Chapter Three #3
“Have you told Kendall the same thing? She’s all lovey-dovey with Christopher.”
Rory swallowed and his nostrils flared. “Uncle Christopher is like a brother—”
“She claims Mortician is like a brother—”
“Yeah, but she’s always wanted Uncle Christopher’s approval.
Everyone in our family, except her, had it.
Aren’t you happy that they’re finally close?
Mom loves you. She deserves peace and acceptance.
She doesn’t deserve you fucking away your fucking life because you’re fucking obsessed with being Outlaw.
You’ve fucked over her and Aunt Meggie for years. ”
“I refuse to dignify that with a fucking answer.”
“Don’t, Dad. Just go on your merry fucking way, living in your fucking glass house. Bitter and mean and stupid.”
“Get the fuck out of here before I do lay you out. You’re jumping to fucking conclusions, not knowing the real fucking story—”
Rory laughed bitterly. “The real story? The real story? I’ll tell you the real story.
A bloodbath in the fucking making. I’ve never been subjected to what Diesel does, but the fucking stories are all over the club.
He’s a motherfucking psycho and you , motherfucker, told a bunch of fucking flaming lies to a bunch of jackasses stupider than you.
I’m in Aunt Meggie’s Lexus with CJ, my cousin, best friend, and her son driving, between Ryan and Devon since Rule is in the front passenger seat and I hear Ryan gasp. Gasp , Dad. Ask me why?”
A sinking feeling settled in Johnnie’s gut. He couldn’t answer.
“You know why,” Rory accused. “You have motherfuckers shadowing Mom and Mattie. That alone speaks volumes. You know the photo that’s circulating of Aunt Meggie. You know because you ordered it.”
“I didn’t,” Johnnie pushed out. “I swear. I would never disrespect her—”
“She’s naked . I assume it’s from yesterday’s spa day. In a place she feels safe and you violated that space. How could you do that?”
“I didn’t—”
“She’s a fucking laughingstock. Motherfuckers are kee-keeing behind her back—”
“What the fuck is kee-keeing?”
“ Laughing , Dad. It means laughing. Lou and Kaleb got it from their aunts—”
“You’re picking up black slang?”
Rory threw Johnnie a putrid look.
“I don’t mean it the way you’re taking it!”
“Whatever, Dad. You’re taking advantage of Uncle Christopher,” Rory said with disappointment. “He’s still worried about his wife. What Bash intends to do. He’s worried about Jo. The members know he’s at the house more than he’s at the club—”
“Shut up! You’re opening your mouth in front of a fucking enemy—”
“You’re entertaining the enemy,” Rory shot back.
“My point is when he turns his attention fully back to the club and he finds out there was a naked photo of Aunt Meggie circulating, there will be no fucking club left. He’s going to shoot the fuck out of everyone who got that photo, which is most of the younger members. ”
“I’ll take care of it,” Johnnie promised. “However, you do realize Dementor and Exorcist have those names for a reason? They could outgun most motherfuckers and out-psycho Diesel any day.”
“Are you planning a hostile takeover, Dad?”
“Of course not!”
“Then Uncle Christopher is still the president. Dementor and Exorcist still have to answer to him.”
“Rory, leave so I can finish up. Besides, it’s pretty fucking convenient that Ryan got the fucking photo just before you saw my vehicle.”
“He got it while we were waiting for Kaia to come out,” Rory revealed. “On the way to Kaia’s place, we saw the Navigator and CJ offered to stop so I could say ‘hi’. After Ryan showed me that fucking photo, I gave the excuse of having to take a piss so CJ would stop.”
“Unless that’s graduated to a dump, there’s bound to be questions,” Pounder offered. He grinned at Rory. “But since you’re here, tell me about Meggie.”
“Fuck you, dude.”
“Don’t put my son in our affairs, Pounder,” Johnnie ordered.
“Your attitude’s a little disrespectful, Rory,” Pounder said. “I don’t take kindly to that.”
“You’re not threatening my kid!”
“I don’t give a good fuck what the fuck you take kindly to.
” Rory disregarded Johnnie’s words and Pounder’s growing anger.
“You’re not a Dweller. I owe you no fucking allegiance.
Right now, Bash wants to fuck with Aunt Meggie.
When the fuck will he decide to target my mom or little sister?
My aunts and cousins. Fuck you and fuck him. ”
Once, Bash had targeted Kendall and Mattie. It was how they met.
“Rory, what the fuck’s taking you so—” Ryan walked into the office and his words stopped mid-sentence. He gaped at Pounder, realized his mouth was hanging open and snapped it shut. “Fuck.”
“Told you, Dad.” Rory’s voice held no triumph. Only sadness. “Ryan recognizes Pounder from December 30 th , too.”
“I knew him before then,” Ryan admitted. “That’s Bash’s son. Easton DeLuca. Pounder. Your cousin, Rory, and your dad’s nephew. If you fuck with Meggie, Outlaw will kill you. I’ve already told that to Bash. What the fuck is wrong with you dickheads?”
“I’m just following Bash’s orders, Ryan,” Pounder snapped.
“Look, motherfucker. Jump off a fucking bridge if you’re grieving your folks enough to want to join them.
Outlaw just decimated the face of a gorgeous woman because she wouldn’t leave his wife alone.
He will carve out your eyeballs, yank out your teeth, slice off your fingers, and gut you, then watch you bleed to death. ”
“Will he do the same to you for having his woman’s naked photo?” Pounder asked lazily.
Ryan kept a straight face. “I already told those idiots exactly what I told you.”
Glancing from Rory to Ryan, Pounder sat again. “I might have some info about Molly Harris. Show me the photo of Meggie. Tell me a little bit about you and—”
“You must think I’m him ,” Ryan sneered, nodding to Johnnie.
“Fuck you, nephew,” Johnnie snarled, taking umbrage.
“I already know what Bash wants you to do,” Ryan said without remorse.
“I refused, even for Molly. I’ll fuck with Rebel, but I’ve realized the dire consequences of fucking with Meggie.
But you still haven’t learned your fucking lesson.
Bash is fucking with you. Leave Meggie alone while you can.
You’re in over your fucking head. No fucking disrespect to you.
It’s the fucking truth. Didn’t you learn anything from two nights ago?
Didn’t you see with your own fucking eyes how Outlaw handled Torie?
Were you temporarily abducted by fucking aliens?
Did they invade your fucking body and you missed the fucking memo? Or are you just fucking insane?”
By the time Ryan finished, Johnnie was almost foaming at the mouth he was so fucking furious.
Pounder didn’t care. He held out his phone to Ryan. He walked forward and glanced at the screen. Pounder pressed something and Ryan leaned in closer.
“A live feed,” he whispered, his eyes watering. “Turn the volume up so I can hear her.”
“No.” Pounder’s firm word accompanied him snatching the phone away and shoving it into his pocket. “Do as I ask and I’ll see about having more pictures and videos sent to you.”
“Molly’s innocent,” Ryan whispered. “Let her go.”
“You gave her up,” Pounder said harshly. “Live with the consequences.”
“Don’t kill her.”
“Did she look hurt?”
“She was laying on a small bed,” Ryan revealed. “But that can change on a dime.”
“Help me and I’ll help you.”
Holding out a minute longer, Ryan sighed, then pulled his phone out. Once he found the photo, he handed the device to Pounder.
Rory snorted and stormed away.
Lust gleamed in Pounder’s eyes, and he licked his lips. He stared for so long, Johnnie wondered if he’d excuse himself and rub one out in the bathroom.
“Tell me about her, Ryan,” he breathed.
“You won’t get in with her so easily,” Ryan said resentfully. “Something else I told Bash. You’re going to have to take it slow. Whenever you two are planning on setting up an introduction, she probably won’t call you for a month. One, she’s busy. Two, she’s still recovering.”
This wasn’t the same Ryan Taylor, always so filled with hatred and bitterness, sounding as if he were defending Megan.
Were they all alike? All Christopher had to do was allow Kendall to call him by his given name for her to turn away from Johnnie.
Apparently, the minute CJ backed off Ryan, he fell into line as well.
Pounder handed the phone back. “Bash is willing to let me play the long game.”
“It won’t do any good, dickface,” Ryan snapped.
“She loves Outlaw. She’s faithful and she’s loyal.
She’s not going to fucking cheat, despite the rumors.
” He side-eyed Johnnie, then glowered at Pounder.
“Bash is bored, fuckhead, so he’s willing to get you killed.
You told me yourself you didn’t know if you wanted to continue as a member.
Now, you’re involving yourself in something that will have not only your membership revoked but your life. ”
“Fuck, Ryan, you only called Bash early yesterday morning. We were already in Long Beach.”
“I’d told Bash days ago that wasn’t a good idea. I wanted to remind him why. I’ve barely slept since Friday night.”
It shocked Johnnie that Ryan hadn’t fucking fainted at the blood and gore.
“Patch out before this gets bad,” Ryan told Pounder. “The first couple times I met you, I just thought you were an ordinary hangaround. I knew you as Easton. When I saw you in your cut and Bash introduced us, do you remember what you told me when he and Cleaner walked away?”
A pained expression crossed Pounder’s face. “The money was good, but the killing went against the grain.”
“This isn’t fucking dress-up and strip. This is real .
Bash wants to hurt Outlaw’s wife. He’s playing games now because he’s a doped up maniac, but he’s going to tire sooner or later.
Then, he’s going to strike, and she will suffer.
Do you understand me?” Ryan threw a desperate look to Johnnie.
His eyes burned with accusation. “Do you? I’m so fucking sorry I’m responsible for Molly’s situation and I’m so scared Bash will demand I do something to Meggie in exchange for Molly’s life. ”
“Bash is afraid of Christopher,” Johnnie said faintly. He ignored Pounder’s scrutiny. “No one’s found any evidence that he wants to hurt Megan.” Not Kendall. Not Brooks. Not Riley. “I’m too smart to fall for Bash’s bullshit. He’s just amusing himself.”
“Really?” Ryan’s challenge grated on Johnnie’s temper. “You’re too smart?”
“You’re months away from seventeen, you arrogant little motherfucker. Show me some respect.”
Ryan backed toward the door. “Respect a man who constantly allows himself to be fucking played? Do you really think Pounder hasn’t seen Meggie and didn’t get a fucking earful about her from Bash? Please, Einstein.” He left and slammed the door behind him.
Seconds ticked by. Johnnie searched for words. Stared at Pounder. Easton DeLuca. His nephew who was a Scorpion and didn’t like murder. “Is he telling the truth?” he managed.
Pounder stood. “Which part?”
All of it. “About Megan. Did you know about her? ”
“I never asked you for her photos,” he said, ignoring the question.
“You most certainly—”
“No, Johnnie. I told you to tell me about her. I wanted to hear from your perspective.”
“I don’t believe you…You made Ryan show you her photo.”
“Yeah, she’s naked, asshole.” He laid his phone on the desk and typed. “You really think I’d pass up a chance to see her pussy?”
The phone dinged. Smirking, he held up the phone. The photo Johnnie tried to avoid appeared in his line of vision. The room was darkened, except for mood lighting shining in the pool and reflecting off Megan’s naked body.
He knocked Pounder’s hand away.
“I suggest you get control of this situation before it gets back to Outlaw.” Pounder pressed a few buttons, then returned his phone to his pocket. “I can pick some of these motherfuckers off.”
“I thought you didn’t like killing.”
“Not of women. Bash and Cleaner’s specialty. My parents must be turning in their fucking graves. They raised me better than that.”
“You’re joking?”
“Am I? It might be the gospel truth. Whether I’m serious about that, I am about this—Bash will be so fucking pissed if you ruin his fun.
He doesn’t want Outlaw’s attention. He doesn’t want to scoop Meggie up.
He doesn’t want anything but amusement. If those stupid motherfuckers on your payroll fuck up, all hell will break loose from Outlaw and Bash, and I promise you that’s chaos you don’t fucking want. ”