Page 18 of Relentles
It made Johnnie wonder about Jo, and whether her early and difficult entry into the world would affect her stature.
“We’d also like a change of venue,” Ransom added. He was twelve, sharing his father’s green eyes and black hair like the other Caldwell boys with the exception of Ryder. “This is a biased setting, far away from home. When you beat our asses, we won’t be able to walk through a fucking forest, Dad.”
“Then fuckin’ crawl the fuck back home,” Christopher said.
“Now, Dad, we ask permission to call an unbiased witness,” Ryder said, stepping forward, though still out of grab-reach.
Christopher lifted a brow. “Your ma?”
“We’re going to FaceTime her,” Axel said.
“Zoom,” Ransom corrected around a cough. “Depositions and testimony are done on Zoom.”
Despite the laughter rolling through the crowd, Christopher didn’t crack a smile.
“Mom will plead on our behalf and point out all our good qualities. She will remind you that we pushed that motherfucker into the creek because he intruded on us during a private meeting with our cousins.”
“When you cut fuckin’ class, boy—”
“Objection, Dad!” Axel said. “We’re not on trial forthat.”
“Overfuckinruled! You ain’t on trial for a motherfuckin’ thing. Your punishment already decided.”
“Even Medieval peasants had a trial before they were executed,” Ransom protested.
“And Rule isn’t fucked up and hestabbedthat Leatherface motherfucker,” Ryder said.
“Shut up,” Axel ordered. “Rule probably prayed a curse on Dad’s hands. Don’t make Dad beat him because he might turn our dicks bug size.”
“That’s not how prayers work!” Rule cried as Ransom said, “you’re puny. Your dick’s already bug sized.”
“Nuh-uh!” Axel screeched with indignation, his green eyes flaring. Like all the Caldwell boys, he imitated his father in black jeans, a white T-shirt, and boots. “Mine’s goliath!”
Roars of laughter echoed through the room.
Christopher raised his hand. “Bitsy, take Ryan and Devon home.”
Not hesitating, she hugged Val, nodded to Devon then shoved Ryan in the direction of the door. Once they were gone, Christopher spoke again.
“Potter, dig out the bullet in Johnnie’s shoulder.”
Potter was back? Had he killed Brooks?
“Can I dig out the bullet?” Rory called and, for a moment, silence fell.
Chapter Two - Christopher
Of all the things Christopher anticipated, it wasn’t Rory asking to dig the bullet out of Johnnie’s shoulder. As upset as the boy was, Christopher expected his nephew to beg for Johnnie to be taken to a hospital. The anticipation gleaming in Rory’s eyes shocked Christopher.
“I know you good with knives, Rory, but seein’ blood runnin’ down a motherfucker not for the faint of heart.”
Shame crossed Rory’s face and he hung his head. “I-I understand, Uncle Christopher.”
Christopher narrowed his eyes at Johnnie again. Fucking, motherfucking fuckhead assfuck. He was still taking Rory into the meatshack. But for fucking what? Carving dead animals? There hadn’t been a fucking human body since Cole.
Until he got all the facts, Christopher didn’t want to jump the gun and fuck up Johnnie without just cause. Nor did he want to humiliate Rory. Degrading a kid had a lasting impact…
Thoughtful, he glanced at Val. Suddenly, Ryan’s unchecked disrespect took on a new meaning.
