Page 53 of Ruptured

“I told Ophelia to call you back and tell you not to come. We can handle Winona.”

“Evidence says something different.” Glaring at Uncle Cash, Axel plugged his ears with his two fingers. “Girls get headaches really quick cuz they can cry for fucking hours.”

“I don’t allow Tarmac to curse, Axel,” Uncle Cash said in a tone reeking of motherfuckery. “If he hears you, he will.”

Axel dropped his arms, and glanced between CJ and their uncle, his brow furrowed.

Unease slid into CJ. He foresaw disaster. Axel wouldn’t be silenced for anyone, and Uncle Cash wouldn’t appreciate that.

“But–”

“Not another word from you, Axel,” Uncle Cash growled.

Confusion knitted Axel’s brow. “Dad lets me curse,” he finally said in a reasonable tone.

“Is he here?” Uncle Cash snapped.

Balling his little fists, Axel stiffened. “He don’t got to be here.He’smy dad, notyou. His rules apply whether I’m with him or not.”

“Ax, we have to respect Uncle Cash’s house,” CJ said, hoping diplomacy diffused the situation.

“Yougot to respect it. AllIgot to do is call Dad.”

CJ sighed, the burden of being a big brother weighing him down when he felt so vulnerable. He smiled at Uncle Cash. “We want to see Gunner.”

“He’s asleep.”

“With all this noise?” Axel hissed. “Liar, liar, pants on fire.”

CJ clapped a hand over Axel’s mouth, ignoring his little brother’s attempt to bite him.

Uncle Cash yanked his hair in frustration. “This way,” he growled, storming down the hallway, toward the sobs.

The moment CJ released Axel, the little motherfucker punched CJ’s arm.

“Behave, Axel,” he warned, low.

“I’m not respecting no man that don’t respect me, CJ,” Axel replied, committed to thinking of himself as a man.

Since CJ wouldn’t win that argument either against Axel, he didn’t say anything more. For now. On the walk back home, he’d talk to him.

When they walked into the den, the high volume of Winnie’s cries rubbed CJ’s nerves raw. Uncle Cash’s son, the youngest in the house at almost five, Tarmac, sat in a recliner, arms folded and glaring at his sister. His brothers, Jasper and Kade, sat side-by-side on the sofa, elbows on knees, chins in hand, staring at Winona who laid on the floor, sobbing at the top of her very strong fucking lungs.

Uncle Cash had been telling the truth. Gunner laid on a pallet in the corner, sound asleep.

“Rebel!” Winnie yelled, drawing CJ’s curiosity away from why the fuck the kid slept on the fucking floor. Mom had all types of travel beds for him. “I WANT REBEL!”

“She’s okay, love.” Aunt Ophelia sat next to her daughter, rubbing her back. “Believe me.”

“No!”

Dropping to the floor, Axel scooted to their cousin and tapped Winnie’s back. She lifted her head, her shoulders shaking.

“The Blonde Viper’s fine, so please shut the fuck up, Winnie. She would look at you like you’ve lost your fucking mind, making all this noise.”

CJ covered his face and drew in a breath, waiting for the explosion.

“Axel—” Uncle Cash gritted right on fucking cue.