Page 131 of Rebellious

“It’s the time Dad said to end the party Reb’s throwing for me, Mom,” Axel said smoothly. “I wanted midnight. Ten is better than nine, though. That’s what he said at first.”

“So you’re okay with Rebel’s idea, Sweet Pea?”

Taking another sip of juice before setting it down, Axel nodded. “Reb’s my sister and I love her, so I trust she’ll make my party special.”

“Are you sure, love?” Momma asked hesitantly, hope in her voice. “I feel so bad for—”

“Don’t, Mom,” Axel promised. “A man got to do what a man got to do. This feels right.” He beamed at Dad. “Right?”

Daddy gnashed his teeth together.

“Right, Dad?” Axel demanded.

It shocked Rebel that Daddy didn’t burst into flames, he reddened so fiercely. Somehow, he nodded.

Diesel pushed back from his seat and stood, a tall man with a commanding presence, sharp—sexy—in his black suit, white shirt and red tie. He bent and picked up her presents then brought them to her and sat them next to her chair. “Welcome home and get well soon, Rebel.”

He kissed her cheek and his cologne filled her nostrils. She pressed her lips together, the urge to lick his neck almost overwhelming her. Any other time, she would’ve considered that idea gross, but…but… She didn’t know and the embarrassing thought sent heat rushing to her cheeks.

“I have to get to the office,” he finished.

Before anyone commented, Daddy’s phone rang. He snatched it from his pocket. Still salty from his latest run-in with Axel, he stood, too. “This CJ. I’m heading to the club, so I’ll leave with you.” He nodded to Diesel and barked into the phone, “What, boy?” before walking out.

Once Kaia saw all the gifts Diesel purchased for Rebel, he wanted to know what the bags and boxes contained. Not long after Outlaw stormed away, Meggie stood and ushered the boys out to bring them to Ridge Moore. Bunny left to do whatever was on her agenda for the day and Bishop headed to the swings with Gunner, leaving Kaia alone with Rebel and the presents that motherfucker gave to her.

“How are you feeling this morning, Reb?”

She yawned and shuffled eggs on her plate. “Still in pain. Tired. I couldn’t sleep very well.”

“You should’ve called me.”

“You were awake at two in the morning?”

“No,” Kaia admitted, “but I would’ve woken up to keep you company.”

She considered that, shuffled her eggs again, and stared at her plate. Not liking the table between them, he got up and walked around to her chair, dropping in the one next to her. He scowled at the bags and boxes around her.

“Are you opening them?” He thrust his chin toward her bounty. “I’d love to see what they are.”

Laying her fork aside, she smiled and started to lean over to pick up the first gift.

“Let me,” Kaia volunteered, grabbing the nearest one and handing it to her.

Her gifts included two pairs of sunglasses, perfume or parfum as Rebel called it, a beaded handbag, a cashmere blanket, thick socks, a scarf, a keyring, a small crystal box, earrings that Kaia hoped were fake diamonds and sapphires, an anklet, a belt, and a bracelet. Rebel’s face lit up with each item she revealed and held in reverence.

As much as Kaia wanted to pretend the gold knotted earrings and bracelet lived up to Diesel’s gifts, he couldn’t. She wasn’t even wearing what he’d given her.

“Cool gifts,” he said mildly, annoyed beyond reason.

She lifted her blue gaze to him, as brilliant as the sapphires in her new earrings. Her luxurious blonde hair cradled her face and back, gleaming like satin and as soft as silk. Despite her physical trauma, her mental scars, revealed in her drawn features, she was exquisite.

“They are very cool,” she agreed, picking up the jewelry box with the diamond bracelet and studying it.

Kaia tensed, expecting her to ask him for his help to put it on and close the clasp as she had his. Instead, she set it down.

“I know how much you love diamonds,” he fished, wanting to know her thoughts but afraid to ask.

“I do,” she said, not falling for the bait. She slid her chair back, elevated one of her legs, and slid her nightgown over her knee.