Page 42 of Ruptured

“Girl power,” Ryan said, grinning, “and you almost sound afraid of Mom.”

Pops laughed, too. “I’mterrifiedof her.” As his chuckles died, he placed a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “How you holding up, boy? You need to talk?”

Remorse crossed Devon’s face and he winced. “Yeah, Ryan. I-I’m going on about Nyx and…and Eliza—” He raised his hands in supplication. “I’m sorry. You should’ve…I’m here if you need to talk.”

Ryan’s first inclination was to scoff and brush off his father and brother’s concern, but he liked their camaraderie. He couldn’t remember the last time the three of them talked so openly and honestly. Unable to meet their gazes, he looked away. “I don’t know what to say. That’s probably why I haven’t thought about it.”

“I understand, boy,” Pops said gruffly.

“I don’t…” The memory of Eliza walking into the club invaded Ryan. He’d been terrified she’d reveal how close he was to her sons, and Bash, and mortified at the idea she’d force herself on him again.

“Hey, boy, what the cunt did is not your fault,” Pops said sternly. “I understand how you feel. I-I’ll tell you about it oneday.” He glanced hesitantly at Devon. “You, too, son, if you want to know.”

“And Mom?” Devon whispered.

That question upset Pops more than any other. He stiffened, his demeanor morphing from understanding to anger. “Logan Donovan should’ve been fucked up years ago,” he growled, and Ryan realized he’d mistaken the reason for his father’s change. He wasn’t angry because of the question. “But it’s not my story to tell. It’s hers. If she wants you to know, she’ll open up about it. Don’t ask her.” He glared between the two of them. “I will beat the fuck out of you if you do. She don’t need to revisit that trauma unless she wants to. Understand?”

“Yeah, Dad,” Devon said quickly.

“I do,” Ryan inserted, although he wanted the details. Especially about his great-grandfather. “Can you tell me about him?”

“Who?” Pops demanded. “Because I know you don’t mean motherfucking Logan.”

“I’ve heard he was a great man, Pops, but no one talks about him. I even went to Aunt Kendall and—”

“You went toKendallfor information about Logan?” Pops smirked. “How’d that work out for you?”

Heat rose to Ryan’s cheeks, and he shifted. “Not good.”

Pops laughed. “I could’ve told you that. Four women you don’t fuck with and come out unscathed. Roxanne. She’ll cut a bitch. Puff. She’ll stomp a bitch. Kendall. She’ll get busy.”

“Doing?” Devon asked suspiciously.

“Anything that comes into her head.” Snickering, Pops shrugged. “Just know, she’ll rain hell on you.”

“Aunt Kendall’s like Mattie, Dad,” Devon protested. “She’s too highbrow for stuff like that. Anyway,” he continued, not giving Pops a chance to respond, who’s the fourth girl?”

“Meggie.” Pops frowned. “Didn’t I just tell you that a few minutes ago.”

“Not in that context,” Devon protested. “I don’t agree with you anyway. I only know of one fight Aunt Meggie–”

“Son, Meggie can fight and she not afraid to do it. She choose not to.”

“But why?”

“Fuck, Dev, figure it out,” Pops growled. “It’s not fucking hard.”

“But–”

“It’s probably because of Uncle Christopher, bro,” Ryan guessed.

Dev’s eyes widened. “Ohhhhhh.”

Shaking his head, Pops met Ryan’s gaze. “Logan Donovan a sore subject, son. Not only with Puff, but with all of us. He was a hateful, miserable motherfucker. About the only motherfucker who wanted to lick his goddamn boots was Rack, so I’m thinking his grandsons told you that flaming fucking lie about him being great.”

As well as Bash, although Ryan couldn’t admit that. He wished he could. He also wished he had the guts to ask Bash how could he accept Cleaner as a family member while still admiring Logan, who didn’t like minorities, homosexuals, or a lot of other people.

“I’ll talk to Outlaw once Rebel and Meggie get back home. Maybe, we can sit you boys down and answer all your questions about the previous generation.”