Chapter Fifteen – Meggie #2
“It is,” Bash said evenly. “And I’m not known for fucking kindness, but I don’t fucking repay the consideration you gave to Celia by hurting one of your baby cunts.”
Christopher glowered at Bash, so Meggie schooled her features, hoping her distaste didn’t show.
“You also saved Easton—”
“Yeah, to fuckin’ cut his fuckin’ head off for bein’ a lyin’ motherfucker.”
Meggie lowered her lashes.
“But she ain’t lettin’ me,” Christopher huffed, the heat of his gaze lasering her even without looking at him.
“She say that motherfucker family and it would upset the boys if I shot the fuck outta him after he helped them. I wouldn’t give a good fuck if he was just a fuckin’ Scorpion.
I’d see him as a fuckin’ traitor. She in charge of who the fuck I can kill in the family and I gotta listen to her,” he raged.
“Know fuckin’ why? Cuz she a lil’ pain-in-the-fuckin-ass motherfucker that’s not fuckin’ satisfied with my gray fuckin hair.
She wanna turn my whole fuckin’ head gray.
No, she want me fuckin’ gray and wrinkled and fuckin’ insane cuz she ain’t lettin’ me kill motherfuckers in the family.
Pain. In. The. Fuckin. Ass. Midget. Motherfucker. ”
He sounded so put out that Meggie couldn’t help but laugh, which was the last thing she wanted to do.
However, Christopher looked at her and understood she was okay.
That Bash didn’t intend to hurt her. He snickered, relaxing a fraction.
Celia’s chuckle broke the powder keg of tension and lightened the mood.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Christopher swept Johnnie with a hateful look. “Diesel fucked Marvey up, Johnnie.”
“I understand.”
“Do you, motherfucker? You know what the fuck you did?”
“Yes, and I swear I’m sorry. I just…Mortician and Kendall are so fucking close. I hate it. I love my wife. I love my daughter. I don’t want to lose them.”
Meggie snorted.
“Shut up, Megan,” Johnnie snarled around tears. “You’re the reason everybody hates me.”
If anyone should know how easy it was to spark Christopher’s temper in such a hostile environment, it was Johnnie.
Yet, he insisted on antagonizing everyone.
Forgetting she was Bash’s hostage, Meggie turned and kicked Johnnie.
He stumbled back and hit the wall. On his way to the ground, she punched his jaw.
“You, idiot, are the architect of your own misery.” She kicked him again.
“You got Harley and Mattie hurt, and you broke Kendall’s heart.
” She kicked his thigh. Then, she punched the side of his stupid head, hoping to knock sense into him.
“Why, Johnnie? They both could’ve been killed.
It’s because of you those jerks are around.
First, Willard attacked Rebel in that same spot.
I suppose that’s why his father thought lightning would strike twice.
” She punched his jaw. “Unlucky us, it did, and Mattie was the casualty. Never mind her death. Do you know what her violation would’ve done to Kendall?
” she yelled. “Do you? Why do you think I’ve never told her the full story of what Eric, Billy, and Wally, Jr… Wally the third…whatever his name is…”
“I’m sorry, Megan,” Johnnie said, sounding truly remorseful for the first time in forever.
“You should be ashamed,” she spat, unmoved by his stricken look. “How dare you hurt her the way you have? Kendall needs love and protection. She doesn’t need a jackass like you.”
He hung his head. “I love her.”
Meggie stomped back to Bash, ignoring Christopher’s pleased expression. Tapping her foot, she folded her arms.
“Megan—”
“Talk to the wall, Johnnie. It has the same amount of brains as you,” she told him.
He opened his mouth.
“Say one thing to me and I will kick you in your teeth.”
“You won’t hurt him good enough,” Christopher said. “I’ll do it for you.”
“Even better,” Meggie said viciously.
“I’m sorry, Megan,” Johnnie sobbed.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Bash said in disgust.
Christopher lit a cigarette. “Nope. That motherfucker like to cry like a bitch.”
His sobs annoyed Meggie so much because everything was his fault.
“Would you please shut up, Johnnie?” she said.
“We don’t care how miserable you are. You should be.
We bought that school for a reason. So our children, the children of our members, could be safe.
Christopher put you in charge because you have a lot of business acumen.
You missed the line when common sense was handed out, but somehow you’re brilliant in the office.
You’re so filled with moronic delusions, you couldn’t even find it in yourself to keep our children safe.
Mattie doesn’t deserve any of what you do to her, but this is the most egregious.
And I hope Mortician beats you to a bloody pulp for risking Harley. ”
“I deserve it.”
“First thing we agree on in ages,” she fumed.
“Are you going to have me killed?”
“You know you should die. That’s why you’re so worried.”
“I love life.”
“You could’ve fooled me. You don’t love it enough if you keep crossing Christopher.
Hmmm. Let’s see.” She laid a finger on her jaw.
“Brother-in-law? Husband? Christopher or Johnnie? Yes, right!” she said wildly.
“You should die before you get my husband killed. Because, you, idiot, didn’t think you should go to the clubhouse and give Bash’s side so Christopher wouldn’t risk his life coming here. ”
“I’m sorry,” Johnnie said again. “No one at the clubhouse wants me. Bash was talking to me. We were trying to figure out how to save Easton.”
“All you needed to do was pick up your phone and call Christopher.”
“I want to be a hero.”
“Heroes know their strengths and weaknesses.”
“Do you think Christopher does?” Johnnie cried.
“Yes, jerk. How many times has he said how much he needed you and that other moron, Cash?”
“You have it wrong. Heroes save the day, Megan. I wanted to be a hero in yours and Kendall’s eyes.”
“You’re so far from that, you couldn’t achieve that goal if you walked through the frigging desert for the next fifty years.”
Christopher and Bash snickered.
“Talk to Kendall for me. Tell her how sorry I am. She won’t listen to me, but she’ll hear you.”
“No.”
“Please. I’ll do anything. I can’t lose her.”
“You’ve betrayed me too many times for me to believe you won’t do it again.”
“Megan—"
Meggie looked at Christopher and he lifted a brow, silently asking to kill Johnnie, anticipation and hope in his eyes.
She shook her head. As much as it galled her, if she didn’t pull back a little, her husband would give into his urge.
Right now, they needed to stand by Kendall while she supported Mattie, not add to their trauma by killing Johnnie.
“I left Kendall at the clubhouse,” Meggie said, wrestling her temper under control. “She’s in a state, Johnnie. I don’t understand how you couldn’t foresee your actions wouldn’t somehow affect her and Mattie,” she said, forgetting herself. She wanted Johnnie dead, too. “How could you?”
“I’m so–”
“If you say that lie again, I will let Christopher kill you. You’re no one’s hero, especially not Kendall’s.
” She hated to use herself because mentioning Kendall should be enough.
For Johnnie, it wasn’t. “And you aren’t mine.
In my eyes, you’re nothing but Logan Donovan in a different body.
You’re pathetic, vile, and evil. You are a lost cause and a disappointment.
You want to be Christopher, but you don’t deserve the Caldwell name because you’re a Donovan to the bone.
” A stray tear rolled down her cheek. Long ago, Johnnie had severed their friendship, but she’d still seen him as a vital part of their family and Christopher’s circle.
Johnnie stared at her, defeat in his eyes and his shoulders slumping.
“Kendall deserves better,” Meggie continued.
“She changed her entire outlook, everything about herself and placed her trust in you. You’re slowly destroying her and all you can do is cry and apologize.
Because you’re caught, not because you mean it.
I left her in the clubhouse to save Celia, but Kendall was devastated.
I’m sure she was trying to get control of herself so she could help Mattie. ”
“My poor Kendall,” Bash murmured. “I need to call and check on gorgeous and my almost-stepdaughter.”
Ignoring Christopher’s guffaws and Johnnie’s putrid look, Meggie pressed her lips together so she wouldn’t laugh. When she looked at Bash, he winked at her. She suspected he was partly yanking Johnnie’s chains, although he truly seemed smitten with Kendall.
An unforeseen development.
“She probably needs a shoulder to cry on,” Bash continued. “She loves Mattie so much. All her kids. This must be hitting her very hard.”
“Do you know what’s even more incredible?” Meggie grumbled, facing forward again. “This man—” she pointed her thumb over her shoulder— “sounds more upset at what Kendall’s going through then you have in a very long time.”
“You called me a man, Meggie?” Bash asked, sounding truly surprised.
She half-turned and lifted a brow. “Are you a tomato?”
He smiled. “Definitely not. Most cunts just see me as a monster.”
“Bash,” Celia chided as Meggie bit out, “I wonder why.”
“Megan?”
“What, Johnnie? What? Omigod, you’re so annoying. Tell me what you want and then shut up.”
“Can I fuckin’ kick him in his throat to help him achieve that?”
“No-Kill List, remember?” Meggie sniffed.
“How do I get on it?” Bash asked.
“Celia and Easton are on it,” Meggie said.
“If I’m not on it, I won’t be around to spend time with them.”
“You ain’t gettin’ on that motherfucker,” Christopher snapped. “And Megan ain’t got a fuckin’ thing to say.”
“Aren’t I family?”
“Motherfucker, you barely trustworthy as a fellow club president. Don’t push your goddamn luck.”
“How about this, Bash?” Meggie said. “If you and Christopher work out a deal between the clubs, I will accept you as my brother-in-law and add you to the list.”
“Cleaner told me Wally, Jr. shot Easton,” Bash started, “but that’s not making a lot of sense to me.
I can’t prove any different, though I warned that motherfucker not to fuck with my son.
He’s always been a jealous fuckhead, hating anyone who he thinks will come between us, and dilute his power.
Tio is willing to follow Cleaner’s orders.
Easton isn’t. Neither is he cut out to be a Scorpion.
” He cleared his throat and discomfort crossed his face. “Take him.”
Meggie lifted a brow. “Easton?”
Not taking his gaze off Christopher, Bash nodded. “Let Easton become a Dweller.”
“You outta your motherfuckin’ mind if you think I’m trustin’ that motherfucker.” Christopher glared at Megan. “Especially around my wife.”
“Meggie’s a cheater?” Bash sounded truly confused.
“Fuck no! Megan ain’t never cheated on me and ain’t ever cheatin’ on me.”
“Then what the fuck are you talking about, asshole?” Bash said.
“That ain’t the fuckin’ point. She can’t have no more handsome motherfuckers around her.”
Meggie rocked on her heels, throwing Christopher a dirty look.
“So you don’t trust her?”
“Shut the fuck up, assfuck. I trust my fuckin’ wife. I don’t trust that motherfucker.”
“It doesn’t matter what he does, fuckhead,” Bash argued. “As long as she doesn’t open her pussy, why the fuck are you so worried?”
“That’s not the only fuckin’ reason,” Christopher growled. “You plantin’ him—”
“I’m not. Which brings me to my next offer to make amends for what Wally has done.”
“Ain’t nothin’ you can fuckin’ offer except that motherfucker.”
“Suppose I told you someone visited my club and offered your wife if it meant saving her husband?”
About the only person Meggie could think of was Charlotte Redding. It was hard to believe she’d risk herself and Brooks by betraying Christopher.
“I can’t think of anyone,” Johnnie said.
Christopher ignored him, staring at Bash, and shaking his head. “I know you ain’t fuckin’ tellin’ me that fuckin’ cunt offered my fuckin’ wife to save Brooks. That bitch not that fuckin’ stupid.”
“Charlotte?” Johnnie said around a gasp.
Bash nodded. “The one and only.”
“Kendall loves her,” Johnnie said. “And Charlotte has come a long way.”
“How about I invite her over one day next week?” Celia suggested. “I can record the meeting.”
“Or I can stay in town and invite her over myself,” Bash suggested. “We will record the meeting, but Johnnie can be in the next room, listening in real time.”
“Why Johnnie and not me?” Christopher asked.
“That cunt came to my club,” Bash said. “So it’s my justice. Besides, how much amends would I make with a half ass job? It’s been a long time since I fucked such an old cunt—”
Meggie recoiled.
“Fuck you. You not forcin’ yourself on that bitch. You wanna kill her as a peace offerin’? You keepin’ your cock to yourself.”
“Fine.” Bash held out his hand. “Is it a deal?”
Christopher accepted the hand and nodded. “Deal.”