Page 24 of Remiss

“Would I still be me?”

“The only thing different would be me and Megan ain’t adopted you. You’d still have motherfuckers for parents, and you’d still have access to the same shit you do now.”

“Would I be a Death Dweller?”

“Nope. But you would be a biker.”

“A rival club or a friendly club?”

“It don’t matter. What you think my reaction would be?”

“You wouldn’t care as long as she was happy.”

Pouring another drink, Christopher gulped from his glass, then set it on the table. “Wrong. I’d still fuck you up. Cuz you don’t deserve her. You can’t hide behind a fuckin’ girl, fuckhead. You gotta face your fuckin’ demons like a fuckin’ man.”

“Rebel isn’t Jana,” Diesel said irritably. “Jana is manageable. Rebel is the most hard-headed little termagant I ever fucking met. Jana is who has to be with me.”

Interesting choice of words.

“Whether it was your scenario or my reality, I can’t have Rebel.”

Even more interesting. And a little fucking death wishy, but what the fuck ever.

Diesel drained another glass, emptying the bottle. “I hope Rebel never fucking talks to me again, Uncle Chris. I don’t want her.”

He was a lying motherfucker.

“If she starts with her bullshit, I swear I’ll describe how I fucked Torie.”

“Yeah, if you like your fuckin’ tongue in your goddamn head, I suggest you don’t.”

“If Rebel wasn’t my little sister and we met, I would work my ass off to be worthy of her.”

“Ain’t you just fuckin’ told me you don’t fuckin’ want her?”

Diesel scrubbed a hand over his face. “These are just scenarios. None of which matter, since no one wants me with her.”

“You’re her fuckin’ brother and my fuckin’ club member. Either punishable by death.”

“Jana loves me,” Diesel said. “She’s a sweet girl and I can use my money to help her. I want to shower her with clothes and jewelry. She can’t wait to meet Rebel and Aunt Meggie. Jo. The boys. She loves me and she wants me.”

“You love her?”

“I care about her. I want to protect her. I swear I’ll never do anything to hurt her. I won’t cheat on her and embarrass her. She needs me to be my best self.”

“Diesel, if Bash tellin’ the truth, Molly’s dead.” He sidled a glance at CJ, who was talking to Rory. Christopher didn’t necessarily believe Ryan had nothing to do with her disappearance. Bash was an unreliable narrator, and his stories changed according to his state, just like he’d told Diesel. “If you don’t think that motherfucker won’t find a way to fuck with Jana if shit still goin’ in his fuckin’ favor, then you a stupid assfuck.”

“Ifhe’s telling the truth!”

“The peace agreement the club demandin’ with the Scorpions becomin’ more likely. I think it’s a big fuckin’ mistake, but Bash, whether he a lyin’ motherfucker or the most honest assfuck alive, holdin’ all the fuckin’ cards. We gotta be careful and look at the big picture, boy.”

“If there’s a peace agreement, he won’t break it for Tabitha,” Diesel said.

“You want Jana with you? Move her in, but I ain’t dividin’ my fuckin’ resources until I know my Megan really safe.Youresponsible for Jana’s safety. Her survival–or death–onyou. Underfuckinstand?”

Diesel nodded. “Thank you, Uncle Christopher.”

“Keep her the fuck alive. That’ll be my goddamn thanks.”