Page 77 of Relentles
“Let’s get back to the mall,” Rule ordered.
Ryan didn’t have the balls to gainsay him. Not with Rasputin and his fucking band of killers milling about.
As they crested Turn Creek Bridge, a thought occurred to him and he halted. His brother and cousins paused, too. “You knew I was meeting Willard?”
“I heard you talking to him last night,” Devon admitted without remorse. “This was our best opportunity to warn Wally away from Mattie, Ryan.”
“So all the bullshit about us spending time together was bullshit?” Ryan asked in outrage.
Axel looked him up and down. “Please, motherfucker. You’re not that interesting.”
“Yeah, if we have to spend the day with anybody, we’d prefer to hang out with CJ,” Ryder said. “You’re too fucking mean and humpy-faced.”
“Or we like tormenting Reb,” Ransom added. “She’s not a regular girl. I swear that bitch has a dick because she is fucking ferocious. If she wasn’t my sister, I’d be afraid of her.”
“Reb’s a dumb bitch,” Ryan replied. “She can be as bad as she pleases with us because of Outlaw. Let that cunt try some of her shit anywhere else and we’ll see how fucking tough she is.”
“Then it’ll be up to us to avenge her,” Rory said.
Ryan smirked. “Oh, please. Willard knocked you on your ass easy enough. You’re just full of fucking hot air.”
Sighing, Rory opened his leather jacket and dug into an interior pocket, coming up with a pocketknife. Once he unfolded it, he held it up. “It’s a hunting knife,” he said quietly. “I didn’t take it out of my pocket because I knew Iwould’ve killed one of them.” He drew in another breath, folded it back, and returned it to his pocket. “My mom is going through enough. Dad hasn’t taught me how to kill without detection. If I fucked up and was caught, it would’ve destroyed Mom. But when he shoved me…if Ransom hadn’t swung that bat, I would’ve stabbed him. Over and over, just to see how many times I could puncture him before he died.”
Ryan swallowed.
“Humans are mere animals,” Rule cut in. “If you wanted to measure the number of wounds in terms of surface area, that’s one thing. But a jab to the heart will fell any animal in seconds.” With a last smile, he started to turn, then stopped. “If Wallace hurts Mattie anymore, we’ll invite him to the club, then tell him we want to show him the cave.” He shrugged. “It’ll be easy enough to ambush him there and no one will catch us.” Shovinghis hands in his pockets, he smirked at Ryan, and left them all standing in silence.
While his brothers seemed impress becausetheywere fucking lunatics too, Ryan suddenly felt like pissing all over himself.
Chapter Twelve - Johnnie
Leaning against the headboard, Johnnie closed his eyes. Ever since his conversation with Christopher last night, he hadn’t been able to rest. Emotions were a tangled web that never did anyone any good.
It was Christmas Eve, and he was convalescing in a fucking roomnotin his house. Kendall told him she had to wrap her head around the fact that not only had he fucked up so terribly he’d gotten shot but he was also responsible for Brooks’s time in the meatshack.
She was so fucking pissed. More than she’d been in years. A bored Kendall was dangerous. But a furious one? Fuck.
How had a simple matter gotten so far out-of-hand?
Rory wanted him to tell Christopher. His son knew everything anddemandedhe confess. Johnnie just didn’t know how to fix his mouth to do it. He needed to pull Ryan aside and shake the fuck out of him.
How had the little motherfucker even gotten involved with Bash? Rory claimed not to know. Maybe, his son just didn’t trust Johnnie. Which he deserved, but it still chafed.
His shoulder was throbbing. He was heartsore and homesick. Listening to how he’d let Christopher down upset him as much as Rory’s disappointment.
A knock sounded on his door a moment before his phone began ringing. He accepted the call, yelling, “Come in,” and then, “hello.” He hadn’t paid attention to the number or the name.
“What the fuck is wrong with those fucking psychopaths?” Bash blared into his ear as Megan walked in carrying a tray.
“Hold on a minute,” Johnnie gritted, lowering the volume on the call so the motherfucker’s voice wouldn’t carry. “Megan, sweetheart, I need to talk to you.”
“You’re not getting out of this by pretending you have company. Especiallyher.”
“Make it quick, Johnnie,” she grumbled, setting the tray on his nightstand.
“Fuck, she is there. You’re fucking Outlaw’s bitch?”
“Shut the fuck up! And why the fuck were you calling and screaming in my fucking ear.”
