“Detriment,” Harley said.
“Beautiful girls are so fucking spoiled,” Axel grumped, cutting his eyes at her. “Always got to do things their own fucking way.” He turned back to Bailey. “You don’t act like you’re a part of the family no more, which won’t help either.Familyis on the No-Kill List. See how that goes? You think becauseHarleydecided to see Nardo that you can blame CJ.”
“I already know it’s my fault,” Bailey gritted. “Lucas probably blabbed to Meggie that I allowed her to go when he said no.”
“Oh.” Axel shook his head. “I’m wasting my fucking breath.”
“As well as all of my oxygen.”
He made a face at her. “Last thing.”
“Promise?” she sniped. “Since you blackmailed me into listening to you and held us hostage in our home.”
“You’re not learning a fucking thing,” Axel complained. “Call the cops. See how long you and your man lasts. You’re so fucking mean because you’re so fucking guilty. It’s done, Aunt Bailey. You don’t get to cry over the fucking spilled milk ‘cause it can’t get back in the fucking bottle. Live with it. Deal with it. Stop being a miserable cunt and pushing everybody away. Stop trying to get Uncle Mort killed. Harley came to her fucking senses. I even offered CJ one of my bombs to shove up Nardo’s ass, but he said no. He will be taken care of ‘cause of club code. Harley belongs to us. We take care of our own.Youcan belong to us again too. The fucking choice is yours.”
He started to stomp away, then stopped, ran to Bailey and hugged her.
“I hate being mean to beautiful girls but sometimes a man got to deal out tough realties.”
Harley bit down on her lip.
“You was once my…” Axel paused and counted. “In my top ten girl relations. Now you’ve fallen off the stick. You and Mom took me and Kaleb to a museum when I was a kid. Mom had to bring something to Dad, so you took me with you and we danced and did all kinds of fun stuffs. I thought you were so cool.AndCJ was always saying how he hung out in this fucking kitchen while you braided Harley’s hair. You showed him stuffs and he was just so fucking happy to be hanging out with such beautiful girls and having you and Harley all to himself. I’ll bet you don’t even remember none of that.”
“I do,” Bailey croaked.
“Then act like it and lay off my fucking brother before you really fuck up everything. I won’t tell Mom and Dad. Unless you piss me off and make me,” he said, and stomped away.
“Can we go with him, Mom?” Kaleb asked.
For the first time in weeks, Bailey looked at Mortician and he nodded.
“Go ahead, son,” she said weakly. She looked at Harley. “You can go and visit with Mattie and Rebel.”
“Thanks, Mommie,” Harley said.
“Axel was serious,” Bailey murmured once they were alone.
“Quite.” What else could Mort say? She hadn’t listened to him. It was almost hard to believe that kid got through to her. “Do you believe him?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
Mort was too tired to broach another topic. “I’m going to the club to get some rest, Bailey.”
“I’m sorry, Lucas,” she whispered.
“Me too, Bailey,” he said, and walked out.
Sitting in the den on the sofa, Ryan hated how much he missed Harley. Even though he ignored her, he’d gotten so used to her presence. All her things still there made it even worse. Her departure had been as unexpected as her arrival. He couldn’t believe how much he’d changed since she’d moved in. Then, he never would’ve thought he’d mourn the day she left. But he did.
“You okay, Ryan?”
Not lifting his head at Devon’s question, Ryan nodded.
“How’s your face? Does it still hurt?”
“That motherfucker always could punch,” he said, brushing his fingers over the spot where CJ’s fist landed.
Devon pointed to the swelling. “What did Mom and Dad say?”
