Page 79 of Ruptured

“Thank you, guys,” Meggie said sincerely, noting their very different attitude toward her. Itcould’vebeen because of what happened, although she doubted it. Whoever Christopher killed shook them up. “Your support is much appreciated. As soon as I’m better–”

“A situation has arisen, Megan,” Johnnie inserted and nodded to Easton. “It’s imperative we get this handled ASAP.”

“Does it have to do with Christopher or my children?”

“It’s about Tabitha,” Johnnie answered, the last response she expected.

“Tabitha?” Dislike infused the word. She didn’t want to hear anything about her. It didn’t escape Meggie that her daughter-in-law had called to check on Rebel. “Whatever’s wrong with her, let her figure it out.”

“Megan, baby, listen–”

Her glare halted Johnnie mid-sentence. Snorting, she waved Easton over, ignoring his sweeping gaze and glowering at him.

“How are you feeling, Meggie?”

“Not in the mood for pleasantries,” she snapped. “What about Tabitha?”

Discomfort dropped into his face and he glanced away before shifting and meeting her gaze again. “A friend of hers is in the ER. Beaten to within an inch of his life.”

“That matters to me how?”

Johnnie winced.

Easton rocked on his feet. “Diesel beat him.”

“So?”

Easton shifted and looked at Johnnie. His lifted brow seemed to ask,what now?

“Don’t…don’t you want to know why?” Johnnie asked cautiously.

“How does it matter to me who Diesel beats, maims,orkills?”

Scratching his head, Johnnie released a heavy breath.

Bowing his head, Easton avoided her gaze. “Tabitha…she’s worried…she doesn’t want…she loves…uh, she sent Tío to Diesel…to, uh, to threaten him into staying married to her.”

“Threaten Diesel?” Meggie lifted her brow, unconcerned that she had no idea who Tío was. “Well, we all know that didn’t work out.”

Easton blew out a heavy breath. “I tried to warn him,” he mumbled.

“So sorry he didn’t listen and paid the price,” she said sarcastically.

“Meggie–”

“This conversation is over. You waltz in here to tell me someone attempted to scaremyson to Tabitha’s will and expect me to help her? If this Tío is hurt, Diesel must’ve felt threatened. He did exactly what I expect. Stayed alive at any cost.”

“I know you’re upset,” Easton wheedled, “but Tabitha loves Diesel.”

“She hates Rebel,” Meggie said flatly. “She kept my son away from me. I don’t care that Diesel nearly killed someone because she was stupid enough to try to force his hand. Any hope that I’d forgive Tabitha is gone. She blew her last chance with me.”

“I-I’ve talked to her a couple of times,” Easton said hesitantly. “Aren’t you going to some cabin that she suggested?”

“A suggestion she made before my daughter nearly drowned. She’s family. Christopher would’ve allowed her to seeme,if not Rebel. Did Tabitha try? Has she even called? Forget offering help, what about a hello? She hasn’t called because she doesn’t like Rebel.”

“Are you still going to the cabin?” Johnnie asked.

Meggie paused, thinking of all the time Tabitha brought up that stupid cabin. Forget the fact that she seemed to have developed some type of relationship with Easton, she’d also told him about the cabin. But it was Johnnie’s quiet question that made Meggie suspicious. “What does that have to do with anything?” she demanded, then realized she wouldn’t tip her hand. She’d tell Christopher. And, if he wasn’t in shape to hear it, she’d confide in Mortician.Somethingwas up. “It doesn’t matter, Johnnie,” she said with impatience. “I certainly can’t go any time soon. What is important are the two of you thinking I’d care about Tabitha’s plight or Diesel’s fight. I have zero concern to give.”