Page 107 of Remorseless

Bailey sighed and shifted in her seat. She needed to get a clue.

Meggie’s friendship with her began fracturing months ago. Bailey pulled away first, then targeted CJ because of Harley’s lies.

No one, butno onehurt Meggie’s potato. She might not know her exact place in his life right now, but she adored her son. In her head, they’d grown up together. She’d given birth to him three months before her nineteenth birthday, so he’d always hold a special place in her heart.

He wasn’t her favorite per se. He was just…special.

“Where’s Diesel, Aunt Meggie?” Tabitha asked, finishing her second drink and digging the ice out of her glass. She popped it into her mouth and crunched on it. “He said he had an errand to run, but he missed dinner and still hasn’t returned.”

“You’re his wife, Tabitha,” Meggie said irritably. “If he doesn’t give you his itinerary, he sure doesn’t give it to me.”

“He won’t answer my texts.”

“Then that means he doesn’t want to talk to you,” Zoann said.

Mortician held out his glass of rum sour to Bailey. “Try some.”

She shook her head. “No, thank you.” She lowered her lashes. “I-I want us to talk later.”

Roxy snorted, then crossed her legs, and sipped her drink.

“I found a new recipe for banana nut muffins, Bailey,” Bunny said. “Maybe, I can come over Saturday afternoon so we can bake a batch together.”

“I’ll check my schedule, although I think I have a previous engagement,” Bailey responded. “Thanks for the offer.”

Roxy scowled. “Why the fuck you brought your sadity ass over here if you sitting in that fucking chair like Cleopatra?”

“Everyone’s judging me!” Bailey flared. “What do you want me to say, Momma?”

“Sorry, you dumb bitch. Apologize to your husband. Apologize to Meggie and Outlaw. Apologize to CJ.”

“CJ’s a child,” Bailey spat.

Anger surged into Meggie. “He wasn’t that much of a child if you wanted to pin Harley’s pregnancy on him.”

“Harley’swhat?” Digger cried, his eyes bulging.

Bailey got to her feet. “Thanks a lot, Meggie. You did that on purpose.”

“Sit down or get out.” Meggie didn’t bother standing up. “I’m not suffering a fool, especially in my house.”

Bailey’s mouth dropped open.

Meggie pointed to the open door. “Say one more thing about me or my child, other than I’m sorry, and you can get to stepping. You’re out of your mind if you think I’ll allow you or anyone else to hurt my son. It’ll be over your dead body.”

“I was protecting my daughter!”

“So you’ve said.” Meggie yawned, pretending boredom. “AndI’vesaid not at CJ’s expense.”

“Come on, Bailey.” Mort drained his glass and sat it next to the pitcher on the coffee table. “Harley’s downstairs with the other kids. They always enjoy themselves, so, maybe we can talk right now.”

Meggie hated the uncertainty on his face, but she wouldn’t back down.

Ignoring Mortician, Bailey stared at Roxy. “You’re letting her talk to me like this.” She nodded to Meggie. “I’m your daughter.”

Eyeing Bailey, Roxy slurped her drink. “I don’t claim stupid bitches or bitches who tell me to mindmy own fucking business when I tell her how wrong she is.” She leaned over and slammed the glass on the table, never taking her gaze from Bailey. “Remember our conversation this morning? You were my fucking daughter then.”

“MOM!” Axel yelled, racing into the room. “I spilled the ice and Reb’s downstairs so I can’t threaten to knock her out if she don’t clean it up.”