Page 197 of Remorseless

“Girl, pick up the fucking phone, call your daddy, and open your fucking mouth. Tell him not only did he hurt you, but he pissed you the fuck off.”

“You’re saying that now. Tomorrow, you’re going to tell me he’s the best thing since sliced bread.”

Momma sighed. “Bailey, only time will make you understand what a good man your daddy is. He isn’t perfect, but he does his best by you, me, and your sisters.”

Creighton wouldn’t allow Daddy near Duke.

Bailey’s shoulders sagged. “Sometimes, it feels as if you love Daddy more than you love anyone. Including me.”

“Oh, sugar, that can never be. You and your sisters and your little brother are my world, baby. Wait until you’re a mom. You’ll see what I mean. How hard it is to watch your child suffer. Even when her daddy means well and does the best he can considering all the fuckery. Hestilltries. More than you’ll ever know. And when you’re a mom, then we can talk and I can say, ‘see, told ya.’”

Motherhood was years away for Bailey. She didn’t want to leave her mother, aware of the coming storm when Momma finally had enough of Creighton’s bullshit and walked away.

“There’s nothing more important than a girl’s relationship with her father,” Bailey said quietly.

“I know, Bailey. Believe me, I do. When my daddy died, I missed him something fierce. Istillmiss him, years later. Visiting him at Mount Olivet can never compare to having him here, alive and well and laughing. Always encouraging me and loving his wife and kids. He was a good, hard-working man. But so’s your daddy. K-P is a good man—”

“Then why’d you leave him?”

“For reasons I don’t want to discuss.Hewas good. His lifestyle and some of the motherfuckers around him wasn’t.”

“You keep saying he’s good, Momma.” Bailey couldn’t stop the tears pooling in her eyes. “It doesn’t feel like it right now. And it hasn’t for months.”

“Bailey—”

“It’s okay, Momma.” She sucked back her tears again, regretting showing them. She had to keep up a façade of calm, so they wouldn’t be thrown into upheaval. Status quo beat turmoil any day of the year. “When Idohave children—daughters—I’ll always be on their side. No matter what.”

“Fine, sugar.” Momma got to her feet. “Creighton’s probably foaming at the fucking mouth.” She bent and kissed her cheek.

Bailey went over the words in her head and realized how she’d fumbled them. She grabbed her mother’s manicured hand, loving the long, hot pink nails. “I’m sorry, Momma. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

Momma smiled and took Bailey’s face between her hands. “You’re hurting right now. Go and shower, then if you have it in you, call your daddy. He’s upset too.” She pulled away. “As for always siding with your kids, just make sure they deserve your allegiance. Being a Mama Bear is fine. Being a stupid bitch isn’t. That’s the quickest way to let loose on the world a bunch of selfish, entitled little motherfuckers that nobody likes.”

“You can’t be a Mama Bear without unconditional support.”

“You most certainly can, sugar.I’ma Mama Bear, but you all know if you fuck with me or are wrong, I will bat the piss out of you.”

She wouldn’t really. But she would put the fear ofGod into them.

A minute later, Momma glided out of the room, her expensive perfume trailing in her wake.

Bailey dragged herself to her shower, washed her hair, and soaped away the dirt, grime, and despair from her body. Once she dressed and took care of her hair, she grabbed her phone from her purse, crawled between the covers, and called her father.

Never telling him how crushed she’d been and, instead, pretending everything was all good.

Part Three – Butterfly Kisses

Chapter Thirty-Six

Kaia: Will you be my Valentine?

Rebel: How, silly? We haven’t even gone on our first date.

Kaia: I want to take you out to dinner on Valentine’s.

Rebel: Thank you. I wouldlike that very much.

Kaia: It’s a date, sweetheart.