Page 181 of Restless
Ryan turned those words over in his head. When CJ said something similar to her the day he’d stormed on the field to confront Ryan, he hadn’t understood. Now, though, he was beginning to get an idea.
“I finally got it out of her that he told her that shit and she believed him. Dumb slut,” Bash scoffed. “I told her don’t mention she knew me or Cleaner, and she couldn’t wait to open her fucking mouth.”
“She never mentioned you or Cleaner to me,” Ryan snapped. “That should’ve accounted for something. Furthermore, you know I was fucking her because I told you. I introduced you.”
“There was no need, idiot. I already knew her.”
“Through Willard and Wally,” Ryan guessed.
“Through Tom and Nora,” Bash corrected. “Nora was one of my bitches. Tom ended up liking her, so I gave her to him as long as he stayed loyal to me.”
“Are you all related?” Because, so far, there were so many relations in their twisted family history, it wouldn’t surprise Ryan. “Is Tom your brother?”
Bash cuffed the side of Ryan’s head. “That would make Molly my niece!” he snarled with indignation. “What kind of depraved motherfucker do you take me for?”
“A giant depraved motherfucker,” Ryan bit out, rubbing the side of his head.
Snickering, Bash lit a cigarette, so Ryan did the same. They smoked in silence for a few minutes.
“It could’ve been my baby you beat out of her,” he said finally.
“Who gives a fuck, Ryan? Fuck her until you knock her up again, if it means that much to you. Chances are, it wasyourbaby, since I’ve only fucked her twice in the last six months and she wasn’t that far along.”
Nausea twisted through Ryan, and he lost interest in his cigarette. He threw it over the railing. “I see.”
“If it makes you feel any better, Tom tied her to the bed. She didn’t want me.” Bash shrugged. “Not that I give a fuck. But I do like you. Wish you were my kid, so I didn’t want you to think she wanted me.”
Bash’s words made Molly’s treatment even more egregious. Besides, how the fuck did it matter? Did Bash really think those bullshit words made Ryan feel better?
“She might not want me,” Bash continued, “but she wants CJ.”
Ryan stiffened.
“Just saying. If you summoned me to confront me about Molly Harris, I hope you know she’d throw you over in a minute if CJ gave her a chance.”
Of course, she would. All the girls loved CJ. For now, Ryan would push aside his feelings for his cousin. At least, until Molly recuperated, then he’d make her choose. If she wanted to continue as his girlfriend, then she had to forget CJ.
“She’s the main reason I asked to meet with you, but not the only reason. Why are you here, asshole?”
“I don’t owe you an explanation of my schedule.”
“You do when you reveal yourself to my cousins and to Harley.”
“She’s a pretty slut.”
“She’s not even fifteen yet.”
“She has a cunt. She’s a slut.”
Worst fucking logic ever. “CJ saw you.”
“And his fucking little brothers pushed me in the fucking creek. I owe those motherfuckers.”
“Good luck with that. Axel, Ryder, and Ransom are the Terrible Triplets. They will fuck you up and not lose sleep over it. They have none of Meggie’s qualities. Not like CJ. He has a conscience. Those three don’t.”
“I still owe them. And they are children. From what I understand, they’ve never killed anyone.”
Neither had CJ. Yet, he’d taken the blood at the Harris house in stride. Of course, he hadn’t seen a lifeless head alone in a sink with eyes half-closed and a mouth frozen open.
