Rebel nodded. “Extremely.”
“He’s gorgeous.”
“We just established that.”
“Tall and athletic and…andbeautifulwith those intense gray eyes and dark hair. He could be an underwear model. Or…or on an advertisement for cologne. Or pose forGQ. He’s gorgeous.”
Rebel glowered at her and Jana gulped.
“Bishop and Grant are beautiful too, Jana. Do you love them?”
“No.”
“Why do you loveDiesel?”
“I know you don’t want me with him,” Jana whispered.
“This has nothing to do withme,” Rebel growled, then huffed. “Do you know why I thought I loved him? Besides the obvious?”
“Why?” Jana asked miserably.
“Because he listened to me. He made me laugh. He danced with me and took me for rides on his Harley. I thought he was so smart. He helped teach me to fight, shoot, and throw knives. Throw footballs. Once, he picked me up from school in an Armani suit and his first Mercedes. I came home to do homework. When I saw him an hour or two later, he was in his cut and jeans. The ease in which he transformed awed me. He consoled me when I got into trouble. He was sweet, charming, and protective, and he talked to me like I had a fucking brain. Slowly, he changed and wanted me to act “like a lady”. At first, I stood up to him because I lost my temper, but I quickly realized I got his attention and kept it. No matter what that dickhead says, he wants someone to hold him accountable. In a different way than Daddy does. He wants someone to call him down and ask him if he’s lost his fucking mind.”
“Tabitha called him out,” Jana blurted.
“Yeah, well, he wouldn’t listen toher. He wouldn’t have almost lost his shit if another man talked to her like the dude from last night. And he definitely wouldn’t have cared if fucking Boo Boo the Clown made her laugh. He cares about you, but if what you feel for him is more than just about his looks, you havegotto assert yourself and make him see you.”
“Diesel likes his freedom. If I try to rein him in, he’d hate me.”
“Then hate that motherfucker back,” Rebel spat. “It’s working wonders for me.”
“I’m not you.”
“Are you jealous of me?”
“Not at all. I think you’re beautiful and kind.”
“Kind is a word few people would use to describe me,” Rebel said, laughing. “But thank you.”
“You’re kind to me.”
“I’m loyal to my family. There’s a difference.”
Hearing Rebel only helped her out of loyalty to Diesel depressed Jana a little more.
Rebel took Jana’s hands into her own. “Look me in the eyes and hold my gaze,” she instructed.
Jana tried several times to follow the orders. Though she met Rebel’s gaze, she couldn’t hold it for more than two seconds.
“Try to keep your focus on me and tell me this, as mean as possible: If you look at my man wrong, heifer, I will beat your fucking ass.”
“Diesel would never forgive me.”
“Wrong fucking starting point,” Rebel grumbled. “Repeat this:fuck Diesel.”
Shaking her head, Jana snatched her hands away. “I can’t.”
“Pretend I’m one of the club girls if you don’t want to say it to me.”
