“Yes, because everything is black and white with you.”
“You’re the fucking attorney,” CJ snapped. “That’syourforte.”
“Then, by all means, tell me your fucking gray area. What I fucking heard was I’m either a predator or a savior. Rebel is either a deserter or a martyr. Kaia’s a saint and Jana’s a victim.”
“I’m tired of going round and round with you over this fucking situation. If you had even a little regard for Jana, you wouldn’t treat her like she’s a statue.”
A humorless smile tipped Diesel’s lips. “Didn’t you just say I had feelings for her, Dr. CJ? Which is it?”
“For the record, Diesel, I wasn’t talking about now for you and Rebel. I was thinking about when she turns sixteen. Her birthday. Her prom.”
“How the fuck would I look taking her to prom?” Diesel snapped.
“Exactly, fuckhead,” CJ yelled. “How would you look? You chose Jana as your shield. Even if Kaia and Rebel have a future, Rebel isn’t going to be happy until she’s withyou. She’s as fucking miserable right now as Jana. If you don’t have feelings for her, what fucking harm is it if Kaia gets close to her?”
“Kaia thinks he can have Rebel. I’ll rip his fucking head off before I let him befriend Jana, too.”
“Answer this. Rebel’s eighteen. You’re married to Jana. Rebel wears you down and you decide you want her instead of Jana. What do you do? Rebel would never agree to sneak around with you. And if Jana gave into temptation because shethoughtyou left, what happens if youactuallyleave?”
“I don’t know,” Diesel admitted, glancing away.
CJ cocked his head to the side. “You’d kill her, wouldn’t you?”
“Wouldn’t that be better than her living her life in the depths of hell?”
“Motherfucker, she wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t invited her. The hell is living withyou.”
Diesel jumped to his feet and stormed to CJ, shoving him hard enough to make him stumble back and fall. Not trusting Diesel, CJ scrambled to his feet and raised his fists, determined to say what the fuck was on his mind.
“If Jana falls off the fucking bandwagon, get her help, fuckhead. You have the resources.Momhas resources and connections. But you don’t want to really help Jana. You like her as is: damaged, needy, and grateful to have the privilege of even looking at you. You might not be a pedo, fuckhead, but you sure the fuck are a motherfucking predator.”
Diesel struck out, because why wouldn’t he? That’s what the fuck he did. Fought when a nerve was struck and ignored everything else.
CJ blocked Diesel’s first two blows. However, he knew if he turned, the motherfucker would either shoot him or knock him out. His only fucking chance was to try and disable the fuckhead, still a couple inches taller than him and way more muscular. He hit Diesel’s stomach. Insane as he was, he didn’t even fucking feel it and responded with a punch that would’ve broken CJ’s jaw if he hadn’t jumped back and turned slightly and allowed his bicep to absorb the hit. Pain washed over him and he gritted his teeth.
“Stop!” Axel ordered, running between them. He was huffing and puffing. “Didn’t I tell you two motherfuckers tobehave?”
“Move, Axel,” Diesel snapped.
“No! Punch me, fuckface. Then, Dad will kill you and Mom willstillbe upset. You want to die and make Mom leave again?”
That teary question seemed to penetrate Diesel and stole his anger. Even CJ felt like a jackass for being so jealous of Axel without considering the toll the entire situation had taken on his little brother.
“I’m sorry, big head,” CJ said, ashamed of himself. He eyed Diesel. “You, too.” He wasn’t sure if the apology was sincere or if he was just saying it for Axel’s benefit. Diesel’s words had hurt him deeply. “I’ll ask Mom to borrow her Lexus.”
“No, you won’t,” Axel said stubbornly. “She’s with Dad and I told you two motherfuckers earlier to behave. A man can’t even rest after putting all his plans in motion. I heard you two motherfuckers trying my fucking patience.”
Frowning, CJ glanced over his shoulder and considered the door. It gaped open. Although he didn’t think he’d closed it, the “room” was more of an enclosed garden. Even if the weatherproof door was opened during Diesel and CJ’s argument, their voices would’ve had to travel down the hallway, through the breezeway and the East Hallway if Axel had beenin the den or kitchen. Had he still been on the second floor, then the argument would’ve had to float up the back staircase and under the sill of the closed door that led to the second-floor hallway.
Diesel folded his arms. “You have fucking listening devices in here, Ax?”
“How else do I get to know what I got to take care of for Mom?” Axel grouched, glaring at Diesel. “You’re stupid. You’re stupid too, CJ. And Dad’s just fucking senile. I’m the only man with fucking sense.”
“You little asshole!” CJ exploded. “I’m telling Dad.”
“But he’s not going to be happy neither. Mom don’t want her babies fussing and she especially don’t want you two motherfuckers toalwaysfucking yap and throw fucking hands.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Diesel said to Axel, temporarily losing CJ as to what he meant.
