CJ snapped his brows together, but the door opened and his father walked in. His gaze fell on CJ and he halted, staring in silence and releasing smoke from the cigarette he puffed on. He glanced around the room. Uncle Mort stepped aside, allowing Dad to see Mom, all curled up on the bed.
He smiled tenderly, then started toward CJ.
Uncle Digger intercepted him and snatched his cigarette. “Don’t want to blow the fuck up, Prez.”
Dad glared at him but didn’t reclaim the cigarette. Reaching CJ, he bent and pulled him into a bear hug, kissing his cheek and ruffling his hair. “You scared the fuck outta me, boy,” he said in a shaky voice, holding CJ tightly. “Don’t ever do that shit again. If you wanna fuck with lean, let me or Mort fix it for you.”
CJ returned his father’s hug. “Thanks, Dad, but that’s it for me. I just bowed to pressure. I shouldn’t have done it at all.”
Dad released him and straightened. “Diesel got his hand bandaged as punishment, but and he fuckin’ up Gail and Joplin to prove his goddamn loyalty.”
“What happened to his hand?”
“Ain’t nothin’ but a thing,” Dad promised. “Anyway, we can’t find motherfucking Diana, and I took a break from huntin’ those other two cunts, Nyx, Potter, Narci, Bishop, and Torrin.”
“Prez, Narci gave CJ the Naloxone,” Uncle Mort said.
“Only cuz you ordered him to. It’s the fucking least I can do. Iftheyhad any fucking respect for Megan, they would’ve protected CJ.”
“Nyx, Bishop and Torrin wasn’t even there,” CJ argued. “Fia and Tennysee told the other girls to back off. Potter, too. No matter why Narci got the Naloxone, it still allowed Uncle Mort to stay with me—”
Tears gathered in Dad’s eyes and he pursed his lips, not speaking until he’d wrestled his emotions under control. “Mort was givin’ you CPR.”
CJ had no memory of it. “Tell Mom—”
“No.” Dad’s jaw clenched. “I put her through enough. Almost losin’ you…” Blowing out a breath, he rubbed the back of his neck. “I never wanna hear your ma scream the way she did. Beg God, Big Joe, Dinah,fuckanyfuckinbody who might hear her, to save you.”
CJ’s stomach twisted at the thought of his mother’s distress, especially after the turmoil of the past few weeks.
“Diesel said we should get two silver platters and put lettuce and shit on it under Gail’s and Joplin’s heads, then present them to Megan.”
“Yeah, because Diesel’s a fucking psycho,” CJ snapped. “I hope you told him no.”
Dad shrugged. “Once he fuck them up, he storin’ their headsin the meatshack refrigerator until your ma tell me what to do.”
Uncle Mort and Uncle Digger exchanged glances. Uncle Digger looked a little sick. As well he fucking should, though CJ kept his mouth shut.
“Outlaw!” Uncle Mort said. “Didn’t Meggie get a fucking head from Cee Cee once? Wouldn’t that shit trigger her?”
Dad thought for a moment. “You right, Mort. Iamgonna save their heads once Diesel finish ‘til I know where to send those motherfuckers cuz I think something else goin’ on.”
“It doesn’t matter, Dad. You’ve always taught me about fairness. Narci—”
“Been supplyin’ Diesel with fucking coke, CJ. Flirted with your ma. Fucked withyou. I watched fuckin’ footage. I know what those motherfuckers been doin’.” He glared at Uncle Digger. “The way they talked about Megan. I can kill whoever the fuck I wanna and your ma not sayin’ shit.”
“Dad, you were just saying you want your sweet angel back!”
“Let her come back after I finish killin’.” Dad smiled. “Ain’t had this high a body count in fuckin’ years.”
Uncle Digger stumbled to a chair and sat, leaning forward and hanging his head. He laughed nervously. “I’m fuckin’ glad we family. If I accidentally talk about her, I won’t get fucked up.”
“How the fuck you accidentally talk about somebody, fool?” Uncle Mort demanded.
“Listen up, if youaccidentallytalk about my woman, I’m gonnapurposelyfuck you up.”
“You must’ve misunderstood Mom,” CJ said.
“Yeah, Outlaw,” Uncle Digger inserted on a gulp. “Meggie a sweet, kind chick.” He grabbed some tissue from the box on the rolling table and dabbed his brow. “Without her influence,you would kill if a motherfucker blinked wrong. But she know she keep you grounded, so…so…she’dnevergive you the freedom to kill at will.”
