Kendall
Pacing in the hallway, Ryan couldn’t stop looking at his watch, waiting for CJ’s arrival.
He’d invited Grant and Rory as well. He wasn’t sure if it was for backup if CJ crashed out or if it was because Ryan hoped they’d ban together and help Harley.
Four heads being better than one and all that bullshit.
CJ, Rory, and Grant all left Ryan on read, so he didn’t know who would come, especially since that fuckhead had attacked Mattie.
That other fuckhead that competed with Nardo for top spot.
Wally, Jr. had lost his fucking mind. He wanted to get all of them fucking killed.
Of course that little twat would lie in wait for one of the girls since his bovine son had gotten his ass beat there.
Ryan couldn’t think of any other reason for Wally, Jr. to have chosen that particular spot.
He’d even go out on a limb and say he’d wanted to grab Rebel.
Ryan had also opened his fucking mouth about what happened to Willard at Rebel’s hands, describing every little detail, including the exact location that she’d beat that motherfucker’s ass.
Jesus Christ, he was so fucking dead. Deader than Marvey. Dead, dead, dead. What the fuck had he been thinking? Why had he trusted those motherfuckers?
Now that Molly was back, those questions were easy to ask but just as hard to answer.
If he hadn’t cooperated, they might’ve killed her.
He could argue he hadn’t wanted to risk her life.
However, that would fall flat because of Rebel and Mattie’s attacks.
He knew they were violent and dangerous, especially toward women and girls.
If they’d wanted Molly dead, they would’ve killed her, no matter what Ryan did.
He covered his face. “Jesus fucking Christ.”
A voice cleared and Ryan spun around. Devon stood at the end of the hallway, near the staircase.
Ryan had called a ride share service when him and his brother left Turn Creek Bridge.
Mattie had been so frightened and pitiful, and he hadn’t been able to stick around and witness what some of his fuckery had led to.
He’d already been at a loss on how to help Harley.
After they left Ridge Moore and went to their hangout on the bridge, she’d sat on the ground and cried, her pretty face battered and bruised.
He hadn’t known what to do, so he’d sat next to her and put his arm around her shoulder.
Ryan had never been so happy to see CJ. He had sisters and he also had a long history with Harley. He’d know what to do. Immediately, CJ helped Harley to her feet, tucked her close, and glanced around, asking Mattie’s whereabouts.
“She had to pass the mall,” Devon had joked. “She probably detoured to do a little shopping.”
Even Rory laughed. Everyone except CJ, so Grant volunteered to backtrack.
And…
Ryan wanted to throw up.
“CJ’s on the way.” Devon’s statement reminded Ryan of his brother’s presence. “I called him to ask about Mattie.”
Clenching his jaw, Ryan nodded.
Devon walked closer. “What are you intending?”
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t like Harley.”
“I don’t want her hurt the way she was.”
Debatable, but Ryan remained silent. “Why don’t you go to Roxanne’s? Mom’s there.”
“Lolly, you mean?”
“She’s never acted as a grandmother to me,” Ryan said defensively, then felt like an asshole at Devon’s glare. “Whatever,” he spat, doubling down, on edge. Harley and Mattie had gotten hurt. And CJ was on the way. “Just go.”
“Have you visited Molly since she was found?”
“Yesterday morning.” Pops had saved the day and come through on her behalf.
Ryan had never been so impressed or grateful.
If Uncle Christopher and Aunt Meggie would’ve paid that huge sum, he wouldn’t have liked it, but he would’ve swallowed his enviousness for Molly.
“I’d planned to visit her this evening, but then this shit kicked off. ”
“Do you know if CJ has been to visit her?”
The question surprised him. “Does it fucking matter?”
“Not really. I’m just trying to figure out the dynamics. Are you with Harley or Molly?”
He didn’t deserve either of them. Not after the role he’d played in both of their current traumas. “Molly isn’t fit to be with me or anyone else.” He didn’t feel like going into a detailed explanation.
“And Harley? You’ve always liked her. Even before you admitted it.”
“Why all the fucking questions?” Ryan snapped, his nerves raw. “If CJ forgives her, I won’t stand a chance.”
“You will if you fight for her. Fairly. Not with bitterness and underhanded tactics.”
“How the fuck else is there to fight? How many honest motherfuckers win?”
“A lot. I just want you happy. You know how I feel about Harley–”
“Fuck off. I will fuck you up if you talk about her.”
Devon raised his hands. “Not my dislike of her. How you started to change when she moved in. If you want her, fight for her. CJ would. He will if he wants another chance with her. Are you afraid you’ll lose her to him?
And what about Molly? You did a lot to get her back.
She’s here and she’s just an afterthought.
Are you afraid she’ll choose him when she’s healed? ”
The ringing doorbell saved Ryan from exploring Devon’s questions or providing answers.
His skin growing clammy and his heart suddenly pounding, Ryan wiped his brow, rooted to his spot as Devon answered the door and welcomed CJ, Grant, and Rory.
Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Why did he want to show them one of the videos Willard sent to him?
He could always tell them he’d seen Harley in her bra and noticed the bruises.
If he let the cat out of the bag, they might discover Rebel and Mattie’s cameras, too.
Willard, the jackass, hadn’t been able to breach the Caldwell and Donovan firewalls to hack their computers and terrorize them like he did with Harley.
And that was only because Ryan removed her firewall.
He started sweating.
“What’s up, Ryan?” Rory asked, his unease unmistakable. He was hiding a lot from CJ, too.
“Come to the den,” Ryan started to buy time.
“I can’t stay,” CJ said. “I’m going back to the club. Dad and Uncle Mort are going on the hunt. Where Daddy Grevenberg is, I think Nardo will be and I’m snatching that motherfucker. Say whatever so I can leave.”
Whatever hesitation and uncertainty CJ suffered from recently was gone. Or, maybe, it had cracked under the weight of his anger and outrage.
“Ryan?” CJ pressed.
Devon thumped his shoulder. When had he reached Ryan’s side?
“Uhh…” Ryan’s mouth dried and dizziness assailed him. Fear made him lightheaded.
CJ narrowed his eyes. “What the fuck did you do this fucking time?”
“Nothing!” Ryan cried. “I didn’t do anything.”
Rory laughed, a nervous, high-pitched sound that resembled a squeal.
Snapping his brows together, CJ glanced at Rory and then again at Ryan.
Grant frowned. “I want to get home to check on Roxy and the girls.”
Rory nodded frantically. “You’re right. I need to get there to check on my mom and my little sister since we don’t know where Dad is.”
“I don’t have time for games, Ryan,” CJ said. “I’m giving you one last chance to tell me what the fuck your SOS was about.”
Before he bitched out, Ryan pulled his cell phone from his trouser pocket and found the photos of Harley he’d created from Willard’s video. He drew in a deep breath and stepped closer to CJ, wary. “I planned to show you this today or tomorrow before everything that happened earlier.”
“What?” CJ demanded.
A surge of fear pulsed through him. Somehow, he forced his next words out. “I…” In the current climate, if he lied and said he walked in on Harley then took photos without her permission, CJ would definitely beat Ryan’s ass.
He could always say she’d allowed him in the bathroom with her.
That careless announcement in front of the guys would make her seem a way.
The idea made Ryan think of locker room talk, where girls were little more than notches on a belt.
Harley wasn’t that. And if CJ questioned Harley, Ryan would be caught in a lie.
“Look, fuckhead, I don’t have fucking time for whatever the fuck you’re playing at,” CJ said, starting to turn.
“No, wait.” Heaving in a breath, Ryan handed CJ his phone.
Devon, Rory, and Grant crowded around to see, which Ryan should’ve expected given his weird behavior. Unfortunately, he hadn’t. Now, they were all looking at Harley unclothed, bruised, and beaten.
CJ scrolled, his face darkening. Any minute, foam would drip from his mouth. But no. That might’ve been better than the furious green gaze he pinned on Ryan and growled, low in his throat, just like Uncle Christopher before he fucked up motherfuckers.
“I can explain,” Ryan blurted. “The bathroom door was unlocked and I walked in on her. I saw all those bruises so I took pictures to show you.” He was so fucking proud that he neither stuttered, trembled, or pissed himself.
“She’d just come from a date with Grevenberg, so I’m pretty sure he did that to her. ”
Devon bowed his head. Grant and Rory looked at CJ, while Ryan prayed CJ accepted the story at face value.
He looked at the photos again and pressed the screen. When Ryan heard the ding of incoming messages, he knew CJ was sending Harley’s pictures to himself. Silent, he handed Devon Ryan’s phone, then broke away from Grant and Rory.
CJ punched Ryan’s jaw and knocked him to the ground, momentarily stunning him, then stalked away.
The slamming door shook the rafters and echoed in the silence.
Following Mort into Roxy’s house, Kendall found Knox sitting on the edge of the sofa, his elbows on his knees. The moment he saw her, he got to his feet.
“Mattie’s upstairs, sweetheart,” he said gently.
She started trembling again. Mortician rubbed her back, but even his comfort didn’t help.
Knox looked at Mortician with meaning. “Bailey is with Roxanne in our room.”