“CJ’s my brother, Aunt Bailey,” Axel said in exasperation. “But my mom isMom. If you do something to CJ,shewould be hurt ‘cause she loves him a lot. I’d kill my dad if it meant saving Mom. As much as I love Uncle Mort, he won’t survive if you make Mom cry.”
“Yeah, whatever, child.” Rolling her eyes, Bailey returned to her seat. “Say what you have to say and then leave and never come back.”
“Remember that when Mom don’t let you cross the sill of her fucking door,” Axel said.
“I’m calling Meggie.”
“I don’t think you should. She’s probably with Dad. Besides, callher, involvehim.He’dask you if you’d lost your fucking mind,thenfuck up Uncle Mort.”
“I don’t allow my boys—”
Axel waved an impatient hand. “Remind me to get a shirt when I have to talk to stupid motherfuckers. I’m Outlaw and Meggie’s son. I only listen to Mom and Dad.”
“Are you calling me out of my name, young man?”
“Are you admitting to being a stupid motherfucker, Aunt Bailey?”
“Axel, little dude, why don’t you leave right now?” Mort suggested, hoping to diffuse the situation. The kid didn’t know about Bailey. She took respect very seriously. “I’ll bring Harley later.”
“I’m almost done, Uncle Mort,” Axel said.
“No, mister. You’re donenow,” Bailey screamed, losing her shit as Mort knew she would. “I don’t fucking know in whose universe you think you’re my equal or Lucas’s but let me set you straight. Youaredisrespecting me, our house, and him.”
“I’m not,” Axel said irritably. “I’m disrespectingyou. I don’t respectnomotherfucker that don’t respect me and I’m not afraid ofnomotherfucker neither. And the only person in the entire world I’d never talk back to is Mom. Any other motherfuckerwillrespect me, listen to me, or fucking die. Case fucking closed.”
Bailey laughed without humor. “You’re a murderer now?”
“Not yet,” Axel snarled. “Mom don’t want her babies killing no motherfuckers until we’re eighteen. CJ’s making an exception for Nardo.”
“Meggie don’t know about that, kid,” Mortician said.
Axel frowned at him. “I expect Uncle Johnnie to act brand new, Uncle Mort. Not you. Mom is the Blonde Warrior. Of course she knows.”
“And she’s okay with that?” Mort asked carefully.
“I’m very disappointed in you,” Axel said with disapproval. “Wait. How old are you?”
“I’ll be forty-seven soon.”
“You’re senile like Dad then. Damn. I was hoping you’d teach me to be an enforcer, but you probably don’t remember how to shoot.”
Mortician laughed and shook his head. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Uh-huh.”
“How you know so much? Meggie and Outlaw talk about that shit in front of you?”
“A man don’t give away his secrets, Uncle Mort. Between you and me, though, I think Uncle Johnnie’s not lasting too much longer. I’m real sorry about that, too.”
Mort held his opinion to himself, not wanting to upset the kid. “I understand, Axel.”
“I don’t think you do, Uncle Mort,” Ryder said, amused. “If Dad kills that motherfucker, Axel won’t be able to.”
“We have a bet,” Ransom added. “Dad or Aunt Kendall. One of them will break and that motherfucker is dead.”
Those three little motherfuckerslaughed.
“My bet’s on Aunt Kendall,” Ryder said. “As long as fuckhead’s on Mom’s No Kill List, Dad won’t go after him.”
