But that lying cunt could’ve gotten him fucking killed. Was his behavior toward Rebel fucked up? He couldn’t argue thatpoint. Was the desire he felt for her fucking shameful and disgusting? Another point he couldn’t argue.
He hadn’t fucked her, though. He hadn’t even kissed her.
Soon, with Jana as his wife, the memory of Rebel’s naked body would completely fade away. He’d love her as his little sister, protect her virtue until she was at least twenty-five, kill Kaia, and spend the rest of his life being the best big brother she could ask for.
Jana was manageable. If he didn’t leave her on her own, she took his advice and listened to him. Rebel was not. She was wild and untamed.
Jana calmed him. Rebel drove him up a fucking wall.
Jananeededhim. Rebelwantedhim. Needing his protection was so much fucking easier than wanting his heart. One would be grateful for what he gave her. The other?Rebel? She’d demand his fucking soul.
He could resist her now. Sobriety helped and she was underaged. When she turned eighteen, though? He knew Rebel. Heknewthat fucking brat. She’d convince him to ignore propriety, decency, morals, and common sense. He’d forget the threat of death from Uncle Christopher and Aunt Meggie. Whatever his other failings—and there were many—he didn’t want to disappoint them anymore.
Marrying Jana was for the best. He cared about her. Maybe he even loved her. He didn’t know, but hewantedto do right by her. He couldn’t annihilate other motherfuckers for using her while doing the same.
Her presence would also help him to do right by Rebel and their parents.
“What are we waiting for?”
Axel’s voice broke into Diesel’s musings. He glanced around, the deafening silence sinking in. Tabitha wasn’t home. Dejected, he pulled out his phone.
I’m at the condo. Get the fuck here now.
He should’ve sent the text before he left the hospital. Since the Tío incident, Diesel had avoided Tabitha. At first, he’d been angry.
Now, he felt nothing. He was just done.
His phone dinged and he smiled, pleased she’d responded quickly.
Uncle Christopher: Come to the club ASAFP. We watchin’ that fuckin’ video.
“I’m still hungry, Diesel.”
“I am too, Ax. We should’ve stopped and picked up a pizza.”
“Can we get one now?”
Tabitha: I’m heading home. See you soon.
Diesel held up his phone. “She’s on the way. Let’s find something here.”
“Fine.”
Diesel lifted Axel onto one of the stools at the breakfast bar, then walked to the refrigerator and opened it. Not much in terms of food. Or, at least, food Ax enjoyed. Tofu, vegan meat, oat milk, and yogurt.
“Do they got anything?” Ax asked impatiently.
“Do they have anything,” Diesel corrected. “And, yeah, yogurt.”
A heartbeat passed. “Yogurt?” Annoyance laced that one word. “Nothing else?”
“You like yogurt,” Diesel said. “Aunt Meggie keeps yogurt as a snack.”
“I like mango, strawberry, and peach,” Axel replied. “I don’t like no weird yogurts like blueberry mixed with grass.”
Diesel laughed. “There are no such flavors.”
“Uh huh. Aunt Kendall always try to give us off flavors. Mattie likes that shit, too. CJ always eats it ‘cause he’s CJ.”
