Page 140 of Restless
Digger shook his head. “You the asshole, bruh. Everything your man said is right. Outlaw listen to Meggie and hide behind what Johnnie says, claiming he can’t act because it isn’t what the club wants. It’s not what his bitch wants.”
“If you don’t shut the fuck up, I’ll silence you myself,” Mortician said as more of the men he’d summoned walked out of the clubhouse and headed toward their bikes parked in various spaces in the lot. “How the fuck can Prez act like he once did if the motherfuckers he trust the most against him? Take the fucking Gnomes. When Cash, Johnnie, and the other motherfuckers voted for peace, Prez came to us.Us.” He started ticking names off on his fingers. “Johnnie. Val. Cash. Stretch. Digger. Me.Us. His friends, family, and fellow officers.” He pointed to Cash. “You, motherfucker, refused, along with Johnnie. Outlaw might be able to take on individual motherfuckers without our help, but a whole fucking club? You the fucking sniper, McCall. Johnnie was Jack-of-all-Torturers, good with a blade and a gat, so don’t tell me Prez hiding behind what the fucking Johnnie want if you don’t want me to punch you in your goddamn mouth.”
“Before we start fucking up each other, let’s hit the road,” Digger advised, not allowing Cash a chance to respond.
“You can apologize to me later, Mortician,” Cash said.
“Don’t dish it if you can’t take it asshole,” Stretch said, turned away and walked to his bike, mounting up.
Drawing in a breath, Cash glanced away, then headed to his bike.
“Cash…Ghost?” Digger called.
Cash stopped but didn’t turn.
“The last vote about moving against another club was almost two years ago. Don’t let it come between you and Stretch.”
“Was it really that long?” Cash responded. “It feels more recent than that, especially since we don’t have a leader to hold us together while Meggie is in the hospital and Outlaw flounders.”
“It won’t be solved today,” Mort grumbled. “Let’s fucking ride.”
A few minutes later, the sound of over a dozen Harleys roaring to life was loud in the still morning. Mort signaled they head out. At the gate, Mort paused to talk to the Probate on duty. He was a small, wiry man with a long beard and a bald head.
“Flea, only allow regulars to come and go. Another motherfucker better not get through the gates. Feel me?”
“Got it, Mortician.”
Arriving at the Harris house, Mort found Rory sitting on the top step, smoking a cigarette, his eyes bright and burning.
Mort nodded, silently instructing the others to go into the house. Then, he sat next to Rory and lit his own cigarette.
“Hey, little dude,” he said. “You okay?”
Rory puffed in silence. Mort waited him out, tuning out the movement and chatter emanating from inside the small house.
“CJ told on me,” he said finally.
“CJ not a snitch, Rory.”
“I know you know I wanted her body. You both think I’m a freak.”
“CJ worry about you, kid. He don’t think you a freak anymore than I do.”
“Don’t tell my dad. He’d be mad that you know.”
“Don’t fucking worry, Rory. I’m trying not to talk to that motherfucker. And what do I know?”
Shifting, Rory sidled a glance at Mort, then flicked his cigarette away. “I, um, I—”
“This life we lead not normal, little dude,” Mort said quietly, throwing away his own cigarette and reaching a startling realization. For the first time, he wished he’d chosen a different path.Maybe, Bailey and Harley would be proud of him.Maybe, his marriage wouldn’t be in trouble. “It’s not for everybody.”
“It’s for me,” Rory said without hesitation. “I-I…Dad said…I-I always wanted to be CJ’s righthand. Dad wants me to be the prez.”
Anger percolated in Mort, but he wouldn’t express it to Rory. He could only advise him. “Johnnie your old man, so I know you want to please him. At some point, kid, you have to live for yourself. Our world brutal, Rory. If you aren’t sure of the place you want to fill—can fill—then you going to be lost.”
“I already am, Uncle Mort.”
Mort settled an arm around Rory’s shoulders. “Then I’m here, little dude. I’m here to pick you up and guide you back. I’m not here to judge you. CJ here. Val. Outlaw.”
