Page 129 of Ruptured
“Yes! Yes!” she cried, bouncing up and down.
It took him a moment to catch her hand and slide the ring on it.
“Oh my God, I love you so much, Diesel,” she cried as he stood and tucked some stray strands of hair behind her ear.
“Give us at least a year before the ceremony,” Amy chimed in.
Diesel frowned. “A year?”
“We’ll take extra shifts at our jobs,” Sam said. “I’m a lineman for the power company. Hurt my back, so I’d gone down to part time.”
“I’m still not following you,” Diesel said. “Why do we need to wait a year and why do you need to take extra shifts if you’re injured?”
“We didn’t save for her wedding,” Amy confessed. “Besides, I need to find my sister, Seraphina. She’ll want to help with the planning.”
“I don’t know how to plan anything.” Jana stumbled to the sofa, curled up on it, and fell asleep almost immediately.
Tenderness welled inside him. He’d made peace with his decision and he’d be good to Jana and for her.
“No disrespect, Amy and Sue,” Diesel began, uncomfortable for the first time about flaunting his wealth. Normally, he used it as he used sex—like a weapon. But he didn’t want to insult his soon-to-be wife’s parents. “Uh, Jana told me about the type of wedding she wanted, so I’ve already set up an account for her. I intend to add my mom’s name so she can oversee the spending. I’ll be happy to add your name instead, Amy.” He smiled between the two of them. “I hope you don’t mind. It never occurred to me you’d want to pay for her wedding.”
A flaming fucking lie that worked like a charm. Sue released a breath and nodded, his face clearing of concern and worry.
“I’m not sure if I’ll locate my sister, but if I do, would you mind adding her name?”
“Not at all,” Diesel said. “As a matter of fact, until we get Jana into rehab, it may be better if someone else is in control of the account.”
“Agreed,” Amy said briskly and gave him a pleased smile. She shifted her weight. “Er, tell me a little about yourself, Diesel.”
“I’m an attorney. A defense attorney and a junior partner at a firm in Hortensia. I’m also a member of the Death Dwellers.”
“Is Johnnie still affiliated with the club?” Sue asked.
“VP.”
“I see.”
“You sound as if you don’t like him very much.” Another member of the I-fucking-hate-Johnnie club. “He grows on you after a while.”
A blatant fucking lie, but whatever.
Sue grunted. “I’ll take your word for it.”
Glancing at Jana again, Diesel opened his mouth to speak to her parents but his phone vibrating interrupted. Seeing Rebel’s name, he sighed.
“It’s my little sister,” he announced and turned away to answer. “What’s up, Reb?”
“Axel is waiting so you two can watch something about the popes throughout history on his iPad.”
“I’m not coming back to the hospital tonight, sweetheart.”
At the prolonged silence, he moved the phone from his ear to make sure the seconds still ticked up. The call hadn’t dropped.
“Who are you with?” she finally demanded.
“Jana. And her mom and dad.”
“I see.” Rebel’s voice wobbled.
