Page 234 of Remiss

Johnnie smirked at Mortician, who turned such a look of hatred toward Johnnie that Kendall shivered.

“What did you do, Johnnie?” she croaked.

“It must not matter much if he hasn’t run crying to you.”

Kendall gasped.

Mortician dragged his livid gaze away and managed a sad smile. “It’s okay, Red.” He walked over and grabbed her roses. “I’ll put them in water for you.”

Head bowed and shoulders slumped, Mortician turned and headed down the hallway toward the break room and the offices. Shaking his head and glaring at Johnnie, Val stalked behind Mortician.

She marched to Johnnie and poked him in the chest. “What did you do?” she demanded again.

“Really, Kendall? You’re talking to menow. Because of that motherfucker?” He jammed a thumb over his shoulder.

“He’s my friend. At times, he was my only friend.”

“He overlooked what a cunt you could be because he wants pussy from you.”

Kendall lifted her chin. She needed to cry but opted to fight. “You’re the the king of cunts and you have the nerve to look down on me?” she spat. “Fuck you, fuckhead. I love Mortician!He’s like a brother to me. If you hurt him, you hurt me. I will rip your goddamn head off and dance in your fucking blood. Whatever you’ve done,fix it.”

Johnnie opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. Finally, he heaved a sigh. “Suppose I can’t?”

“Find a fucking way, Johnnie with the big fucking brain.”

“Kendall—”

He reached for her but she stumbled back, right into Bash, her shoulders against his chest, her ass against his hard cock. He gripped her forearms and she elbowed him.

Laughing, he let her go. “You’re even more stunning when you’re all riled up,” he said.

“You’re too fucking kind,” she said with biting sarcasm, ignoring Johnnie’s appalled look and turning to face Bash.

He grinned. “Why don’t you and me find a bar and toast? St. Joseph’s Day was nine days ago. We can toast that motherfucker.”

Kendall frowned. He was so fucking disrespectful.

“Fuckhead!” Johnnie yelled. “That’s my wife!”

Bash’s pale eyes twinkled, and he winked at her. “Ignore the children, Kendall. Take a walk on the wild side with a real man.”

Laughter bubbled up and exploded from her. The situation was so absurd that she couldn’t help herself. Johnnie, the miserable fuckhead, was genuinely jealous, and Bash was one hundred percent serious.

“See, motherfucker?” Johnnie snarled. “She thinks you’re a joke, too.”

When Bash stiffened, Kendall cursed her husband. She threw him a pleading look. Hopefully, he’d come to protect her and not fuck up everything.

Johnnie glared at her, but glanced away, his jaw clenched. He was about to explode.

Drawing in a shaky breath, Kendall focused on Bash again. “Are you even Catholic?”

He eyed her, probably searching to see if she was fucking with him. “I don’t have to be. If I’m a believer, I can pay homage.”

“True, but that’s not a holiday where you celebrate.” Roxy told Kendall a lot about St. Joseph’s Day since it was observed in New Orleans. “Parties are for St. Patrick’s Day.”

He relaxed slightly. “Even better, since we’re only a week late, gorgeous.”

“Gorgeous, huh?” Bash had called her that before, hadn’t he? She threw Johnnie the evil eye, but his murderous expression didn’t change.Asshole.She sniffed. “Either Johnnie has a big fucking mouth or you’re a mind reader, so which is it?”