Page 207 of Ruptured
Christopher nodded and shared a look with Diesel.
“To where, Dad?” CJ demanded, missing Christopher’s exchange with Diesel, which gave him the go-ahead to fuck up any and everyone involved. “Can we see him?”
“Father Wilkins there, CJ. We can’t leave right now. We got to see to your Ma and your sister. I gotta stay home and watch her. Shit goin’ onhereat the club. Rule not my top priority right now.”
Even without CJ’s growl and the widening of Diesel’s eyes, the words caught up to Christopher’s brain and he winced.
“Fuck, that came out wrong.” He scratched his neck. “Rule in good hands, so—”
“You’re wrong, Dad,” CJ said, hurt and disappointment ringing in the words. “You’re so fucking wrong.”
Axel, Ryder, and Ransom’s return saved Christopher’s ass. It didn’t matter that he had yet to tell Diesel and CJ that the rectory also burned to the ground.
“Dad,” Axel started. “We’ve decided your punishment.”
“How the fuck you skip right to sentencin’ when I ain’t had a fuckin’ trial?”
“In Medieval times, you didn’t get a real trial,” Axel pointed out, looking to Diesel for confirmation.
The motherfucker shrugged.
“It might’ve been biblical times,” Ransom said.
“Or we could just brand him a traitor and call it a day,” Ryder said.
Christopher scowled. “I ain’t meant to upset your ma.”
Axel folded his arms and gave Christopher a severe look. “You terrorized her. Made her scream and cry. In other words, you acted like a jackass.”
“My ass fuckin’ stressed.”
“Like Mom isn’t,” CJ snorted.
“We don’t have to revisit this,” Axel said.
“Yeah. Rebel said it all,” CJ said.
“I know all you lil’ motherfuckers mad at my fuckin’ ass. I’m gonna apologize to your ma, but I ain’t sittin’ here lettin’ you fuckin’ disrespect me,” Christopher growled. “I was fuckin’ wrong, but I’m still your old man.”
“You’re like a frog, Dad,” Axel said. “You can’t take the boiling heat, so you want to hop out the pot thatyousat on the fucking stove.”
“Ransom, I’m gonna try my fuckin’ best to start thinkin’ clearer if a situation not life-or-death,” Christopher said, attempting to steer the conversation from the sorry scene they’d witnessed. “I shoulda told you to go outside. It ain’t something you shoulda ever saw.”
“Not yet, Dad,” Ransom said. “I’d have to see it one day if I join the club. It was just a shock. After seeing Rule…” He clenched his jaw. “I wish he hadn’t done that.”
“Me, too, boy,” Christopher said. “But he need us right now. Hear me? We can’t turn our backs on him. We family, and we take care of our own.”
Axel’s frown made it clear he didn’t particularly like Christopher at the moment. “LetMomtake care of us, Dad. You’re messing everything up.”
Christopher stiffened. “How the fuck you lookin’ me in my goddamn face and tellin’ me you ain’t wantin’ me around.”
“Ax doesn’t mean that, Dad,” Ryder said in exasperation. “We love you. We love being around you. You’re a cool, dude. However, Mom probably would’ve noticed Rule’s behavior better if you still spent your days doing club stuff. Since she got sick, you stick to her like glue.”
“Facts are facts. Face it, man,” Ransom added, patting Christopher’s head. “We all know how much time you demand from Mom.”
“Yeah,” Axel agreed. “That’s cool when you’re gone all fucking day, come home, have dinner, andthenwant to spend time with her. But you can’t be here all day. You get boreder than me. You’re not equipped to run the house. You need constant activity and Mom has to come up with ideas to keep you doing stuff.”
“I ain’t no fuckin’ child. Your ma don’t have to entertain my ass.”
