Page 256 of Remiss

She huffed. Johnnie had embarrassed her and acted like a general fuckhead.

Val and Rory helped Johnnie to his feet. His bandages were bloody and his eyes were bright as if he had a raging fever.

Once Val guided her errant husband away, Mortician released her.

Rory ran to her, hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Are you okay?”

“I need a moment.” She drew in a sob. “I always thought if I showed Johnnie how much I loved him, he would finally love me the way he’s always loved Meggie. But I don’t know if he’s so obsessed with your uncle because he admires him or loves her.”

“It isn’t Aunt Meggie’s fault.”

“I don’t blame her.”

Rory swiped at her wet cheeks. “No matter what Dad thinks,Iknow you and Uncle Christopher have a brother/sister relationship.”

“Johnnie was supposed to be happy for me,” she said hoarsely.

“This has been highly entertaining,” Bash said into the silence.

“I’m sure.”

He walked into her view and stopped next to Mortician. “You are a prime example of why I like tall women.”

“Shocking,” she said sarcastically. “That you’d allow any woman to fight you. I would think you’d just fucking shoot her.”

“Nope. Slit her throat,” he said matter-of-factly.

Mortician lifted a brow at her. He was willing to shoot Bash then and there. She shook her head.

“Why’d you ask Johnnie in? You and I were doing fine without him.”

“I thought he’d see he had nothing to feel threatened over.”

Bash extended his hand. “Thank you. For seeing me as a real man and treating me as an equal.”

Wrung out, she offered him a limp handshake. “Christopher doesn’t?”

“Wasn’t talking about him, but he does. We’d make a good team, him and me,” he said wistfully.

They still could, but it wasn’t up to her. She could only deliver the terms.

Bash looked at Rory, dug in his pocket, and pulled out a key. He held it out. “I’d intended to give this to your mom.”

Sucking in a breath, Rory snatched it.

Bash curved his mouth into a half smile. “A little bird told me you had a request. It’s at the Linnet Hotel. Room 614.” He patted Rory’s back. “Take care of your mother, kid.” He swept them all with a smirk and sauntered away.

Rory stared at the key with wide eyes.

“What’s that key for, son?”

“Molly,” he breathed. “He brought Molly back.”

Mom wanted answers. He could see it in her eyes, but he didn’t want to rat out DeLuca. Yeah, the motherfucker was a Scorpion, but deep down, Rory was convinced if he hung around the Dwellers long enough, he’d patch over.

“Molly Harris?” Uncle Mort questioned and cocked his head to the side. “How you so sure about that?”

Rory swallowed, glancing from Mom to Uncle Mort, before shoving the key in his pocket.