“That isn’t a good idea, Aunt Meggie,” Diesel said. “Jana isn’t the best with money.”
“She can’t be good at what she doesn’t fucking have,” Rebel said.
Meggie ignored Rebel and Diesel, and hugged Jana again. “I’m making arrangements to get you into drug treatment, sweetheart,” she said quietly. “I think an intensive in-patient treatment is what you need to address your abuse, anxiety, and addiction.Butthere’s a very good place in Portland. I’ve already talked to the director. She will make an exception at my request if you feel better staying close to Diesel. One of us will drive you there daily and then pick you up. You’ll be in a very structuredenvironment for twelve hours a day, seven days a week. We will hire a lifestyle coach for you if it’s needed. Whatever is necessary so you can live your best life.”
“Thank you, Aunt Meggie,” Jana said, hugging Meggie tightly. “Thank you so much.” Lifting her head, she swiped her cheeks and looked in Diesel’s direction. “Is that okay with you?”
Meggie pursed her lips and shook her head at Rebel, who was on the verge of exploding. Admittedly, annoyance surged into Meggie too, but it wouldn’t help Jana if she snapped at her.
“I’d like to marry you before you get into rehabilitation,” Diesel said.
“Really?” Jana breathed.
Tipping her head down, Meggie mimicked her daughter and rolled her eyes.
“Unless your motherfuckin’ ass wanna either kill that cunt youcurrentlymarried to or go to fuckin’ jail as a bigamist, you ain’t able to marry Jana no time soon, assfuck,” Christopher barked. “How many motherfuckin’ times you gotta be reminded of that fuckin’ peace agreement? You gotta move in with Tabitha in January—”
“Uncle Christopher—”
“I ain’t fuckin’ told you to marrythatcunt and I ain’t fuckin’ told you to get engaged tothisone.”
Meggie sighed.
“You think Jana’s a cunt?” Diesel gasped.
“Look at her, Diesel,” Christopher snapped. “She can’t even accept fuckin’helpwithoutyourfuckin’ permission. If she ain’t a cunt, she something and it ain’t fuckin’ good.”
Meggie smiled and patted Jana’s shoulder.
“She’s respectful of me,” Diesel replied. “That isn’t a crime.”
“It’s a motherfuckin’ travesty. Open your goddamn mouth and tell her to use her own fuckin’ brain. Not yours and not Rebel’s.”
“I’m her safety net. Her protector.”
“No, you a lyin’ motherfucker. I asked you what the fuck was wrong with her and you said nothin’. You fuckin’knewshe was an addict. You shouldna proposed to her before you got her fuckin’ help.”
“That’s part of the reason I want to marry her! To use my resources and connections to help her.”
“And cuz you love her, right, Diesel? Cuz, motherfucker, you could help her as her fuckin’ friend. You ain’t had to fuckin’ propose to her. What the fuck you’ve done for her since she took her fuckin’ hostage?”
“She isn’t my hostage!”
“The fuck she ain’t. Does that fuckin’ bitch goanyfuckinwhere? Here? There? Up the fuckin’ stairs? Nope. She stay in the treehouse like a motherfuckin’ goblin. Come here when you allow her to or go to the clubhouse when you invite her.”
“I took her to Harley’s play. I don’t fucking stop her from coming here, Uncle Christopher.”
“LOOK AT HER!” Christopher roared, pounding his fist on the bar.
Gunner and Jana jumped. CJ picked up Gunner and walked into the hallway with him, while Meggie hugged Jana.
“Either she fuckin’ cryin’, hidin’ behind you, or about to jump the fuck out her fuckin’ skin. I could carry her down the motherfuckin’ treehouse. She’d hold onto the fuckin’ doorframe untilyougave her permission to come in this motherfucker, Diesel. Is that what the fuck you want? A girl too fuckin’ scared to stand up to you? Too fuckin’ abused to make her own decisions?”
Diesel’s silence said more than Meggie needed to know.
“Younot going to be happy in the end, son,” Christopher said, gentler.
Instead of looking at Jana, Diesel glanced at Rebel. She glared at him. Meggie knew Rebel’s renewed anger and deep hurt would evaporate one day and the fallout concerned her.
