Page 49 of Ruptured
Rule stilled, blinked. Sniffles punctuated the air.
“It’s okay, boy,” Dad said quietly. “It’s okay. We got you.”
“Dad?” Rule croaked, squinting so he could see better. They’d stolen his sight. “Dad, help me. Dad?”
“Yeah, boy. Me and CJ here. Just us. The others left us alone.”
“CJ,” Rule called, and burst into tears. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
The bed creaked, and Rule shrank back, afraid the voices, black globs when they came to life, were there to harm him.
“It’s okay, Rule,” CJ swore, his fingers brushing against Rule’s skin.
They were gentle, not like the hands that had been trying to steal him away and drag him to hell. He forced himself to focus,forced his attention from the ceiling, unable to remember why he’d fixated on that spot.
CJ sat next to him, tears streaking his cheeks. Rule didn’t see hatred or disgust on his brother’s face. Just regret and concern.
“I’m sorry, CJ,” Rule sobbed. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“This isn’t about us.” CJ’s voice broke. “It’s about you.”
“I love you, CJ. Don’t hate me. Don’t stop loving me. I love you, Dad.”
Dad bent and slid his fingers through Rule’s hair. His green eyes, so like CJ’s, were watery. “We love you, son. We just want you to get better.”
“Is Reb dead?” he whispered, his mind spinning and looping, unable to remain focused on one thing. “She’s dead, isn’t she? That’s why she isn’t here. That’s why I can’t talk to her. I want Rebel.”
CJ leaned over and pulled Rule into his arms. He too smelled of smoke and leather. “Reb’s fine, brother,” he whispered, referring to him as Rebel did when she still liked him. “She’s sick, but she’s getting better. As soon as she does, she’ll call you.”
Rule held onto CJ, not wanting to let him go. “Let me come home, C. Please, talk to Dad.” He laughed hysterically. “Mom said she wanted to get me help and I told that cuntno.”
CJ tightened his hold on Rule. “Mom loves you. She isn’t a cunt. She’s an amazing woman who saved us all.”
“No!”
“No matter what you said, she shouldn’t have listened, boy.” Dad sounded a little angry. “You a kid. She should’ve used better judgment.”
“Mom was recovering from a fucking traumatic birth, Dad,” CJ snapped. “Youcould’ve helped Rule, too.”
“Megan told me to wait,” Dad snarled.
“Since when do you listen to her?” CJ demanded.
“I fucking resent that. I always listen to your ma.”
“In your fucking dreams,” CJ clapped back.
Rule laughed again. “You hate her, too,” he preened. “Like me. She’s a miserable slut.”
Sighing, CJ released Rule, then bent and kissed his cheek. He straightened. “I can’t stay…I’m sorry, Rule. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better brother and I love you. But I love Mom, and I can’t stay while you…” A tear slid down his cheek and splashed onto Rule’s forehead. “Never mind. I love you. Get better. I-I still need the updated logo for whenever I take over the club. Remember, you were going to draw it for me? You were going to do our tattoos? Remember?”
Rule shook his head, worn out. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been anything but Jesus boy and a joke. He swiped his tears. “You…you liked my art, C.?”
“I loved it, so did Mo…er,Dad.We’re very proud of your talent.”
“Ryan didn’t like it.”
“Ryan can fuck himself,” CJ said flatly.
