Page 114 of Ruptured

“What are you doing here?” Smiling, Rebel pointed to the flowers. “Are those for me?”

“I didn’t know your mom was a patient, too.”

Tears pooled in Rebel’s eyes, and CJ growled.

Kaia took a step back.

“Bro,” Mattie said with disapproval, shaking her head at CJ.

“Mom…Uh, short version. Rule attempted to kill Mom after she pulled me out of the pool to save me,” Rebel said, tears streaming down her cheeks, her despair like a bucket of water over CJ’s anger. His entire body tensed, and he clenched his jaw.

“What…what do you mean?” Kaia pushed out. “Who…isn’t Rule your twin?”

Covering her face, Rebel nodded. “Yes.”

“But—”

CJ growled, and Kaia shut the fuck up.

Mattie stood and went to Rebel, then bent and hugged her. “Get better, Reb. Rule is fine. No one will hurt him.”

Kaia shifted again. Dressed in his usual black attire with motorcycle boots, he wore the same earrings and silver rings that he had at the house. He glanced at CJ.

Drawing in a deep breath, CJ nodded, and the motherfucker finally walked to his little sister’s bedside.

“We can split the roses, Mrs. Caldwell.”

Mom smiled. “No, it’s fine, but I do need to talk to you,” she reiterated.

Sweat beaded on Kaia’s brow. “About?”

“A job.”

“A job?” CJ and Kaia chorused.

“If I didn’t have so much to do, perhaps I would’ve heeded Rule’s decline,” Mom said in a steady voice, though her chin wobbled. “Or, maybe, I would’ve still thought we would be fine until summer.” Her nose reddened and she blinked. “Whatever the case, my plate is overflowing. I want to offer you a position as my house cleaner.”

CJ stared at his mother, wondering if the hit to her head rattled her brain. Offering Kaia a position at their house was like telling Diesel he could have a slumber party with Rebel. It made no fucking sense.

“Also, free room and board,” she continued, unaware of CJ’s growing outrage, still focused on Kaia. “We have enough rooms on the first floor to convert to your bedroom. Bishop has already accepted the position as cook.”

BishopandKaia would work for Mom? Didn’t she realize their proximity to Rebel? His little sister already knew Bishop, as a biker, fucked the club girls. But Kaia would also be in proximity to them and CJ foresaw a disaster.

“Axel tried to knock this motherfucker out, Mom,” CJ said angrily.

Mom pasted a smile on her lips, unaware of Kaia’s supposed fuckery. “He used a Styrofoam ball, potato. It was a show of love.” She looked at Kaia again. “You don’t have to answer today.”

“I’ll help cook and clean,” CJ offered.

“No, son. I want you back in school. The more responsibilities you have, the less inclined you’ll be to return.”

“But—”

“My decision is made,” Mom announced.

The finality in her tone hurt CJ. Usually, she considered what he had to say.

Mattie stroked Rebel’s head. “Does that cheer you up, Reb?”