Page 126 of Ruptured

“You do realize how much bigger Outlaw is than Rory, huh, CJ?” Uncle Val asked. “He’d kill the little motherfucker.”

CJ scowled. “I’m still only on the periphery of the club. What would my mom think if I suddenly became the enforcer of my brothers and cousins?”

Understanding settled on Uncle Val’s face. “You don’t give your mama enough credit, CJ.”

“Uncle Mort said the same thing,” CJ said irritably. “At least Dad would agree with me. Mom expects more from me. Besides, what kind of a target would that put on my back? I was already overdosed just for being Outlaw’s son.”

Scratching his jaw, Uncle Val sighed. “CJ, boy, you got to put that behind you before Outlaw make a decision both of you regret. Do you know how many fucking timesI’vealmost gotten fucked up? If I would’ve let that shit stay in my head, either I wouldn’t have survived or I couldn’t have continued in the club. If Meggie the reason for you looking at shit so wrong, talk to her. Do it before a situation arise where Outlaw want you to beat the fuck out of Rory or Ryan or whichever boy for some violation.”

“She’d agree with me and not want them hurt. They’re her nephews.”

“Yeah, but you her son. As much as she protect the boys, that don’t compare to what she’ll do for you, CJ. I’m telling you how I survived. What about her? You think she made it all these years by being soft?”

CJ took extreme exception to Uncle Val’s insulting words. “My momissoft. Or was until Torie.”

“No, that’s how motherfuckers take her,” Uncle Val snapped. “Meggie has always used her power wisely. She always toldOutlaw that if it came down to him or anyone else, she wanted him to do whatever he had to to come home to her. And she fucking meant that.”

“Mom doesn’t even want me in the club,” CJ scoffed.

“Do any of our wives want their sons in the club?” Uncle Val responded. “I doubt that, but Meggie didn’t make all the sacrifices she did, overlook too much shit to name for the sake of the club and family harmony, to have you fold and use her as an excuse, CJ. If you don’t want to be in the club, then let it be becauseyouunderstand this life not for you. There’s no fucking shame in accepting a truth not many people will like.”

“Shit’s gotten really intense for no reason,” Devon complained.“Right, Grant? I mean, you just want pizza, which is probably cold by now, not more drama.”

Grant shrugged.

Uncle Val folded his arms and turned away from CJ. “Ryan, I got a question for you, boy. Why you so fucking hung up on motherfucking Logan?”

“He founded the club, Pops,” Ryan said after a moment. “And look what it’s become. Only a great man can do that.”

“Then thank Big Joe and Outlaw,” Uncle Val said flatly, “because, son, Logan not the motherfucker you think he was.”

“If you say so,” Ryan said morosely.

“I would say only time will tell, but he dead, so that shit won’t ever come true,” Uncle Val said, then turned back to CJ. “You going back to school anytime soon, boy?”

“Probably. Mom wants me to go.”

“Why, Uncle Val?” Rory asked. “Harley?”

Uncle Val nodded. “I’m waiting for camera parts to come in, then we have to get back onto school grounds to repair them. Somebody needs to keep a watch on her until then.”

“I have the perfect candidate,” Devon said after a thoughtful moment.

“Who?” Uncle Val asked. “If you’re suggesting Mattie—”

“Not Mattie, Dad,” Devon said with a shake of his head.

“Then who?”

“Axel,” they all chorused.

Axel was small enough not to inspire resentment in that asshole and a good spy. If his little brother reported that Nardowasabusing Harley, then CJ would help the Triplets gather Hogzilla’s manure and assist in making a bomb to blow that motherfucker up.

Later that evening, Diesel rang the doorbell of a modest house in Camas. Not long after Aunt Meggie ruined his plans, he received a text from Jana, inviting him over for dinner with her parents yet again.

He hadn’t talked to her since the night she convinced him to meet with the mysterious client. If not for Aunt Meggie’s displeasure, Diesel probably wouldn’t have accepted Jana’s invitation. He hadn’t even dropped off the money themorning after their date, too busy with the aftermath of that motherfucker’s visit to Tee’s.

Sighing, he straightened his tie and shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking on his feet. Nerves beset him, like an inexperienced teenager on his first date. Jana had mentioned her parents on several occasions. The good things Diesel heard about them drove him to accept Jana’s invitation. The bad only worsened his anxiety, and as the seconds ticked by, he felt as if he’d burst.