Page 248 of Restless
CJ stood, in the line of fire since Johnnie’s hand remained at his side, over his holstered gun. “For what? Do you really want to consider how it’ll go if my dad finds out why Uncle Mort is facing the consequences of disobeying you? We can start with you telling Mom to leave Dad.”
Yeah, a fact that went over Mort’s head until that moment.
“Or, it can be, Uncle Mort shielding me from your intentions to shoot me. Which one, Uncle Johnnie? The latter will get you maimed. The former will get your live body fucking incinerated in the cremation oven at the funeral home.”
“Leave, Mortician. I want to talk to my nephew alone.”
“Man, fuck you. I’m not leaving CJ with you, especially with your hand on your fucking gun.”
“If life had gone differently, CJ would bemyson,” Johnnie gritted, like the stupid motherfucker he was.
“What the fuck is your delusional mind cooking up now?” CJ demanded.
Johnnie opened his mouth.
“Nothing, little dude,” Mort inserted. The kid was going through enough without Johnnie revealing the messy history between him and CJ’s parents. “Now, sit the fuck down so I can talk to your uncle.”
“I disinherit him! I don’t want him as an uncle. All he’s ever done is disliked me, Uncle Mort.”
At that, Johnnie scowled. “You’re wrong, CJ. I don’t dislike you. I could never! How can you say such a thing?”
His genuine shock shouldn’t have astonished Mort. Stupid motherfuckery was all-encompassing and a deranged Donovan trait.
CJ narrowed his eyes.
Fuck.
Angry green snake eyes were a fucking Caldwell trait.
“You either hate me, my parents, or all three of us, fuckbag.”
“Enough with the goddamn names, CJ. I draw the fucking line—”
“My line was drawn when my sister told me you snuck in Mom’s room.Youcrossedmymotherfucking line today when I walked up on you harassing my mom. Next.”
“I’m not harassing Megan,” Johnnie huffed.
Yanking his phone out of his jacket pocket, CJ smirked at Johnnie. “According to Merriam-Webster online, the definition of harassment is as follows:1a. Exhaust, Fatigue; 1b.1to annoy persistently;1b.2 to create an unpleasant or hostile situation for especially by uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct.”
Johnnie’s nostrils flared. “I know the definition of harass, you disrespectful little motherfucker.”
“Of course, you do,” CJ said with sarcasm. “All know-it-alls are stupider than fucking bricks.”
“Do you hear how he’s talking to me, Mortician?” Johnnie demanded. Not waiting for a reply, he turned his icy gaze to CJ. “The day is coming where you will need me, and I’m going to gleefully deny you.”
That sounded ominous.
“Why?” CJ demanded, low. “What do you know that my dad doesn’t?”
Unease swept across Johnnie’s face. Forever fronting, he stiffened. “I resent that fucking question.”
“I stopped caring what you fucking resent years ago, Uncle Johnnie. I’ll answer for you, since you’re too chickenshit to do it. You’re fucking over the club with motherfucking Bash. Just like Ryan.”
“CJ, enough,” Mortician warned, not missing Johnnie’s flinch. “This club business, and you not a fucking member. I’ve told you before overstepping is dangerous.”
“Really, Mortician? You’re calling him down for that but not for his insolence toward me?”
“I couldn’t interfere with that, Johnnie,” Mort said with a shrug. “Family business. It wasn’t my place to say shit.”
