Page 41 of Restless
“Yeah, it’s an old Clint Eastwood classic and one of our favorite movies,” JJ said. “One of the ones Dad doesn’t allow you to watch, Mattie.”
Mattie glanced at Mom. For the first time in hours, a semblance of normalcy returned when Mom gave the slightest shake of her head and placed a finger over her lips. Mattie gave a small nod.
Mom went back to staring at Dad’s space. Worry settled over the room again. Like the rest of the house, the formal dining room featured expensive furniture, dramatic lighting and luxurious décor. The extravagance didn’t take away tonight’s trauma.
Rory, Mattie, and JJ glanced amongst each other.
“Ro said that mid motherfucker was wearing a duster like Preacher,” JJ said into the overwhelming silence. “That’s why he brought up Pale Rider.”
“I-I s-s-see,” Mattie responded.
Rory bet she fucking did. She’d seen the movie with Mom’s approval. Mom and Mattie didn’t need his judgment at the moment, so he’d focus on the positive. He applauded his little brother’s efforts to bring their mother back to the present. It worked.
“Johnnie usually doesn’t concern himself with mid-level anything,” Mom said, staring at Rory, searching for answers.
Fuck. Rory didn’t want to give away the real issue. He was certain Dad knew Bash. He was just as certain if the motherfucker was from a rival club, Dad would’ve spoken up. He wouldn’t leave his family, theentirefucking club, exposed and vulnerable.
“He was following Harley,” JJ volunteered when Rory remained silent, “although Ro, Lou, and Mark JB—”
Mom frowned. “This person was on school grounds?”
“Asshole,” Rory mouthed to his little brother, who sat across the table, next to Mattie.
Lifting a brow, Mom looked at Rory, waiting for an explanation.
He sighed. “We were cutting class.”
“Cutting?” Mom echoed. “Harley was cutting?”
“Me, too,” Rory said slowly. He didn’t want to rat Harley out because JJ had blabbed their secrets.
Mom pushed back from her seat and stood. Her plate remained untouched. She stumbled toward the door.
“Mom, don’t tell on Harley!” Rory called, getting to his feet and intending to rush after her.
“Why would I do that, darling?” she asked, turning to him. The distant look in her eyes concerned him. She didn’t seem completely present.
“She’ll get in trouble with Uncle Mort and Aunt Bailey,” Rory said.
“We track all of you,” Mom responded, her smile dazed and her expression empty. “We know where you’re at every hour of the day. We get alerts.”
“C-can’t we track Dad?” Mattie asked timidly.
Mom blinked in confusion. “Why do we need to do that, darling?”
Mattie swallowed. “To find out where he’s at, Momma,” she whispered.
“We know where he’s at, Mattie.” Mom backed away. “I must wash up for dinner. Johnnie will be home from work soon.”
She left.
A moment of stunned silence went by.
“What?” Mattie finally gasped.
Chapter Eight
“It’s done, Johnnie.”
