Page 257 of Ruptured

She was also so very worried about Rule, but of course, it went back to how he felt about her, which was also why she’d scheduled her hysterectomy.

April 3rd, a surgery she still hadn’t told Christopher about. And one that she still didn’t really want. But no one thought she deserved to know about her son’s jump or the rectory fire. She’d give them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps, if she hadn’t locked herself away, especially from her husband, he would admit the truth.

Then there was Digger. When she saw the huge withdrawal and recalled leaving Digger in her office while she saw to one of her kids.

Digger stole from the joint account Christopher opened and set up for the household, to pay Bunny, utilities, and to fund dinners, parties, and vacations. In essence, Digger stole from Christopher. Knowledge she couldn’t bring herself to tell Mortician. He had enough to worry about.

Christopher brushed his lips over hers. She’d missed him so much.

She swallowed, missing him so much, and looked into his green eyes. In their depths she saw sadness, but her Christopher,too. The man she loved completely and who loved her just as much. He was in there somewhere. She just had to coax him back into the light. She smiled gently. “I need to talk to Digger about Bunny.”

“You would know more about her than me, since she barely say two fucking words to me,” Digger said.

“Outlaw,” Val said, breezing in also through the mudroom. “I–”

At his gasp, Christopher turned.

Val gaped at Bishop and pointed to his head. “What the fuck you wearing?”

“A chef’s hat,” Bishop answered. “To make my position official.”

Before the conversation deviated any further, Meggie pasted a smile on her face and pointed to Johnnie’s bandaged hand. He was a good place to recalibrate her attitude.

“How’s your hand healing?”

Christopher and the guys exchanged surprised glances.

“You knew I shot this motherfucker’s fingers off, baby?” Christopher asked, lifting his brow.

“Indeed, she did.” Johnnie smirked at her. “Would you like to tell him your response, Megan?”

She shrugged. “It’s club business. I have no opinion on it.”

“You know that isn’t what you said.”

Rubbing her chin, Meggie pretended to think. “Hmmm. What could it have been…oh! I remember. If he’d shoot away your stupid tongue, he’d do me a great favor. Thanks for the reminder.” She smiled at Christopher, pretending not to notice the pain in his eyes and wishing Johnnie’s tonguewasgone. “You know I wasn’t serious. I was just a little annoyed.”

“He could’ve killed me!” Johnnie snapped.

“Then behave and you’ll survive,” she retorted, stepping around Christopher, and ignoring how they were all staring at her.

“Hey, Mom,” CJ greeted from behind her.

Val winced and Christopher shifted.

“What happened to you, kid?”

Mortician’s question prompted Meggie to turn and look at her son. His chin was bruised and a little swollen, and his eyes were red, as if he’d been crying.

Panic rushed through her and she hurried to him, grabbing his hands. “What’s the matter?”

Tugging his hands away, he backed up and studied his boots. “I’m just tired, Mom.”

No, that wasn’t it. Only deep pain brought on the type of look on CJ’s face. Christopher didn’t seem concerned, while Val looked at CJ with sympathy.

“What’s going on?” she demanded.

“Club business,” Johnnie responded with idiotic glee. “Nothing to concern yourself with.”