Chapter 17 – Johnnie #2
Johnnie gazed at Hopper. “My grandfather really forced you?” He thought of Kendall and her claims about him, her tragic demeanor.
Her duplicity. He no longer knew right and wrong in this matter.
He only knew he didn’t want to lose her.
He didn’t want to face another situation where Logan was a fucking monster and feel as if that was who he was becoming. “Did he hold you down?”
“When I conceived Jana, I brought Logan his dinner,” Hopper started.
“I always hated when Rack sent me there. Logan requested me, and Big Joe wasn’t around to intervene.
He would’ve had he been available. When I got to the farmhouse, two dead girls lay in the kitchen.
Logan made me watch as he killed a third and then ordered me to take my clothes off.
He would’ve killed me if I didn’t submit.
He would’ve also killed me if Mortician hadn’t told him I carried your baby, which I really thought I did.
He told him you wanted the kid and that made a difference that day.
I couldn’t go on the run with an infant, so I stayed with Amy and her husband until I gave birth and they adopted her.
When I left with Randolph, I never expected my secret to come out.
I certainly didn’t want to disrupt your life. ”
Nostrils flaring, Johnnie heaved in a breath.
“I loved my grandfather so fucking much, Hopper. I knew he was a monster with what he did to Kendall’s little sister and the way he treated Christopher.
I just didn’t know the depth of his depravity.
I didn’t know about that poker game. Or anything else until after his death.
I mourn the man I built him up to be, even though he was a motherfucker to not only Christopher, Val, Mortician, and Digger.
I’m sorry for what he put you through. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you from his vileness.
I’m sorry you couldn’t have come to one of us so you could’ve kept your daughter.
Mortician failed in his duties if he allowed you to leave and never search for you or told us you were pregnant. ”
“Logan shot Mortician that day, Johnnie,” Christopher said, shaking his head. “He didn’t fail Hopper. It was safer for all of us, especially him and Hopper, if he let it go.”
To Christopher and Kendall, Mortician could do no wrong.
Only a handful of Dwellers were there. Potter, forever a silent sentinel around Christopher, sitting near the aquarium, vigilant, ready to defend his president.
Bowlie, a Christopher loyalist for years.
House and Burger, Johnnie’s friends who were losing faith in him. Then there was Bash, Cleaner, and Tio.
Between the time he’d gone to the nursery to get Kendall and the time he followed Mortician back, the area had cleared. Maybe the others had gone to the cafeteria. Or outside to break up the monotony, but he was glad for the small number of people.
He didn’t need all the comments, especially from Axel. The kid didn’t know how to shut his fucking mouth, something he blamed on Megan and Christopher.
She was good at pushing out babies. She just wasn’t good at raising them.
Hopper’s laughter seeped into Johnnie’s brain and he gazed at her again. Bash was raining kisses on her cheek and she was laughing at his antics. Tio stared at his father while the disgust on Cleaner’s face alarmed Johnnie.
Logan wasn’t the only one who endangered women.
“Stop!” Hopper squealed.
Bash leaned down and settled his chin on her shoulder. “I thought bitches liked a lot of kisses. As much as they like diamonds.”
“I love both,” she promised, wiggling her fingers. “I never thought anyone would ever buy me so many diamond rings.”
“You suck cock good enough for me to buy you a ring every month.”
“So romantic,” she said.
“If it was up to me, I wouldn’t give a cunt who hides her address anything,” Cleaner said.
Bash frowned. “Lucky it isn’t up to you, fuckhead, so mind your own fucking business.”
“Suppose—”
“Listen up, Cleaner,” Christopher interrupted.
“Hopper is, and always gonna be, a Dweller girl. But she saved my Megan so that make her family. She the ma of Megan’s nephew.
She with Bash? Good for her. If you fuck with her and he don’t fuck you up, Ima do it and it won’t mean a motherfuckin’ thing for the peace agreement. It’s all about family.”
“Foul!” Cleaner said and grinned at Christopher. “We’re family too, cousin.”
“I ain’t never liked your bitch ass, so fuck you. Unlike Johnnie, who I just started hatin’ a few months ago.”
“Christopher’s right, Cleaner, so shut your fucking mouth,” Bash advised, then turned Hopper toward him. “Babe, why don’t you visit Rebel? Let us menfolk talk.”
Christopher walked to the intercom and pressed the buzzer. “Hey, open the door, babe,” he said to the unidentified nurse. “Hopper ready to visit my girl.”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
Once Hopper disappeared through the double doors, Bash lit a cigarette and began pacing.
“Celia’s heartbroken.”
The words surprised Johnnie. He expected it to be about Hopper, but he was glad for the change of topic.
“I know she loved Tabitha,” Christopher said, surprisingly cautious.
“Something’s not adding up in my head,” Bash said evenly.
Christopher shrugged. “That ain’t my motherfuckin’ fault. That cunt OD’d. That’s simple shit.”
Bash cocked his head to the side. “Unless she had help.”
“She took the fuckin’ drugs,” Christopher retorted. “That was all the fuckin’ help she needed.”
Bash glowered at Christopher, but he didn’t flinch. He lifted a brow, his look challenging.
“I picture a Dee Dee,” Bash said, twirling his arms in wide arcs.
Johnnie assumed he was air drawing Diesel.
“One of the most arrogant motherfuckers I’ve ever met,” Bash continued. “Then I picture Jana and Rebel. Rebel beaten trying to save Jana. Hours later, our niecy poo ends up dead. Look me in my motherfucking eye and tell me those events aren’t connected, Christopher.”
Meeting Bash’s gaze, Christopher gave him a half smile. “My daughter and Jana endin’ up in this motherfucker ain’t had fuck all to do with Tabitha OD’ing. Don’t fuckin’ ask me again cuz that’s the last motherfuckin’ time my ass answerin’.”
“Celia’s devastated,” Bash repeated, then transferred his hard gaze to Johnnie. “Which brings me to you, fuckface.”
Johnnie swallowed. “Yes?”
“I care about Hopper. You and her needed to hash this shit out over that cunt she pushed out her pussy, but don’t ever talk to her like that.
Christopher’s bitch explained the terms of the No-Kill List. She put me on it, but I have to respect all family and not fuck you up.
Apparently, it isn’t only for Christopher, but every motherfucker she includes. ”
That wasn’t the way that worked, but Johnnie suspected Megan explained it that way to Bash to protect everyone from him as she protected the family from Christopher’s wrath.
“Still haven’t convinced her to put Tio and Cleaner on it.” Bash laughed. “Probably because of Dee Dee and old Morty.”
“Would you stop with the motherfuckin’ nicknames?”
“Nope, sure can’t, Chrissy.”
Christopher glared at him but relented at Johnnie’s chuckle and smiled.
“If you don’t want me to carve small pieces of you for funsies, don’t ever disrespect Hopper again, John John,” Bash finished.
“My name isn’t John John,” Johnnie growled. “It’s John Boy. Remember that.”
“Your name not that either, assfuck,” Christopher pointed out. “It’s John Peter, so shut the fuck up.”
“I meant my nickname,” Johnnie said, and looked at Bash before Christopher answered. “I’ve said everything to Hopper. I don’t plan to say more.”
“As long as we’re clear,” Bash said.
Johnnie nodded. “We are.
Bash looked at Christopher. “And as long as you understand if I discover Diesel killed Tabitha, your bitch is dead, we can all live in peace and harmony.”
“Fuck with Megan and you ain’t livin’ much longer,” Christopher warned.
Bash shrugged. “But she’ll already be dead, Chrissy, and my sister’s pain avenged, so I’d die a happy man.”
“I have a question,” Johnnie said, hoping his voice broke through the tension. “Shouldn’t you kill Diesel if he was the one who fucked with Tabitha? Why Megan?”
“I only love Celia,” he reminded Johnnie for the millionth time.
“I like the other two cunts, Hopper and Kendall. But that’s all Megan is to me—a cunt.
Or, as you motherfuckers would say, a broad.
” He smiled, his eyes bright and insane.
“Besides, Chrissy wouldn’t feel the same amount of pain if I killed Dee Dee.
No, if I find out Celia’s tears are because that arrogant motherfucker—Christopher’s son—thinks he can outsmart me and everyone else—I want to see Christopher suffer for not keeping Dee Dee in line and hurting Celia. ”
“And that means sacrificing Megan,” Johnnie said woodenly.
“We finally understand all the pieces,” Bash said, still grinning.
Folding his arms, Christopher didn’t flinch or look away. The lines were drawn and everyone was clear on the situation.
Johnnie was so glad there was nothing to worry about. Bash had come into their lives as a threat to Megan, Kendall, and Mattie. If he turned against Megan, it wouldn’t be long before Kendall and Mattie were a target, too.
Instead of pointing out the third option—killing both Megan and Diesel—Johnnie settled back, content that none of it would ever come to pass.