Page 235 of Restless
“Rory!”
At the sound of Gypsy’s voice, CJ lifted a brow at his cousin a moment before Derby’s wife arrived at the table. A headband held her frizzy blonde hair in place. Ivory tit mounds drew attention to their generous size. She was a full-figured woman with generous curves and an attractive face, even with the wrinkles.
“Hey, CJ,” she greeted, her smile faltering. She nodded to Ryan. “Ryan.”
Ryan offered her a two-fingered salute and turned his head, a clear dismissal.
“Hey, Gypsy,” CJ said, hoping his smile put her at ease.
A moment of awkward silence passed.
She cleared her throat. “Uh, Rory, can I talk to you?”
“Don’t have the time today.” Rory got to his feet, dug in his pocket and pulled out some cash. He handed the bills to Gypsy. “I’ll text you in a couple days.”
A blush crept into her face, and she bit down on her lip.
Rory took his seat again, grabbed his phone, and focused on it.
“Er.” Gypsy pressed her lips together. “Um, how’s Meggie, CJ?”
“Mom’s better,” CJ said politely, glancing between her and Rory. “I’m waiting for her to call me, so we can meet for coffee.”
“You boys are all grown up,” she said nervously.
“If that helps you sleep at night, bitch,” Ryan said with a smirk.
Gypsy gulped. “Bye, CJ.” She turned and rushed away, soon swallowed by the crowd of holiday shoppers either passing through the food court as a shortcut to the other side of the mall or searching for a bite to eat.
CJ scrubbed a hand over his face. “When Derby kills you, I’ll visit your fucking grave, Rory.”
“I can introduce you to a few hot cougars, Ro,” Ryan offered. “You’re wasting your cock on that dried up slut.”
“We don’t fuck, dickhead. I give her fucking money.”
CJ had enough fucking problems. He didn’t have the energy to explain to Rory why giving money to Gypsy was wrong on so many different fucking levels. She should know better.
“You don’t have a fucking job, Rory,” Ryan said.
Rory set his phone aside. “And? I don’t intend to ever have a fucking job, Ryan. Not in the sense you mean. I want to be the club’s enforcer.”
That was news. “What happened to VP?” CJ asked.
Shame crossed Rory’s face. “I won’t be good at it, CJ. I just know it. Sometimes, I think if Dad…” He glanced away. “Dad should’ve been the enforcer or the treasurer. If he would’ve focused on his strengths rather than what he felt was his right, he would be happier.”
“VP wasn’t only his birthright,” Ryan said. “The presidency was.”
“As much as it was Uncle Christopher’s, Ryan,” Rory said quietly, taking the words out of CJ’s mouth. “But Uncle Christopher is a master of diplomacyandrevenge. We saw him in action at the Scorched Devils meeting. If my dad wasn’t so bitter, he could allow Uncle Mort to become the VP. Dad would be an awesome enforcer.”
“You’re so fucking stupid, Rice Krispie face,” Ryan scoffed and stood. “You’ll never be anything more than a stupid shitface. I’m the oldest of the cousins—”
“Grant’s the oldest,” Rory corrected.
“Diesel’sthe oldest,” CJ said.
“They aren’t members of our family. Neither are Mortician and Digger’s mongrels.” Ryan stalked off, losing himself in the crowd.
“I say we kill him, C.,” Rory said.
