Page 144 of Ruptured

Knox choked.

“Nepo,” Grant said, grinning. “But I can’t very well prospect if I’m hundreds of miles away in Boston.”

“Do you know what the Death Dwellers do, son? Kill people. They’re murderers.”

“Are you a killer, Dad?” Grant asked with disgust. “Aren’t you a member?”

Knox stiffened. “I resent that fucking question. You know I’m not a killer. They are.Heis.”

“Who? Outlaw?”

“Aren’t we talking about his club, son? Whose footsteps are you following? Mine or Outlaw’s.”

“CJ’s.”

“WHAT?”Knox snarled, storming to where Grant stood on the other side of the breakfast bar. “You can’t be serious. He’s a child under you. You set the example for him, not the other way around.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “Christ! I can’t believe this. Well, my answer is no. Fuck no! Joining the club is one thing. Becoming a full-time criminal is another and hanging on CJ’s coattails means something else entirely.”

“I know what it means, Dad.”

“And you’re okay with that? You’re okay taking a man’s life? For no fucking reason other than they got on the wrong side of the club?”

“Why was Mom’s life taken? Where’s the justice for her?”

The words doused Knox’s anger, and he stared at his son, his horror and despair returning.

Grant glanced at Roxy and gave her a sad smile. “I mean no disrespect to you. I am so lucky to have you as a stepmom. A second mom.”

“I’m made of sturdier stuff than that, sugar,” Roxy said. “You got every right to feel as you do. Callie gave birth to you, and she loved you.”

“Dad, I love Mom’s parents, but I’m so fucking tired of having my every move dissected and remarked upon because I’m acting like her. They make me watch home movies and look at photo albums. They want me to be her. I’ve tried to tell them I’m me. I’ve told them, it just brings back the pain of losing her . No matter what my counselor said all those years ago, it’s sometimes hard to forget that Mom died angry with me. She died hating me.”

“Callie could never hate you, Grant. She adored you. You were her world.”

“Really, Dad? Whenever she was angry about something, she told me I was just like you and she hated you. What does that mean?”

“You were so young,” Knox said. “I think the connection in your head has been misconstrued in reality.

“She didn’t implicitly say you’re like your father so I hate you, too, but the insinuation was there.”

“You misunderstood.”

“She told me I hate your father and you’re just like him. What the fuck wouldyouthink? All because I wanted to spend time with you and Roxy.”

“We can get you back into counseling?” Roxy offered because Knox had yet to respond. “It might help.”

“I spent five fucking years in counseling, Roxy,” Grant said.

“Hey, watch your fucking tone with Roxanne,” Knox barked. “I know you’re upset but you’re not taking out your frustrations on her. Do you understand?”

“I didn’t mean it, Roxy,” Grant said, immediately regretful.

“No offense taken, sugar.” She cocked her head to the side. “Do you want to come home for whatever reason or do you want to escape Gene and Audry?”

“Both. I really want to join the club.”

“I assume you told Mortician,” Knox said stiffly.

“Not to disrespect you, Dad. I just didn’t want you to stop loving me.”