Rebel cackled.
“You’re lucky Val kicked your ass for fucking over Harley.” Grabbing his ear, she twisted. “Otherwise, I’d drag you to Mortician myself and watch him pound you into the ground.” She thumped his head. “How could you do that to her just to get to CJ?”
“Exactly my thoughts, Auntie,” Rebel said, poking her tongue at Ryan, wishing it was forked and venomous to blind him.
He glared at her, so she flipped him off, happy Aunt Zoann’s back was to her.
“I was coming to ask you to drive me to Ridge Moore, Ryan. Val is meeting me there and I’ve had an upset stomach all day. That’s no longer a good idea.”
“Mom, don’t hate me.”
“I don’t hate you. I’m so fucking pissed at you, I want to take Rebel’s suggestion and jump on your chest. You don’t use any fucking girl as a pawn for revenge. I’m also so disappointed in you. I expect so much better from you.”
“I’ll never do anything like that again.”
“If you do, I might not hate you, but I’d never forgive you, son, so remember that before you decide to play with a girl’s life to suit your own selfish agenda.” Aunt Zoann hugged Rebel, then stalked out of the room.
“I know you covered for me on behalf of my mom,” Ryan started when his mother’s footsteps faded away.
“As much as it pains me at the moment, you’re my fucking family, too,” Rebel said darkly. “You have a lot to atone for. And speaking of Mattie,her. You know what happened to her, and yet you added to her suffering.”
“I told you I feel bad.”
“I want you writhing in pain and misery.”
“Not really. Otherwise, you would’ve told Mom the truth.”
Aunt Zoann wasn’t the only reason, no matter what Ryan believed. “Did you see how Aunt Zoann got onboard with not killing Uncle Johnnie because of family?”
Ryan shrugged.
“Familyis as important to her as it is to me. It doesn’t matter how I feel. Or CJ. Or Rory. Or any of my brothers and our cousins. Untilyouput family first, you’ll never accept how we see you, Ryan.”
“You’ve changed a lot.”
“I had no choice.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Jesus Christ, if you apologize one more fucking time, I will punch you in your fucking mouth.”
He smiled. “Maybe you are the same old Reb.”
“I will never not be my father’s daughter, no matter how much he refutes that notion.”
“You’re a handful. He’s just frustrated.”
“And he’s easy-peasy,” she said sarcastically. “Not frustrating at all.”
“Nope.”
“You’re a bigger asshole for that blatant lie.”
“Inconsequential in the scheme of things.”
Rebel got to her feet. “I have to pick out an outfit. We’ll probably be leaving soon.”
“You’re a girl.”
