Page 91 of Ruptured

He couldn’t remember if he’d mentioned that house to Bash or if Bash mentioned it to him. Either way…fuck! Had Bash set up a base there?

Sweat beaded Johnnie’s brow, the order laying his plans to waste.

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know Bash was pissed about Tío. When Easton called Johnnie and told him Tabitha sent Tío after Diesel, fear and sickness invaded Johnnie’s soul. If Easton knew Tabitha, then she knew Bash, which was confirmed once Easton revealed Tío’s relationship to everyone, though he refused to answer how Tabitha fit in.

Motherfucking Bash had lied to him again! A month ago, he’d sworn to Johnnie he’d never met her with such conviction that Johnniebelievedhim.

The only person Johnnie could think of to help him was Megan, so he’d fudged Tío’s age. She’d see CJ as a twenty-year-old, whereas she might turn her back on a fully grown motherfucker.

By involving her, Johnnie hoped to remove the greater burden off his shoulders. After all, Christopher would better understand Johnnie’s position ifMeganshared culpability.

She’d shocked the fuck out of Johnnie and didn’t fall for it. He’d truly lost her protection.

Glancing at his phone again, Johnnie’s hands trembled. He foresaw disaster. Without Megan, he’d die if Christopher deemed him a traitor and a turncoat. That motherfucker had a personal score to settle and would use Johnnie’s sincere attempts to rescue their women as an excuse to strike.

Megan’s desertion and Christopher’s need for revenge left Johnnie at Bash’s mercy.

An hour later, a gorgeous woman with green eyes, black hair, and a welcoming smile opened the door. Celia, his half-sister. She stepped aside and nodded toward the kitchen.

The bright airiness of the house arrested Johnnie. The last time he’d been inside, the day he’d blasted that Torp to hell and back, a dark gloominess hung over the place. In the state-of-the-art kitchen, Johnnie halted at the sight of Bash, Cleaner, Tabitha, and Easton.

“Where’s Tío?” Bash demanded, glaring at Johnnie. He pointed to Easton. “This motherfucker said he was at Hortensia General. He’s not.”

“The place is crawling with Dwellers,” Johnnie said with indignation. “You went there?”

“Where’s my son?” Bash said, ignoring the question.

Tabitha sniffled

Nausea rose in Johnnie’s gut. “Are you…are you Bash’s daughter?” he whispered, on the verge of tears.

Swiping her cheeks, she shook her head. “His niece.”

His gaze traveled to Celia.

“I’m Charles’s daughter, not Aunt Celia’s,” Tabitha sobbed, grabbing Johnnie’s attention. “I never meant to get Tío hurt.”

Growling, Bash snatched her from her seat and backhanded her.

“Stop it, Sebastian Caldwell!” Celia screeched, rushing forward and helping Tabitha to her feet. “Tío is a grown man. He chose to help her.”

Bash glowered at Celia as she guided their niece back to her seat. “Help her?” he snarled. “Help her!” He kicked the trash can and Johnnie jumped. “Who the fuck told that motherfucker to help her? Not me! Instead of listening to her, he should’ve fucking called me.”

Sighing, Easton stood and walked to the counter, where he grabbed a shitload of paper towels. Once he dampened them, he returned to Tabitha and wiped her bloody nose.

Folding his arms, Cleaner leaned back, throwing Easton a look of distaste, but keeping his fucking mouth shut.

“For the last fucking time,” Bash snarled, refocusing on Johnnie, “where the fuck is Tío?”

“Let me call Mortician,” Johnnie said in conciliatory tones. “He had him transferred from Hortensia General, so Diesel won’t find him.”

Bash stormed to Johnnie and clipped his jaw. “Then transfer that motherfucker back. Let Diesel stomp him before I do.”

“What?” Johnnie asked on a strangled gasp.

“Don’twhatme, fuckhead.” Grabbing handfuls of Johnnie’s shirt, Bash yanked him closer. “That cunt and that stupid fuckhead risked my entire motherfucking operation for nonsense. I didn’t give that fucking order. They got Shine fucked up.” He shook Johnnie. “And for fucking what? For the same motherfucking result? Diesel telling this cunt to kick fucking rocks.”

“I’m sorry, Uncle Bash!” Tabitha wailed. “I thought… Tío is vicious. That’s a well-known fact. I didn’t think Diesel could besthim. Tío always boasts about no one ever bests him. Everyone cowers to him and…and…I’ve only heardrumorsabout Diesel.”