Page 217 of Remorseless

“Fuck,”he breathed.

“I’m Rebel’s mom. Megan Caldwell.” Momma introduced herself before Kaia said more as she stopped next to Rebel. “Take care of my daughter.”

Still staring at Rebel, Kaia nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I sure will.”

Momma hugged her. “We’ll pick you up from J’s at eleven.”

Wemeant Momma, Daddy,orDiesel.Weforetold an impending disaster. Rebel didn’t want her father or brother to intimidate Kaia, especially if their date went well.

“Diesel isn’t picking us up, is he?” Or worse. “Neither is Daddy, right, Momma?”

“I’m reserving an Uber, Mrs. Caldwell,” Kaia cut in.

Uncertainty crossed Momma’s face

“Please, don’t say no,” Rebel begged. “Please, allow Kaia to bring me home in an Uber.”

“Your normal curfew’s ten, Reb,” Momma said. “I’m extending it an hour as it is.”

“Can it be midnight this one time?” she asked.

“Our reservation at the restaurant is for eight.” Kaia smiled at Momma. “It’s Valentine’s so it might be crowded. Even if we’re served our meal within forty-five minutes, we still have to eat, Mrs. Caldwell.”

“Which is why I said eleven.”

“But—”

Momma raised her hand, interrupting whatever Rebel might have said. “Text me,” she instructed. “Keep me posted and I’ll let you know if I’ll extend your curfewandallow Kaia to bring you home in the Uber.”

A few minutes later, Pike, Huck, Zephyr, and Sparrow were escorting Momma away in a blaze of smoke, chrome, and roars. Although Kaia didn’t seem to notice Bishop, Narci, Torrin, and Potter in the shadows, Rebel did.

Yet, throughout the movie, Bishop and the guys made themselves scarce.Shefelt their gazes, though. They were somewhere in the theater, laser focused on her, even in the darkness. When she walked out because she really needed to peeandto make sure popcorn wasn’t in her teeth, the four bikers converged from different rows and followed her, hot on her heels.

Fucking dummies. If they weren’t well known in the area, someone would’ve called the cops. Bikers with tattoos, wearing their cuts, and following a girl alone couldn’t have looked lawful.

It was so fucking annoying, but Rebel was only grateful that her father and brothers hadn’t decided to accompany her on her date. They were probably tracking her to high hell. She’d considered asking Mattie to disrupt any signals, but Rebel wanted her date to go smoothly. She was certain she wouldn’t only have her detail with her if she’d fucked with the trackers.

As she walked toward the bathroom, she noticed the attention the male theater workers and some moviegoers roaming the hallway gave to her. She offered little waves and added an extra sway in her hips.

When the movie ended, Kaia escorted Rebel outside. Once again, she didn’t see the guys, but she felt their presence. She marveled at how such big men hid in plain sight.

Realizing Kaia was taller than her even in her pumps made her heart pound and butterflies swoop into her stomach.

All through the ride to the restaurant, Kaia kept her hand in his. Every now and then, their rings bumped. Hers was gold and diamond, a Christmas present from CJ, while Kaia’s was heavy and silver, drawing attention to his tatted fingers.

“To keep me balanced,” he explained.

“That’s so…sodeep,” she murmured.

“I can get you one.” He kissed her palm and a shiver went through her. He fit his hand to hers. “Your hand is so slim. Delicate.”

Dazed, Rebel smiled. She hadn’t seen Kaia in person since the day they met. Nothing compared to gazing into his purple-tinged blue eyes up close. From a distance, she curtailed her longing to pull the pins from his dark hair and feel its softness for herself.

The only guy as beautiful as Kaia was Diesel…

She drew in a harsh breath and looked out of the backseat window of the moving car. Whether Diesel ever took her on a date was a moot point. She was experiencing her first one. So far, it was everything she’d ever dreamed of, though there was something bittersweet about itnotbeing with Diesel.

Besides, he was no longer the Diesel she knew and loved with all her heart.HerDiesel wouldn’t break into her room against her will and watch her like a creep.HerDiesel had some honor and morals. He would never accost her or assault her or order her outside to stand in cold weather in the middle of the night to “observe” her. He would never remain silent while CJ drank lean.