Page 193 of Remorseless
“Little Buddy,” Narci tried again. “Don’t be mad at me. Everyone has accepted my apology. If you’re unhappy, Meggie will be and—”
Rebel stiffened. “I’m never talking to you again, Narci, so please leave me alone.”
Unease slid into Narci’s face and he, Potter, and Torrin shifted.
“Anything I can do—”
“The time for action is long past, you miserable motherfucker,” Rebel snapped. “I almost lost my brother because you’re a fucking dickhead, so fuck you.”
“Reb—”
“Bro, now’s not the time,” Mattie said. “Rebel’s pissed because of them.” She jabbed her thumb in the direction of the door. “Let her cool off.”
“Momma always has to put her feelings aside foryouall,” Rebel said, tunneling through more motherfuckers and disappearing into the kitchen.
“I’ll talk to her,” Mattie volunteered, and hurried behind her.
Before anyone got their bearings, Fia, Tennysee, and Nyx entered, followed by Mom. They waited until she walked ahead and beckoned them forward before they moved.
Once they got to where CJ stood, Mom blew CJ a kiss, glared at Dad, and went to the kitchen.
Fia approached CJ. “If-if it’s too painful for you to see us, we understand.We’ll leave.”
“Yeah, CJ,” Nyx said from behind Fia, so subdued it was as if she’d had a personality transplant. “I would never have told those chicks to hurt you. But M-Meggie is allowing us a chance to come back out of the goodness of her heart. She’s a kind, generous, magnanimous woman—”
“Fuck, I bet that hurt to say,” Uncle Val said, snickering. “Meggie must’ve threatened you bitches to within an inch of your fucking lives.”
Tennysee dragged her puppy dog gaze away from Narci’s back and gave Uncle Val a little nod.
“We’re all so sorry,” Fia said.
“Meggie is allowing Nyx to have her initiation if it’s okay with you,” Fia said.
“Momis?” CJ asked, confused.
She stuck her head out of the kitchen door, proving she’d been listening. “With Christopher’s permission, son. I can’t do anything in the club, since I’m not a member. Final decisions come from your daddy, the officers, and the general membership.” She disappeared again.
“Fuckin’ Megan,” Dad said happily. “That’s my woman.”
CJ’s phone vibrated and he pulled it out of his jacket.
Kaia: I’m going to ask Rebel out for Valentine’s Day. She’s accusing me of lying and threatening to never talk to me again.
CJ: Can it be another night? That’s a special night for my parents.
Kaia: She thinks you set us up. I figured I can tell her I’ve beenwaiting for Valentine’s Day to show her how special she is. She’ll like the romance of it. I also told her it’ll give her a week to plan her outfit because girls take forever to pick out a pair of jeans for dates.
Fuck him. Girls!
“CJ!” Axel screamed. “You’re here!”
His little brother barreled to him, wrapped his arms around his waist and burst into tears.
“I thought you’d never come out of your room,” he cried.
“Awww, big head. I’m fine. I just needed to rest.”
“I even asked Jesus Boy how to pray.” Axel stepped back and wiped his cheeks. “I swore to the Big Dude that me and my men wouldn’t play maintenance man or nothing. We wouldn’t be mean to the Blonde Viper—”
