Page 232 of Remiss

She was well aware. “I’ll escort you to the conference room, then go to the kitchen and find a vase for these.” She nodded to the roses.

“You’re so fucking beautiful. Perfection,” he added. “Johnnie should kiss your fucking feet everyday and thank his lucky stars. I’d kill to have you as mine.”

A chill slid down her spine. If she gave him the smallest indication she wanted him, he’d kill Johnnie. Shedidn’twanthim, but she had to respond with care so he wouldn’t misconstrue her meaning and hurt her husband.

“Let’s go to the conference room,” she suggested, indicating the outside of her door with a flourish of her hand. The diamonds on her watch sparkled.

“After you, sister-in-law.”

Refusing to show her uneasiness, Kendall clutched her roses, their sweet fragrance a little nauseating. Aware of his close proximity, she led the way out of her office and into the waiting area.

She nodded toward the glass enclosed room on the other side. “I’ll meet you in there.”

He studied her, his pale green eyes taking in every inch of her face. Once, he’d probably been handsome before hard living wore him down. Without warning, he gripped her hips and pulled her closer. The roses prevented him from crushing her to him. Without a doubt, he would’ve tried to kiss her. She would’ve slapped the shit out of him and he probably would’ve killed her.

“My brothers checked the area earlier,” he said. “To make sure I wasn’t walking into a trap.”

It took everything in her not to struggle so he’d release her. “I told you I only wanted to talk to you. Not get you killed.”

“I appreciate how trustworthy you find me, Kendall,” Bash murmured, his fingers digging deeper.

Control. Control. Control. She had to stay in control of herself to stay on equal footing.

“They’re watching you.” She thrusted her chin toward the ceiling. “Cameras.” Though they weren’t in the conference room, due to privacy laws. She wondered if Bash would know that.

“Figured they would be,” Bash said, still holding onto her.

“Are you sure about that?” she retorted. “You haven’t let me go.”

He released her.

“Thank you,” she said, and turned.

Before she escaped, Bash settled his chin on her shoulder. “If you’re a real good girl, I have a present for you at the end of our meeting.”

“I’m Johnnie’swife. My vows might mean nothing toyou, but they mean a lot to me.”

“It doesn’t matter if they mean fuck all to him, gorgeous.”

“It matters to me,” she said softly. “I love my husband.”

“He isn’t worthy of you.” Bash ran a finger down her arm. “You got the softest skin I ever touched.”

“Motherfucker, if you don’t step the fuck back from Red, it’ll be the last skin you ever touch,” Mortician growled, stalking next to Bash and jerking him back.

He went for his weapon, but Mortician had the biggest gun Kendall had ever seen pointed at Bash’s head.

“You went off the fucking plan, Kendall,” Mortician said crossly.

“You set me up,” Bash said coldly, his mood abruptly changing.

“She didn’t,” Mortician said. “Outlaw thought you set her up when he saw you walk your fucking ass in with roses.”

“Mortician, please. I need to ask Bash about Patricia,” Kendall rushed out.

“We not stopping you.”

“We?”