Page 140 of Ruptured

“No. I was there one evening and Bunny told me to remind Meggie of something that needed ordering for a family dinner. I was talking to her, then Axel came in screaming because Ryder or Ransom was trying to shave his head. She left me in her office with her computer screen open.” He shrugged. “I saw the account balance and, fuck man, I intended to replace it.”

Kendall and Mortician exchanged glances.

“How long ago was this?” Mort asked.

“Meggie was still pregnant,” Digger admitted.

“Meggie must’ve collapsed not long after,” Mort said with uncertainty. “Otherwise, she would’ve realized the money was gone by now.”

Digger nodded. “I copied all her information two days before Thanksgiving. She had everything open, Mort! She wanted me to take that fucking money. Her account information was up and even her password book was open.”

Kendall punched the side of Digger’s head. “Fuckhead, don’t blame her for your negative brain cells and thieving ways,” she hissed. “She was in her private office, and she trusted you.”

Grabbing his head, Digger glared at Kendall.

“What happened next?” Mort demanded.

“I logged into her account two days after she collapsed and realized it was connected to the account Bunny received her salary from. I emptied both accounts and added what little I had to a new account.”

The tension between Bunny and Digger made more sense now, though the motherfucker had lied to Mort again, claiming Bunny knew nothing. “I guess she think you only emptied her account? She don’t know about Meggie?”

“Or my account,” he confessed. “And she madder than a motherfucker at me that I tookhermoney that she earned.” He shuddered. “My wife looked at me with so much disgust and disappointment, I just wanted to curl into a fucking ball and die. She called me a fucking thief, Mort. A thief! I never thought…”

“Boo hoo hoo, you made your fucking bed,” Kendall said crossly. “Lie in that motherfucker.”

“I don’t want to lose her, Kendall. I love her. I never meant to do this.”

“Objection, asshole. Youmeantto do it, so hand that bullshit to someone else.” Kendall sank her nails into Digger’s arm, exposed because he wore a short-sleeved T-shirt. “You know the fucked-up part? All you had to do wasgoto Meggie and tell her you wanted to build a mansion for Bunny, and she would’ve given you the goddamn money.”

“Then that house wouldn’t have been from me,” Digger snapped. “That would’ve been a bitch ass move and I’m not no bitch.”

“I agree,” Kendall said with a sniff. “You’re a pathetic bitch.” She looked at Mortician again. “This is so fucking bad, but I know you love this idiot and so does Bunny. I’m reserving my thoughts on both your judgment, but you know what you have to do.”

Confess. Mort saw it in her eyes. He was so fucking angry with Digger, he didn’t know if he’d ever fucking talk to him again, but telling Outlaw about the theft wasn’t something he wanted to do.

“You asking me to sign my brother death warrant, Red. Once I tell Outlaw how Digger stole from Meggie, he going to want me to kill him.” If he didn’t tell Outlaw, thenhe’dget fucked up, too.

“Tell Outlaw your brother’s a miserable chief and a common criminal without insurance?” Kendall squinted. “Are you fucking insane? I’d never do that. I’m furious with Digger, but we’re family. I love you and I love him—I don’t like him right now. I don’t like Johnnie either at the moment, so I’ll live.”

Mortician smiled at her.

“You do have to confess. You can’t keep this betrayal from Christopher and Meggie.” She drew in a deep breath. “But you saved CJ, Mortician. A life for a life. As fucked up as that sounds, it’s the only way Digger will survive.”

“I love CJ. I didn’t save him to curry favor with Prez.”

“You would’ve saved a stranger’s child,” Kendall agreed. “You’re a good man, but when you’re related to a stupid motherfucker, you have to use whatever is in your arsenal.” She smiled sadly, despair shiningin her eyes. “I should know.”

Digger stiffened. “I’m not nothing like Johnnie!”

“Stupid is as stupid does,” she quoted, “so shut the fuck up.”

“Kendall—”

“She right, son, shut the fuck up,” Mort said. The solution wasn’t ideal but it gave him a glimmer of hope. “I’m beating the fuck out of you, so I suggest you stay quiet to save a few fucking stomps.” He ignored Digger’s gulp and looked at Kendall. “Now, baby, tell me, why you here. What do you need from me, Red?”

“I want to meet with Bash.”

Of all the fucking things he’d expected her to say, it wasn’t her desire to meet with a crazy motherfucker who was Outlaw’s enemy.