Page 168 of Remorseless

“Shhh. It’s okay, Reb.”

It wasn’t. He’d survived, just like Momma and Jo had, but Rebel realized death was stalking them, determined to take someone from her.

“How could you listen to that fucking idiot?”

She was still so livid with Diesel, though she’d asked Momma his whereabouts. Shehadwanted to talk to him. But fuck him. He didn’t even have the decency to show his fucking face now that CJ was home.

Ignoring the book sliding off her knees and thumping to the floor, she cried harder, her emotions so jumbled she could barely make sense of them. All the relief and safety she’d felt as her mother healed was gone.

“Diesel is the last person to take advice from, CJ.”

“He didn’t force me to drink.”

Rebel swiped at her cheeks. She fuckinghatedto cry. Her heart still felt so broken, though. “I know I’m mean and hateful, but I love you. You’re the best big brother, the best friend, the best everything, and I would never have been the same if I lost you.”

CJ kissed her cheek, laid his hand against her head and turned her face to him. “You’re perfect just as you are, sweetheart,” he said gruffly. “I’m lucky to haveyouas my little sister. Don’t letadultshit fuck with your head.”

She scowled. “You aren’t an adult.”

“I’ll be seventeen this year.” He settled his arm around her shoulder again. “Thankfully,” he added on a mumble.

“You said I should think about a civilian job,” she said frantically. “Maybe, you should, too. Before something really bad happens to you.”

“I’ve always dreamed of following Dad’s footsteps—”

“Listen to me,” she interrupted, desperate to get through to her brother. “This wasn’t ordinary club stuff. This was something darker. I swear! What Dweller girl would hurtOutlaw’sson, no matter how they felt about Momma?”

CJ cocked his head to the side and studied her face. His eyes flared in surprise as the truth dawned on him. “Bash?”

“Who else?” Rebel didn’t know how she knew, but nothing else made sense. “Yeah, Nyx and her coven of bitches don’t like Momma and me, but this was a step too far.”

CJ scrubbed a hand over his face. “Have you told Dad what you think?”

“I told Diesel.” In front of Uncle Mort, Uncle Digger, and a lot of club members.

She hadn’t seen much of her father in the past hours. Earlier tonight, escorted by a line of bikes, including Daddy’s, Momma drove CJ home in her Lexus with Rebel and Mattie in the second row. The boys rode bitch on various bikes.

“Now who’s trusting Diesel?” CJ said with irritation.

Rebel’s shoulders sagged.

“Stay away from him.”

“But—”

“You love him,” CJ finished for her without censure.

“I still dream of marrying him.”

“What about Kaia?”

“What about him? I haven’t heard much from him recently.” In days actually.

Another scowl marred her brother’s face. “Fucking asshole,” he said under his breath.

“I guess I wasn’t interesting enough for him,” she said with a shrug. The first day or two after he ghosted her hurt her feelings, but then she moved past thoughts of him.

CJ slid back and stretched out on his bed. “I’ll talk to him.”