Page 19 of Restless
Rage crossed Bash’s features, but he covered it with a phony smile. “I don’t know a Tabitha or a Ryan.”
“You’re a fucking liar,” CJ said without flinching, mere inches away from Bash.
CJ was beautiful and brave, and Harley nearly swooned at his feet. She’d never be good enough for him. She had acne and rules and a pathetic father. Daddy flipped out if she wore a short skirt. Uncle Chris was the real deal. He had genuine power. He’d rightfully disciplined Rebel when she was acting like an idiot. Deep down, Harley blamed Rebel for Aunt Meggie’s condition. She’d been a mean, hateful bitch over her own brother. Adopted or not! Diesel was a grown-ass man to boot. Not only was Rebel a vile daughter, but she had slutty morals.
Daddy, meanwhile, was nothing but an abuser.
“What’s Tabitha and Ryan’s last names?” Bash asked.
“Fuck you, Bash,” CJ replied. “You know who the fuck they are. If you know us, you know them. I don’t know your game, but I’m giving you one fucking warning. Stay away from my brothers and my cousins, and stop spouting your fucking lies about my mom, and you’ll live.”
“What about Harley, Mattie, and Rebel?”
“Don’t fuck with my sister and my cousin,” CJ warned, low.
His blatant omission of Harley infuriated her.
“On second thought, how about I tell my uncles?” CJ smiled. “Uncle Johnnie, maybe? Spouting your fucking bullshit might get to Aunt Kendall and set her off. She has her moments, but we love her and we take issue with anyone who’ll send her over the edge. What about Uncle Mort? The fucking enforcer,Bash. He designed our meatshack and is well-versed on the fucking tools. Even the autopsy table with the drain.”
Liar.
“Do you know what my dad said once, cuz?” Rory asked, digging in his pocket for his pack of cigarettes and lighter. “If I want to feel a spray of blood,” he continued once he’d took a drag, “I need to cut a motherfucker while his heart’s still beating. I’ve been looking for a test subject.” He peeked over his shoulder, studying Nardo before turning back to Bash. “Want to volunteer?”
Bash glanced between CJ and Rory, then he smiled. “Your fathers are reasonable—”
“If you fuck with my mom, my dad will shoot the fuck out of you,” CJ interrupted, “and be done with it.”
“We’ve seen him do it,” Rory added.
At the meeting with the Scorched Devils.
Shifting his weight, Bash scratched his jaw. “Outlaw’s reputation precedes him. He’s a fucking legend. Wouldn’t want to get on his bad side.”
“Then don’t,” CJ advised. “You breathe another day if you swear you’ll leave my mom and us the fuck alone.”
“A promise is all you require?”
“We’re reasonable men,” Ryder said. “Outlaw always says a liar is the worse motherfucker in the world. If you can’t trust a man’s word, he’s not worth shit.”
“Quite right,” Bash agreed. Turning, he held out his hand to CJ.
Just as CJ accepted, the Terrible Triplets barreled into Bash, their momentum pushing him against the railing and sending him tumbling over.
At the loud splash, the three Caldwell brothers high-fived, guffawed with laughter, and took off running.
“You little motherfuckers!” Bash hollered. “I fucking owe you.”
“I have to get to the hospital to see Mom and Jo,” CJ said, not sparing Harley a glance as he turned and sauntered away.
Chapter Two
By the time CJ arrived back at Ridge Moore Charter School, he was ready to kill several motherfuckers. Instead, seeing Aunt Bailey’s Escalade and Rebel and Mattie frantically texting, he had to do damage control on Harley’s behalf.
Just as he spotted the SUV, his sister and cousin saw him crossing the parking lot and heading their way.
Aunt Bailey rolled down her window and waved at him. “CJ?”
“Did you find her?” Rebel asked, cutting him off, worry and fear in her eyes.
