Page 171 of Restless
“Thought not,” Rebel said.
Clearing her throat, Tabitha returned to her seat. “I’ll ignore your bad behavior this time.”
“God will shine down on you,” Rule told her, staring at her without blinking. “Your forgiveness casts a favorable light on us.”
Rebel gave her twin a filthy look. Tabitha shifted uneasily.
Diesel tapped his fingers on the table.
Axel picked up his water glass, put it to his lips and tipped it, along with his head, back, allowing cold water to sluice over his face. He burst into laughter, then reached for Rule’s glass. “If you don’t stop staring at me like you rose from the fucking grave, I’m plucking your fucking eyes out.”
As he placed the glass to his lips, Rebel jumped from her seat and thumped the side of his head, snatching the goblet from him.
“Clean that fucking mess, stupid,” she ordered, slamming the glass in front of Rule with such force, CJ was surprised it didn’t break. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You have water on the table and the floor.”
“I was bored, Reb,” he complained. “I was amusing myself.”
“Amuse yourself with a mop, fuckhead,” she grumbled.
“Excuse me, young lady,” Tabitha inserted. “Your language is offensive.” She glared at Axel. “As is yours, mister. Keep it up and neither of you will have dessert.”
“Sorry.” Throwing Tabitha a sullen look, Axel stood. “I’ll get the mop,” he mumbled, hurt. Dessert was his favorite meal.
Tabitha lifted a brow at Rebel. “Well?”
“Bitch, you’re not my mother. You’re barely my sister-in-law. If you fuck with me, I will drag you to the roof and throw your miserable ass off.”
“Touch me and you’ll have hell to pay,” Tabitha sneered.
Rebel narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth, while Diesel, Ryder, and Ransom stared at her. Rule studied her, but CJ was tired of the bullshit.
“Tabitha,” he said. “We appreciate the meal you brought us but check your bullshit. If you threaten my sister again, you will be barred from this house.”
“Or we can offer her as a sacrifice,” Rule said casually.
Tabitha started, a tentative smile curving her features. Except Rule wasn’t fucking joking. CJ saw it in his eyes.
Rebel grabbed Rule’s ear and twisted. Rule smiled.
“Look, you perverted little motherfucker,” she snarled, “if you enjoy self-flagellation and prayers every minute of every hour, that’s on you.” Getting no results, she dug her nails into his jaw.
Tears rushing to his eyes, he yelped.
“If you mention blood fucking sacrifices one more fucking time, I’ll murder you in your goddamn sleep.”
She shoved him away, ignoring his sniffles, and glared at Tabitha. “As for you, I’m being nice to you for Diesel’s sake. I suggest you don’t ignore my generosity. CJ will tell Momma andshe’lltell Daddy you aren’t welcomed here anymore.I’lltell my father and say how you’ve threatened me and want to get my mother alone in the fucking woods, and he’ll kill you. Problem fucking solved.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“You want to test that fucking theory, bitch? I fucking hate the ground you walk on. You’re a sneaky, up-to-no-good viper. The deader you are, the fucking better. Test me one more time and see who’s right.”
When Tabitha glanced at Diesel, he shrugged.
“Christopher, you don’t need to carry me.” Mom’s huff floated to them a moment before she appeared in Dad’s arms, a tender smile on her lips.
The interruption came at the perfect time.
“Mom!” Ryder said, perking up immediately.
