Page 28 of Remiss

“You said it’s your favorite dessert,” she told him.

Something about her reminded Christopher of Kiera. She wasn’t as tall as Ki had been, but she had an olive complexion, a head of dark hair, and a very pretty face.

“Did I tell you to prepare the parfait?” Narci demanded.

“A par-what?” Digger asked. “What the fuck is that? That don’t even sound good.”

“It’s a fuckin’ layered dessert in a tall goddamn glass.”

Johnnie leaned forward. “Wait, you know that, Christopher?”

Eyeing Johnnie with hatred, Diesel leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.Johnnie smirked at Diesel.

“You’re going to be next on our list, Uncle Johnnie,” Ryder said casually, glancing around again as he’d been doing since he arrived. Missing Axel, probably.

“Fuck, just give me the apple pie,” Digger grouched.

“I hope Meggie comes home soon,” Bishop said from where he sat between Val and Mortician. “I have pictures to show her. My sister loves the baby stuff.”

“I have to talk to her, too,” Kaia piped in. Even though he was over eighteen, they forced him to sit with CJ. Now, they just ignored him.

“When Ax gets here, I suggest you leave Dad alone, Uncle Johnnie,” Ryder continued. “He won’t take kindly to that.”

“If you do to my house what you did to Cash, I’ll beat the fuck out of you,” Johnnie spat. “Kids or not.”

Christopher wouldn’t bother to threaten Johnnie anymore. The shit didn’t work anyway. Besides, after his conversation with Diesel about Bash and Johnnie the other night, Christopher’s anger burned as brightly as ever, but he pitied Johnnie, too.

“They’re fucking with you, Johnnie,” Cash said at Christopher’s silence. “I knew they were upset about Outlaw, but it was more because of Fee. Axel misunderstood what he saw.”

“Not,” Ransom said. “Axel gets words and sayings mixed up, not situations. He’s really smart with that.” He stood up and made a show of looking around. “I hope he comes back soon. We need to discuss a situation that happened at school yesterday.”

“And what was that?” Christopher asked.

“We’ll tell you if you need to know, Dad,” Ryder assured him. “Just trust us.”

“We still don’t have more food or the dessert,” Digger said crossly. “Fia, can you pick the apples out? I’m not in the mood for sweet apples.”

“Motherfucker, you just asked for apple pie,” Val said with a shake of his head.

“Yeah, son. And what the fuck don’t you understand about layered?” Mortician snapped. “It’s fruit, whipped or ice cream, and syrup topped with granola.”

“Youwouldknow that, Mort,” Digger grumbled. “Bailey like all that sadity shit.”

“Mywife prepares parfait too,” Knox said coldly. “Is she sadity?”

“Roxanne much more down to earth than your bitch ass or her daughter could ever be,” Digger retorted.

“Listen up, motherfucker. If you don’t shut the fuck up about my wife and mama-in-law, I’m ripping your goddamn tongue out.” Mort nodded to the bar. “Better yet, get the fuck away from me.”

Not moving, Digger made a face at Mortician, who started to stand.

Christopher shook his head and the motherfucker sat back down. “Bring the dessert, Fia,” he instructed. “And more alcohol.”

“I have a joint.” Tennysee smiled at Narci the minute Fia scampered away. “Do you want to smoke it with me?”

“No,” Narci said harshly. “You made the dessert, Ten. Now, you need to help serve it.”

“Bishop showed me how,” Tennysee said.