Page 37 of Ruptured

“If you believe that, then you really are an incel.” Ryan snatched the cold coffee and gulped it. “As well as a stupid asshole.”

Smiling at all the laughter floating around him, CJ flipped Ryan off. “I’m not trying to make the woman lose her fucking job, fuck face.”

“She didn’t seem to care about it,” Mattie pointed out after swallowing the delicate bite of banana she’d taken.

“Hey, Matt, I can show you how to eat that banana like a dude,” Ryan offered, “instead of a two-year-old Disney princess.”

Mattie swatted him. “You’re such a jackass.”

“But a lovable jackass,” Ryan retorted.

“In recent days,” she conceded, taking another small taste.

Fia broke away from where she’d been standing with Tauriel and Tennysee near a display of energy drinks and returned to the table. Nyx with her red hair and ivory skin and Tennysee with her olive complexion and dark hair stood out amongst their group because Fia and Tauriel were both dirty blondes.

“We’re going to head out,” Fia said miserably, unease still pulling her features down. “Would you, er, would you tell Meggieand Rebel we were here? If they need anything, we’re more than happy to help.”

Tennysee hurried over. For once, she wasn’t pining behind Narci. “Let Outlaw know we stopped by,” she added, nodding vigorously. Like someone wound up her fucking head. “Please.”

CJ looked at Fia and Tennysee glanced over his shoulder to stare at Tauriel. She was fidgeting. “All right, you three. What’s going on?”

Fia burst into tears. “We don’t want to fucking die,”

Diesel lifted his brows, then narrowed his eyes, the chilling look of a psycho marring his face. “Have you done anything that would warrant your death?”

“No!” Tauriel screeched.

Tennysee’s frantic head shakes began again. “No! Of course not!”

CJ didn’t have time for their theatrics. “Tell menowwhat the fuck’s going on or leave.”

A simple choice.

“Outlaw killed Nyx,” Fia sobbed in a low, strangled whisper.

Fuck… “Dad didwhat?” CJ bellowed, so fucking shocked his headache subsided.

Ryan gaped and Diesel’s mouth dropped open. The sudden silence in the room seeped into CJ’s brain and he remembered to temper his tone. Cameras were everywhere and…fuck! Just as they had a private wing, they needed a private cafeteria.

“Dad killed Nyx?” he managed, exchanging glances with Mattie, Ryan, and Diesel, the shock coursing through him reflected on their faces. “But why? When?”

Ryan swayed. “Uncle Christopher k-k-killed Nyx?”

A loud sob escaped Tauriel and Tennysee’s disease suddenly afflicted her. She nodded frantically.

Diesel stared between the three girls, the color gone from his face. He opened his mouth, but said nothing. CJ wondered if he could even form a sentence.

“What did Nyx do?” Mattie demanded, her horrified expression suggesting a false calm as she pretended. “He wouldn’t have shot her for no reason.”

“We told her to behave,” Fia cried, on the verge of hysteria.

“Nyx wouldn’t shut the fuck up,” Tennysee explained, hugging Fia. “She ended up calling Meggie a b-bitch. Outlaw…then…and…Oh my fucking god! He just stepped over her and…then he…he…he did!” she wailed as if anyone understood her babbling. She shivered and tears filled her eyes. Drawing in several deep breaths and seemingly unable to get enough air into her lungs, she swiped at her wet cheeks. “Please tell Outlaw we were here. Please let Meggie know whatever she wants—”

Word of Nyx’s death rippled through the crowd, spreading amongst the brothers. CJ picked out Narci, Torrin, Bishop, and Huck, then transferred his gaze to Ryan and Diesel before searching the faces of other brothers who’d partied with Nyx. He understood their regret, though not their fear and unease.

He squinted. It was the same expressions Fia, Tauriel, and Tennysee exhibited. Suddenly, he got it. Most of them had disrespected Mom in one way or another. Especially the three girls, riding high on Nyx’s belief that she ruled the club.

“CJ,please!” Fia cried, mascara-tinted tears streaking her face. “Talk to Outlaw. Don’t let him ki–”