Page 259 of Ruptured

“Why did you do it this time, son?”

“Are you shitting me?” Johnnie fumed. “What kind of question is that, Megan? The reason is crystal clear. Rory was innocent.”

“Not if he gaveyou, a flaming idiot with a God complex, that letter,” she yelled. “No, it wasn’t even that he brought it to you. It was not going to Christopherafteryou destroyed the letter, so shut your mouth. When I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it. If you can’t keep your comments to yourself, you will leave my house.” She swung her gaze back to her son and drew herself up. “Answer me, CJ.”

“Rory did nothing to me, Mom,” he said in a tortured voice.

“Either you’re a club member or a civilian,” Meggie told him. “I’monly Christopher’s wife and I’m greatly offended by Rory’s decision. Every action requires a reaction. That letter might’ve held the key to getting our lives back to normal.”

“But–”

“No buts. During lockdown, are only the members there?”

CJ shook his head.

“Why?”

“Because…because…”

“Because what happens to the club members affects their families,” she said, taking a bit of mercy on him. “I raised you to be ChristopherandOutlaw’s son.”

“What does that even mean, Mom?” CJ snapped. “You’re a girl. You don’t even understand about club business.”

“CJ–” Christopher started, but Meggie shook her head.

She glared at Johnnie. “How dare you put Rory in such a predicament, jerk? If you didn’t have the guts to do the right thing, you should’ve encouraged your son to speak up. Maybe, you’d still have your stupid fingers.”

“I don’t need my fucking fingers to use my goddamn brain.”

“Your fingers are more useful than your brain will ever be, so shut up.”

Johnnie glowered at her.

“Megan, baby, we gotta talk.”

Meggie nodded at Christopher. “We do,” she agreed, “but let me finish with CJ first?”

Seeking his permission afforded him the respect he deserved in front of his club members. She needed to remind herself of the younger members, who didn’t understand her relationship with Christopher. Bringing Outlaw back to glory meant observing the rigid rules of authority.

“CJ–”

“Mom, I punched Rory a little while ago. But I made him turn around. I couldn’t look him in the eyes. I know whatIdid to you on behalf of the club was wrong, but it wasn’t violent.”

“I understand, son.”

Digger shook his head in disapproval. “Little bruh, how the fuck you fucking a motherfucker up if you can’t look him in the eye?”

“Dead is dead.” Meggie glared from Digger to Johnnie. “Why can’t you shoot someone in the back of the head if that’s the only way to do the job, CJ?”

Christopher gasped, looking as ifshe’djust killed someone. “What the fuck you said?”

“I thought you would be happy, Mom. You don’t want me in the club…I don’t know anymore,” CJ said sadly.

“Now, CJ. I don’t want you to join the clubnow. I’m not happy that you’re so unhappy. We had a plan…Never mind.”They discussed those plans ad nauseum. They’d changed.Lifechanged, so she needed to stop languishing over what was. “You have rules in the club, CJ,” Meggie said. “You follow them or face punishment.”

“You’ve always taught me to respect the rights of others. You’ve taught me fairness.”

“I taught you what you needed to know until it was Christopher’s time to take you under his wing, son.”