“You don’t even have a gun, CJ,” Rory croaked.
“Then I’ll just choke the fuck out of you,” CJ said viciously, his eyes blazing. “I suggest you shut the fuck up and when I hear your motherfucking mouth again, find something new to say because that shit irritates the fuck out of me and makes you sound like a broken fucking record.”
Zoann slid to the edge of her seat on the loveseat where she sat next to Val. Her gaze roamed from Ryan to CJ to Rory to Devon and back to CJ again. “What did Rory do to Rebel?”
CJ glanced at his mother, who gave the slightest shake of her head, her eyes begging him to walk it back, although his reaction confirmed what Johnnie told Kendall.
“It isn’t what you think, Aunt Zoann,” CJ told her.
A little green around the gills, Zoann pressed a hand to her belly and CJ lifted his brows, almost a mirror to his father’s mannerisms.
“You’re…” He shifted. “Uh, okay? Are you okay?”
Kendall knew he’d probably reached the conclusion that she was pregnant. Meggie was usually so sick when she was carrying a baby. Zoann had shared her news while they were in the kitchen helping Celia with the meal, revealing Ryan and Devon didn’t know yet. Kendall appreciated how CJ picked up on the need for discretion.
“You’re okay, Aunt Zoann?” he asked again because she hadn’t answered when he first asked.
Zoann nodded. “Can you get me another ginger ale, Harley?” she asked, her skin paling, her eyes tearing up.
“If none’s in the refrigerator, look under the cabinet, sweetheart,” Celia told Harley.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Glasses are in the center cabinet,” Celia added.
“Okay, Aunt Celia,” Harley said.
“Mom?” Ryan looked truly concerned. He might’ve gone to his mother if he’d had somewhere to go, but it was so crowded, he had to remain standing against the wall as Harley weaved her way through. “What’s wrong, Mom?”
“I’ll explain at home, son,” Zoann responded.
“I didn’t mean to upset you, Auntie,” CJ said.
“I don’t know why CJ jumping on Rory upset you, Mom,” Devon started. “He didn’t mention my brother. You must suspect Ryan of something if whatever’s going on with Rory upset you this much.”
If Devon hadn’t grabbed Zoann’s attention, she would’ve seen Outlaw, Diesel, and Val’s filthy look at him. She would’ve seen Rebel, CJ, Ryan, Grant, Mattie, and the Triplet’s incredulous ones.
“You—” Axel started, but Diesel clapped his hand over the boy’s mouth then bent and whispered to him.
The interruption helped to distract Kendall from her own problems. She remembered she had a job to do, her mantra of the evening.
While the drama between Devon continued, Kendall looked at the results again.
“Cee Cee Caldwell and Wallace Bart were half-brothers.”
“That’s the third time you’ve said the same fucking thing.” Cleaner’s ugly tone sliced through Kendall. “If a cunt can’t use her fucking brain, she doesn’t need it in her goddamn head.”
“And if a motherfucker not shuttin’ the fuck up, he don’t need his motherfuckin’ head,” Outlaw snapped. “Back off Kendall, assfuck. This my only fucking warning.”
“It isn’t as if you’re fucking armed, Outlaw,” Cleaner sneered.
Mortician shoved his cut aside to show his gun. “Prez not. I am, so I suggest you shut the fuck up, pardner.”
“Foul!” Tio cried. “We’reunarmed.”
“That’s onyourbitch ass.” Digger was still in a wheelchair, so Kendall wasn’t sure what he thought to accomplish. “Mort taking my place for right now. No SAA worth his fucking salt not packing, so fuck you and back the fuck off MortandKendall.”
“Make me,” Tio said.
