Chapter Six - Mortician #2
“You opened your mouth and voted against him. You very much meant to, Cash. And it isn’t complicated.
As amazing as Christopher is, he doesn’t have superpowers.
You and Johnnie had roles to play as much as Christopher, Mort, Val, Stretch, and Digger.
Together, you were unconquerable. How dare you? How. Dare. You!”
“Does Fee know?” Cash finally asked.
“That you’re a coward?”
“Baby, you know it’s not a crime to call a motherfucker a motherfucker,” Mort said. Something she still couldn’t do, even though this situation called for it.
She didn’t respond.
“Prez didn’t know how to tell you Rule jumped out the fucking window, Meggie,” Mort told her, the smoke from his cigarette aggravating his sudden fatigue and burning his eyes.
“Tell us what Prez need to do, Meggie,” Narci called from somewhere in the crowd. “We’ll beg him to do it.”
“Yeah, Meggie,” Potter said, leaning against the display case with all the liquor. “If…if you…come back. I can only imagine Prez’s state. If we look at him wrong, he’ll shoot us.”
“Meggie, we swear if you come back, we won’t let anything happen to your sons,” Torrin swore. “If anyone looks at them wrong, we’ll kill them if that’s what you want.”
“I have to go,” Meggie announced.
“No!”
That one word cry from most of the motherfuckers didn’t move her. She hung up anyway.
“It’s a burner,” Stretch announced morosely, the moment she disconnected.
“She covered all her bases,” Cash croaked.
“Cash, watch over Digger until I get back. I won’t be long.” Mortician got to his feet and patted Val’s shoulder. “Walk with me.”
“Where are you going, Mort?” Thumper asked, all his steam evaporated.
“Away from all you motherfuckers,” Mort responded. Once Val stood, he led the way outside. “I think I know where Chester at.” Tossing his cigarette, he nodded to the pathway.
They were silent on the walk to Mort’s house. Even if Zoann wasn’t there, he was certain Bailey knew her location. However, he was just as certain not only wouldn’t she show herself if he just walked into the house, she wouldn’t tell him the truth if he found her.
His house was as dark now as it had been hours ago. He’d been so panicked he hadn’t considered any other possibility, so he definitely hadn’t thought to slip into the barely seen turnoff at the side of his house that hid a door leading to one of his emergency bunkers.
As he punched in the code, Mort’s heart banged against his chest. If Bailey wasn’t in there, then maybe she was with Meggie and Axel had just spoken out of turn, upset by Meggie’s anger.
The moment the door clicked open and Mort walked down the steps, he knew he’d found his wife, sons, and nephews. Bailey’s fragrance hung in the air; the faint sound of even breathing hit his ears; someone stirring.
Mort waved Val in and flipped on the light. Her pumps sat on the living room table, while several pairs of shoes in various sizes were strewn over the plush carpet.
“Bailey?” he called, moving toward the hallway where the bedrooms were located. He opened the door to the biggest bedroom, expecting to find Chester with his wife. “Bailey?”
“Lucas?” she murmured, stirring in bed. A moment later, she flicked on the lamp light and blinked at him, her pretty eyes unfocused and groggy. Her hair fell all around her, framing her gorgeous face. “What are you doing here?”
“Aunt Bay?” Cove called, sticking his head from under the covers.
He’d be five in a few weeks, the youngest of the Banks’s children, and an all around adorable kid.
Like all of Mort’s nephews, he had Bunny’s hair and eyes lighter than Digger but darker than Bunny’s.
The little boy looked at Mort and his eyes rounded. He gasped. “I didn’t say anything!”
“It’s okay, baby.” Bailey looked at Mort uneasily. “I know you didn’t. Go back to sleep.” Once the little boy complied, she gripped the covers. “Don’t tell anyone we’re here.”
Grinning, Mort shook his head. “Why you not in LA with them?”
“You know?”
He smirked at her. “I guessed. Your reaction confirmed it, so tell me how the fuck they got you to help them when you’ve been so against Meggie and everything club related?”
“Are you angry with me?”
“Bailey, I’m so fucking happy and proud, I could do fucking handstands.”
“They wanted me to come,” she admitted, “but…Mark JB and his brothers didn’t want to take sides, so I, uh, I volunteered to stay behind.
Lou and Kaleb decided to stay with me. I-I didn’t force them.
I told them they could call you as long as they kept the secret.
” She dropped her gaze and started fidgeting.
“Outlaw was really unfair to Meggie and Bunny’s upset with Digger for some reason.
She asked if…if I’d mind if they used the house even if I didn’t go, so I called the staff and set everything up. ”
“Why?” He had to know.
“Because I miss our family. I miss us. I miss being a part of your life and their lives. I miss it all.”
Suddenly, his world didn’t seem so bleak, but he kept his expression neutral. “Where Chester?”
She eyed him.
“Val devastated. He didn’t do nothing, baby.”
“And you did?”
One step forward, two backwards. “I’m Outlaw best friend. What do you think?”
She glanced at him through her lashes. “Guilt by association. The same can be said for Val.”
Folding his arms, Mort lifted a brow.
“Zoann’s in LA. She asked if it was okay if she took Harley. I think she enjoys having a daughter.” She sniffed. “If she decides she wants another baby, I’m sure Val will comply.”
Irritation surged into Mortician but he ignored it. “So she is gone. Damn.”
“Only so Harley wouldn’t feel left out,” she grouched. “She and Harley are coming back tomorrow because there are two weeks before the play and Harley’s needed here for a full grade.”
Mort had almost forgotten about that. “You going?”
“Zoann said I should. Harley still hasn’t apologized to me.”
Refusing to get into that argument, Mort remained silent. “I’ll let Val know.” He turned to leave.
“I miss you, Lucas.”
“I miss you too, Bailey.” He waited a moment, praying she gave in just a little.
Agreeing it wasn’t the right time to bring another baby into their lives.
Admitting she’d been wrong about CJ. Conceding Harley had disrespected Mort just as much.
But…nothing. She remained silent, so he had nothing else to say.