Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
“ W e’re here, sir,” Ray said as he pulled to a stop in front of the farm house.
“Thank you, Ray,” Kade said as he jumped out with Valk following him. He was a little worried, he was supposed to have dinner tonight with Ram and his family but he hadn’t heard from Ram for most of the day. It was highly unusual. He carefully made his way across the gravel driveway and up the stairs. Maybe Ram had been caught at work, he didn’t want to come off too clingy so he figured he’d just hang out with Saint if he was home.
“Hey, Kade.” Saint greeted when he opened the door.
Kade cocked his head, Saint’s voice was unusually subdued. “Hey brother, what’s wrong?” It wasn’t like Saint to be this calm.
Saint sighed deeply. “My grandmother on my dad’s side passed away a couple days ago and we just found out so it’s fucked both my dad and Ram up,” he said, leading Kade into the living room.
Kade’s heart sank. He’d liked Ram’s mother, she had been warm and inviting and just like a mother should be. His heart hurt for both Ram and his brother. “I’m sorry for your loss, Bram.” He guessed it was Bram who was sniffing in the living room.
“Thank you,” Bram croaked.
“Where’s Ram?” Kade wanted to make sure his man was okay, he didn’t know a lot about their history but he knew the man had adored his mother, he had adored her himself.
“He hasn’t left his place since we found out,” Bram told him, as Sanem curled further into his side, offering comfort.
Valk whined sensing the turmoil in the air.
“Go find Ram,” Kade told Valk then followed behind him as he headed for the door. “I’ll do my best to help him,” he called out as he stepped back out onto the porch. He slowly made his way down the gravel driveway doing his best to pay attention to where his feet were landing, until he made it to the front door of Ram’s stone cottage. He’d only been here in passing once when Ram had needed to come and get extra clothes, since he’d basically moved into Kade’s apartment, and he remembered how to get there from the main house. He knocked but got no answer. He tried the door and found it unlocked. “Batty!” he called out, letting Valk race ahead. He really needed to come up with a new name but it had slipped his mind.
“Kade,” Ram croaked. Seeing his boy walk in like a ray of sunshine on one of his darkest days made the tears he was trying desperately to hold back finally fall.
That broken tone almost did him in. Kade didn’t know what to do when his man was hurting like this. He couldn’t give a shit if either one of his parents died and he didn’t really know what the protocol was for offering comfort.
“I’m alone,” Ram grated out. Watching the man he fell hard for walking towards him made him want to praise God, and him and God didn’t have a good relationship.
“Where are you?” Kade paused, he’d only been this far into the living room when he’d visited and didn’t know the layout.
“Walk about three paces then turn right, walk another three paces and you’ll be in front of me, I’m sitting on the couch.” He cleared his throat. “Better yet let’s go outside, it’s stuffy in here and there’s stuff on the floor I don’t want you to trip over.” It was a pigsty, he’d barely been home to clean in the past couple of weeks and when he’d gotten the news he’d trashed his place. Tossing things and breaking them until the anger and hurt wasn’t so suffocating.
Kade raised a brow but nodded and headed back out. “I don’t care how bad it is, Ram. I just want to help.”
“I know but I’m the one you’re supposed to lean on.” Ram never wanted Kade to see him like this, he wanted Kade to know he was always there for him, and this was not proving that.
When Bram saw Kade step back out his heart sank. Sanem grabbed his hand while all the kids piled in close to watch. When Ram stepped out his heart skipped a beat. His brother looked rough, he’d always been a momma’s boy. He felt a pang in his heart for his brother, Ram was a good man and to see him feel this pain made him want to protect his little brother.
“I need you to know…” Ram started but was cut off when a rough hand grabbed the back of his neck and he was yanked into a powerful chest. Oh how the roles were reversed.
“Remember when you told me I was a middle? I don’t always need you to be strong. I need you to lean on me, prove to me you don’t think less of me for the way that I am,” Kade grumbled roughly, he hoped to God he was doing this right.
“I could never,” Ram assured him, his voice raspy and rough.
Bram’s breath caught when his brother sagged into Kade’s embrace and he could feel his brother crumble under the sweeping feeling of love. The feeling in his chest wasn’t foreign to him but to feel his brother’s untouched heart beat for someone else was something he’d never thought he’d experience. “Holy shit.” He met Saint’s eyes who just nodded. His brother was in love. Hell had officially frozen over.
“I have to get ready for the funeral,” Ram mumbled into Kade’s neck. He really needed a shower and some time to try and regain control over his emotions. There was no way in hell he was going to step foot in the Amish community with his anger boiling so close to the surface, things would not end well for anyone involved.
“Need to call your family first, they’re very worried about you,” Kade told him.
“They’re watching us,” Ram said. He could feel his brother’s eyes on them and shuffled closer, letting Kade’s spicy scent calm him and winced when Kade tensed. “Sorry, I should have warned you.” He gave Kade more of his weight knowing he’d hold him up, his boy was strong as fuck. He was exhausted, his heart hurt, just thinking of his precious mother made his breathing hitch as pain tore through him. “You would have loved getting to know her better,” he croaked, his voice giving out on him. She had been so excited to meet Kade, and to see how happy she was that he’d finally found someone that would help heal his wounds made him so proud. He’d always felt his chest swell with pride whenever she had smiled at him, like he was her most precious thing, her reason for living. He felt guilty again for abandoning her. He could have gone back and stayed Amish, but he knew with absolute surety she would have ended up burying him, and that was something he couldn’t do to her. Parents weren’t meant to bury their children and if his precious mother had to bury him she would not have survived that.
“If she was anything like you I would have worshiped the ground she walked on,” Kade replied, hugging him tighter.
The tears finally came. Two days since she had passed and he’d only found out that morning, but no tears over his mother. He’d just been numb like he was stuck in limbo, everything had been distorted and now with Kade straightening everything out it hit that she was gone. “Oh shit,” he choked out.
“Bram wait.” Sanem grabbed his arm to stop him from walking out of the door.
“I need to check on him, baby, I can feel his pain. He’s grieving the only parent that gave a shit about him. I need to be there.” Bram spoke fast as he jumped off the deck and headed towards his brother.
Sanem let him go knowing he needed this too and watched as he rushed down to his brother.
Valk whined in greeting. “Hey bud,” Bram croaked, and gently caressed Valk’s soft ears. “Hey Kade, I just wanna make sure he’s okay.”
Kade nodded, understanding and almost smiled. Had he not had Ram in his arms he would have thought he was the one who walked up, their voices were so much alike. He tried to nudge Ram into his brother’s arms but he wouldn’t let go. Ram’s arms were banded tight around his back and his hands were fisted in his shirt. He was a little worried, while yes Ram was crying that was it. Silent tears.
“It’s normal.” Bram assured Kade when he saw the man getting concerned over his brother’s quietness. “He’s alway been a silent cryer.” He pulled Ram into his arms.
“Funeral?” Ram croaked, his head pounded and he was so tired. He clung to Bram letting him be the strong one for a minute. Even though Bram had always been the strong one, he’d always acted like Ram was the strongest person he’d ever met, and he adored him for it.
“We still have a few hours.” Bram noticed Kade’s hands clenching and unclenching like he desperately wanted to reach out to Ram. He urged his brother back into his lover’s arms. “Give me a second and I’ll tidy up the place.”
Kade shook his head. “I’ll be taking him back with me to my place. We can wait for the funeral there. Just tell me what time and what he needs to wear.”
Bram smiled. “Your place is actually on the way, so we can stop by and pick you up, and regular clothes will be fine, it won’t be like a normal funeral.”
Kade nodded. “Okay thank you.” He helped Ram back to the SUV where Ray was waiting patiently for him.
“Back to your place, sir?” Ray asked, starting the car.
“Yes, please.” Kade pushed Ram into the back and waited til Valk got settled in the middle before he got in. The drive back to his apartment was quiet, Ram seemed to be lost in his own world. “How’s Edwin doing?” Ram saw the big man in the front smile softly at Kade’s question. Edwin was Ray’s nephew he’d raised after his brother and his wife were killed in a car accident when the boy was ten.
“He’s good, sir. He still feels guilty about the wreck months ago, and it’s brought up some hard feelings for him. I’ve got him in therapy so I’m hoping to see more of an improvement soon.” Ray’s deep voice was full of nothing but pride for his gangly nephew.
Kade nodded. “Let him know he doesn’t have to worry about his job, it’ll be here when he’s ready and he still has his benefits and is still being paid. I just have him down on paid vacation.”
“Thank you, sir, that means a lot to me.” Ray’s tone conveyed his surprise.
Kade chuckled softly. “He’s a good kid, and he’s shown me nothing but good things since he’s been working for me. Does he plan to go to college?” He could hear the smile in Ray’s voice when he answered.
“Yes, sir. He wants to get a degree in criminal justice, but he also wants to join the Navy and work in intelligence. I’m pushing him to go to school first so he can think about the whole Navy thing. I support our Veterans and am thankful to every single one, but my nephew is…”
“An easy target,” Kade said easily. It was true the boy was sweet as could be, but he was also one to jump into help with no questions and could easily be taken advantage of. “If he still wants to do it, send him my way. I have intelligence work done at the office, I’m sure we could find him something to do so he could stay here and not be moved.”
Ray swallowed hard as he pulled into Kade’s parking lot. “Thank you, sir, I’ll be sure to talk with him about it.”
“Good, tell him I can’t wait for him to come back, but not until he’s ready.” Kade patted Ray’s shoulder as he got out.
“Will do, sir. Will you need me for the rest of the night?”
Kade grinned. “Nah, go see him.” He helped Ram out and waved as Ray drove off. “Come on, let’s go inside and you can take a long hot shower.”
Ram snorted weakly. “Are you Daddying me, baby?”
Kade huffed. “Might as well, and hey you never know I might like it.” He shrugged as Ram chuckled and hugged him tightly.
“I love you so much, Kade.”
God his fucking heart . “I love you too, Ram.” He pushed him through the door as soon as he got it opened. “Now go. Take a shower, I’ll set things up in the living room so we can pig out and watch a movie before it’s time to go to the funeral.”
“That sounds good, baby.” Ram headed back to Kade’s room stripping as he went and turned on the shower to let it heat up while he went to find something to wear. He pulled out some sweats and sat on the edge of the bed while he thought about what he was going to do. If he showed up to the funeral it would not end well, he already knew that, but she had been his mother and he wanted to say goodbye. If it hadn’t been for one of his uncles that had sent a letter to Bram through a third party, a man at the tool shop near the Amish community, they would have never known. He would have been distraught had she not shown up for their yearly visit. They had been told she died peacefully in her sleep with a smile on her face, he could only hope it was because of his happiness now. He would never forgive himself if his mother had been ill but had hung on longer than she should have just to make sure he was okay. He could see his mother doing that, there was nothing she wouldn’t have done for her children. He sighed as he stood and headed to the shower, he hoped the hot water would help clear his fuzzy head.
Kade waited until he heard the water change, where it had been a constant stream now it was broken up, telling him Ram finally got in the shower, before he took a deep breath. He really hoped he didn’t fumble this, it was too important. He wanted Ram to know he could lean on him as well, he was always the one the others leaned on and it would mean a lot to him if Ram did the same. He knew the man was thinking from a Daddy perspective and not a man’s, but Kade wanted both. Ram the man and lover, and Ram the Daddy and dominant. He tossed all the extra pillows and blankets he could find on the couch and headed to the kitchen to grab the snacks, now that Ram was here more often than not he always had a full pantry. To think he and Ram hadn’t been together but a month or so was wild to him. It felt like so much longer and he honestly couldn’t see a future without the man in it.
“You making us a fort?” Ram asked, chuckling.
Goddamn the man and his deep raspy voice. Kade’s body shuddered at the sound. “Yeah I figured it would help you relax a little. Bram said he would come and pick us up when it was time to go to the funeral.”
“You know you don’t have to go.”
Kade’s brows narrowed in anger. “And you didn’t have to go to the jail with me a few days ago either, but you did.”
“I wouldn’t have let you go alone,” Ram assured him.
“Then why is it so different for me… hmmm? You think that just because you’re the more dominant one in this relationship that I can’t be there for you?” Kade demanded.
Ram winced, he could clearly see where he’d fucked up. “No, baby. That’s not what I meant, I’m sorry.” He sighed deeply. “My father will not be happy I’m there and it probably won’t end well, I don’t want you mixed up in that.”
Kade threw his hands up in exasperation. “My parents literally sold me for drugs.”
Ram grunted. “I know, I know. I’m sorry, baby. I’ll try to relax on this.”
“It just bothers me that you want to be all up in my shit, but you balk the second I try to be in yours. I don’t think that’s how a relationship is supposed to work. If you don’t want to talk about things, that’s fine. There will be things I can’t or won’t tell you and I expect you to respect that but that also goes for you. If there’s something you can’t or won’t talk about just tell me, I’ll understand and respect that,” Kade snapped, crossing his arms over his chest.
Ram moved closer to Kade and settled his hands on the angry man’s hips. “I promise I’ll work on it.”
Kade looked towards Ram’s face. “See that you do. Let’s go watch a movie.” He grabbed the basket of snacks he’d laid out and headed towards the living room.
“What do you want to watch?” Ram asked as he sat next to Kade and grabbed the remote.
“National Treasure,” Kade said through a mouthful of chips.
Ram grinned, found the movie and pressed play. As the beginning clip played he leaned back against the arm rest and pulled Kade between his legs, so his boy could lean back against him and enjoy his movie. He didn’t really pay attention to the screen and just focused on the feeling of Kade’s warm body against his. He could honestly say that without Kade he probably wouldn’t have made it through losing his mom. All he’d ever done in life was try to make her proud and whether or not he had, he wasn’t done.
“Can you pull up the second one or did you fall asleep?” Kade asked softly just in case Ram had fallen asleep.
“Yeah, baby. Sorry I was lost in thought.” He pulled up the second and pressed play before he settled his head on Kade’s shoulder and wrapped his arms around Kade’s waist.
Kade stayed quiet and listened to the movie and let Ram come to terms with things on his own. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how the man was feeling, it was hard for him to even think about, he could care less if his mom died so he had nothing to base it on. He was just sorry his man was feeling the pain of loss like this. Once the movie was over he didn’t move, he could sense Ram needed him at the moment and he would always try to be there for him in any way he could. He knew enough time had passed that they needed to get ready when his phone chimed reminding him. “We need to get ready.”
Ram let out a shaky breath. “Okay.”
“Do I need to wear anything special?” Kade asked just to make sure.
Ram shook his head against Kade’s shoulder. “No, it’s gonna be a shit show no matter what, what we’re wearing will be the least of our worries.”
Kade hummed. “Good to know,” he said sarcastically.
Ram gave a weak chuckle and kissed Kade’s cheek. “Let’s get ready.” He patted Kade’s thigh and waited until he moved to get up.
Kade dressed casually in nice jeans and a T-shirt, then waited for Ram in the kitchen, drinking coffee as he thought about how bad things could go.
Ram sat on the edge of the bed to put on his boots, and sighed. Dropping his head in his hands he tried to breathe through the pain, showing any type of emotion around his father would not be wise. He had to get himself under control before he could leave. After he made sure he had his keys and wallet he walked back to the kitchen to meet with Kade and almost swallowed his tongue. Kade was wearing a tight black T-shirt that was damn near painted on with the way he could see the man’s abs through the fabric. “God, you’re trying to kill me,” he said under his breath, shifting his legs to take the pressure off his rapidly filling cock.
Kade’s brow’s furrowed. “What?”
Ram rolled his eyes. “You’re wearing a shirt that’s damn near painted on, Kade.”
“Really?” Kade looked down his chest like he could actually see anything.
“Do you not feel how tight it is?” Ram asked, incredulously.
Kade shrugged. “Not really, it’s very breathable and stretchy.” He showed Ram by pulling it away from his chest.
Ram grunted. “How long do we have before Bram gets here?”
“About fifteen minutes.”
“Good enough.” Ram moved quickly, grabbing the backs of Kade’s thighs and lifting him onto the counter.
“Oh, shit,” Kade yelped, scrambling to grab on to any part of Ram he could reach. “Fuck.” He was about to read the man the riot act when his lips were taken in a kiss so intense he felt it all the way down to his toes.
“I really like the shirt,” Ram said breathlessly when he pulled back.
“I’ll wear it more often,” Kade said, weakly.
“Good.” Ram grabbed a fistful of the hair at the base of Kade’s neck and pulled so he could get to Kade’s neck.
Kade would be embarrassed later about the sound that came out of him when Ram’s lips caressed his neck, before he felt the sharp nip of teeth. He grabbed the back of Ram’s head and pushed forward. “Harder,” he gasped.
Ram moved the collar of Kade’s shirt out of the way and bit down on his shoulder.
“Fuck.” Kade’s back arched and he tried to rub his erection on Ram’s stomach. He was so damn hard he was afraid he’d come with the slightest breeze. He fumbled trying to reach for the button on Ram’s pants. He wanted his man and he wanted him now.
Ram grabbed Kade’s hands and placed them on the counter by his hips and held them there as he went back for another long drugging kiss. God the way Kade kissed him, all shy at first until he settled into it and then he was all teeth and tongue as he drove Ram crazy. He let go of one of Kade’s hands and reached for his pants, getting them open enough to allow his erection some freedom before he went for Kade’s. He pressed their bodies together before he grabbed both their dicks in his hand and squeezed. The moan Kade let out almost caused him to shoot.
“Oh fuck.” Kade’s head thunked against the cabinet door as he tried to deal with the sensation of Ram basically strangling his dick.
“We gotta hurry,” Ram groaned, his head resting against Kade’s chest as he set a fast pace. He would love nothing more than to lay his boy down to have some fun, but they didn’t have time, but he needed Kade.
Kade wrapped his arms around Ram’s neck and whispered in his ear. “Not gonna last.”
“Me either,” Ram said breathlessly. “Come.”
Kade’s body arched as he came, and he shouted in pleasure.
Ram grunted harshly as he came, cupping his hands under both their dicks to keep their cum from getting on their clothes. He dumped their releases in the sink and turned it on as he grabbed some paper towels to wipe them down. “Easy baby.” He helped Kade jump down from the counter before he wiped him down and helped him right his clothes.
Kade grabbed the back of Ram’s neck and pulled him down for a kiss. “I wanna do that again.”
Ram snorted. “Deal. Bram should be here any second, so we’ll have to wait until later tonight.”
Kade nodded in agreement. “I really want you to fuck me again too.” He couldn’t believe he’d said that out loud, Ram must have really fucked him good to have him talking like this.
Ram saw the shock on Kade’s face and tried to smother his laughter. “Yes, baby. Trust me I plan to do that again and as often as you’ll let me.”
Kade could feel the blush rising up his neck and cheeks. “Good.”
Ram smiled at his boy, he was just so damn cute. He was about to tell him so when he heard a knock on the front door. “You ready?”
“Yeah let’s go.” Kade patted his thigh and felt Valk settle against his leg.
“Good?” Bram asked when his brother opened the door. He was happy to see Ram was in better spirits than he had been earlier. He knew losing their mom had been one of Ram’s biggest fears.
“Yeah let’s go.” Ram grabbed Kade’s hand not wanting to be away from his boy and headed to the truck. His brother had three Ford Excursions that they used on the farm to haul everyone around. He hopped into the back of the one with his brother, Sanem, Saint, Jed, Merrick and Danno, pushing Kade to take the window seat while he pushed in beside him and Valk settled at their feet.
The ride to the Amish community cemetery was quiet and filled with sorrow.
Kade placed his hand on Ram’s leg that was bouncing uncontrollably, it was either that or punch the man, he was starting to get sea sick from all the vibrations.
“Sorry, baby,” Ram said, wincing.
“We’re here,” Bram said, softly. Meeting his brother’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “I don’t see Father yet but stay close please.” He wasn’t a kid anymore, he wasn’t going to allow his father to hurt his brother anymore. It was time for him to stand up for Ram.
Ram nodded, looking over at Kade in concern. He knew Kade could take care of himself but he didn’t want his boy to be hurt trying to protect him, he’d been through enough lately. He got out first and then let Valk out before he reached for Kade. He was thankful his boy seemed willing to let him smother him in love at the moment instead of kicking him in the shin for daring to try and manage him. “We’re in the parking lot of the feed store across the street from the cemetery. We’re gonna hit the paved road first, and then the pathway to the area where my mother will be buried is a dirt path.”
Kade nodded and pulled his foldable cane from one of the pockets on Valk’s vest. “I’ve got things handled if you need to do something else.” He waved the cane to show Ram.
Ram scoffed. “I’m not leaving you here, God forbid. You’re sticking with me.”
Kade grinned. “You gonna be glued to my side?”
Ram narrowed his eyes in thought, if he could get away with sewing his skin to Kade’s he would do it in a heartbeat. “Yes.”
Kade snorted and rolled his eyes, before he moved closer to Ram. They walked towards the burial site side by side close enough that their arms brushed with each step.
Bram saw their father before he saw them, he was surrounded by his uncles and they did not look happy with his father. All fourteen of them were standing around his father with their powerful arms crossed over their chests as they glared at him. “Father’s at eleven o clock, he’s surrounded by our uncles and they don’t look happy,” Bram said, warning Ram.
Ram’s chest caved in as soon as he laid eyes on the man who had made his childhood a living hell. He was smaller than he imagined he would be. The man had always seemed like a giant. He was older, more worn down, he could see the way his father was standing and how hunched over he had become, and he felt himself tense. It should have been this worthless excuse for a man who would be rotting in the ground, not his precious mother.
Kade grabbed Ram in a firm hold when he sensed the man was ready to bolt for his father. “You’ve moved on and become a good man, that’s all the revenge you need right now,” Kade hissed in Ram’s ear. He knew his man wanted nothing more than to go and beat the shit out of his father but he didn’t want them to get kicked out. He knew Ram would regret doing anything that would impede his chance to say goodbye to his mother.
Their Uncle Amos was the first to see them and greeted them, “Abraham.” Bram nodded in greeting to all his uncles who turned to greet him. He moved to the side along with Sanem and all his sons as Ram and Kade moved closer to the jagged hole that was dug in the ground.
“Ephraim,” Amos said, his voice giving out on him at the last syllable.
Ram met his favorite uncle’s watery eyes. “Hey Uncle Amos,” he said softly, his attention moving back to the hole. He didn’t like it, not one bit. It would be too dark down there, and she would be too cold. It wasn’t a place his lovely mother should be. “Should have gotten her cremated.” He felt his brother’s strong hand on his shoulder and turned to look at him. “She shouldn’t be in the ground, she should be spread out so she can see how her legacy lives on.”
Bram looked at Amos. “Is there any way we can do that? I know it’s not done here but I think my mother would have preferred it to be honest.”
“She will go in the ground and become dust the way God intended,” their father shouted, moving closer to shove Ram in the chest.
Ram didn’t move and he really enjoyed the look of shock on his father’s face when his physical attack didn’t have the outcome he wanted.
Amos pulled their father back causing him to stumble before he caught his balance. “Enough, Josiah. Do not do this here, how dare you insult my sister this way. These are the children God blessed you with, so deal with it.” He turned back to Ram. “That is the plan.” He cupped Ram’s cheek. “We have already made the arrangements, this hole is just to bury her worldly things so that way we can have a way to come and visit her,” he said roughly as his eyes filled with tears. “She would never rest in peace not knowing what was happening to you or your brother and sister.”
“She’s my wife, Amos. You don’t get a say!” their father yelled.
Amos turned on Josiah, causing him to back up. “My sister told me about all that she went through with you, how when she got sick you tried to hide it and by the time I was able to get her to an English doctor it was too late to do anything to help her. You will not take away her last wish, you’ve taken away enough from her in her life. If my father was still here to see the way you treated his baby girl he would have killed you years ago. The only reason I let you live was because my sister wanted it.”
Kade had to grab Ram around the waist as he tried to lunge at his father.
“What did you do to her!” Ram demanded. He’d sworn to the man before he left that if he got word that he’d laid hands on his mother while he was gone that he would tell his uncles. He knew his father’s words had hurt his sweet mother, and while he would have defended her, he would kill the man if he touched her in any way that was not wanted.
“I didn’t do anything to her, I wasn’t even here when she got sick. I didn’t know about it until I got back but all I noticed was she was more tired and had slowed down. I didn’t notice anything else,” Josiah fired back, his chest heaving with his heavy breaths.
Ram sneered at his father. “You just didn’t want to deal with anything, so you left her to suffer.”
“She was my wife, you abomination, whether you like it or not I loved her in my own way,” Josiah barked.
“Yeah I’m sure she felt wanted,” Ram sneered.
“She was until she gave birth to you.”
Ram’s breath backed up in his lungs at his fathers words.
“I worshiped the ground she walked on until you came along, only God knows what sin she committed to have you as a son.”
Kade reacted before he thought things completely through. He knew the man’s words hurt Ram no matter how hard he tried to hide it. He was done, he reared back and clocked Josiah right in his fucking jaw.