Meggie shrugged, once again longing for the safety of her husband’s arms.
“If I don’t accept your offer, will you fire me?”
“I don’t know, Kaia,” Meggie said, sighing, regretting not hiring a stranger to fill Kaia’s position. Or at least a mere acquaintance.
Maybe if she’d hired Gypsy, she would’ve still been alive. Of course, that would’ve been another problem because of her and Diesel’s history. Since Derby was still a jackass, although a devastated and grieving one, Gypsy would’ve probably targeted Diesel again. Who knew how that idiot would’ve responded.
“Would you prefer Rebel with me or Diesel?”
Meggie gave him a sardonic smile. “That’s like asking me if I want to put my daughter in the path of a lion or a shark. Neither option is prudent or safe.”
Kaia beamed at her. “You called me a lion.”
Meggie couldn’t help but laugh. Kaia really did have the maturity of a fifteen-year-old. “That’s what you got out of that statement?”
“Diesel’s a little vicious.”
“Diesel’s a lot vicious. I suggest you don’t cross him.”
“He has Jana.”
“He wants Rebel.”
“You’re okay with that?”
Meggie threw him an exasperated look. “You’rehere, aren’t you?”
“Oh.” He thought for a moment and then gasped. “Ohhhhhhh.Youchose me to…ohhhhhhh. You thought I was good enough for Rebel.” He sounded truly shocked before he frowned. “Ohhhhhh! Fuck. That’s why you’re so mad at me.”
Meggie drummed her fingers on the counter, allowing Kaia to work it all out.
When he did, he grinned and sat a little taller. “Thank you. Truly. From the bottom of my heart. Truly. I’m so honored.”
Another idea came to Meggie. It was dirty and cutthroat. Unless Fia died, that girl would never stop trying to hurt Rebel by using Kaia. Maybe shedidlike him, but he was also a means to an end. “You can always apply to the schools you’d been eyeing. There are application deadlines. Even if you’re accepted, it doesn’t mean you have to attend. However, talk to Rebel. See what she has to say and then decide.”
She was almost certain Rebel would want Kaia to take the opportunity Meggie offered. She slid to her feet and indicated he stand with a wave of her hand.
“I’m going to check on Axel and Rebel, then I’m turning in. You should probably do thesame. I’m calling Father Wilkins as soon as the sun rises to ask which day is better to visit Rule. Today or tomorrow. Either way, we have an early start. The car service will be here for ten.”
“I thought I was the chauffeur.”
“I want you to witness the traffic as a passenger before I throw you into that particular fire.”
“I like that idea.”
“It wouldn’t matter if you hated it, that’s my final decision.”
He smiled. “Okay.”
Kaia and Axel were in Lou and Kaleb’s shared room.
Meggie gave a short knock, then opened the door, startled to see him sitting on the edge of his bed.
“Sorry for the intrusion,” she said. “I thought you were still downstairs.”
“It’s been a long two days. I’m exhausted.”
She bet he was. “Hmmmm.”
