Ryan had never been so happy to see CJ. He had sisters and he also had a long history with Harley. He’d know what to do. Immediately, CJ helped Harley to her feet, tucked her close, and glanced around, asking Mattie’s whereabouts.
“She had to pass the mall,” Devon had joked. “She probably detoured to do a little shopping.”
Even Rory laughed.Everyoneexcept CJ, so Grant volunteered to backtrack.
And…
Ryan wanted to throw up.
“CJ’s on the way.” Devon’s statement reminded Ryan of his brother’s presence. “I called him to ask about Mattie.”
Clenching his jaw, Ryan nodded.
Devon walked closer. “What are you intending?”
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t like Harley.”
“I don’t want her hurt the way she was.”
Debatable, but Ryan remained silent. “Why don’t you go to Roxanne’s? Mom’s there.”
“Lolly, you mean?”
“She’s never acted as a grandmother to me,” Ryan said defensively, then felt like an asshole at Devon’s glare. “Whatever,” he spat, doubling down, on edge. Harley and Mattie had gotten hurt. And CJ was on the way. “Just go.”
“Have you visited Molly since she was found?”
“Yesterday morning.” Pops had saved the day and come through on her behalf. Ryan had never been so impressed or grateful. If Uncle Christopher and Aunt Meggie would’ve paid that huge sum, he wouldn’t have liked it, but he would’ve swallowed his enviousness for Molly. “I’d planned to visit her this evening, but then this shit kicked off.”
“Do you know if CJ has been to visit her?”
The question surprised him. “Does it fucking matter?”
“Not really. I’m just trying to figure out the dynamics. Are you with Harley or Molly?”
He didn’t deserve either of them. Not after the role he’d played in both of their current traumas. “Molly isn’t fit to be with me or anyone else.” He didn’t feel like going into a detailed explanation.
“And Harley? You’ve always liked her. Even before you admitted it.”
“Why all the fucking questions?” Ryan snapped, his nerves raw. “If CJ forgives her, I won’t stand a chance.”
“You will if you fight for her. Fairly. Not with bitterness and underhanded tactics.”
“How the fuck else is there to fight? How many honest motherfuckers win?”
“A lot. I just want you happy. You know how I feel about Harley–”
“Fuck off. I will fuck you up if you talk about her.”
Devon raised his hands. “Not my dislike of her. How you started to change when she moved in. If you want her, fight for her. CJ would. He will if he wants another chance with her. Are you afraid you’ll lose her to him? And what about Molly? You did a lot to get her back. She’s here and she’s just an afterthought. Are you afraid she’ll choose him when she’s healed?”
The ringing doorbell saved Ryan from exploring Devon’s questions or providing answers.
His skin growing clammy and his heart suddenly pounding, Ryan wiped his brow, rooted to his spot as Devon answered the door and welcomed CJ, Grant, and Rory.
Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Why did he want to show them one of the videos Willard sent to him? He could always tell them he’d seen Harley in her bra and noticed the bruises. If he let the cat out of the bag, they might discover Rebel and Mattie’s cameras, too. Willard, the jackass, hadn’t been able to breach the Caldwell and Donovan firewalls to hack their computers and terrorize them like he did with Harley. And that was only becauseRyanremoved her firewall.
He started sweating.
