Page 106 of Remiss

“And I’m his guardian.Yourhusband signed his care over to me.”

“It was a mistake. I didn’t agree to it. I was just informed of what would happen. He didn’t want my input—”

“When has that ever stopped you?”

“Christopher’s been under a lot of stress and I was in the hospital and—”

“And nothing. It’s alwayssomethingwith you. But it doesn’t matter. Rule is my chance at atonement—”

“What are you talking about?” Meggie demanded. “You’re accusing me of ignoring Rule’s declining mental health—”

“No accusation needed. Whereishe? He certainly isn’t a bastion of sanity. Because ofyou.”

“That isn’t true! Christopher had some responsibility.”

“As Rule’s mother, you had more. You allowed this boy, thischild, free reign at the club.”

“I did not! When I was sick, Christopher began taking him to the club. He sometimes lost track of time when the parties started and I always had to make sure we left before things got too out of hand.”

As she listened to the priest, she realized she didn’t need anymore children. She didn’t deserve the ones she had. Even before she knew the extent of her mother and Patricia’s vileness, she’d intended to end the cycle of trauma, abuse, and neglect with love and patience. Her mother had been so strict and rigid, she’d chosen the opposite parenting style. Now, the Triplets ran amok, Rebel fought at the drop of a hat, and Rule was institutionalized. CJ was the one she’d devoted most of her time to in his formative years. He was the most well-adjusted and mannerly of all her kids. Maybe too much so, considering how he was floundering.

She had a plan for a smoother transition for all her sons, especially since it worked for Diesel.

Well, up to a point.

But what did she know? She’d failed her children from the beginning, so her great plans for CJ’s ‘smooth transition’ probably would’ve fallen apart as well.

“If Outlaw thoughtyouwere fit to handle Rule’s care, I wouldn’t be in charge, would I?”

Christopher must’ve talked to the priest about how he felt. They’d always had a very contentious relationship, but lately up was down and right was left. Nothing made sense anymore.

“I’ll pay you.”

“Ha. I have my own debt to settle, and Rule is giving me that opportunity.”

“Please,” she said again. “I don’t know what you did to get on Christopher’s bad side, but using my son to repay that isn’t the way to do it.Youdon’t have Rule’s best interest in mind if that’s the case.”

“Don’t think you know what goes on inside me.Greatminds think alike, madam. Exactly when have you ascended tomylevel?”

“Let me come and talk to you and his doctor.”

“No.”

“Rebel has a letter she’d like to give to you so you can pass to Rule whenever he’s better.”

“If we wanted you to have a say-so, you would have. We don’t. Youcannotsee him. Goodnight, madam,” he said, and hung up.

Gripping the phone, Meggie burst into tears and nausea swirled in her. Not having the energy to clean vomit, she rushed to the bathroom and threw up everything she’d eaten.

Once her stomach was empty and she rinsed out her mouth, she staggered back to bed. The priest’s firm stance was another reminder about why she was in LA and Christopher was in Hortensia. Every time he looked at her, he found something new to blame her for.

And that hurt the most.

Maybe she needed to take Mortician’s advice. Return to being Christopher’s Sweet Angel.

Or, maybe, she needed to conk Christopher in the head and knock some sense into him.

But this was her fault, too. He’d never made it a secret that she was his main priority. As long as she was fine, Christopher could think clearly. While she’d been recovering from Jo’s birth, Christopher had focused on her and had floundered, neglecting his health and their children.