“One thing about sobriety, it makes a motherfucker think, Easton. If he didn’t try to kill you, I’d be less than a man to fuck up my little cousin for what he might do to me.”
Easton heaved in a breath. “I’d prefer him to die than you.”
“I’m touched.” For once, Bash sounded as if he meant such a sentimental thought. “But my destiny was mapped out long before you surprised me with your existence.”
“You can change it,” Easton argued. “You can go to rehab.”
“I spent all the money.”
Fuck, he’d spentallthat money already? How the fuck was that possible? Fuck! Drugs. Had he blown the money on drugs?
Easton scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’ll pay for your stint,” he said suddenly. The money Outlaw gave to Easton was still untouched.
Bash snickered. “If I tell Celia what you’ve offered, you’d become her favorite. She’d love you forever.”
“I’d appreciate that, but I’m not doing it to win favors.”
“I know, boy. I’ll think about it. For now, let’s get you to Celia’s and settled in, so you can sign your life over to the Dwellers. Who knows? Maybe this is a new beginning for all of us.”
It was ridiculous to feel so betrayed by Jana. Rebel hadn’t intended to like her in the first place. She’d hated her before they met and had sworn to despise her on sight. Except that hadn’t happened. Mainly because of Diesel’s treatment of her and how Jana’s acceptance of his behavior appalled Rebel almost unto death.
Either Jana really was stupid and pathetic and didn’t recognize his actions were fucking wrong or she was stupid, pathetic and didn’t value herself not even a little bit.
Unfortunately, Rebel had to suffer her whining on the ride to Aunt Celia’s. Momma rode on the back of Daddy’s bike. Because CJ was running late, Rebel couldn’t ride with him in Momma’s Lexus and whichevercousin he was chauffeuring. She didn’t want to be bothered with Uncle Johnnie and Rory, so asking Aunt Kendall if Rebel could ride with them was out. She tolerated Ryan but Devon was a bigger dickhead. Even if they went with CJ, Harley would be with Uncle Val and Aunt Zoann, and Rebel still wasn’t sure how she felt about her cousin.
She didn’t hate her anymore; she wasn’t even angry. But she didn’t want to trust Harley again and accept her back into her life, then she stabbed CJ in the back, which would betray Rebel. Fuck with her brothers and it was war.
Uncle Cash was an asshole and a traitor, so Rebel refused to hitch a ride with Aunt Ophelia, Uncle Stretch, and their children. Besides, Winnie would be clinging to Rebel soon enough. Uncle Digger was a thief and an asshole, so…nope. Besides, Aunt Bunny and Uncle Mort were coordinating with Lolly and Pop, so they could comfortably seat six adults (including Grant) and seven children. Rebel didn’t want to deal with that, so she climbed in the back of Diesel’s Mercedes.
He wasn’t finished being a motherfucker for the day because he allowed Ryder to sit in the front passenger seat, told Ransom to sit between Jana and Rebel, then ordered Axel onto her lap. Personally, Rebel would’ve pitched a bitch if he did that to her. Before earlier, she would’ve ordered that fuckhead to allow Jana to switch places with Ryder. But Rebel wouldchoke on her own spit before she opened her fucking mouth.
Fuck Jana. Worse, Tabitha was there. Diesel left Jana on her own. Dickhead, caught between an idiot and a viper.
Now, everyone else had arrived. Momma and the aunts were helping Aunt Celia. Dinner would soon be served and then the big DNA party would begin.
Rebel had been so happy when she arrived home from LA. A little tired, but mostly at peace. She’d seen Rule and she’d talked to Kaia. She was still suspicious of him—who wouldn’t be under the circumstances after he ended up bald—but he still wanted to go steady with her and plan for their future no matter where he went to school. She was happy to be home and was even looking forward to her classes tomorrow.
Then, she walked outside to do what Aunt Bunny asked and there was Diesel. She just could not escape that fuckhead. Worse, she said she still hated him but it wasn’t as fervent as it had been. She’d weakened. If Jana hadn’t brought her stupid fucking ass there, Rebelwould’veforgiven Diesel. That probably would’ve been the biggest mistake of her fucking life.
“Hey, Reb.”
Glancing over her shoulder at the sound of Mattie’s voice, Rebel nodded, then looked ahead again. She’d been outside sitting on thelanding for nearly half hour. One, she had to escape Winnie. She mimicked every move Rebel made but cried at the drop of a fucking hat. Two,Jana.
Mattie dropped next to her.
“Hey,” Rebel said softly.
“What’s up?”
Rebel shrugged, not wanting to explore any of her emotions or think about the horror and humiliation from a few days ago. She put an arm around Mattie’s shoulder. “How are you?”
“Wishing I was anywhere else,” Mattie said miserably.
Rebel had noticed how Mattie shrank back when she walked into the house. At the time, she’d thought it was because of all the unfamiliar bikers after recently suffering very traumatic experience. But, maybe, it was for another reason. Though they were outside in the night air, tension bunched Mattie’s shoulders.
Sighing, Rebel dropped her arm. “When our newly christened uncle first rode into town, he was always showing up at Turn Creek. I’m sure Ryan, the idiot, confirmed whatever the fuck that big-mouthed Willard revealed. I was lucky—” Although Ryan had almost died— “I wasn’t alone. But I know you cut class sometimes. That’s the reason you almost fainted when you walked in, isn’t it?”
“You noticed?”
