Page 62 of Remiss

Fuck, he’d worry about stopping Axel from blowing up Cash at another time. “Why do you think Nardo’s hitting Harley, Ax?”

“She’s acting strange. Just sad and ejected. Like Mattie was around Wally.”

“Dejected,” Diesel corrected.

“Whatever,” Axel huffed and continued where he left off. “Mattie didn’t want to say nothing ‘cause of Uncle Johnnie. Harley don’t think we care, but we take care of our women. I thought about calling him instead of you, but he would’ve ratted me out to Dad, when I know you won’t.”

Guilt hit Diesel and he cleared his throat, unable to meet anyone’s eyes, even if he was betraying Axel’s confidence to ease their worry.

“I also thought about calling Ryan but my men and I haven’t dispected his true motives yet to see if he’s truly trustworthy. We’re leaning to yes. He seems so cool. We just don’t know, though. And Harley’s a girl, so this is really delicate. I told her when Ryan breaks her heart, she can be my woman.”

Diesel burst out laughing. “Goddamn, Ax. And it’s dissected.”

“And I haven’t even gotten into Reb. By the way, I found a new song for her and Dad. He didn’t even think enough of Mom so she could keep her and Big Joe’s song for herself.”

“Aunt Meggie said that?”

“I’msaying that. Listen toDance With My Fatherby Luther Vandross. When I get home, that will be Dad and Reb’s song. Case fucking closed.”

Uncle Christopher looked pointedly at Diesel.

“Uh, when are you coming home, Ax?” he asked on behalf of Uncle Christopher since he’d already–

“Didn’t I fucking tell you I didn’t know? That’s up to Mom. Are you going to be there when we get back or are you going back to your condom?”

Ryan snapped his attention to the phone and if CJ and Uncle Christopher hadn’t clapped their hands over Ransom and Ryder’s mouths to quiet their laughter, Diesel’s cover would’ve been blown.

“Since I don’t know when you’re returning I don’t know if I’ll be here,” he said crossly. “And what the fuck do you mean condom? You know I live in a condo. I think you mispronounce words on purpose.”

“Take that back!” Axel yelled, seemingly unconcerned about subterfuge. “I get my point across, so shut up. And I know what acondois, but I was using the other word for it. Being a grouchy motherfucker won’t get you Mom back or me calling you anymore.”

“I’m sorry,” Diesel responded, stressed almost to the point of collapse and regretful that he’d lost his patience with Axel. “Call me anytime, Ax. And you mean condominium.”

“Condom’s in the word.”

“One refers to a place to live,” Diesel said.

“Yeah, and the other condom means a place to put your cock. They are both places to live. At least for a little while.”

Diesel smiled. “How about we find out if the two words are related when you return?”

“Okay, but I won’t have a lot of time to goof-off. As soon as I get back, I have to start on my bomb again.”

“You don’t want to fucking blow up anyone,” Diesel gritted.

“Speak for your fucking self, Diesel. I want to blow upseveralmotherfuckers,” Axel retorted.

“We’ll talk about it when you return.”

“Unlike CJ, I don’t want or need your fucking approval.”

All at once, CJ’s anger returned.

“You sure are being hard on our brother, Axel,” Diesel said, annoyed in spite of himself. CJ didn’t deserve Axel’s derision. “That needs to fucking stop.”

“You can’t tell me how to fucking feel,” Axel huffed. “Just ‘cause I don’t fucking agree with you don’t mean I’m wrong.”

“Well, you are,” Diesel said flatly. “Get off CJ’s ass.”