Page 202 of Ruptured
“We got the same mama, dickface,” Ryder said in exasperation.
“Oh. Yeah. Sorry, Mom.”
“I’m sad too, Mom,” Ransom admitted, patting her back.
Meggie nodded and tugged herself out of his arms. She sniffled, then cupped Ransom’s cheek. “I know, my love.” He looked exhausted and as if he’d lost weight. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Ransom laid his head on her shoulder. “It isn’t your fault.”
“It is—”
“I keep seeing all the blood squirting from Nyx’s head. Every time I try to sleep.” Ransom shuddered. “I can’t even eat red meat—”
Meggie pulled back to better look at her son and gripped his shoulders. “What?”
“Dad shot her, Mom.”
“I know,” Meggie said carefully, an inkling of Ransom’s problem dawning on her.
He bowed his head. “She was being so mean. I don’t blame Dad. I just wish…” His chin wobbled.
“Christopher shot Nyx in front of you?” She looked at Ransom’s tortured gaze and pale face, then narrowed her eyes and turned her focus to her husband.
He raised his hands, wariness replacing his accusation and anger. “Now, baby, I can fuckin’ explain. It was just reflex. I was on fuckin’ edge tryin’ to get here to see what the fuck was goin’ on.”
“You’re blaming me for Rule—which I take full responsibility for—and youkilleda woman in front of our son who isn’t eventwelveyet?”
Christopher started toward her, but CJ planted himself in front of her by sitting on the bed.
“It ain’t the same fuckin’ thing, Megan,” Christopher growled. “Ransom watch violent fuckin’ movies! So what if I shot that cunt in front of him?”
Meggie rose to her knees and placed her hands on CJ’s shoulders to balance herself. “It isn’t the same thing. Nyx was a flesh and blood woman, not a movie character.”
“Shut the fuck up! Don’t fuckin’ turn this around on my motherfuckin’ ass because you did every goddamn thingexceptget Rule help.”
“Uncle Chris, why don’t we go to the man cave and have a drink?” Diesel suggested from the doorway. “You and Aunt Meggie can cool off. Calm down.”
“You’re right, son,” Meggie said hoarsely.
Rebel glanced from Meggie to Christopher and back again. “How long did you know about Rule, Momma?”
“Exactly!” Christopher barked.
Even more shamed poured into Meggie. She sobbed again.
“I fuckin’ told you,shut the fuck up,” Christopher snapped. “You givin’ me a goddamn headache.”
“Then, maybe, you should do as Diesel suggested,” Rebel said tiredly. “Because, frankly, you’re givingmea headache, Daddy.”
“You were just on my fuckin’ side, Rebel. You can’t fuckin’ flip back and forth.”
“I was never on your side, Daddy.” Rebel pointed to Meggie. “Shewas sick. Recovering. What do you always tell us? Do as much as possible so Momma doesn’t worry. Well, genius, you should’ve taken your own fucking advice.Youknew about Rule too, so fuck you and the Harley you rode in on.”
Discomfort hung in the air as they all looked from one to the other. But something in Christopher’s eyes extended beyond blame and pain, something he hadn’t yet told Meggie and had set him off flickered in his green eyes.
“Something’s wrong,” Meggie said, almost afraid to ask. “What happened, Christopher?”
He threw her a dark look. Though he didn’t answer, he didn’t rush to reassure her either.
