Page 219 of Remiss
In one way, the revelation eased Meggie, but the situation was so complicated with so many moving parts.
Meggie leaned forward and grabbed Celia’s hand. “I want that more than anything, Celia,” she said softly. “Kendall wants that. It’s why she’s meeting with Bash. She’s trying to figure out everything.”
Celia nodded, squeezed Meggie’s hand, then pulled hers away. “I heard through the grapevine that you and she are…were…?...enemies.”
“We’ve had our issues. Like all families, but Kendall is brilliant. Tall and gorgeous like you. She is one of my best friends.”
“You’re opening up more than I could’ve hoped for.”
“You’re Christopher’s sister. You seem to genuinely want harmony among us.”
“I’m also Johnnie’s sister.”
“Unfortunately. I can forgive you for that since you had no choice in the matter,” Meggie grumbled.
“What’s Johnnie like?”
“He’s an idiot, which I’m sure you know. I’m equally sure you’ve met him even before he knew if you were friend or foe.”
“I don’t give away state secrets.” Celia made the motion of a key, locking her lips and throwing it away.
“You give if you want to get,” Meggie replied.
Celia’s eyes flared in surprise. “Meaning?”
“If a peace agreement can be reached, I would be so happy. But Johnnie has crossed several lines. I can’t help you, if you don’t help me.”
“I’m not sure how I can do that,” Celia responded, not unkindly. Just hopeless.
Meggie glanced at Diesel, a silent presence at her side. She nodded to him. “For starters, my son.”
“What about him?”
“Bash wants him to stay married to Tabitha for another six months. Families stick together. She’s only a Caldwell because of her marriage to Diesel.”
“Heisn’t a Caldwell.”
Meggie stiffened and narrowed her eyes. “I beg to differ. We adopted him. He is a Caldwell as surely as any of the children I gave birth to.”
The look on Diesel’s face, the appreciation and awe, reminded Meggie of how damaged he was. How, deep down, he didn’t think anyone loved him.
“He doesn’t deserve to be attached to that woman because he married her on impulse.”
Celia’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I see.” She pursed her lips and shifted in her seat. “What else?”
“Christopher wants to kill Johnnie. I don’t care what happens to him, but Kendall does.”
“That’s a little hypocritical.”
“Not if she knows how I feel,” Meggie said evenly. “I want to save him for her. Ifyoucan’t tell me the truth about where his loyalties lay, tell it to Christopher. Or let Bash tell it to Kendall.”
“Johnnie did everything for the Dwellers, Meggie. He didn’t give Bash his allegiance and he isn’t a Scorpion.”
“Then he’s just a puffed-up peacock with a superiority complex and a flaming idiot.” Meggie blew out a harsh breath. “Lovely.”
Celia threw back her head and laughed, an infectious sound that drew chuckles from Meggie.
“I will talk to Bash,” Celia promised.
