“Your ma in another room, Reb. Rule…Rule…” His jaw clenched. He wanted to throw up. “Rule and her got into a fight.”
His girl stared at him, then her watery eyes widened. “She saved me?”
Christopher nodded. It was the only thing he could do, after seeing the footage from Axel, Ransom, and Ryder’s phones.
“Your ma a fighter. She doin’ fine. You her baby girl. She’d go to war for you.”
Rebel sniffled, and his heart shattered into little pieces. The boys didn’t want to leave, so they were in other rooms in the private wing. Christopher knew some of the hospital suits didn’t appreciate their special privileges but fuck them. Not only did the clubpump a lot of money into Hortensia General, but him and Megan personally. The Triplets were in one room with Diesel. Bunny and Digger promised to look out for them.
CJ was in his ma’s room, sitting in a chair, near her bed. Ophelia took Gunner.
“Where’s Rule?”
Rebel’s soft voice broke into Christopher’s musings.
“Still fuckin’ alive for now.”
Lips trembling, she tipped her head back. “Don’t hurt him, Daddy. Just…justhelphim.”
Rule was his girl’s weakness. Even after his betrayal, she still wanted mercy for him.
“Reb, outta all the fuckery comin’ at us from every fuckin’ way, I ain’t standin’ for it comin’ from my own fuckin’ house. My own fuckin’ sons. I ain’t havin’ you and your ma and your lil’ sister scared to fuckin’ walk in your own fuckin’ house for no fuckin’ reason.”
“But it’s all my fault,” Rebel cried. “I turned Rule like he is. I was so mean to him when Momma was pregnant and I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. If he knows we love him, he’ll come back to us—”
Sitting heavily in his seat, Christopher rested his elbows on his knees. “Even if I let him live, he ain’t ever livin’ under my roof again.”
Rebel covered her face with her hands. The IV line running from the back of one hand reminded Christopher of how close he’d come to losing her.
“How about a lil’ music?”
Talking only upset her. She needed peace. Rebel and CJ enjoyed music as much as their ma. As much as Big Joe always did.
“Music is okay, I guess,” she said hoarsely, lowering her hands to her sides.
“Tomorrow, I’m gonna have you movedto your ma’s room.”
“We can be together,” she said with a faint, but oh-so-sad smile. “You can be with us. Do you think Jo is healthy enough to be with us?”
“Your sister fine. She a small baby and still need rest. Let’s just get you and your ma put back together.”
Christopher pulled his chair closer and sat in it, then pulled up a song on his phone. AsButterfly Kissesbegan to play, he held his baby girl’s hand, grateful she was still alive.
Interlude – Sweet Emotion
The baby’s dark hair enthralled Rack. He wasn’t a sappy motherfucker. But this tiny boy captured his heart immediately. A grandson.
His little face scrunched up and Rack smiled, then gingerly settled Willard in his mother’s arms.
Eliza’s tender look pleased Rack. She wasn’t the most intelligent bitch, but she satisfied his son and that was all that mattered.
“We’re being discharged tomorrow,” she said.
Rack frowned. “He was just born yesterday.”
“We’re both healthy, Mr. Rack. We’re only here this long because of my C-section. They would’ve released us today until Wally, Jr. stepped in.”
“If you don’t feel well enough to go home tomorrow, let me know.” He adored his boy, but Wally, Jr. was missing a few brain cells. The fault of the bitch who pushed him out of her cunt, since Rack excelled at whatever he put his mind to. “I’ll see that you stay.”
