Page 184 of Ruptured

“There are always erotic fairytales,” Ransom offered, looking at Ryder and shrugging. “He’d have the best of both worlds.”

“You’re right, bro,” Ryder agreed.

“Ran?”

“Yeah, Ax.”

“Just noLittle Red Riding Hood,” he stressed. “It’s triggertized me.”

“Traumatized,” Uncle Christopher corrected.

Axel thought for a moment, then looked at Uncle Christopher. “What’s triggertized?”

“Not a motherfuckin’ thing, son.”

Mortician leaned forward and drummed his fingers on the table. “Triggered, little dude. It’s what happens if you see your favorite fairytale and remember why you don’t like it no more.”

Johnnie screamed, then face-planted on the table, emitting great gulping sobs.

“Uncle Johnnie’s hyperventilating, Dad,” CJ said.

Uncle Christopher shrugged. “Motherfucker’ll get over it.” He stood. “Who wants a fuckin’ beer? We need to get over the shock of what we just saw.”

While everyone else drank beer and Ryan sat in quiet contemplation, crushed to his soul, Johnnie sobbed.

Christopher studied the photo of Megan taken on Thanksgiving Day, searching for a sign of what would happen a few hours later. Deep sadness dulled her normally brilliantblue eyes, though she’d faked happiness. Rebel’s behavior had crushed his woman, so her unhappiness made sense. He’d planned to take her for their annual Black Friday shopping spree, something she normally looked forward to.

Yet, something on her face…an unrecognizable emotion. Weariness beyond Rebel’s behavior? Unhappiness at how her life turned out? Regret that she hadn’t become that meteorologist she’d long ago talked about? Resentment at the expectation placed on her by everyone, but especially him?

Swallowing, Christopher traced his finger over the photo. She was probably waiting for him and wanting to know about the video.

That fucking video…

Christopher should’ve watched it beforehand, but when Val called about Nardo and then talked about Ryan’s fascination with Logan, Christopher thought about the video. K-P had had it in his possession for a reason. Christopher hoped it was about Logan to clue Ryan in.

But, fuck,hehadn’t been prepared for what the fuck he saw and heard.

He couldn’t bring himself to leave his office. After drinking beer and shooting the shit to ease the shock, Christopher locked himself away, while everyone else left.

As he tried to process the shit, Kendall texted him the the invitation she sent to Bash. Instead of picking up the fucking phone, she’d reached out with an elaborately handwritten note. When the fuck had she learnedcalligraphyand why the fuck waste her fucking skills on Bash?

Christopher still wanted to bomb the fuck out of Bash, Cleaner, and every other American Scorpion, but outsmarting motherfuckers didn’t always mean outgunning them.

So far, Bash was ahead in their game.

Disgusted with himself, Christopher snatched open his drawer and pulled out his unopened bottle of tequila. He was so fucking glad he’d remembered to replace the empty one.

Uncapping the bottle, he swigged.

A knock sounded on his door. “Prez?”

After gulping more tequila, he set the bottle on the desk. “Come in.”

Mortician opened the door and walked in, then sat in a chair, dug in his cut and produced Aunt Mary. “After that fucking video, plain alcohol not cutting it.”

Christopher snickered and screwed the top back on the bottle. “Sharper fucking Logan burned into my goddamn memory.”

“What about beating and pissing on him, dressed as a motherfucking wolf? I’m still in fucking shock.” Mort lit the joint, hit it twice, the passed it to Christopher. “I don’t fucking know which one of those motherfuckers was more hypocritical. The preacher or the racist.”