Page 36 of Restless
“He said horrible things about my mom, Uncle Johnnie,” CJ said. “He said Ryder was your son and that Mom killed a man. We know only one of those things are true.”
Wildness crept into his uncle’s eyes, but he staggered back.
“I’m coming to you because Ryan is somehow involved with him, Uncle. And…and…Molly is pregnant.” CJ hung his head. “Possibly by Bash,” he whispered. “I don’t know how to get her help and…and…Ryan’s a fucking fuckbag. Most of the time I can’t stand that stupid motherfucker, but if Aunt Zoann loves him the way Aunt Kendall loves her children and Mom loves us, it’ll devastate her if he gets his dumb ass killed. Bash is evil and dangerous.”
“He looks like Uncle Christopher, Dad,” Rory said casually.
“Does he?” Uncle Johnnie sounded like a robot.
“You know him!” Rory accused again.
“I don’t—”
Lying bitch.“There’s no other reason for your reaction, Uncle.”
He stiffened. “I won’t have children questioning my judgment,” he roared.
JJ jumped but rage blanketed Rory’s face. “Go, J,” he said.
JJ left.
“You know him,” Rory repeated.
“Shut the fuck up, Rory. I’m warning you.”
“Don’t be mad that we have more fucking sense than you, Dad,” Rory retorted. “How do you know Bash?”
“I don’t—”
“Another thing you’re getting over on my dad?” CJ asked with derision, interrupting his uncle. He was in no mood to hear more of his fucking lies.
“How am I getting over on Christopher, CJ?”
“The way you play him to keep the peace? Now, you’re cavorting with motherfuckers that doesn’t mean any of us any good.”
Uncle Johnnie stalked from behind the desk. “I resent that, you little motherfucker.”
CJ shoved him away. “I don’t give a fuck, Uncle. I came here because I needed you.”
“Since when? Usually it’s Mortician or Val. Even Digger.”
“Can you fucking blame me? They’d tell Dad to protect him. You’d hold this shit in to manipulate him. But he’s worried about Mom right now. He doesn’t need Bash’s distraction. I thought it was just about Molly and Ryan, but it’s so much fucking deeper. Who the fuck is Bash?”
“I don’t answer to a goddamn boy.”
“Even if it’ll protect the club, Dad?”
CJ gave Uncle Johnnie a chance to respond to Rory’s question.
“Who is Bash, Uncle?” CJ demanded at his uncle’s continued silence. “Answer to me or answer to my dad. I don’t give a fuck. He needs somebody to protect him. Obviously, it isn’t you. You can’t even protect your own fucking wife and children.”
Through the years, CJ had his fair share of ass beatings from his father. Usually, with a belt or a hand. ‘Law had never raised his fists to CJ or any of his brothers, even Diesel. None of his uncles had. Even with all that had passed between CJ and Uncle Johnnie, he never would’ve expected the motherfucker to cold clock him and make him see stars.
“Dad, have you lost your fucking mind?” Rory demanded, rushing to CJ and preventing him from dropping to the ground. “You have a bad fucking habit of hitting Uncle Christopher’s son. One of these days, he’s going to kill you.”
“He’s Megan son.”
“ThatUncle Christopherfathered!”
