Page 101 of Relentles
“Goes for you, too, Reb,” Dad said.
Rebel sniffed. “I know what you’re referring to and Torieisa random woman.”
“Torie?” Mom echoed. “Jo’s nurse?”
Dad scowled.
“What did you do?” Mom pulled away from Dad and turned to face him. “What did she do?”
“Yeah, Daddy, what did she do?” Almost gleeful, Rebel folded her arms.
Dad’s reddening cheeks and wary expression as he glanced at Mom would’ve amused CJ. But his parents had been through enough bullshit for one day. The chaos was normal. The hurt and pain weren’t.
“Christopher?”
“Nothin’ important, baby.”
A moment of silence slid by, before Mom nodded. “Okay,” she said simply, trusting his Dad. “Give me ten minutes and we can start opening the presents.”
CJ realized he hadn’t texted Rory yet. He lifted his phone to do that. After, he’d call and check on Molly. He hoped she was well enough to attend dinner today. And he fucking prayed for peace over the next few hours.
“Nope,” Rebel said, catching CJ’s attention.
“You still a lil’ fuckin’ kid, Rebel. Torie’s a grown ass woman. You need to respect her.”
“Torie sees how vulnerable you are,” Rebel replied. “She’s the first type of bitch I’m killing when I turn eighteen and get my gun.”
“You…she…Reb…she ain’t…” Dad scratched his temple. “She hasn’t done anything.”
“She flirted with you. You gave her money,” Rebel accused with noted bitterness. “Isawyou.”
The news even surprised CJ.
“Of course you fuckin’ did. Ain’t fuck all goin’ right around this motherfucker. I give Dweller girls money.”
“Dad!” Rebel said. “They are Dweller girls. They are under club protection. You’resupposedto give them money.”
“Torie havin’ a rough time. She got a kid and—”
The anger on Rebel’s face concerned CJ. “Rebel—”
“Obviously, you’ve gotten to know her really well, Daddy,” she said, her combination of hurt, accusation, and anger one CJ hoped he’d never hear.
“Rebel, I’m a grown motherfucker. You don’t question my choices,” Dad said flatly.
“Nope, that’s only CJ,” Axel said. “You and Mom want him to respect adults. You don’t give a fuck if we do.”
A very interesting and truthful point, although CJ understood why. “Dad wants me to take his place one day. Respect is a big part of it.”
Rebel started for the door.
“Reb…” Diesel called.
“Let her go,” Tabitha said. She’d already drained her wine glass.
“You can’t go anywhere ‘til after we open presents,” Dad said.
“I want to go to my room, Daddy.”
