Page 45 of Ruptured

“That’s about the time you turned into a meaner fuckhead.”

“About the time I started hating CJ,” he said with a sigh.

“Can’t blame him for you being a fucking bully, Ry.”

Ryan had no defense, so he shrugged.

“So do you?” Devon pressed. “Want to play the game?”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to focus. If you’re still a little cheating asshole, I have to pay attention.”

“Okay.” Devon pointed to the floor, littered with ashes and cigarettes. Mom would kill them. “Rock, paper, scissors to see who sweeps and sprays room deodorant?”

“I’ll do it after I check on Harley, cuck.”

Flipping Ryan off, Devon loped away, not even glancing in the living room.

Once his footsteps faded, Ryan went to Harley. She’d fallen asleep on the sofa. Like Pops said, emotions were complicated. He had followed Willard’s orders and slept with her. But Ryan also saw it as a 2-for-1. Getting back at CJ was as much hisreason as Molly. At no time hadHarley’sfeelings entered the equation. He’d taken what she’d given him and then allowed whoever to see their intimate moments.

What his great-grandfather would think about Ryan with Harley hadn’t entered into his mind either. Willard said Logan would forgive Ryan because fucking her was for the greater goal.

He assumed the motherfucker meant returning Molly. Now, Ryan wasn’t so sure. Nor was he certain the boy his father remembered was still inside of him.

Not having an answer, Ryan would ignore Harley again. Until the next time Willard sent his orders.

She’s dead.

Is she dead?

Did you succeed?

She’s alive.

She’s dead.

Rebel hates you.

Mom hates you.

She’s dead.

“No!” Rule struggled to free his hands, so he could clap them over his ears to drown out the voices echoing in his head. “STOP! STOP! STOP!”

Tears streaking his face, he thrashed on the bed, vaguely aware his wrists and ankles were bound. His throat ached and his head pounded.

“Mom!” he screamed. “Help me! Mom! Come back! I’m sorry! I love you!”

Mom didn’t answer. He couldn’t move to find her. She loved him. She’d help him.

She’s dead.

“NO! MOM!” Rule sobbed. “Don’t leave me. I love you. Mom!”

She’s dead.

He screamed. Above him, shadows bounced on the ceiling, reaching toward him. He tried to move, tried to evade them, tried to remember a prayer. Dripping blood swirled in a swimming pool, sunlight gleaming in the clear water. Except for the threads of red.

Blonde hair twisted through the blood. A nude body floated.