Page 201 of Restless
“You shouldn’t,” Diesel said flatly as Grant said, “I’ll bet you do.”
“Why are you barely dressed and entertaining two men, Rebel?”
At the sound of Rule’s voice, Diesel turned toward the staircase. Rule stood on the landing where the two staircases converged, so laser focused on Rebel that a chill slithered into Diesel.
“Hey, dude,” Grant greeted.
“We’re in the mancave, waiting for dinner, Rule,” Diesel said.
Rule ignored them. “Rebel? You’re my twin. I asked you a question and expect an answer.”
“You’re my brother, not my father, Rule,” she replied. “I don’t have to answer to you.”
Rule glanced toward the ceiling. “Yes, I understand,” he said.
Snorting, Rebel shook her head. “I need to find Mattie and Ava. I don’t have the patience to deal with you tonight, Rule.”
“You’re finished with the presents, Reb?” CJ asked, walking in through the same door Diesel and Grant had used. “Mom texted Dad and said the first course is almost ready.”
“I haven’t even started, CJ,” she admitted. “I didn’t have a pocket for my phone and I left it in the kitchen, so I came to get Ava and Mattie but got distracted by a conversation with Diesel.”
“No! I refuse!” Rule cried.
The outburst startled Diesel. “Who are you talking to?”
“Who the fuck knows?” Rebel said tiredly.
Wildness crept into Rule’s eyes, and he shot down the stairs, shoving between Diesel and Grant so ferociously, Rebel stumbled.
“They’re telling me to punch you, Rebel, and you’re mocking me?”
Rebel looked at Diesel. For the briefest moments, she let her guard down and revealed her despair. Even a touch of fear. Then she drew herself up.
“I suggest you don’t listen, Rule,” she said coldly. “Because I will break every bone in your fucking body.”
“You’re a woman, a deceiver and a temptress,” he said. “Like Mom. She deceived us into thinking she was healthy and tempted Dad so she could have another baby.” He took a handful of Rebel’s hair and let it cascade from his fingers. “Now, she’s allowing you to do the same.”
“Let us talk to Rule, sweetheart,” Diesel said, pulling her behind him and allowing CJ to take her place.
“Yeah, Reb,” he said. “I’ll text Mattie and tell her to meet you in Mom’s office.”
Rebel didn’t move.
Grant tugged her hand. “C’mon, Reb. Aunt Meggie wants the gifts wrapped.”
Pulling away from Grant, she sidestepped CJ and inserted herself next to her twin. Rule was between her and Diesel, although CJ was close enough to protect her, which made Diesel feel slightly better.
“You’ve got to come back to me, Rule,” she whispered. “Please. I miss you. I miss sharing our secrets. You’re not like this. You’re good and kind and gentle. Tell the voices to go away. Momma’s fine! You don’t need them anymore.”
For a moment, Rule’s face softened. Diesel hoped Rebel’s words penetrated his trauma, but then his nostrils flared and his eyes hardened.
“Liar,” Rule snarled, low. “Your words are a soft damsel’s, but your spirit is cold like a battle-hardened warrior. I see no tears. I hear no tenderness.”
Rebel’s face crumpled. Diesel thought she might cry. Instead, she straightened and lifted her chin. “I’m not required to cry or to simper because I have a pussy. I don’t even understand your words anymore. You talk in riddles.”
“You aren’t required to understand me. You’re only required to listen. Or suffer the consequences.”
Sighing, Rebel studied Rule, then nodded. If Rule saw her fist coming before it landed on his jaw, Diesel couldn’t say. He certainly didn’t notice until flesh on flesh connected and Rule staggered back and plopped on the last stair.
