“What the fuck you need ice for, boy?” Christopher asked.
He’d been quietly sipping tequila, standing behind the bar, and taking in the scene. Val, Cash, Knox, and Stretch sat on the stools, watching Meggie, Bailey, and Roxy exchange insults. Meggie didn’t blame anyone for not interfering. It was the same tired argument that had been going on for weeks. Just a different day and a different setting.
Meggie stood. “Come on, Axel,” she said. “While I’m cleaning the mess, we’ll talk—”
CJ walked in, carrying Harley with a crowd of children trailing behind.
“Harley!” Bailey cried, rushing to CJ.
Rebel stepped from behind CJ. Meggie noted two things at once—Rebel was livid, and an ugly bruise bloomed on her jaw.
“What did you do?” Bailey demanded, right in CJ’s face and tugging on Harley.
“Nothing, Aunt Bailey,” CJ said calmly, setting Harley on her feet and placing his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
Meggie thought it interesting that no one, except her and Bailey, rushed over to check on Harley.
“Rebel attacked me, Mommie,” she wailed.
Rebel’s face darkened.
Bailey hugged Harley, then faced Meggie. “I hope you’re proud of yourself. You’re raising violent offenders.”
“Says the woman whose husband is the club’s enforcer,” Meggie replied.
“Do we really want to talk about whose husband is better than whose?” Bailey demanded.
“Nope,” Meggie said. “Because there’s no contest. Toyou, your husband is bar none. To me, Christopher is. Case closed, so shut up.”
“Don’t tell me to shut up!”
“I can tell you tofuck off. You’re inmyhouse.”
“And I’m not leaving this house until your daughter apologizes to Harley.”
Meggie laughed without humor. “That’s debatable, but I’ll reserve the right to have someone toss you out until this is settled. As a matter of fact, you both cangoand never return if Harley can’t keep her hands to herself.” She looked at Rebel. “What happened, love?”
Harley rushed to Meggie. “I’m the victim!” she screamed in her face. “She’ll just lie, so fuck her.”
“Harley!” Mortician started.
“It’s fine, Mort.” Meggie folded her arms. “Take a couple steps back, if you please, Harley.”
She waited until Harley complied before continuing.
“Exactly what would my daughter lie about?”
Eyes filling with tears, Harley sniffled and shrugged. “Maybe, she’d fib and say I liked Ryan.”
“Ryan?” Val called. “Ryan Taylor? My son?”
“The child I birthed?” Zoann called, equally confused.
Guilt flitted across Harley’s face. She nodded. “I don’t like him!”
“Nobody said you did,” Mortician gritted. “Exceptyou. Denial on your fucking level point to guilt.”
Harley ran to Mortician and threw her arms around him. “I’m so sorry, Daddy. Please let me come home. I swear I don’t like Ryan and Rebel attackedme for no reason.” She turned to CJ. “Tell them what your sister did.”
