Page 236 of Restless
“I say wedon’tfucking kill him, Ro.”
“He’s a problem.”
“How much of a problem?”
“A big one, CJ.” Rory sighed, rested his elbows on the table, and leaned forward. “My parents give me an allowance. I’m not sure if they split the amount or what. I do know it comes from Dad’s account. He earns the bulk of his money from the club, so technically I’m already on the club’s payroll.”
“Skewered reasoning, but whatever. The fucking point?”
“Gypsy is helping me with something. Since the night I served as the cover for your date with Harley, I’ve kept in contact with Gypsy. Does she send me explicit photos? Yes. Does it matter to me? No. I don’t…I’m different, CJ,” he whispered. “Some things still hurt me. I was so scared of what Mom might do when Dad left. I worry about my little sister. I cried when I thought Aunt Meggie would die. I miss you. Other than that, I’m numb inside. Even the nightmares have stopped. When I look at Gypsy, all I see is awoman. Fragile one moment and scheming the next.”
“You should see agrownwoman with a motherfucking husband who thinks nothing of cheating on her. However, he’d want to kill her and her lover in a reverse situation.”
“Does it matter? Uncle Christopher has been involved in the club in one way or the other since he wasten. We look at him as a legend now. Do you know what he must’ve seen and done in the eight years before he was legal? No matter what the others want to do, you and I havealwayswanted to patch in. You must accept that things won’t always be legal or palatable or politically correct or wrapped in a neat bow.”
“I know.”
“Maybe, but knowing and accepting are two different things, CJ. Iknewmy mom was fragile. I have memories of when she attempted suicide. I don’t know what’s real or what I’ve embellished. Until she fell apart a few days ago, I hadn’t truly accepted her instability.”
“You should’ve called me—”
“You could’ve visited.”
CJ shook his head. “No, Rory. I didn’t know when, or if, Uncle Johnnie would return. I’m tired of his punches. Sooner or later, I’m going to forget he’s my uncle and give him the fight he wants.”
“It’s the only way Dad might ever back off,” Rory said. “I’d prefer you to beat him up, then Uncle Chris to fuck him up.”
“What is Gypsy helping you with?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“What about Logan Donovan? It sounded as if you were referring to specific incidents.”
Rory evaded CJ’s gaze, then he sighed and shrugged. “I’ll tell you as soon as I find what I’m looking for.”
“Which is?”
“I can’t—”
“Is it dangerous? Does it have anything to do with Bash turning up in Hortensia?”
“Why…why do you say that?”
“Ryan knows that motherfucker and so does Uncle Johnnie,” CJ gritted. “There’s a fucking reason for that.”
“I think so, too,” he confessed. “And, yes, that’s what I’m searching for. Gypsy is going to ask some of the old broads who’ve been associated with the Burning Hounds for decades if they know anything about Logan and Bash.”
“I’d think it would be Logan and Cee Cee,” CJ said. “It’s a logical fucking conclusion since Bash was my grandfather’s son just like my dad.”
Rory stood. “I have a few more presents to buy, but I will keep you updated as soon as I find out more.”
“Before I forget, that officer that was in the locker room the day of Harley’s fight has been terminated.”
“As in?”
CJ snickered. “Fired from his job, motherfucker. Not from life.”
“Like Lumbly?”
