Page 114 of Remiss
Although she refused to respond, she halted.
“Don’t be angry. I’m…I wish it could be different, but it can’t.”
She glanced at her toes, on the verge of breaking down. “I know,” she whispered, not caring if he heard, and limped out of the room as fast as she could.
March 17th
“Uncle Christopher, this is Jana Reynolds. Jana, this is my father, Christopher Caldwell.”
Diesel had never referred to Uncle Christopher as his father to anyone. It was always inferred, never stated. But no one batted an eye as he nudged Jana toward the breakfast table where CJ, Ransom, and Ryder sat on one side with Bishop and Kaia on the other and Uncle Christopher at the head.
His prolonged study of Jana unnerved Diesel and he tightened his hold on her. After a sleepless night, he met the sunrise with renewed determination to move Jana in as soon as possible.
The very idea of admitting what he had to Rebel had him running scared, so the moment his alarm went off, he called Jana and told her to pack her things. Today was moving day.
He’d left not long after, even ignoring Axel’s call to keep his head clear.
“N-nice to meet you, sir,” Jana squeaked, holding out her hand and trembling slightly.
Grunting, Uncle Christopher glanced at her hand, then met her gaze again.
Jana bit down on her lip and glanced at Diesel, equal parts uncertain and fearful. He wondered at her reaction.
“I’m CJ,” CJ said, kind as ever. “Diesel’s brother. That’s Ransom. Ryder. Bishop. And Kaia.” He pointed to the owner each time he said a name. “Welcome and nice to meet you.”
“Ignore Dad,” Ryder advised. “He’s not going to be nice until Mom gets home.”
“We won’t bite,” Ransom said. “At least not until Diesel marries you and you become our sister too.”
“You bite Rebel?” Kaia asked, the sound of his voice grating on Diesel.
Grinning, Ransom nodded. “We used to, but we don’t anymore.”
“Yeah, ‘cause the Blonde Viper will bite us back.” Ryder cocked his head to the side. “Do you bite your little brothers back?”
“Uh, I-I don’t have little brothers. I’m an only child.”
“Not anymore,” Ryder said cheerfully. “You’re marrying Diesel, so you’re marrying us. You have little brothers now.”
“Really?” Jana asked hopefully, her stomach growling as Axel’s ringtone pealed through the room.
Uncle Christopher and the boys stared at Diesel’s pocket.
“Answer it,” Uncle Christopher ordered hoarsely, the first time he’d spoken since Diesel arrived with Jana.
“Morning, Ax,” he greeted when he followed Uncle Christopher’s orders.
“We got a problem, Diesel,” Axel said without preamble.
Sighing, Diesel guided Jana to a seat and laid his phone on the table, putting on the speaker before turning to the buffet and poured two glasses of orange juice.
“What might that be?” Diesel asked, bringing both glasses to the table and handing one to Jana. He sipped from his. “Other than the obvious.”
“It’sGypsy,” Axel spat.
Diesel exchanged a frown with Uncle Christopher. “Derby’s woman?”
“She told Reb you slept with her.”
