Page 269 of Ruptured

“Next time, if you can’t find CJ, get Ryan,” Christopher instructed. He had to talk to Mortician. “Axel mentioned blowin’ up Cashafuckingain. You already spray painted his fuckin’ house. Ima end up havin’ to kill McCall cuz ofyoumotherfuckers.”

“Axel’s a snitch,” Ryder complained. “It was his fucking idea, Dad.”

“Yeah, Ax wants to free Aunt Fee. He thinks Uncle Cash is mean to her and Winnie.”

Kids sometimes saw what adults couldn’t. “Ima talk to Cash,” he promised. “But Axel coulda been hurt cuzyousent him in. You defended him against Nardo, yet you banish him now.”

“He’s ours,” Ransom said.

“Not to fuck over. If he yours when he’s doin’ your fuckin’ shit, he yours when he defendin’ himself against you two motherfuckers.”

“Fine, Dad.” Ryder got to his feet and went to the door. “Axel,” he yelled at the top of his lungs. “Get in here!”

Diesel’s door opened, then the sound of running feet over the hardwood floor.

Ryder stepped aside so Axel could come into the room. “Diesel said I could sleep in his room.” He stomped to the ladder of Ransom’s bunk, clambered up, and snatched hisSpider-Manblanket andSupermanpillow. He backed down the ladder. “You motherfuckers owe me an apology,” he sniffled. “I’m a man of principle. If you don’t respect me, I’m not respecting your bitch ass.”

He glared at his brothers, his eyes bright with tears, and ran out of the room.

“Ain’t nothin’ more to say.” Christopher walked out, leaving Ryder and Ransom to stew in stunned silence.

Once he checked on Diesel and Axel, Christopher avoided looking at Rule’s door, studied Rebel’s, but didn’t want to butt heads with his daughter. Besides, Megan probably wouldn’t appreciate his interference.

He couldn’t knock her the fuck out and unlike CJ—fuck,allthe boys—a harsh command only angered her more. He’d been concerned about Kaia living under the roof with her. Fuck, he probably should fear for Kaia instead of Reb.

Sighing, Christopher took the backstairs to the third floor and went to CJ’s room. He was entertaining Gunner and happier than he’d been in days. Unable to avoid going into his bedroom any longer, Christopher walked to the door, his heart heavy. Fuck, he’d get tomorrow’s clothes, take balls in hand, and return to his exile.

The moment he stepped into his room, music greeted him. The sweet scent of cherry blossoms hit his nostrils.

Megan stood from the sofa, dressed in a see-through nightie that barely covered her ass cheeks. Her hair was damp, falling in waves around her. His cock hardened and his heart started a rapid beat. Her orthopedic boot stood next to the coffee table where a damp plastic bag laid. She must’ve covered her cast with it while she showered.

“Hey,” she said, her voice soft and sweet. Like an angel’s.

Hisangel.

“I’m so fuckin’ sorry, Megan,” he told her, thinking of Rule’s accident and the fire at the rectory.

“Apology accepted, Christopher. And I’m sorry, too. I accept most of the responsibility for Rule’s state. How is he?”

“Er, he got a long way to go, baby.” He’d tell her everythingsoon, but he didn’t want to ruin this moment between them.

Her smile was so sad. “Hopefully, when he gets there, he’ll want to talk to me again.”

“I…”

“It’s okay, Christopher,” she told him. “You can’t demand anything of Rule. He isn’t well. He comes first.” She cleared her throat. “Are you…is there anything you want me to know?” Hope gleamed in her eyes. “Anything at all?”

He swallowed, unsure how to fix his mouth to tell her about shit she should’ve known days ago. “No, baby,” he croaked and opened his arms.

She hesitated, but then she limped to him. Relishing the feel of her arms around him, he closed his eyes and hugged her tightly.

They were silent. Justbeing.

“I love you so much, Christopher.”

“Ain’t more than I love you, baby.”

She tipped her head back and he lifted her in his arms to kiss her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and rocked against him. Keeping one arm wrapped around her, he freed his cock with his other hand. By the time he reached the sofa and sat, he was already buried inside her wet heat.