Page 261 of Remiss
Christopher considered that revelation. Motherfucking Johnnie. He’d given up Joplin and Gail’s whereabouts, more than likely gotten from Bash.
Stupid fucking brainless motherfucker. Johnnie still wanted to save the fucking day.
Drawing in a deep breath so he wouldn’t keel the fuck over, Christopher scrubbed a hand over his face.
“Bash wants his share,” Ryan repeated. “Mainly money.”
“Johnnie was sendin’ him money.”
“He’s an addict, Uncle Christopher. He burned through that.”
He hadn’t seemed high today.
“So even if I gave him whatever the fuck he think he owed, he’d try to shake us down for more?”
“Or OD.”
OD?
Fuck, why hadn’t he thought of this sooner? Bash’s addiction was well known and the solution to Christopher’s fucking problems. Not a motherfucker alive could accuse Christopher of fucking Bash up, if the motherfucker OD’d, especially if he was desperate for a hit.
Christopher offering Bash a lifetime supply of drugs as payment would be a delicate game requiring patience. If the motherfucker keeled the fuck over after the first shipment, the scheme would be up.
“The Gnomes a shadow club for the Scorpions?” Christopher asked.
“I don’t know. It’s more about family ties.” Gulping, Ryan snapped his mouth shut.
“I already fuckin’ know all the fucked up connections, Ryan.”
Not answering, Ryan pushed back from the table and went to stand.
“Ain’t said you could go.”
“I only came because…because…” He hung his head.
“Cuz seein’ CJ finally accept it ate you up with fuckin’ guilt and regret and made you fuckin’ realize what the fuck you did.”
“Yes,” Ryan whispered. “Don’t tell Mom. She won’t ever…she’ll stop loving me. Pops will stop liking me. I’m so sorry.” His tortured gaze met Christopher’s. “I have to live with this for the rest of my life. And don’t…don’t tell CJ. We just…we’re just becoming friends and…he suspects me, but he doesn’t have proof.”
Christoper bared his teeth. He had the same problem with Val and Megan. After all these fucking years, that shit still reared its ugly fucking head. Betrayal fueled mistrust wasn’t easily overcome. Instincts blared. Evidence lagged. And fucking family tied motherfucking hands.
Even if he didn’t fuck Val up, exposing that motherfucker would devastate Zoann. Christopher’s only consolation was Val had been drugged up when he attacked Megan, and he’d never used hard drugs again.
MotherfuckingJohnniethough?
CJ’s suspicions of Ryan?
Entirely fucking different.
Johnnie betrayed Christopher in an effort to best him. After killing their club members, Johnnie had now betrayed the fucking club.
“Regret and guilt ain’t bringin’ her back, Ryan,” Christopher said, getting back to the matter at hand.
Bleakness darkened Ryan’s eyes.
Christopher squeezed the bridge of his nose. “You was so fucked up for doin’ that to her, but the shit done. We got efuckinuff pain and heartache. I ain’t tellin’ your ma or CJ, but Val gotta know. He gotta beat the fuck outta you for doin’ that shit. Your old man fuckin’ you up could be for any fuckin’ reason.Mestompin’ the fuck outta you and breakin’ every fuckin’ bone in your goddamn body might make your ma ask fuckin’ questions.” He thought about it. “Then, she’d be upset.”
“How do I live with what I did?”
