“Shut up,” he ordered, sitting up and in pain everywhere.Bitch.“I’m sick of your bitch mouth.”
He enjoyed watching the devastation suddenly on her face. It made her weak and vulnerable.
“Then fuck you.” She staggered to her feet. “You don’t ever have to worry about hearing it again, you miserable motherfucker.”
This is your last chance.
“Wait, Reb! Wait. I’m sorry. I just…you aren’t a child of God and that infuriates me. There’s no reason you should be in here topless. Dad might’ve walked in.”
“Daddy’s at the club, doofus. Gunner’s with Aunt Kendall. And those vicious little Vikings are trying to take over Valhalla.”
Rule smiled. “A small segment of Asgard for brave fallen warriors. More than likely, Ryder, Ransom, and Axel will end up in Helheim.”
“Hel,” she agreed. “They are our brothers. I was being generous.”
“Since when?” He laughed at his own joke. She glowered at him. “As long as you don’t confuse the Viking Hel with the Christian Hell, you’re fine.”
“I don’t give a fuck about your approval. Keep your lessons to yourself.”
“Liar. We’re family. Twins. You care about what I think. That’s why you’re still in here.”
“I can remedy that, fuck face.”
Rule limped in front of her. “Don’t. Please? I knew you were in here.” She’d mentioned it to Mom and Dad over dinner, but he hadn’t been certain she was still there. “I do want to swim with you.”
Hope replaced the anger and hurt in her eyes.
Weak cunt.
“You don’t always have to fight, Reb.”
“Yeah, I do. If I didn’t, those bozos would annihilate me. Ryan, too. Most recently,you.”
“Violence doesn’t calm bullies.”
“If I chop their fucking fingers off and cut out their tongues, it’ll appease me and stop their bullshit.”
She’s a blight upon her sex.
“Yes,” he responded, although his sister mistakenly thought he was speaking to her. He’d take it. He smiled and grabbed her hand. “Come on. One lap.”
Her smile lit up her face, turned her into a blindingly beautiful female, the kind who’d only ever look at him with pity.
“One lap, then I want to text CJ and see how his first real club party is going.”
Rule faltered. “Does CJ know you intend tocheck in on him?”
If he was aware of her plans and Rebel didn’t follow through, he’d call Dad.
She shook her head. “No. I’m just being nosy.”
Relief filled Rule.
“Take your lap, brother,” Rebel said, “so I can put on my top.” She wrinkled her nose. “If you aren’t in too much pain, that is. I’m really starting to feel our fight.”
“I’m fine, sister.” He indicated her discarded bikini top with a flourish of his hand. “Please, by all means.”
He glanced at the time. 9:58PM.
