Page 224 of Remorseless

“Nor does it seem fair to your mom to lose your brother to club lifeandher daughter. From what I saw tonight, that lady loves you a lot. It would break her heart to have to lose that connection because you’d have to keep a lot to yourself just like CJ.”

Not only CJ, but all her brothers.

“Look at you, Reb. So delicate and gorgeous. Being an enforcer, even a special one, can’t be easy. You could always pick a profession where you offer services as needed to the club.”

Exactly what CJ wanted. But she’d always been so busy defending herself against some of her brothers and competing against all of them, she’d been determined to become a part of the club.

She changed the subject. “My mom took me to the club tonight to tell Daddy we were leaving. I think she was hoping he’d change his mind aboutwhatever. Or at least ask about his presents. She bought him a new fucking pickup. Over a hundred grand.Anddespoke cologne that she paid thirty-five grand for—”

A barstool slammed. The pudgy handyman had tipped it over.

“It’s bespoke,” Kaia corrected.

“What the fuck ever.” Rebel turned her attention back to him. “I still don’t understand what it means. Anyway, she got my dad some type of subscription to luxury T-shirts. Five grand per fucking shirt and he’s going to get three a month. He didn’t even fucking look at the stuff. I think it was because it was Nyx’s unofficial coming out, and CJ probably wanted to go. Of course, introducing him to club life is more important than a day that’s really important to my mom.” She snorted. “It doesn’t help that I can’t stand that fucking bitch.Nyx,” she added for clarification. “If my dad looks at that heifer wrong, I’m beating that bitch’s ass and moving out.”

“You can’t move out—”

“I’d prefer to live in the fucking forest than to stay under the roof of a man who won’t honor his vows to a woman who adores him.”

“That’s between your parents,” he said harshly. “And I don’t think you really believe your dad is fucking over your mom. Whenever you talk about him, even over text, it is always with admiration.”

“Momma doesn’t believe it and that’s the most important thing. He doesn’t care how I feel as long asshebelieves him. That’s the way it should be.”

“You’re his daughter, Reb. I’m sure it would crush him if he knew how shaken your faith in him is.”

“Ignore me,” she huffed. “I’m still salty over the way that bitch talked to me. Momma is a very smart woman and she has a lot of self-worth. After she punched Daddy, she would’ve left him if he had cheated.”

“You’re salty over Nyx?”

“That bitch Bishop was talking about? Nope. Another bitch. But Nyx prances around the clubhouse like she owns it. I don’t have the patience for the politics and balancing act my mother engages in. I’d prefer to beat that bitch to death and be done with it.”

Kaia snickered. “What am I going to do with you?”

“What do you want to do with me?” she retorted, the words natural and normal.

Naughty.

Quick retorts had always been a part of who she was. Right now, though, they hit different because of the context.

“I want to do a lot with you,” he murmured. “More than I should if I don’t want my cock hacked off. CJ didn’t set you up, but heisfiercely protective of you. We should talk about Sesame Street.”

“I’d fucking punch you.”

“Or leave.”

“Or punch youandleave.”

Kaia smiled, genuine and almost as heart stopping as Diesel’s.

“Do you know something?”

He lifted a brow.

“I’m very fickle.” The realization startled her.

“Fickle? You’ve never been in a relationship.”

“From the age of ten or eleven, I’ve dreamed of marrying Diesel.” She glanced away. “He’s my adopted brother. Anyway, you don’t have to comment on the weirdness. Everyone screams it at me. He swore he’d take me on my first date when I turnedsixteen, but I saw you and—” She shrugged. “It doesn’t help that I thought about his invitation and stipulation that I don’t go out with anyone else before then. That’s why I didn’t believe him. I knew he was just doing what Daddy wanted. Even if Daddy didn’t know and wouldn’t approve, he’s firmly on his side and thought he’d found a way to achieve what my father wanted.”