“Well, goddamn.” Bash finished the beer, smacked his lips, and belched. “Love a cold brew,” he said, ignoring Charlotte’sdistaste. “Where are you hiding your Fountain of Youth? You’re old as Gaia, so Mother must be Chaos and Father is Erebus…?” He rubbed his chin. “That’s a tough one, Lottie.”
“There was nothing chaotic about Mother. She was grace personified.”
“He’s referring to Greek mythology,” Easton said. “Gaia, Mother Earth. Chaos, the oldest deity in which all others were born. Some theories suggest Nyx is older than Gaia. Nyx represents night and Erebus is darkness. All are immortal.”
“I’m impressed you’re so well-versed, Easton.” Cleaner sipped his beer then looked at Bash. “Aren’t you?”
Bash glanced between Cleaner and Easton, smiled, and grabbed another beer, opening and drinking deeply. “InBuilt for Pleasure, there was a motherfucker I hated. I thought he needed to fucking die. But Daria—that’s the author—kept saving him. Pissed me off. I thought about finding her and carving out her brain since she wasn’t putting it to good use.”
Bash loved Daria Monroe’s books, so Easton looked her up. Her son-in-law was a biker, if her bio was accurate. If Bash fucked her up, he’d start a war.
“Do you know what the cunt was doing? Plot armor.” Bash glared at Cleaner. “You, fuckhead, don’t have that. I’m choosing to fucking believe you didn’t shoot my kid because you were important to Daddy. Anytimehedidn’t fuck youup over some of the shit you did,Idon’t want to be the fuckhead that fails him. If you make me kill you and disappoint him, I will fuckingtortureyou, so quit while you still have your fucking nose, fingers, ears, and toes attached to you.”
Cleaner dropped his gaze and shifted. Easton wondered if it was an act, although the motherfucker seemed sincerely uneasy and contrite. “I would never do anything to dishonor Cee Cee or disobey you, Bash.”
“Not liking my kid, another of Daddy’sgrandsons, does both,” Bash said flatly. “I could understand if Easton had a cunt. He’s a swinging cock. He also backed up your story and saved your fucking life because I was going to shoot the fuck out of you. All the inconsistencies and shit.”
“I’ll treat him better,” Cleaner muttered. “I promise, and thank you, Bash.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank my boy.” Bash finished the beer and lit a cigarette. “It’s your last chance. We’re leaving tomorrow.” He smirked at Charlotte. “Just staying behind to tie up a pesky loose end.”
Smiling demurely, Charlotte sat a little straighter.
“Lottie!” Bash chortled. “We’re rude motherfuckers. I’m sure you’ll agree.”
She slid back and stood, pointedly looking at the wall clock and then her diamond encrustedwatch. “Brooks will be worried. I’m afraid I must depart.”
“You have to excuse me, Lottie babe,” Bash said, pausing to enjoy his cigarette. “But I’m in need of money, so I’ve thought long and hard about your proposition. Just remind me why you want me to kill Meggie. I’ll tell you my price. She’ll be dead within the day.”
Poker face firmly in place, Charlotte studied Bash. “What about the peace agreement?”
“Is Meggie a motherfucker?” Bash retorted.
“By decree of her sex,” Charlotte said with a sniff.
Bash snickered. “High class words by a high-class bitch.”
“I do not appreciate your filthy insults.”
“Take me as I am or leave me forever, Lottie Dottie.”
She huffed.
“The floor is yours.” Cigarette between two fingers, Bash swept his hand in a wide arc. “Tell old Bashie-Boo everything.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want Meggie dead.” Easton hoped she took the bait and backed off. “It would devastate Kendall. They are very close.”
“Kendall is closer to that Roxanne woman,” Charlotte sneered. “Even more of a guttersnipe. At least Meggie doesn’t have a foul mouth or fight at the drop of a hat. Rebel is proving herself to be the same garbage as Roxanne. I might not agree with Mr. Donovan on much butour views on that horrible child are in sync. I’m sure Meggie is diseased.” She leaned forward and dropped her voice to a whisper. “She has marital relations withOutlaw,” she said and leaned back again. “Rebel has hadunmarriedrelations withDiesel.”
Easton shifted uncomfortably, concerned Diesel would lose his fucking mind at that lie.
Bash lifted his brows. “Really?”
Charlotte nodded.
“I would think hearsay is beneath you, Lottie Dottie.”
“Tabitha, a completely awful woman, told Beams. Kendall’s assistant. Beams is lovely. I referred her to my darling girl. Beams told me. It makes sense. Rebel walks around with her midriff and knees out. Whoever heard of cropped sweaters. It defeats the entire purpose of keeping one warm. Andjeansare uncouth enough, but cutoff jeans?”
