“You’re a fucking liar,” Chester rallied. “My son would never.” Her voice didn’t hold much conviction. Somewhere, deep down, she knew Ryan was a motherfucker. “He couldn’t—”
Bailey smirked. “He did.”
“That isn’t true!” Harley cried, side-eying her mama, then hugging Zoann again. “Ryan opened the bathroom door because I forgot to lock it. He saw me all bruised up.Iasked him to take the pictures in case Nardo killed me.”
Those words hit Mortician like bullets and sank into the fabric of his being. Even Bailey paled and tears rushed to her eyes. Harley continued to hug Zoann.
“Ryan’s only crime is showing them to CJ without my permission, Aunt Zoann. I swear, he was trying to help me.”
Mortician tried to discern the truth, but Harley was so focused on Zoann, he couldn’t meet her gaze. Couldn’t see if she’d look away.
“Are you sure, baby?” Zoann whispered, needing to hold onto hope that her son wasn’t a total motherfucker.
Mort knew about hope. He held onto it for his wife and he held onto it for his brother.
Harley nodded. “I promise.”
Zoann stepped back and held Harley’s shoulders. “I don’t like liars, Harley.”
Neither did Mort. However, in this instance, if Harley was trying to protect Zoann, he’d applaud her. Bailey had lost her fucking mind weeks ago and still hadn’t found that motherfucker.
“Look me in the eye and tell me Ryan didn’t abuse you.”
Ifhewas a motherfucker, he would’ve leaned over to get a full view of Harley and see if she succeeded.
“You thinkRyanhit me?” Harley gasped. “No. Never! Ryan didn’t abuse me. He helped me.”
“I love my sons, but he’s in Christopher’s crosshairs. Yet he…it doesn’t…Eliza Bart…Fuck, I’m victim blaming my own son. I’m sorry. That’s so unfair of me.” She hugged Harley again. “I believe you. He’d never hurt a girl.” She laughed nervously. “Now, I have to apologize to him and admit…he’s going to think I’ve lost my fucking mind.”
“He loves you,” Harley told her.
Those words took away some of Zoann’s bleakness. She smiled and kissed Harley’s cheek. “I’ve overstayed my welcome. I’m going to miss you so much, baby.”
“I won’t be able to hang out with you, Aunt Zoann?”
Harley sounded truly disappointed while Bailey looked like she would go into fits.
“Of course! Anytime.”
“Can I text you later, Auntie?”
Zoann grinned. “Borrowing CJ’s name for me?”
“Yeah.” Harley’s giggle warmed Mort’s heart. “Just don’t tell him.”
Winking at her, Zoann made the motion of zipping her lips. “Never!” She turned to Mortician and hugged him. “Thank you for allowing the intrusion.”
“We family. You never intrude.”
“You’re so full of shit,” she said with a laugh. “I was the last person you wanted to see when I walked out of the house.”
“It was that obvious, huh?”
“It was. But no apology is necessary. You made time for me and welcomed me into your home.”
She kissed his cheek and left without a glance in Bailey’s direction.
“You’re a fucking asshole,” she snapped, the minute Zoann closed the door and turned to Harley. “Please bring me your cell phone, hunny bunny.”
