Page 139 of Remiss

“The boys are with him,” Stretch told her, rushing to her side and absorbing her sobs against his shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go home. He’ll be happy to see you.”

“I’m tired, sugar,” Roxanne said once Stretch and a sobbing Ophelia left. “But I want you to come over tomorrow morning for breakfast.”

“Megan might be back,” Christopher croaked.

“She won’t,” Kendall said crisply.

“I’m not taking no for an answer, Outlaw,” Roxanne said. “You need to hear what I have to say.”

“Fuck, fine,” he grouched.

“I’m tired too,” Zoann said. She waved at Celia. “Nice meeting you.”

“Zoann,” Christopher called, rushing over. “Call Megan and tell her how much I miss her. Fuck, never mind. I’m heading to Cali—”

“She isn’t at the house any longer, Christopher. She and Rebel checked into a hotel.”

“Mom actually lost herself, so Dad wouldn’t find her,” CJ said dully.

“Zoann—” Christopher shoved a hand through his hair. “I-I’ll…whatcha want? Anything, and it’s yours if you tell me where she’s at.” He thought about the five million dollars Mortician was going to give to him tomorrow. “I’ll give you five million dollars. Mort repayin’ a loan. I’ll give you everything if you just tell me—”

His little sister’s annoyance dissipated. She closed the distance between them, placed her hand on his cheek, and gave him a gentle smile. “She’s coming home, Christie,” she whispered. “Give her the space she needs, then cherish her for eternity when she gets back.”

He nodded woodenly, barely feeling her kiss to his cheek, and watched her walk away with her husband and her sons.

“Dad?” Axel called.

Unable to speak, Christopher turned.

“You know what you did last week. Prepare for fucking war,” he said and gestured to Ransom and Ryder.

The Terrible Triplets walked out, Axel’s warning ringing in Christopher’s head.

March 18th

After another restless night, Christopher almost canceled on Roxanne. The emotional upheaval of not having his wife near him left him so fucking cold inside. A dead man walking with no emotions, no feelings, and no thoughts other than his regret and fear. Every hour, minute,nanosecond, that passed without her returning home and saying she forgave him and still loved him disillusioned him.

Each moment without her reminded him of how much he loved her.Whyhe loved her. Megan was a chameleon, adapting to whatever iteration of life that was put forth. What the fuck made him think, in his smallest fucking mind, that she wouldn’t morph into the woman this version of him created?

The one who fucked over her by ignoring her plans, stealing her sons, especially CJ, hiding shit from her that he knew she deserved to know, blaming her for everything when he had free fucking will, and excusing behaviors that he ordinarily killed over.

Hearing her voice during her phone calls helped him to survive this nightmare. Another reason he’d almost canceled on Roxy. Megan didn’t intend to call. It was always Axel contacting Diesel, but she ended up talking to one of them anyway. Axel was home now, though. She’d sent him back to be with his brothers.

“Outlaw?”

At Val’s call, Christopher blinked. Somehow, he’d made it halfway to Roxanne’s place and hadn’t even realized it. Cold air washed over him and he tipped his head back, hoping the ray of sunshine beaming through the towering evergreens meant things would turn around. He’d have a chance to make things right.

Megan always searched found signs to stay positive.

Or she had.

Val clapped him on the back. He looked happy, refreshed.Loved. “You think Roxanne’ll make me some of her buttermilk pancakes with her praline sauce?”

“Maybe. Ain’t too sure.”

“Know what I always wondered?”

“Ain’t got a fuckin’ clue.”