She nodded. “Pillar of Earth always laughed.”
CJ narrowed his eyes. “Ryan knew. That motherfucker knew and he didn’t open his fucking mouth?”
“No one knew,” Harley said, missing CJ’s point about the fucking picture Ryan supposedly accidentally took. “I couldn’t tell anyone.”
“I’m callin’ Mort.” Christopher wouldn’t want motherfuckers forcing Rebel to do anything and maybe traumatize her further. “CJ, call your ma. Ask her to get here,stat.”
Momma arrived at the same time as Uncle Mort, so Daddy took her to his office for no more than two minutes. When she walked out, she summoned Kaia to help Rebel to the conference room and ordered Harley and Mattie to follow.
Daddy was sitting down at his table with Uncle Val, Uncle Stretch, and Uncle Mort. As Rebel leaned on Kaia and followed her mother and cousins down the hall, she saw Grant and Rory sit at Daddy’s table, too.
When Kaia helped her to a chair, Rebel realized CJ and Diesel had followed them instead of remaining with the others in the main room. Mama didn’t say anything, even when Diesel sent Kaia out of the room.
Trying to get her bearings and calm her burning anger and humiliation, Rebel looked around at the dark wooden walls, concrete floor, and gray ceiling. Daddy always managed to sit at the head of this maze of tables because there was a lip on the one he used that set him apart. Rebel wished her mother had taken that seat, instead of one across from where she directed Rebel, Harley, and Mattie to sit.
“I’m sorry, Aunt Meggie,” Harley started.
Momma reached across the table and grabbed Harley’s hands. “You have nothing to apologize for, love. Ryan should be on his hands and knees begging for forgiveness.”
“Then Aunt Zoann—”
“I’m well aware, CJ,” Momma snapped. “I also know Val beat Ryan and that idiot thought he had to do it to save Molly. His stupid face should be broken. How dare he use you three to undo what he did in the first place.”
CJ sucked in a breath. Whether Momma knew it, she’d just confirmed CJ’s suspicions.
“Harley, sweetheart, you have been the most abused. However, Christopher insists we tell Bailey.”
“No, Aunt Meggie—” Harley said. “She’ll be so angry.”
“Mom, will Dad tell her about what Ryan did, too?” CJ asked.
Sighing, Momma shook her head. “No,” she said, glowering at nothing in particular. “To protect Zoann, we have to lie to Mortician. He’d kill Ryan.” She looked at Mattie. “We will tell Kendall, though.”
Tears slipping down her cheeks, Mattie nodded.
“I have to wait for Bailey so she can help you decide if you want to try and make contact with Nardo, Harley. Or for anything,” she said grimly. “If I say something to you and she feels as if I’ve overstepped my bounds and has a meltdown…” Momma’s mouth turned down. “I’m not in the mood to hear it.” She squeezed Harley’s hands tighter. “We love you and support you. You’re one of ours and youwillbe avenged.”
“Thank you, Aunt Meggie. I know I don’t deserve—”
“Sweetheart, even if you were still acting out, you’d have us. What youdon’tdeserve is what those jackasses did to you. Ryan, Willard,andNardo.”
Harley nodded, so Momma reclaimed her hands and looked at Mattie.
“I didn’t mean to get Ryan in trouble, Aunt Meggie.”
“Youdidn’t get that motherfucker in trouble, Mattie,” CJ spat. “That motherfucker got himself in trouble.”
Momma nodded. “What CJ said. Kendall is on the way.”
“Okay,” Mattie said miserably.
Momma finally focused on Rebel. “Hey, love,” she said softly.
“I’m fine,” Rebel blurted. “Harley and Mattie need you more than I do right now.” She combed her fingers through her hair. “I don’t care if Willard saw me without clothes,” she said breezily, ignoring Diesel’s growl, lying through her teeth but whatever. “Didn’t Father Wilkins talk about the sin of…of…you know…? It doesn’t matter. He probably needed lessons on handies, since even his own fucking hand wouldn’t want to be bothered with him.”
No one laughed at her lame attempt at humor.
“What you do in the privacy of your bedroom,alone, is no one’s business, Rebel,” Momma told her calmly, but her icy blue eyes revealed just how furious she was.
