Page 59 of Remiss
How had he taken her for granted so fantastically? If one of the men in her life had given her the respect she deserved, she wouldn’t have left. Diesel couldn’t even make it better because she was using a burner phone.
Bitch Better Have My Moneyblasted through the room, startling him. At first, he thought he was hearing things. He straightened and picked up his cell phone, his hand shaking.
“Ax?” he answered hoarsely, fatigue weighing him down.
“Mom sent me upstairs ‘cause I’m covered in flour,” he said.
Diesel squinted. “Are you cooking?”
“Baking,” Axel said proudly. “We’re about to have a big dinner and I told Mom I’m the man of the house and I need to help cook.”
“Right.” Diesel realized he could get a location from Axel’s phone. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the skill to do so. Stretch did, but that meant seeing Cash. The only other person was Ryan. “How long will you be in your room before you have to go back downstairs?”
“Why?” Axel asked suspiciously.
Standing, Diesel glanced around and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m taking a shit. I need to call you back in ten minutes.”
“Mom said we have thirty minutes ‘til we eat, so hurry up. Okay?”
Diesel smiled. “Okay, Ax.”
“Diesel?”
“The clock’s ticking,” he said impatiently. “What?”
“I love you and I miss you. When we get back home, be nice to Mom. Okay?”
“You’re coming back then?” Diesel croaked.
“I like Rodeo Drive with all the cool stuffs to shop, but I miss home, so does Mom and Reb.”
Rodeo Drive? “You’re in Texas?” Diesel asked dubiously. Dallas, maybe?Highland Park Village?He was almost certain the streets in the shopping district were named after places–Versailles, Bordeaux, Fairfax. “Is there a Cowboy Avenue and a Horse Street?”
“I’m not sure. And, no, I don’t think we’re in Texas. We wasn’t on the plane long enough.”
Diesel absorbed that information.
Axel gasped. “Motherfucker, you’re playing me!”
Fuck. “What the hell are you talking about?” Diesel demanded, more hopeful than he’d felt in hours. Until then, he’d been so focused on Aunt Meggie, he hadn’t realized how much he missed Axel. “I haven’t played you one bit.”
“You’re trying to get Mom’s location and I called because I miss you. Don’t make me fire you as my fucking attorney.”
“We’re all scared and worried, Ax,” Diesel said quietly. “If I promise not to tell anyone else where she’s at, will you tell me?”
“No,” Axel said stubbornly. “Dad said a liar’s the worst motherfucker in the world and a snitch belongs in a ditch. If I tell you where Mom’s at, I’d be a snitch andthena fucking dirty liar ‘cause I’d have to look her in her face and pretend I didn’t rat her out.”
“Axel–”
“I’m not listening, Diesel. No motherfucker wanted to listen to me. I’ve preached until I’m fucking green in the face. Cherishthat woman. Take care of Mom. Do motherfuckers listen? Nope.Onefucking day youallwill fucking look back and sayAxel was right.”
“We’re saying it now,” Diesel grumbled. “Call me back in ten fucking minutes.”
“Nope. It’s down to five.” Axel disconnected.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Dialing Ryan’s number, Diesel sprinted into the hallway, hoping everyone remained in a central location.
“What, Diesel?” Ryan answered crossly.
