“I’m not fucking old, you rancid little roach,” CJ blared.
“Your mama’s a fucking rancid roach,” Axel snapped and turned to Diesel, ignoring Mom’s giggle. He didn’t realize what he’d called her as he pinned Diesel with his gaze. “As for you, you fucking diseased monkey, act like my fucking attorney and get me off.”
“I’m too much of a fucking diseased monkey,” Diesel told him.
Axel threw him a dark look. “Then give me my five fucking dollars back. That covers an entire month. You’ve only had to defend me two or three times, not every day.”
“You can’t pay me five motherfucking dollars and expect me to defend you every fucking day, Axel!”
“I shouldn’t! That’s fucking expensive. For your shoddy fucking work, I should give you fifty fucking cents for the month.”
“I quit!”
“Fuck you. You’re fucking fired.”
“You can’t fire me if I’ve already fucking quit.”
“You only quit ‘cause you’re fucking guilty of being a shitty chicken.”
Another giggle escaped Mom and she clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Anda shitty attorney,” Axel continued.
“I don’t want to get you off,” Diesel sniped. “Do you know what the fuck you did?”
“Yes, motherfucker! Yes! I fucking did it. The only thing I regret is the stupid bomb. I didn’t know moving it would make it blow up. Everything else? I’d do it again.”
Diesel glowered at him. If CJ was in Diesel’s position, he’d fucking glower, too.
“We’re not talking about this every fucking day, Diesel,” Axel warned. “It’s fucking done. If you haven’t learned your fucking lesson, I’ll do it again. Case fucking closed, motherfucker.”
Mom put her hand on Axel’s shoulder, but he was so busy arguing with Diesel, he shrugged her off.
“That was Mom, stupid,” Ryder told him.
Gasping, Axel froze and turned to her. “You aren’t mad, are you, Mom? I didn’t know it was you. Don’t leave again. Okay?”
Mom hugged Axel. Folding his arms, CJ clenched his jaw and looked away. She didn’t hughimafter the Triplets beat the fuck out of him. It didn’t matter he hadn’t told her. If she knew, she’d probably excuse Axel anyway. He was her new favorite.
“Listen to me, Sweet Pea.” Mom released Axel and clutched his shoulder. “I love you so much for you wanting to protect me so fiercely. However, you could’ve been seriously hurt or you could’ve seriously hurt Diesel. I’m very upset with you over the bomb.”
“But I don’t lie, Mom,” Axel said in a watery voice. “I told everybody I was building a bomb.”
“You did,” Mom said gently. “That’s my fault for not believing you.”
“No, it isn’t!” Axel insisted and hugged Mom. “Dad knew, too. So did CJ and Diesel. Nothing’s your fault. Don’t leave again. I swear.”
“Axel—”
Ignoring Dad’s call, Axel ran to him and hugged his waist. “Tell her, Dad. Tell her nothing’s her fault.”
“Axel, love, listen to me—”
“It isn’t your fault, Mom!”
“Son—” Dad started.
“Tell her, Dad,” Axel begged.
