CJ stiffened. “Motherfucker, don’t you blame Mom for what Rule did. That isn’t fair and you know it. I will beat the fuck out of you.”
“Fuck you—”
“Why the fuck can’t you ever admit when you’re wrong?” CJ yelled. “Just do that and everyone’s lives would be easier, fuckhead. Most especially yours. You’d get fucking help for all your miserable motherfuckery.”
“CJ—” Harley started.
“You don’t want to fuck with me, CJ,” Diesel said coldly.
“I want to do that and more, you miserable motherfucker,” CJ spat.
“Maybe this isn’t—”
“Get on your fucking feet and say that to my fucking face,” Diesel ordered, interrupting Ember.
CJ stormed to his feet and shoved Diesel. “You want someone to blame,” he yelled, ignoring Narci, Bishop and Torrin, rushing over and trying to intercede.
“Get the fuck out of my fucking way,” Diesel roared, pushing Torrin away.
Narci raised his hands and stepped back, while Bishop looked at CJ.
“I’ll wipe the fucking floor with you, CJ,” Diesel snarled. “Don’t fuck with me.”
“Motherfucker, you put your goddamn hands on me and I’ll fucking gut you. Because you need to look in the fucking mirror. You added fuel to Rule’s crazy train by fucking with Rebel.”
“Fuck!” Ryan rushed between CJ and Diesel before either of them took a swing. He placed a hand against their chests, glancing between them. “Do you two fuckheads really want to do this now? With your mom and your sister in ICU, Jo in NICU, and Outlaw probably ready to shoot anyone who had a fucking role in their condition?”
“He’s right.” Mattie’s voice travelled to CJ, and she peeped around Ryan. Her eyes were puffy and swollen. She’d been crying, too. “Don’t do this right now. I’ve been texting you all morning, CJ.” She glanced at Diesel. “I saw you leaving and I know you haven’t visited Reb yet. It’ll cheer her up so much to see you.”
A muscle ticked In Diesel’s jaw. He wished it was only because he saw Rebel as his little sister and Mom as Mom, but Diesel was a complicated man with tangled emotions.
Mattie glanced over her shoulder, then looked at them again and leaned in. “I know Rebel likes Kaia,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper, “but she…she still thinks she’s in love with you, Diesel. And she’s always felt responsible for Rule. She probably thinks Rule’s attack is her fault.”
CJ snapped his brows together. “That motherfucker tried to fucking kill her.”
“Exactly,” Diesel said, finding another target for his anger. “What he did isn’t her fucking fault!”
“You boys good?” Narci asked.
CJ gave a curt nod. Diesel merely glowered until Narci, Bishop, and Torrin blended into the crowd again.
Ryan backed out of the way and CJ returned to his seat, surprised to see Fia, Tauriel, and Tennysee, standing in the little group around the table Pale-faced and red-eyed, they looked shook up. Odd, even. CJ didn’t care. They were friends with Nyx and remained loyal to her. He gave them props for coming, but nothing more. It was the least they could fucking do.
He wanted to turn back the clock and stay the fuck home. No matter what Uncle Mort said, CJhadn’thad to go to that stupid party. He hadn’t even had sex.Orenjoyed himself. Goddamnit! When Uncle Val shot the fuck out of Eliza Bart, CJ should’ve left. Dad would’ve gone with him. Not only would CJ have been home, but his father, too.
Rule wouldnever…
He scrubbed a hand over his face. What if Uncle Mort was right? What if Rule would’ve tried at a different time and Rebel or Mom or both of them would’ve ended up dead?
Mattie walked to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, while the three club girls stepped slightly away. Suspicions crept into his spinning brain. No matter the supposed show of respect toward Outlaw’s wife and daughter, CJ couldn’t imagine why Fia, Tauriel, and Tennysee came. Their dislike of Rebel wasn’t as virulent as Nyx’s, but it still existed.
“Here, CJ.” Ryan handed him a cigarette, then used his lighter once CJ accepted it. “Smoking always helps my nerves.” He turned to Diesel and did the same, then lit one of his own.
The silence was unnerving. Ember remained at the table, a deer in the headlights, afraid to even adjust her position. Like the teacher, Harley was just there, seemingly frozen in time. Until her phone indicated a text message and she stiffened.
“What’s up, Harls?” Mattie asked. “Are you okay?”
“It’s j-just Nardo,” she said.
