Page 24 of Remorseless

“Shut up! You’re opening your mouth in front of a fucking enemy—”

“You’reentertainingthe enemy,” Rory shot back. “My point is when he turns his attention fully back tothe 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, Bashhadtargeted 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 30th, 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’mhim,” Ryan sneered, nodding to Johnnie.

“Fuck you, nephew,” Johnnie snarled, taking umbrage.

“I already know what Bash wants you to do,” Ryan saidwithout remorse. “I refused, even for Molly. I’ll fuck with Rebel, but I’ve realized the dire consequences of fucking with Meggie. Butyoustill 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.”