Page 60 of Rebel

“That includes, Rebel, right?”

“Yeah, he’s a man who likes to drink and have sex. The last time I checked that’s not a crime.”

“I’m guessing the two at a time thing must be true as well,” I said glumly.

“Yeah, he did that a couple of times. A lot of times brothers do things for show because we’re pretty competitive. Carting off two club girls was not standard operating procedure for Rebel. Hell, since the day he met you, he hasn’t laid eyes on any of them.”

“Tonya was all over him the night he was patched in,” I reminded Eric.

“Yeah, but he somehow ended up leaving with you, right?”

I turned my head to look at him. He was right. That should have made me feel better, but it didn’t somehow. “What about buying expensive jewelry and cell phones? He must have liked them enough to spend that kind of money on them.”

“I don’t know who told you that bullshit, but it’s not true. Rebel spends all his money on his grandmother. Everyone knows that. And if there’s one mistake we never make, it’s favoring one club girl over another. That includes hooking up with them on the regular or buying them expensive shit. Thatway lies a whole bunch of trouble, so we wouldn’t treat them like a potential old lady unless that’s what we intend to do with them.”

“But… but they were pretty clear that’s what was going on.”

He asked point-blank, “Want to know why not many club girls end up in a property cut?”

“Because they’ve slept around with all the brothers?” It was my best guess.

“Absolutely not. If any of us wanted a woman, that wouldn’t stand in our way. It’s because most of them are catty, backstab each other, and lie to make it seem like they’re closer to us than they actually are. It’s how they get status in their world and it’s a real turn off for the brothers.”

As I thought over his words, he pulled onto a secondary road.

“Trust me, they were just bullshitting each other. Rebel only has eyes for you, darlin’. Any fool can see that.”

I leaned back into my seat, unsure why I had let those club girls get in my head, and turn around my thinking. When I thought of Rebel, words like trust, respect, and honor came to mind along with the adoring expression that came over his face when he looked at me. I could see now that they were jealous and likely lying to themselves as much as they lied to each other. A surge of guilt welled up in my chest for doubting him, even for a moment. Rebel didn’t deserve that, least of all from me.

I mumbled, “Thanks for clearing that up, Eric. You seem like a good solid prospect and will make and outstanding brother one day.”

“From your lips to God’s ear, ma’am,” he replied warmly.

We drove in silence after that, and I pulled out my phone and went to the website for the jail where he and his club brothers were being held. I checked to see if there were any regulations regarding visitors or what could be brought in. They allowed snacks as long as they were sealed by the manufacturer and the visitor presented a receipt showing they’d been purchased locally within thirty minutes before arrival.

I guessed that was to limit the opportunity for people to tamper with the packaging of the food items. I thought about buying a change of clothing, books, a deck of cards and snacks for each of the three of them. I worried that would be overstepping, so I texted Zoe as Eric drove.

Me: Zoe, are you awake?

Zoe: Yeah. You heard about Storm, Celt, and Rebel, right?

Me: Eric told me this morning. We’re on our way to see my cousin in the hospital. I want to know why he broke into my parents’ home and the office.

Zoe: I think everyone wants to verify that it was him.

Me: After I’ve seen my cousin, I’m gonna stop by the jail, drop off a change of clothing for Rebel and some snacks. Do you want me to do the same for the others?

Zoe: Not necessary. Grace and I are on our way to see Storm and Celt. It’s been a long night. I didn’t even think about Rebel, sorry.

Me: Don’t worry about him. I’ve got my guy covered.

Zoe: That’s great. He’ll be thrilled to see you, I’m sure.

Me: Same here. I might see you there.

Zoe: Want to do lunch afterwards?

Me: Yeah, I haven’t eaten yet today, so that sounds good.

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