter when she wasn’t stressed out and overwhelmed.
Sometimes, her mood swings concerned him and he worried for Meggie’s safety. Yet, whenever he called his baby girl, she sounded happy and well-adjusted.
He slid his fingers through his hair. “Babe, I know I could talk longer to you when I call Meggie, but she’s a little kid.”
“You find at least five minutes forherevery damn day.”
“Yeah, babe. Exactly. How can you say I would’ve preferred a son?”
“Not forher, asshole. For me.”
Heaving in a breath, he gave her a wary look. He knew exactly the turn the conversation was about to take.
“I’m not your precious Kimber.”
Over the years, he’d watched how Sharper and Cee Cee treated women. As if they were nothing. When he met Logan, the motherfucker took that idea to a new level. To those three, the female persuasion was disposable.
