He was out of his fucking mind tokeepfucking with Rebel. Not only was the stupid motherfucker risking his goddamn life at Dad’s hands but he was subjecting Rebel to Rule’s judgmental bullshit.
Diesel lifted a brow. He was big on respect from lower-ranking members, hangarounds, probates, and prospects. CJ didn’t give a fuck. This was a family matter not a club one and he’d beat Diesel’s ass.
“Come with me to the club and have a beer. We can talk there.”
Sipping his own beer, Dad glanced between them. “What the fuck’s goin’ on?”
“It’s a school night,” Mom inserted before either CJ or Diesel answered. “You can’t go to the club. You didn’t go to school today, so you must go tomorrow.”
CJ, Dad, and Diesel all looked at her.
She frowned. “I know you…” Voice trailing off, she drew in a deep breath and glanced at each of them before settling on CJ. “I understand you no longer think school’s important and that’s your choice. I-I…you’re my firstborn and I’ve always dreamed of seeing you walk across the stage for your diploma. It doesn’t matter,” she babbled. “Neither your daddy or I finished high school. And…and Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Quentin Tarrantino, and Sir Richard Branson didn’t either—”
“A wild variation,” Diesel observed, the same relief CJ felt and on Dad’s face, in his tone.
Mom was babbling! That sweet, kind, gentle Mom was still inside her.
Dad’s grin was wider than it had been in weeks. “Baby, shut the fuck up. Me, you, and CJ sittin’ down to talk in a few days about his future—”
“I might not go to college, Mom,” CJ interrupted, “but I promise I’ll finish high school.”
She heaved in a breath. “You can go to the club.”
She looked at Dad, and he nodded. “One hour not hurtin’ nothin’, baby,” he told her.
“You and Uncle Chris own the school, Aunt Meggie,” Diesel added. “CJ’s smart. If we need to bribe, threaten, or, uh,cajole, he’ll graduate on time no matter his absences.”
Again, CJ, Dad, and Diesel looked at her, awaiting her response. The Mom of old, who reined in Dad’s killer instincts, wouldn’t want to use their position to cheat the system.
“If we have to do that, make sure there’s a reasonable explanation,” she ordered. “Leave as little paper trail as possible.” She looked at Diesel. “I’ll let you know when we’re talking about this situation, son. You must be there to tell me how much money I’ll need to have ready, so I can give the bank manager a head’s up.” She turned to Dad, either not seeing or ignoring their stricken looks. “I’ll see you upstairs.”
“I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too, Christopher,” she said quietly.
CJ hadn’t had a chance to talk to her and reassure her that she had nothing to worry about with the brothers after his and Diesel’s warnings that morning.
Dad watched her walk out, then he emptied his bottle and drew in a deep breath. “She turnin’ into Ma Caldwell. I thought my sweet angel was comin’ back.” He sounded shell-shocked. “I fuckin’ did this to her.”
“Ma Barker was vicious, Uncle Christopher,” Diesel soothed. “Aunt Meggie will never turn cruel and brutal.”
“She ordered me to fuckin’ kill Torie.”
“Because that cunt deserved to fucking die,” Diesel said flatly.
Dad walked to the bar and set his empty bottle down, then shoved his fingers through his hair. “She did.” He gave CJ a sad smile. “Go and enjoy yourself at the club. I’m gonna talk to your ma.” He walked out without looking back.
Once Dad’s footsteps faded completely, CJ turned to Diesel and glared at him. “You got a fucking death wish, asshole? Stay the fuck out of Rebel’s room.”
Diesel stepped up to CJ, his face hardening. “What I fucking do is of no concern of yours. Remember that before you get in my fucking business or else.” His tone held a deadly warning.
CJ shoved him. “Fuck you,” he snarled. “It’smyfucking business when Rebel’s involved.”
A pained expression crossed Diesel’s face and he lost some of his hostility. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t fucking apologize, fuckbreath. Stay the fuck out of Rebel’s room before you leave me no choice but to tell Dad. You want her so fucking bad? Divorce Tabitha and wait until Rebel’s eighteen. Case fucking closed, Diesel. I’m not revisiting this with you again. The next time, I’m singing like a fucking canary to Dad on youandmotherfucking Rule.”
Turning on his heel, CJ stormed away, not caring if Diesel followed or not. A beer at the club might be better served without that dickhead, anyway.
