Page 68 of Remorseless

Which was fine since Bailey’s birthday came in May; Bunny was in June; Ophelia in July, and Chester in August. For what it was worth, Kendall’s birthday fell in September, but Johnnie hadn’t gotten her anything from the jeweler, so it didn’t matter.

Mort was certain the motherfuckerwouldbuy her a birthday gift, but Red would be the only one of their women who wouldn’t get some type of diamond since Johnnie insisted he regularly gave her expensive gifts so he didn’t need to be included in their boys’ club. Even Knox, Sloane, and Cam went and commissioned pieces for Roxanne, Georgie, and Doc Will. Mort returned on his own and picked out a pair of earrings and chose orange diamonds for Kendall. He found out Prez had gone back and added a ring for Meggie with one of the rarest diamonds in the world—red.

The price tag gave Mort chills so he hightailed his ass the fuck out of the shop. Ten days later, Meggie collapsed and no one had thought about those fucking diamonds or all that goddamn money since.

Symphony passing the table and heading to the door snapped Mort back to the present. He glanced over his shoulder, watching as she locked the doors and flipped off the lights in every section except where he and Bailey sat.

The waitress disappeared into the kitchen again.

“You’re a million miles away, Lucas.”

Mort tightened his hands around Bailey’s. “I got a surprise for you. Just trying to decide if I’m giving it to you for your birthday or for Christmas.”

Excitement flickered in her eyes, then she lowered her head. “I’m closer to forty than thirty. Nothing to celebrate.”

“I’m closer to fifty than forty,” he countered.

“You’re a man. Age doesn’t matter as much. Even if it did, you’re still so beautiful and sexy.”

Her compliment pleased him. Her intensity, so filled with misery, did not.

She slid her hands from his, her gentle tug more bittersweet than if she had yanked them away. It felt as if he’d just lost her. As if she’d slipped away like a thief in the night and they’d never again find each other.

“Another pregnancy test came back negative.” She lifted her gaze. Accusation burned in them. “That won’t change since we haven’t made love in days.”

“I’m sorry you not pregnant, Bailey. I know how much you want another baby, but you know why I’m on the sofa.”

She swiped at an angry tear. “You’re allowing CJ and Meggie to ruin our marriage.”

“They can’t do what the fuck you doing with no goddamn problem,” he barked. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Not a motherfucker in this world in our fucking marriage. Not Meggie girl. Not CJ. Not Symphony.No goddamn body. It’s you and me. I’m on the motherfucking sofa because of your bad judgment. Stop blaming Meggie.Youcame up with that fucked up plan.Youput Harley above decency and common sense.”

“That’s our daughter.” A sob escaped her. “My baby girl.”

“Your fucking baby demon,” he said before he caught himself.

She gasped and narrowed her eyes, fury replacing her despair.

Wincing, Mort raised his hands. “Baby, Harley not…she changing and not for the better. CJ got nothing to do with it. Meggie got nothing to do with it. It’s on her andyou. You didn’t check her when she was still manageable. She out of control now.”

“I’ve failed as a mother then,” she cried softly. “Maybe, I worked too much away from home. It doesn’t matter how many aunts the kids have or how much time Mama spent with Harley.Iam her mother and I failed her.”

“Bailey, you the best fucking momma a child could ask for. I admire you so fucking much. Sometimes, I’d just watch you and marvel at how good you are with the kids. I’d wonder how I got so fucking lucky to have you as my woman and the mother of my children. You didn’t fail. You haven’t failed. Harley need to be checked and get back in line—”

Swiping at her cheeks, she shook her head. “She needs understanding. She needs guidance.”

“I know you stood ten toes down for her and she turned against you.”

Bailey nodded, sniffling.

“You did what all mommas do. You stood up for your child.”

“I miss Harley so much,” she said. “I miss our mother/daughter time.” She smiled through her tears. “I had an ally against the Banks men.”

Sticking his chest out in pride at the thought of his kids, Mort snickered.

“When club functions took you and the boys away, I had Harley. When you took the boys out for father/son time, I had Harley. When you and the boys spent time with the men in the family and their sons, I had Harley. Who do I have now?”

“You have me, Bailey. Now, always, and forever.”