Page 118 of Remorseless

“I didn’t mean…I know you love me and our kids—”

“If I meet your conditions. No, fuck that. If I agree with whatyousee or decide. I can’t have my own fucking opinions about my children.”

A small sob escaped Mommie. “Lucas, please—”

He transferred his glare from Mommie to Harley. “Tell me the fucking truth, Harley. You raised your goddamn hand to Rebel, and she punched the fuck out of you. Right?”

Harley thought about lying and pretending indignation at her father’s lack of faith in her. But she was tired, too. She was also terrified that whoever tapped into her laptop and recorded the video of her with Ryan, would release it. More than anything, she felt so lost.

The time she’d spent with Ryan filled her with regret. Not because she hadn’t enjoyed it and not because a part ofher

liked-liked him. He just wasn’t CJ. If she didn’t win back CJ, she’d live the rest of her life filled with regret. She’d compare every guy she dated to him.

Daddy began to turn.

“Yes, Daddy,” Harley blurted. “I threw the first punch.”

Her parents looked at her. Mommie with horrified eyes and Daddy with displeasure.

In that instant, Harley realized her motherhadbeen on her side, even when she sounded so fed up before Daddy walked in.

“Why did you lie to me?” Mommie gasped.

“Does it matter?” Harley cried, responding as usual and going on the defensive. “My life is over.”

“Your life just starting, Harley,” Daddy said sharply. “But it sure the fuck not startingright. You’ve turned into a sneaky, underhanded, violent liar, and I’m so fucking disappointed in you. You’ll never know how much.”

For the first time in weeks, Harley felt her father’s pain. She heard it in his voice and saw it on his face. His despair penetrated Harley’s self-righteous outrage and anger. For the first time since CJ turned his back on her, she felt truly in danger of losing her father’s love, protection, and respect.

“Daddy—”

“Lucas—”

“I don’t want to hear anything from neither one of you. I’m fucking done. After all the fucking shit we been through, Bailey—” He looked at Harley and shook his head, the hurt on his face devastating her. “After the disrespect you showed your mama and your grandmama. One thing I can’t ever complain about is how much Bailey love you and your brothers. What a Mama Bear she is. And you fucking betrayed her because she wouldn’t go along with your fucked up plan?” Anger lit his eyes. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“CJ!” Harley wailed, hoping Daddy understood. “I love CJ. I want him to love me back.”

“He deserve better than a fucking schemer. He deserve a girl with honesty and integrity. He don’t deserve a dirty fucking liar who was willing to pass another motherfucker baby off as his. He don’t deserve a selfish manipulator that wanted to pretend she was a virgin to fucking guilt him into a relationship. He deserved my baby girl. My Harley.”

His eyes watered and his voice cracked.

“Daddy, please,” Harley said, her own voice breaking. She’d never seen such betrayal and despair on her father’s face.

He swallowed, drew in a deep breath, and gave her a sad smile. “He would’ve been lucky to havethatHarley. Level-headed. Smart. With a smile that lit up the room. So fucking gorgeous inside and out.” He glanced at the floor and shoved his hands into his pockets. “It don’t matter. You not that girl no more. The girl you turned into don’t deserve CJ.”

Mommie hiccupped. She’d been quietly weeping. “And you, Lucas?” she pushed out. “Who do you deserve?”

“I deserve a woman who respect me as her man. I don’t deserve your bullshit every time I pass my opinion about Harley. I don’t deserve the fucking schemes that could’ve gotten me fucking killed. That canstillget me fucked up.Meggiefed up. Now, Outlaw in the fucking mix. How the fuck you think that turning out for me, Bailey? I’m not a perfect motherfucker, but the only fucking thing I have ever done once I acceptedyourlove is love you back and protect you and provide for you. From the first fucking moment I met you, I wanted you. In our years together, that never fucking changed. I never cheated on you. I never disparaged you…Fuck. No. Let’s not talk about what the fuck Ididn’tdo. What about what the fuck Ididdo?”

“Lucas, please—”

“Shut the fuck up, Bailey,” Daddy snarled. “You started with that same motherfucking bullshit about taking up for CJ and forgetting Harley tonight. It had nothing to do with CJ. It was about Reb. Itoldyou Harley was lying. Itoldyou Rebel fight at the drop of a fucking hat but it’s usually because she been wronged. Let’s talk about CJ for a minute. He wouldn’t take up for his sister if she was in the wrong. He’s fair-minded. You want to stand ten toes down for Harley? You carried her in your belly. You have that right. The bullshit you hand me because of her? Well, baby, maybe we need to divorce so you can spend the rest of your fucking life holding her down whether she’s right or wrong.”

“Lucas, no! Please, I love you! I do. I swear,” Mommie cried.

Harley couldn’t believe how fast things were spiraling out of control. She’d been so angry that CJ didn’t care she’d had sex with Ryan. When Rebel commented, Harley struck out in fury.

Deep down, she always expected CJ, her father, Aunt Meggie, and even Lolly to forgive her no matter her actions. To witness her parents’ crisis, because ofher, devastated Harley.