Crawl

Eleven\\

Jason\\

"So just like that, you got custody of Katelyn?" Slade asked after I told the guys and him the story of what happened at the hospital. I nodded and leaned back and picked at the dirt under my nails. "Man, that's fucked up."

I looked at him unbelievably. How could he of all people declare wgat is and isn't fucked up, regarding Slim? He was the one who harassed her for months and months on a daily while we were together.

"Well, what's done is done." I said nonchalantly. Even if I regretted hurting Slim in a way as unimaginable and cruel, I wouldn't even change it. I did what I had to do to see my kid.

Mrs. Cartridge said she'd hit me up soon with the information and a date of a court date we'd have to go to so I could get custody of Kate and we exchanged numbers. Of course, I had to give her the number to Slim's phone so she could reach out to her. And as expected, I had to get the house as clean as possible because there would be mandatory and unexpected visits from Child Protective Services every now and then.

I had already started cleaning with the help of my cousin. We talked about where to hide the drugs and guns and bomb material for the meanwhile, and decided we'd rent our own U-Haul that we'd keep deep in the woods behind the house. Somewhere between our house and Mahone's old house, that was now vacant and for sale since his gang moved from Nevada and went back to Texas.

"Slade's right for once, Jason." Malcolm piped in. Unbelievable, now they agree with Slade on topics regarding Slim? Okay then.

"What does Slade know," I yelled impatiently, "He's bullied her for months! Over a year, actually. I think the last person who should say anything about Slim and I is him." I pointed out, throwing my hands in the air.

"Yeah, Slade's been an asshole to her, and so have you. But you shouldn't have done that." Chaz said, actually being serious for once.

"But Slim should've allowed Jason to see Katelyn all this time and maybe then he wouldn't have told that lady about Slim's past. And it doesn't make shit better since Slim obviously was abusive to Jason in front of the Child Protective Services lady." Ryan countered.

"Oh, what's one punch to the fifty thousand punches he's given her? And the fucking rape?!" Chaz asked in response.

"We still bringing that up? Gosh, I thought we left that in the past." I sighed. "And it doesn't matter how many fucking times I beat on her. She's not a good mother to my child."

"So you think they'll let you have her once Slim tells them about all you've done to her?" Malcolm asked, raising his eyebrows at me.

"Yes, because I know she won't tell them." I smirked, leaning forward and leaning one elbow on my knee and placing my other hand on my vacant knee. "She'll be too scared to tell them anything. She knows what I'll do. She's terrified of me."

"Jason, you're crazy as a motherfucker," Slade said, "but so is she. All you and her dad put her through, I'm sure she's fucked up by that."

"She can be as fucked up as she wants. I don't give a shit, but she knows better than to get in my way. Everyone knows who the fuck I am." I gloated.

"Oh, and being the most notorious man on the west coast is going to do so well against the government making a life changing decision on who gets custody of your infant daughter."

"Why wouldn't it?" I asked. I mean, obviously they'd let me have custody. It didn't take an idiot to know I'd kill for Kate. Literally.

"You have maybe a hundred men and women who want you dead. Walking out the fucking house is a huge risk in itself." Chaz explained.

"What if you're going out and taking Kate to the fucking park and get shot at? Huh? What if she gets hurt in your care? You can kill all the people you want, but you can't bring anybody back from the dead." Slade continued.

I frowned at the men in front of me before turning to my cousin, who was oddly silent during the whole thing. "You agree with this?" I asked him.

Justin shrugged. "I mean, they give valid arguments. Maybe Katelyn is safer with Slim for now. Just until you're finally done with the gang shit."

I exhaled sharply and stood up, kicking over the coffee table and walking away. I hate to admit it, but they're right for once. I went to my room and slammed my door.

What's done is done, nothing can change that. I would tell Mrs. Cartridge that I don't want custody anymore, but there will still be a case regarding whether or not Slim is abusive. I fucked up a lot of shit for Slim, and I didn't mean to half of the time. I let my anger influence my actions and now the state is questioning Slim's mental health condition and parenting.

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I know this is pretty damn short, but from here I didn't know where to lead off to. I was going to go to Slim's POV but it didn't feel right at this point, so I'll continue it next chapter. ♡ Love you plenty, guys.