Meggie #2
His violence was as bad as their family connections.
The misery he handed out would catch up to him eventually.
And if Rebel was his old lady? Meggie didn’t even want to think about it.
However, if he truly loved this Jana, CJ’s concern might be for nothing.
Meggie doubted it, but Rebel wouldn’t turn eighteen for another three years.
Twenty-one was an unrealistic expectation, considering the parties involved.
Her potato gave Rebel and Diesel too much credit.
She was headstrong and stubborn and he was an arrogant moron.
Meggie glowered at him. “Jana doesn’t set foot on club grounds until you prove she’s pregnant or your divorce is final.”
“But Aunt Meggie—”
“Shut up,” she snarled. “You’re a grown man playing mind games with a child. How dare you?”
He stiffened and balled his fists at his sides. “I’m not a child molester and I resent that insinuation.”
“Do I look like I care what you resent? Touch my daughter before she’s eighteen, I will see that you’re cast out of the family, castrated, and then killed.”
“Momma, no! Please!”
“I thought you loved me, Aunt Meggie,” Diesel sneered, his face ashen, and hostility radiating from him.
“Momma, listen—”
Meggie raised her hand for silence, unable to placate Rebel right now. “I love you, Diesel, so don’t try to guilt me into changing my stance. You won’t. When Rebel’s eighteen and you and she get together, I will watch Christopher beat you to within an inch of your life.”
“That doesn’t sound like love to me,” he said resentfully.
“Nothing sounds like love to you if it doesn’t go exactly your way.”
“Jana has had a very hard life. She told me she was pregnant. If I insist she prove it, when I know I’ve been with her without protection, that will crush her.
She’s very fragile, which is why I want to move her to the treehouse.
” He thrust his fingers through his hair.
“I already know I’m not good enough for your daughter.
I just want my own happiness. Is that so fucking bad? ”
“As a matter of fact, yes,” Meggie replied. “It is. If you were really searching for happiness, I’d jump for joy. You’re not. You’re searching for escape. A quick fix to your internal pain.” She nodded to the empty chair. “Sit.”
“I’m tired. I’ll find Axel, Ransom, and Ryder, and usher them to the room—”
“No, you’re sitting in that chair.” She pointed to it. “Immediately.”
Huffing, he stomped to it. Despite her annoyance, she hid a smile. He reminded her of that exasperated teenager he once was whenever she demanded time to talk to him about something he felt he and Christopher had already settled. Now, as then, he folded his arms and threw her a sullen look.
“What?”
She ignored his petulant tone, and glanced from him to Rebel, before settling her gaze on him and clearing her throat. “When I think of you and Rebel, it opens other wounds. Thomas Nicholls, for instance,”
His eyes flared in surprise. “Your stepfather?” He seemed uncertain.
Meggie nodded. “An awful man. Because of my background, your behavior toward Rebel feels like a betrayal. It has nothing to do with you not being good enough. It is you being under my roof, watching Rebel grow up, and suddenly looking at her sexually. That’s disgusting.
It’ll be revolting three years from now, but at least she’ll be legal. ”
It made the idea of Kaia and Bishop working for her more likely.
She had to fight fire with fire, though it made her no better than Christopher and their boys.
While they were scheming to block Rebel from dating anyone, Diesel was working under the radar.
Because Rebel was so sheltered, she wouldn’t give herself the chance to find the right person.
Christopher, CJ—and Diesel—would keep Kaia and Bishop in line.
“I’m so sorry, Aunt Meggie,” Diesel said in a chastened tone. “I–” He met her gaze. “Nothing untoward has happened between Rebel and me. As for Jana, please don’t take out your displeasure toward me on her. I want her with me.”
Everything she said went right over his head. Diesel heard what pleased him and wanted what he wanted.
“Kaia makes Rebel happy. Jana makes me happy.”
Diesel’s pettiness and vindictiveness escaped Rebel. “How’d you and your daddy go from you filing for divorce from Tabitha to a legal separation?”
“Uncle Christopher doesn’t know. I talked to Brooks and he agreed a legal separation is better for all concerned.”
“When Tabitha tries to take you to the cleaners, remind me to send Brooks the bill.”
“You won’t budge on that pregnancy test, will you, Aunt Meggie?”
“Sure won’t.”
“Fine. I’ll see that it gets done.”
Meggie didn’t trust Diesel not to play another game. If Jana wasn’t pregnant, he’d find a woman who was and buy her results, then suddenly claim the girl had a miscarriage, or cook up some other scheme to have his way.
She nodded to the door. “Leave.”
Getting to his feet, he dusted his trousers off. “Yes, ma’am,” he mumbled, and beat a hasty exit.
Ignoring her returning headache, Meggie got out of bed again, grabbed her IV pole, and crept to Rebel’s side.
While Meggie held her tightly, Rebel sobbed in misery.