Page 206 of Ruptured
“Fuck, I got to talk to Megan.”
“Not if you want to live,” Axel said with resentment. “The Blonde Viper laid down the fucking law. Cross her and you die.”
“I thought men stuck together, Ax,” Diesel said, fighting a grin. He took a sip of his beer. “Uncle Christopher misses Rule and it overwhelmed him coming home to the reality. Don’t you miss our brother, too?”
“I have to prefer with the jury,” Axel grouched, nodding to Ransom and Ryder. They followed him to the other side of the room.
“I think you meanconfer,” Christopher said.
CJ sidled a glare at him.
“You agree with Reb, huh, boy?”
“Did she fucking lie, Dad? You’re taking your guilt out on Mom.”
Christopher rubbed the back of his neck. He’d been so relieved he deemed it safe enough for Rebel and Megan to come home. Then…then…he talked to Wilcunt and all the what-ifs returned.
What if Rule had overpowered Megan? Both she and Rebel would’ve died.
What if Mort hadn’t knocked Christopher’s hand away? Rule would’ve been dead.
What if Christopher hadn’t listened to Megan and sought help for Rule whether or not she liked it? Perhaps, none of this would’ve happened.
“She focused on the wrong fuckin’ thing. Me and her,” Christopher amended at CJ’s scowl.
“It’s done,” CJ said flatly. “Wrong or right. And, do you really think Mom wanting to take care of Rebel was wrong? We’re responsible for that, too. Me, you, and Diesel. We blocked Rebel from befriending any boys her entire life. It’s natural for her to want to go on a fucking date. Rebel’s vulnerable to any lines a motherfucker hands her.”
When Rebel threw Christopher and her brothers out of Rule’s room, they found Kaia loitering in the hallway. Before Christopher sent him the fuck away, Diesel did the honors.
“Mom doesn’t want a disaster to happen.” CJ glowered at Diesel, leaving no doubt to his meaning. “The repercussions would’ve fucking scarred Rebel for life.”
Diesel flushed, heaved in a breath, and drank more beer.
“Fuck, I guess me torturin’ the fuck outta Diesel and castratin’ himwouldatraumatized her if she found out.”
“You owe Mom an apology, Dad,” CJ insisted, rigid with anger, while Diesel nodded in agreement.
Christopher glanced at the Triplets, huddled together on the other side of the room before nodding to CJ and pointing to a seat at his table. “Father Wilkins called me when I was in the parkin’ lot to pick up Megan and Rebel,” he started once CJ complied.
Diesel narrowed his eyes and CJ cocked his head to the side.
“What?” Christopher asked, surprised at their reaction.
“You didn’t say Wilcunt, Dad.”
Diesel nodded. “I don’t know the last time you called him anything else.”
Christopher forced a chuckle, his heart battered and bruised. “Rule…he called because Rule…Rule jumped out the window.”
“What?” CJ cried.
“What’s the matter?” Axel called suspiciously.
“Nothing, Ax,” Diesel responded, not taking his eyes off Christopher.
“He broke his leg. He wasn’t even supposed to be on the second floor,” Christopher explained.
“Has he been moved, Uncle Christopher?” Diesel asked, ice cold fury in his eyes.
