Page 211 of Relentles
“Little aliens from out of space with a taste for tequila,” CJ said dryly.
“You’re so funny, cousin.” Mattie roared with laughter, stopping abruptly at CJ’s glare. “I’ll repay you.”
“Keep your fucking money, Matilda,” CJ barked. “My dad has enough to worry about without you adding to his stress. Uncle Johnnie would blame him if anything happened to you because he’s a blind motherfucker.”
Bowing her head, Mattie’s shoulders suddenly shook. “Don’t talk about my father,” she cried. “You might not like him, but I do and I love him too.”
Horrified at Mattie’s tears, Rebel looked to CJ. Emotions weren’t exactly anathema to her, but she wasn’t sure how to console anyone other than her mother or Gunner.
CJ gathered Mattie in his arms and allowed her to cry. “S’okay, Mattie,” he whispered, knuckling her tears away and wincing. “Fuck, the salt in your eye water is burning the cuts on my knuckles,” he joked.
“I’m sorry—”
“No, Mattie,I’msorry. I didn’t mean to take out my annoyance on you. And I don’t like Uncle Johnnie.” She hated that fuckhead. “Especially the way he treats you and my mom. Don’t cry. Okay?”
She nodded and swiped at her wet cheeks.
Once CJ released her, Mattie walked to Rebel. Memories of her mother’s comfort came to her and she wrapped her arms around Mattie, just as Momma had done so many times for her.
“What should I do about you two motherfuckers, motherfuckers?” CJ asked, arms folded, staring at Billy and Eric. “If I rat you out to Dad, Potter gets fucked up, too. If Idon’t, you won’t learn your lesson.”
“It wasn’t their fault.” More in control of herself, Mattie pulled away from Rebel. “I called them. Rebel didn’t even know they were coming. It was all me, so don’t punish them.”
“It doesn’t matter,” CJ said. “They shouldn’t have come. They know how old you are. Even if you were grown, you’reUncle Johnnie’s daughter. They die immediately for touching you.”
Mattie’s shoulders sagged. Worried she’d cry again, Rebel rushed to insert a comment.
“Ifshe were eighteen, no one should have a say. Same with me. It’s my pussy. I can pitch it to whomever I please.”
CJ scowled at her.
“No one says anything about the Bobs,” Mattie argued, shored up by Rebel’s declaration. “And they fuck and suck their way through the club. Take you, Potter. Over the holidays, I overheard a couple of the girls talking about how sore your cock was because you got so many blowjobs.”
Intrigued, Rebel’s eyes widened, though Potter blushed.
“AndI’ve overheard many stories about when Uncle Chris had access to them,” Mattie added.
“Ewww,” Rebel said. “That’s my dad and your uncle. That’s gross.”
“The point is why should anyone have to die ifwewant to give it up? A girl wouldn’t suffer if CJ slept with her.”
“What the fuck goin’ on out here?”
Daddy’s voice bounced off the trees and trembled over the ground. Like CJ, he came from the direction of the houses, arriving just as stealthily.
As one, the six of them turned toward her father. He stood there, the forest a backdrop to his tall, muscular frame. Though he wore a leather jacket, he went hatless, and the breeze fluttered through his silver and black hair.
“You ain’t call me and told me you found Reb and Mattie, CJ.”
“We started talking, Dad,” CJ said. “I was just about to escort them home.”
Not appeased by the answer, Daddy stared at CJ so long, her brother shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at theground. Meanwhile, Potter, Billy, and Eric seemed on the verge of fainting.
“Why you three assfucks with lil’ kids?” Daddy demanded, his gaze as icy as his tone.
“We were out walking, Uncle Chris, and ran across Billy and Eric. Potter came looking for them. He needs them for something.”
Daddy cocked his head to the side. “How you know Billy and Eric, Mattie?”
