Page 141 of Rebellious

Jana wanted to leave. She didn’t have to talk to her birth mother. The longer they stayed, the greater the danger. She wanted to cry in the car at news of Tabitha’s death. Even if she’d set Jana up, Tabitha had once been her only friend. Until Jana met Rebel and started bonding with her. With Tabitha, however, she understood her place in Diesel’s life. Tabitha was his wife, so Jana had little chance of ever having him for herself. Then she’d met Rebel and admired her beauty and confidence. Somehow, in the span of hours, all the rules had changed and it left Jana floundering, scared, and uncertain.

“You know, Dee Dee…?” Bash paused to light a cigarette. “I don’t know if you’re insane or brave.”

“Maybe both,” Diesel decided. “But I don’t sit around and catalog my traits.”

“Maybe you should. It might do you a world of good.”

“Are you really advising me how to live, Bash?” Diesel laughed and nodded to Tio. “Save your wisdom for that motherfucker. If he fucks with Rebel again, I will kill him.”

“If you kill him, it’s war,” Cleaner said.

Bash flicked ashes into the ashtray on the table. “Would you care, Dee Dee?”

“Would Uncle Christopher? Is this a club matter or a family matter, uncle? I can blow it up today. All I have to do is call him and tell him what the fuck Tio did to his precious daughter and it all ends if you deem it club business. Everything. That peace agreement. Your perks. Your money. You want to “advise” me? Get your fucking son in order and keep him away from Rebel.”

“Are you honestly letting him talk to you like that, Papi?”

“He’s right, boy.” Bash settled the cigarette in the ashtray and folded his arms. “Christopher wouldn’t take kindly to you confronting his baby cunt.”

At Diesel’s glower, Jana got to her feet and hugged him. “I want to leave.”

“I have a few more questions, Miss Jana. For you and Dee Dee. Because he might’ve done something himself to blow up the peace agreement.”

When Diesel sat, Jana followed suit, although she wanted to be anywhere else.

Bash smirked at Diesel before setting his scary gaze on her. “Tell me what happened to land you and Rebel in the hospital, Jana.”

Sudden tension stiffened Diesel’s shoulders. Jana supposed he didn’t want the truth getting back to Uncle Christopher. She squirmed in her seat, hoping she kept the lie straight.

“Rebel and I went shopping—”

“I don’t give a fuck if you went skinny dipping,” Bash snapped. “What led up to your attack?”

“You don’t have to answer that, Jana.”

“The fuck she doesn’t, Dee Dee. I make the rules in this house. Shut the fuck up or I might decide to seek my own revenge.”

“You’d never. You like the money too much.”

“Try me. Celia is devastated. I don’t give a fuck about that fucking money.”

“You’re implying I killed that cunt—”

“Respect the dead,” Tio called. “Don’t talk about my cousin like that.”

“Your cousin was my wife,” Diesel growled. “A greedy cunt, a flaming whore, and a stupid bitch. I despised her, but I did not kill her.”

“Cleaner, isn’t it a coincidence that my niece overdoses the same day Rebel and Jana are attacked?”

“Was that Tabitha’s fault?” Diesel snapped. “And Rebel is your niece, too.”

Yes, the attack was Tabitha’s fault. Oh my God. Diesel did kill her! Jana bit her lip to keep from gasping.

“Was it?” Bash asked, looking between her and Diesel. “You tell me.”

“I already have,” Diesel said. “I’m not repeating myself.”

“Suppose I tell you if you don’t repeat yourself as many times as I require, I’m killing both of you?”