Page 46 of Remiss

“CJ was right,” Rory guessed. “When Harley dropped out of sight at the end of last school year. It was because of Willard, wasn’t it?”

“He beat her up, but she got away from him by turning the tables,” Ryan said dully. “He never forgave her for that.”

“Goddamn.” Rory shook his head, folded and then unfolded his arms. Shifted in his seat, as if he didn’t know how to keep still. “Thank fuck Mattie never ran afoul of Willard. I know her history with Wally, but he’s a fucking non-entity.”

The wrong way to consider a situation when dealing with enemies, but Ryan was worn out, unable to bring himself to correct his cousin.

Devon studied Ryan, touching on every corner of his face. Whatever he saw made him widen his eyes and lift a brow. Ryan knew he was silently asking about Mattie. He gave the barest nods, needing to bare his soul and unburden himself by confessing all his many crimes.

Nothing would make what he’d done right. It was inexcusable. If his mother ever discovered what a motherfucker he was to four innocent girls, she’d never forgive him. Pops might not either. Ryan couldn’t imagine either scenario.

Unable to see the censure in Devon’s eyes, he lowered his gaze. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

“Answer the other questions,” Rory ordered. “What are Willard’s plans and how did you come between CJ and Harley?”

“Yeah, Ryan. I’ve been unnecessarily harsh on her,” Devon said, “but she fucked up that relationship.”

“No, we helped to ruin it. Willard and me always convinced Molly to send Harley photos of her and CJ. Damning ones thatmade it seem as if they were more than friends. We’d tell her that it was to help CJ and Harley get closer. It just made her crash out.”

Devon scowled at Ryan. “To get back at CJ, right, Ry? To hurt him, which you did, but you hurt Harley more.”

“We never expected him to walk away. To almost hate her.”

“You’re a motherfucker,” Devon said, disgust framing the words. “Was it worth it? CJ says he forgives her, but he’ll never look at her the same. She was his best fucking friend, and he had to go through a lot without her. She might’ve reasoned with him and helped him through his turmoil. He’s still fucking floundering. What the fuck is wrong with you? No, how fucking dare you? All your fucking fucked up behavior stemmed from you being a jealous, pathetic fuckhead toward CJ.”

“I’m sorry,” Ryan said in a broken voice. “I’m so sorry. Things just spiraled so fucking far out of control. Nothing played out as expected.”

“Did you even want Molly or Harley?” Rory asked quietly. “Or was it just to hurt CJ?”

“I’ve always thought Harley was so pretty. And Molly was my girlfriend. I liked her. Cared about her, but I just always dismissed her. Until CJ started noticing her.” He bowed his head. “Everything just came so easy to him.”

“Is that why you didn’t tell Uncle Christopher about Bash?” Devon snarled, his eyes blazing. “You wanted Aunt Meggie dead to hurt CJ?”

Ryan’s nostrils flared. “I didn’t think she liked me. I didn’t think anyone liked me or cared about me. Her well-being didn’t matter one way or the other. I thought Willard validated me and gave me the loyalty that no one else did, so my allegiance was to him and his plans. He wanted to destroy CJ as much as me.”

“I can’t…” Devon jumped to his feet, brushed past Rory, and started to stalk away. “Fuck you, Ryan.”

“Dev, wait!” Ryan cried. “Please. I’m so fucking sorry. Don’t desert me. Please.” Bending over, he sobbed. “Please, please, please,” he chanted. “Please.”

A hand touched Ryan’s shoulder. A moment later, Devon crouched next to him and hugged him. Ryan could only cry.

“I’m so fucking angry with you, brother,” Devon whispered, “but I love you. I just wish…” He sniffled, then pulled away.

Thinking his brother was abandoning him, Ryan lifted his head. Devon scooted out of reach and pulled his cellphone from the pouch on his jersey. He looked at the screen and began to read.

“The Death Dweller Motorcycle Club was founded by Logan Donovan and Sharper Banks,” he started, looking from Rory to Ryan, and then back at his screen. “Of its ten charter members of particular note are the aforementioned Logan Donovan and Sharper Banks, as well as Sebastian Caldwell and Wallace Bart, all dead now. Joe Foy, also known as Boss and Big Joe, became a member several years later along with his brother, Kaleb Paul Andrews. The original charter, long hidden, from the membership, listed Boss as president in perpetuity, though bi-annual elections were regularly held. Court records also call into question the club’s ownership.”

Devon said he knew more than he wanted to about the entire situation. Ryan just didn’t realize the extent.

“Or how about this one:The location of the club’s founding is a subject of intense debate. Some suggest the club was founded in Hortensia, WA, and later moved to Richmond, VA, to make room for the rise of the Death Dwellers. Others insist the American Scorpions’ original charter was in Portland, OR.”

“How did you find that?” Rory demanded. “Did my dad put it back on those websites after he deleted it?”

Ryan blinked. “Uncle Johnnie didn’t delete that.Idid like you asked me.”

“So he’s ‘uncle’ again?” Rory bit out.

“Is that what the fuck you’re focusing on, Rory?” Devon asked. “Dude, your priorities are serious fucked.” Shaking his head in disapproval, he turned to Ryan again. “Aunt Meggie and Aunt Bailey are cousins, and Cee Cee Caldwell was a fucking charter member of the Death Dwellers. There might not only be a target on Aunt Meggie’s back, but also Aunt Bailey’s.Rebel’s.” He gave him a pointed look. “Harley’s. If you couldn’t fix your mouth to explain shit, you could’ve showed Uncle Christopher and Uncle Mortician the websites.”