Page 59 of Relentles
Dad moved like lightning and caught him by the scruff of his neck.
“Fuck,” Ransom groaned. “His woman is so angry, she left us tohim.”
Smiling without humor, Dad snatched Ransom, too. “Follow me, Axel. CJ, take my pickup. Me and your ma might go shoppin’.”
“Okay, Dad.” First, he had to change. He went in one direction, following the path of his mother and sister for a quicker route to the back staircase, while Dad stormed in the opposite direction, toward his mancave, unconcerned by the wails and pleas of his raggedy sons.
Since his mom and dad intended to go to the hospital, CJ changed his schedule once he washed away the ketchup and shit and put on fresh clothing. The only good things that came out of his brothers’ latest chaos was he realized he’d forgotten Jaleena’s gift in his room and Jo would have visitors this morning, this afternoon, and this evening.
Rebel always chose evenings. If CJ, Mom, or Dad couldn’t bring her, then Potter or one of the other guys would.
The horrific scent ruined the normal lavender and lemon fragrance in the house. His brothers were little assholes, over the top with their mischief. As CJ walked down the staircase, he’d heard their sniffles and Aunt Bunny instructing their cleanup efforts.
Hunching down in his leather jacket, CJ walked briskly toward the club.
Because his life fucking sucked, the first person he saw once he reached club grounds was Diesel’s wife, sashaying out ofthe clubhouse in only a short, sweater dress, despite the frigid temperatures.
Her double ‘d’ tits were the star attraction of a figure with a small waist and a round ass. Huck swerved Dad’s pickup to a stop near the exit. Once he got out, he walked close enough to toss CJ the keys, nod at Tabitha, then continued into the clubhouse.
She met him at the pickup, blocking the door.
CJ hunkered down into his jacket as the wind lifted her brown curls. She wrapped her arms tight around her body.
“What are you up to?”
“Trying not to freeze my fucking ass off. What about you?”
She stepped closer to him. “Can you wrap me in your jacket?”
“I’m cold, too. I’m not giving up my jacket.” For another female family member, he would. Tabitha gave him a bad feeling, so fuck her.
“But I’mfreezing,” she pouted, sliding her hands inside his jacket and yanking him closer.
“What the fuck, Tabitha?” he demanded, shoving her away. He glared at her. “Get your fucking ass inside if you’re fucking cold. You’re Diesel’s wife! You can’t cozy up to other dudes.”
She flicked hair over her shoulder. “I can do anything I please.Hedoes.”
“Well, you can’t do it with me,” CJ said flatly, glaring at her when she leaned against the door. “Move.”
“No.”
Lifting her by her waist, he set her aside and rushed into the driver’s seat, slamming the door before she got over her surprise. Smirking at her, he started the engine and gunned it onto the street, since the Probate on duty was smart enough to already have the gate open.
An hour later, he called Jaleena and asked if it was okay if he arrived at her house a little earlier. When she invited him tobrunch with her family, CJ almost declined. Mr. and Mrs. Davis weren’t his fans and he’d had enough turmoil in the last twenty-four hours to last a fucking lifetime. However, he liked spending time with her, even if he knew part of the reason was to fill the void left by Harley. Dad was with Mom, so CJ called Uncle Mort for help with a bottle of wine after explaining his destination. Mom had taught CJ and his siblings never to arrive at someone’s house without a token of appreciation for the invitation.
Uncle Mort called back within five minutes. “Pick up a bouquet of flowers,” he said with regret. “Motherfucker not answering his phone.”
“You can’t try him again, Uncle Mort?”
“Nothing impressing Mr. and Mrs. Motherfucker, CJ. Not even a goddamn two-hundred-dollar bottle of wine.” Their supplier offered expensive alcohol at, er,clubrates. “Buy JaZuria flowers and call it a fucking day.”
He didn’t have time to plead his case, so he took Uncle Mort’s advice and found a florist. He bought potted bamboo for Mr. Davis. Flowers wouldn’t have been welcomed. For Mrs. Davis, Jaleena, Jillian, and Juliana, he purchased huge bouquets of red and pink roses.
Once he pulled up in front of their residence, he allowed the engine to idle while he smoked a cigarette to calm his anxiety.
He wondered how Jo was doing today. She looked healthy, but so had Mom.
His poor mother. She’d given birth to a trio of Lokis. Those little motherfuckers were out of control. Was it any wonder Rebel always skipped over negotiations and went straight to fucking throwing hands?
