Not having a fucking choice, Ryan complied, and Diesel got behind the wheel. The moment Ryan settled into the passengerseat and closed the door, Diesel sped off, halting long enough to use his key card to open the gate and swerve away.
The moment Aunt Bailey stormed into the conference room, Rebel wished Momma hadn’t left. Every move Aunt Bailey made, each glare she directed at CJ, and scowl she leveled at Rebel, vibrated with anger.
CJ refused to meet Aunt Bailey’s gaze. Rebel kept her mouth shut, although she was about to explode, but given Aunt Bailey’s attitude, if Rebel unleashed her fury, Harley would suffer, and she’d been through enough.
Hopefully, Aunt Bailey showed her whole ass, Uncle Mort divorced her, and Harley got a new mom and Rebel a new aunt.
“What do you have to tell me, Harley?” Aunt Bailey demanded. “You realize it’s a school night? You should be home. Zoann might’ve allowed you to stay up until all hours, but I do not.”
Why the fuck did this heifer come here with that fucking attitude? Biting her lip, Rebel glanced away so she wouldn’t accidentally ask that question.
“I have something to tell you, Mommie,” Harley started. “A-about Nardo.”
Aunt Bailey looked weird, oddly disheveled, overly bright eyes and flushed skin. “Please don’t bring that asshole up and ruin my night further.”
“He’s the reason you’re here, Aunt Bailey,” CJ said, kind and calm as always.
Despite her anger, Rebel wanted to go to a bedroom at home and cry in private. How could she be sure all the cameras were gone? Her privacy had been invaded where she should’ve felt safest. Just for a night or two, she wouldn’t sleep in her room, although she’d probably hide in there during the day. It really sucked that she’d broke down in front of her father, uncles, and cousins. CJ would understand. He always did, but everyone else would equate tears with the weakness of being female.
Aunt Bailey hadn’t said a fucking thing since CJ spoke, so Rebel decided to help things along.
“Aunt Bailey, Harley needs you really bad right now,” she said. “Nardo…”
What could she say that could sufficiently explain Harley’s pain and shame, the hideous bruising on her face and body a silent testament to both.
“Nardowhat?” Aunt Bailey gritted, distant and unfriendly.
“Nardo abused Harley,” CJ finally said. “She’s full of bruises.”
A beat went by. Another. And another. Instead of grabbing Harley’s hands, or offering an encouraging smile, or asking if she was okay, Aunt Bailey froze.
Harley raised a pitiful gaze to CJ. Before her very eyes, Rebel saw her brother’s heart melt, which ruined her fucking night a little further.
“There’s a video.” CJ gnashed his teeth together. “Severalvideos,” he amended. “One is of Harley with Ryan that Nardo is threatening to release.”
Aunt Bailey glowered at CJ, started to rise, swayed, and plopped back down.
“It’s true, Mommie.” Harley started to sob. “There’s this guy, Pillar of Earth, that hacked my laptop and…and…”
Rebel hugged her, although CJ looked at Harley as if he wanted to take her place, but since Aunt Bailey was cray-cray lately, he didn’t make Rebel move.
“And what?” Aunt Bailey slurred in an unreadable voice.
“A lot, Aunt Bailey,” CJ told her. “Pillar of Earth is actually Willard Bart. Somehow, he got his hands on the video of Harley and Ryan. Willard has also been ordering Harley to do things on cameraandsending the videos to Nardo.”
Aunt Bailey gaped, a welcome change from her almost total non-reaction.
“My dad is talking to Uncle Mort,” CJ continued. “Harley wanted to talk to you. We want her to call Nardo, so Uncle Stretch can see where his phone pings in real time. But Harley’s afraid and—”
“Who iswe, CJ?” Aunt Bailey demanded.
Hesitation crossed CJ’s face and he glanced from Aunt Bailey to Harley. Rebel continued stroking Harley’s back and hugged her again to hide her anger. If she didn’t spontaneously combust, burned alive by rage, it would be a fucking miracle.
“My dad. Uncle Stretch—”
“Lucas?” Aunt Bailey interrupted CJ.
He shook his head. “Uncle Mort had already left when Harley, Rebel, and Mattie arrived.”
