Page 2 of Remiss

“What do you want, motherfucker?”

“Unlike you, I don’t trust standing in an open doorway with my fucking back to the world. I need to talk to you and I want to do itinside.”

“How do you know someone isn’t lying in wait for you?”

Laughter roared from Bash. “Please, fuckhead. You jumped ten feet in the fucking air. You weren’t expecting me for another hour and you wouldn’t be so jumpy if you had backup.”

“That means nothing—”

“I’ve reconned this building for a fucking day,” Bash said impatiently. “You’rethe only one here.”

Johnnie hadn’t considered that possibility. “Fuck, fine. Follow me.” He started off but stopped and turned when he didn’t hear Bash’s footsteps. His brother remained in the doorway. “What now?”

“Other than the fact you’re a stupid motherfucker? I’m waiting for someone.”

Johnnie wouldn’t take Bash’s bait or allow Cleaner to come in andthinkhe’d take Johnnie down. “Fuck no. Cleaner isn’t welcome.”

“A little late for limitations, but it isn’t Cleaner. It’s Meggie’s new financial advisor.”

Johnnie choked. “What?”

“Can we—”

“Prez?”

The voice shocked Johnnie yet again. He wasn’t expecting it and it jolted him hearing Bash addressed as Prez. It drove home that Johnnie was meeting with top leaders of a rival club. No matter the reason, it was wrong and dangerous.

Johnnie would face brutal retribution if he continued to try and combat the bullshit Bash flung. For whatever reason—bad luck or impeccable timing—Bash texted him at four this morning and demanded the meeting.

As the same festering anger replaced his astonishment, Johnnie hit the road by 8AM. Kendall and Mattie were up early for a girls’ day at the spa with Megan and Rebel. His dear wife hadn’t asked for an explanation and Johnnie hadn’t offered one. Besides, he had spies, erguards, watching over them.

“This is Easton Love,” Bash introduced.

“Sounds like a fucking porn name,” Johnnie observed as Easton stepped from behind Bash and allowed Johnnie a good look.

His skin crawled and his mouth fell open.

“A shoo-in for Channing Tatum, huh?” Bash chortled, pleased with himself.

Easton Love could double for the actor. A quick glance might lead to mistaken identity. As Brad Pitt was Roxanne’s celebrity crush, Channing “Magic Mike” “Step It Up” Tatum was Megan’s. Christopher long ago forbade her watching all movies starring the man and banned all conversations about him. He was his usual, over-the-top, psycho, jealous self toward his wife, even about a man she’d never meet.

His heart sinking, Johnnie studied Easton, dressed in a Scorpions cut with a 1%er patch, an American flag, and the name ‘Pounder’.

“It fits,” Bash said, chuckling. “Double entendre and all that jazz.”

Johnnie gaped at Easton Love…Pounder…whoever. “Youarea porn star?”

He shook his head. “A male dancer. Was. Iwasa dancer.”

“Who sold cock to lonely bitches,” Bash inserted.

Easton ignored him to impart more information. “I’m also the club’s main grinder when we prepare our weed for shipments.”

Frowning, Bash clipped the man’s jaw. “Is this motherfucker a Scorpion?” he yelled. “That’s classified information you’re handing out. You’re lucky I’ve gotten used to you around and your brain’s useful for now. Otherwise, it would be on the fucking wall.”

“Sorry, Bash. I didn’t know he wasn’t a Scorpion. He’s not wearing a cut.”

“Fair enough,” Johnnie answered for Bash, afraid his half-brother might lose his temper and kill the stupid motherfucker.