Page 119 of Remiss
“Yes,” Aunt Meggie said softly. “You are.”
Uncle Christopher shuddered. “Come home, Megan. Today. Please. If the rest of the girls come home and you don’t–”
“I can’t,” she said, sniffling. “Not yet. I’m not ready.”
“Megan–”
“No, just handle your business. Take care of our boys. Be nice to Jana. Don’t kill our family.”
“And CJ?” he croaked.
“You know what I want, Chris…Outlaw. You knew then and you know now.”
“He scared to eat at the club, baby.” Uncle Christopher lifted a tortured gaze to CJ. “He said something about Digger lettin’ him die–”
“Are you blaming me for that as well?”
“No! No! That’s all on me, Megan. That’s–”
“Jana?”
At Aunt Meggie’s call, Jana straightened and Diesel shifted.
“Ma’am?”
“I need you to leave the room. What I’m about to say is very sensitive and I don’t want you to ever be in a position that endangers yourself or the club or the family, especially my children and my husband. I will take you under my wing. Okay?”
Jana smiled. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’ve never had anyone take me under their wing. Momma and Daddy are a little strict.”
“You’ll be fine,” Aunt Meggie promised, and for the first time in days, Diesel truly relaxed. He wanted Aunt Meggie to say she was returning today and maybe she would.
Maybe she needed this call to help her.
Helping Jana to her feet, Diesel kissed her forehead and directed her to his room, then sat in the chair she’d vacated.
“It’s just us, Aunt Meggie,” Diesel said.
“Do you remember when you told me about the friend that Snake killed and then locked you in the shed with his body, Outlaw?” she said.
Uncle Christopher winced but nodded. “Yeah, baby.”
“Why do you think you were able to do that?”
“Because I knew what a motherfucker that motherfucker was,” Uncle Christopher barked.
“Why, Christopher?”
“Fuck, Megan, probably ‘cuz I’d been readin’ motherfuckers most of my fuckin’ life so I’d fuckin’ survive. Ma didn’t fuckin’ protect me. Big Joe did and that just made me a motherfuckin’ target.”
“So suppose Patricia had protected you?” Aunt Meggie pressed. “Then what?”
“Fuck, baby. I don’t fuckin’ know. I probably would’ve just been more of a fuckin’ target. Or maybe I wouldn’t have. I ain’t sure.”
“No, Christopher isn’t sure. Outlaw knows. Outlaw has unsurpassed instincts. He can assess a situation in seconds. I’ve seen him do it.Outlawknows he didn’t have our son’s upbringing, so our son shouldn’t have had the same introduction to the club. CJ is scared, Christopher. Scared to disappoint you.”
“He misses you, baby. He need you as much as me. As much as Diesel. Jo. Ransom. Ryder.Rule.”
“How many battles did Big Joe fight for you?” Aunt Meggie pressed.
