Page 113 of Relentles
Conversation halted at seeing her. Suddenly, questions and acknowledgements were thrown her way. She turned, opening her mouth to ask Momma how to answer, then realizing her mother was upstairs overwhelmed with fear and confusion. Clinging to a man she trusted and who’d broken his vows. She was so furious with her father, she could barely see straight. He was very much at fault, but it wasToriemainly to blame. She’d pounced on his vulnerability. Lured him to momentary satisfaction in his selfish quest to cope.
And he expected her to respect that bitch because she was an adult? When Torie had gotten her claws in him so much that he hadn’t shoved her away as Rebel had witnessed him do many, many times before?
Fuck her. No, fuckhim.
Momma needed him, and he’d allowed that bitch to turn his head. She’d spit in Torie’s fucking face before sheeverrespected her.
She drew in a painful breath, her heart breaking for her burst illusion. Maybe, she hadn’t always been the best kid, but, when she’d been a child, she’d idolized her father. The love he had for Momma swept them all up in warmth and family and happiness. To this day, her mother’s eyes lit up the moment Daddy stepped into a room. Even when it seemed as if she wasn’t paying attention, Momma always knew when he was there.
And that bitch thought to ruin that? Worse, that idiot was allowing it. If it didn’t involve her mother, Rebel would’ve been fighting mad on Daddy’s behalf.
The man had been a wreck until she intervened and convinced Uncle Mort to sedate him so he’d rest. This situation wasn’t so easy. He was still a shadow of himself—a season offorgetting and forgiving?—but this was so much more messy and painful. It involved lust, betrayal, and trust. Loyalty.
“Reb?”
Grant’s concern broke into Rebel’s thoughts. It was silent again.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he told her gently.
“What do I say?” she whispered. “I don’t know…Momma always…I’m not Momma.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Diesel has already updated them.”
All eyes were still on her. “They want something from me, though. I don’t know what.”
“You do,” Grant told her. “You’re Outlaw’s daughter. You’ve been at his and Aunt Meggie’s side at countless events. You know what’s expected.”
“It’s never been expected of me, though.”
“Spoiled,” he teased.
Her cheeks heated. She smiled. “I guess I do.”
Diesel halted at her side and placed his hand at the small of her back. “I’ve secured a table for us,” he said, his fingers burning through her clothes.
Grant laughed. “Strong arming some poor motherfucker.”
“We can’t have her sitting at a table with anyone but us. Come on, sweetheart. You’re doing fine.”
“I wrap my arm around her better than you,” Grant joked.
“And I can break your fucking fingers for touching her,” Diesel snapped.
“I’m sure you could,” Grant said blandly.
“I resent that fucking insinuation.”
“I wonder why. You’re blowing fire, so there must be fucking smoke, asshole.”
Diesel growled.
“Bishop told me all about the scene at the club, Diesel.”
“You were balls deep in Trudy’s mouth. You stopped her from blowing you long enough to interfere in my fucking business?”
“I got into your business after I came,” Grant announced cheerfully.
Remembering Diana annoyed Rebel. Thinking of Torie and her father and whattheymight’ve done, not only grossed her out, but infuriated her all over again.
