Page 73 of Rebellious

“Would you stop with the motherfuckin’ nicknames?”

“Nope, sure can’t, Chrissy.”

Christopher glared at him but relented at Johnnie’s chuckle and smiled.

“If you don’t want me to carve small pieces of you for funsies, don’t ever disrespect Hopper again, John John,” Bash finished.

“My name isn’t John John,” Johnnie growled. “It’s John Boy. Remember that.”

“Your name not that either, assfuck,” Christopher pointed out. “It’s John Peter, so shut the fuck up.”

“I meant my nickname,” Johnnie said, and looked at Bash before Christopher answered. “I’ve said everything to Hopper. I don’t plan to say more.”

“As long as we’re clear,” Bash said.

Johnnie nodded. “We are.

Bash looked at Christopher. “And as long as you understand if I discover Diesel killed Tabitha, your bitch is dead, we can all live in peace and harmony.”

“Fuck with Megan and you ain’t livin’ much longer,” Christopher warned.

Bash shrugged. “But she’ll already be dead, Chrissy, and my sister’s pain avenged, so I’d die a happy man.”

“I have a question,” Johnnie said, hoping his voice broke through the tension. “Shouldn’t you kill Diesel if he was the one who fucked with Tabitha? Why Megan?”

“I only love Celia,” he reminded Johnnie for the millionth time. “I like the other two cunts, Hopper and Kendall. But that’s all Megan is to me—a cunt. Or, as you motherfuckers would say, a broad.” He smiled, his eyes bright and insane. “Besides, Chrissy wouldn’t feel the same amount of pain if I killed Dee Dee. No, if I find out Celia’s tears are because that arrogant motherfucker—Christopher’s son—thinks he can outsmart me and everyone else—I want to see Christopher suffer for not keeping Dee Dee in line and hurting Celia.”

“And that means sacrificing Megan,” Johnnie said woodenly.

“We finally understand all the pieces,” Bash said, still grinning.

Folding his arms, Christopher didn’t flinch or look away. The lines were drawn and everyone was clear on the situation.

Johnnie was so glad there was nothing to worry about. Bash had come into their lives as a threat to Megan, Kendall, and Mattie. If he turned against Megan, it wouldn’t be long before Kendall and Mattie were a target, too.

Instead of pointing out the third option—killing both Megan and Diesel—Johnnie settled back, content that none of it would ever come to pass.

Glancing down at her little sister’s face, Rebel took in each of the baby’s features. Her pretty eyes. Her tiny nose and bow mouth. And her downy soft, ink black hair.

Last night, she’d been too drowsy to interact with the baby. When she went to the nursery this morning, Jo was asleep, so this was Rebel’s first opportunity to hold Jo, or Squiggles as CJ called her, for an extended period. It was the first time she was able to cradle Jo and be grateful to do so.

She, Momma, and Jo wore various shades of pink. After showering, Rebel changed into a bright pink nightgown, while Jo’s ruffled sleepsuit was pale pink and adorable, and closer to the shade of Momma’s pajamas.

Rebel had had a long day with a lot of visitors. She’d enjoyed spending time with Mattie, her brothers, and Ryan. She was happy Devon hadn’t shown his face and could’ve done without seeing Rory. Thankfully, he didn’t have much to say. Hearing from Harley and Lolly also brightened her day, but time alone with her mother and sister was the highlight.

Daddy and the boys went home, but Momma stayed, pleasing Rebel and making her feel valued and prioritized. Now, it was nearly 9PM and Rebel missed her own bed. She was all the more grateful for her mother’s presence.

“Here, love,” Momma said, taking Jo from Rebel’s arms before she formed a protest. Resting the baby on her shoulder, she walked to the window seat. Once she sat, she began rubbing Jo’s back. “You need to rest. You’ll have a lot of opportunity to hold her. She’ll be home in a week.”

Leaning back, Rebel nodded. “I forgot about that.”

“Understandable, sweetheart. Considering all that’s happened.”

Including meeting Hopper, or Aunt Hopper, as Momma suggested Rebel and the boys call her since Bash and her were together, of sorts. Yeah, she was supposed to refer to that motherfucker as ‘uncle’, but she didn’t like him and she didn’t trust him. For different reasons than why she felt that way about Uncle Johnnie.

Since Aunt Hopper helped Momma and was the mother of Rebel’s cousin, she’d honor the request and refer to her as ‘aunt’. Bash could fuck himself. She’d refrain from saying his name if possible. He’d gone from enemy number one to long, lost relative. Fuck him.

Jo babbled.