Page 17 of Relentles
“No!” Ryan screamed, scrambling to his feet. “MOM! POPS, help!” he cried hoarsely, turning to run, but unable to escape Christopher as he snatched him by the hair and yanked him back.
Christopher’s first blow landed in Ryan’s gut.
“I’m sorry, Uncle Christopher! I’m sorry!” Ryan sobbed.
“Our father, who art in Heaven…”Rule started as Christopher grabbed Ryan again and punched his jaw.
Ryan teetered and fell backwards as CJ guided Zoann to where Val sat, watching in colorless horror.
“Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come…”Rule continued a little too gleefully for Johnnie’s comfort.
“What did I do, Uncle Christopher?” Ryan wailed, darting over members to escape Christopher.
“Thy will be done. On earth, as it is in Heaven…”
“Don’t play fuckin’ dumb, boy. If Bash wanted to fuckin’ kill you, you fucked over him somehow!”
“Wait, wait, wait! I can explain…”
“Give us this day. Our daily bread…”
Johnnie was starting to get lightheaded.
“And forgive us our trespasses. As we forgive those who trespass against us...”
Christopher snatched Ryan to him and shoved him toward Zoann and Val.
“And lead us not into temptation…”
“Get him in hand. Hear me, Bitsy? Val?”
Zoann nodded frantically, wrapping her arms around Ryan as Val kept his hands on her hips, clinging to her.
“He shoulda came to me the moment Bash contacted him.”
“Fraternizing with the enemy is punishable by death,” someone called. “No matter who it is.
It was so crowded, and Johnnie was so woozy, he couldn’t identify the speaker.
Christopher nodded. “Ryan still learnin’ the ropes,” he said easily. “He ain’t knowin’ the Scorpions are Dweller enemies. That’s why the boys are here. I want to make sure they know if a motherfucker from any fuckin’ club approach you and you keep it from us, you gettin’ fuckin’ beat. It ain’t only endangerin’ your life, but your mas, your sisters, and your aunts. It’s endangerin’ the club. You Dweller sons. Disrespect to the club not tolerated. Disloyalty to the club won’t be tolerated. You don’t have to be a part of the club. If you want a different life, we still love you, but you willalwaysbe affiliated. If you not a part of the club, keep your fuckin’ mouth shut to civilians. If youarea part of the club, keep your fuckin’ mouth shut to civilians.Alfuckinwaysreportanystrange motherfucker who approach you. Hear me?”
“Yeah, Dad,” CJ said.
“Yes, Uncle Christopher,” Devon said quietly, staring at Ryan, still in Zoann’s embrace, while she softly sobbed.
“Yes, sir,” Grant responded, and smiled at Knox Harrington, his father.
“Yeah, Uncle Christopher,” Rory said, sniffling.
“Ryan?” Christopher pressed.
Zoann released her son, swiping at her cheeks. “Answer your uncle, Ryan. I sat in misery for half an hour and—”
The opening door brought in three more of Christopher’s sons—Ransom, Ryder, and Axel.
Ryder was a blond like Johnnie…he blinked. Ryder was a blond likeMegan, with her blue eyes, though at eleven, Christopher’s genes were creeping out in his height.
“Before you beat our asses, we want to plead our case, Dad,” Axel said. He was ten and on the small side. Possibly, because he’d been born prematurely.
