Page 5 of Remiss

“You’re inviting old Eastie here to the club ASAP,” Bash continued as if Johnnie hadn’t spoken. “You’re introducing him to Meggie. If Outlaw got his rocks off in that bitch he iced last night, I’ll bet his bitch is willing to let Pounder lick her pussy.”

“How the fuck do you know about Torie?” Johnnie refused to address “Eastie’s” mission. If Megan hadn’t given into Johnnie, she’d never submit to anyone other than Christopher. “You said you didn’t infiltrate the club.”

“I said the school, jackass. Never mentioned the fucking club.”

“Do you have listening devices or cameras?”

Bash and Easton exchanged laughter.

“So fucking cliché, little brother,” Bash said, feigning sadness. “Neither.”

“A spy?” Johnnie guessed. His mind searched for any new faces, but he didn’t hang around the club as much as he once had. He didn’t know of new hangarounds, only newly patched-in brothers. “A Scorpion posing as a Dweller?”

“Nope. A cunt sucking good cock.”

Johnnie squinted. “Nyx?”

“Uh-uh.”

“Bash—”

“Not listening. You have a choice to make. Believe everything I say. Introduce Easton, keep your fucking mouth shut, or have me expose Outlaw as a fucking traitor for knowingly allowing you to get away with the deaths of your brothers.”

“Don’t hurt Megan.” Bash’s ultimate goal. Somehow, Johnnie allowed Bash to outwit him. He needed to figure Bash out before it was too late. Perhaps Easton’s presence was a good thing. Maybe Johnnie could flip him and draw information out of him. “Please. Megan’s innocent.”

“There’s more than one way to hurt a cunt.” Bash’s nostrils flared. “As much as I hate to lump myself in your league, maybe I belong there. Christopher had Daddy’s admiration because Daddy had some type of feelings for Patricia. Me? I only truly love Celia, my little sister, and always want the best for her.”

“The curse of the Caldwells,” Johnnie responded with a thin smile. “Cee Cee adored Kimber. Christopher loves Zoann. And you sound as if you feel the same about Celia.”

Bash shrugged. “It doesn't matter if Daddy ended up despising Christopher’s mama. He still had that feeling for her. But Christopher’s respected. He’s feared. Brothers either love him or try not to fucking cross him. Yet he has something I would kill for. Something you hate him for. Andshegave it to him. The fucking best of him. Of Daddy.”

“CJ.”

Bash nodded. “Christopher also has love and happiness. Maybe if a Meggie-type cumrag came along for me, my life would be different.”

Threads of weariness and regret laced Bash’s tone, though Johnnie couldn’t detect the underlying meaning of the confession. It was hard to believe his half-brother capable of tender feelings or even letting his guard down to allow a woman in. “Stop referring to women as cumrags if you want love, motherfucker,” he growled. “Even Megan wouldn’t stand for that.”

“EvenMegan? According to Daddy there’s a lot that wild little cunt wouldn’t put up with. She isn’t as sweet and submissive as she leads everyone to believe.”

“You don’t know anything about her, so don’t pretend otherwise,” he said harshly.

Surprise flared in Bash’s eyes.

Johnnie puffed out his chest. “Mypointwas that it’s never too late for love. You might walk outside and the love of your life runs into you.”

A bark of laughter escaped Bash. “Doubtful. Got more kids than fingers, toes, cock, and balls combined. Just don’t have a connection with them. Not like I did with Daddy and Christopher has with CJ.” He glanced at Easton and smirked.

Clenching his jaw, Easton averted his gaze.

Bash chuckled, pleased over something unknown to Johnnie, though Easton seemed in on the mystery. “My oldest will be twenty-six and my youngest are both two.”

Twins ran in the family. Of course, Christopher and Bash made them when Johnnie hadn’t. “Identical or fraternal?”

“I don’t have fucking twins. That’s Christopher’s forte.”

“But—”

“Two different bitches, Johnnie,” Bash said in frustration. “Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you?”