Bash (Diablo Disciples MC #6)

TWENTY-SIX

Charlotte

Lottie found out her sister was in Utah four days ago.

When she saw Bash later that night, she recounted all the details she could recall about the Riot Brothers’ gang.

She found it odd about the connection.

She prayed Nora would leave town without contacting her.

Whatever trouble she was bringing with her, Lottie wouldn’t buy tickets. Not her monkey, and no longer her circus.

There was a time she would have looked at her sister’s social media, to know she was at least alive. Nora was fully engrossed in it, posting pictures of her supposed life to elicit envy from her high school friends.

Her memories of Nora weren’t all colored with bad things, but those good times ceased happening years ago. And she still hadn’t truly figured out why Nora blamed her for every wrong thing in her life.

Both of them had a terrible upbringing. But Nora acted like she was the only one who got a raw deal. It got so bad that Lottie had no choice but to go no contact with her sister.

Despite being caught up in the euphoria of Bash, she still had concerns about Nora being in town.

They had dinner with Denver and Casey last night, and then she stayed at Bash’s house for the first time. When she was beneath Bash, all her worries disappeared. He made certain. He was like a hurricane, commanding her focus. His mouth was a menace. When he kissed her, all she could think about was his dominance.

And because of that, she was smiling during a hectic shift.

She had partially patched things up with Toni. Their friendship had entered a new era, and she was fine with that.

Some people were a season, a reason, or a lifetime.

Perhaps Toni’s presence in her life had a purpose, despite her cruelty, since she’d pushed Lottie out of her comfort zone.

She wanted Bash to be a lifetime. Only time would tell about that.

As Lottie was moving paperwork to another department, a coworker informed her that someone was at the reception desk looking for her. There was pep in her step, hoping it might be her hot muffin biker. He was so sweet. Since they couldn’t do lunch yesterday, he had food delivered. She’d sent him a kissy-face text as thanks, and he’d replied that he would own her mouth as soon as he saw her. And he’d kept to his word.

Bash wasn’t waiting for her, and Lottie took a deep breath, seeing her sibling leaning on the desk. She always looked so pretty with her perfectly wavy hair. The summer mini-dress looked great on her slender body.

“Nora.” She spoke, and her sister twirled around, smiling.

That should have been the first clue this was no friendly visit, but an ambush.

“Long time no see, sis. How are you?”

To avoid making a scene, she gestured for Nora to follow, and took her to a private room where they talked to relatives of recently deceased patients.

“I’m at work, Nora.”

“You look good. We could grab some lunch together and catch up.” She looked hopeful, and Lottie felt a tug of guilt because the last thing she wanted was to spend any time with Nora.

“I can’t. Maybe another time,” she said to be polite, but there was no chance of it happening. “What are you doing in Utah? When you left, you said you were never coming back.”

“Oh, that.” She laughed, waving a manicured hand and tossing her glossy hair over her shoulder. “You know I never mean what I say. Thorn is in town on business, so I tagged along, hoping to talk to you.”

Business. She could only assume what that entailed.

“I’ve been trying to call you lately.”

“Nora, nothing’s changed since our last chat.”

Nora’s smile dimmed. “So that means we can’t be sisters?”

“Are you working?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” she snapped, her lovely fa?ade slipping.

“That’s why we can’t see each other, Nora, because you expect too much from me.”

“I haven’t asked for anything, have I? Thorn gives me whatever I want. He takes good care of me, Lottie. We’ve changed.”

Did Lottie want to believe that? It sucked not having any close family.

The women from the Diablos were way cooler and friendlier to Lottie than her sister ever was. Days later, they were still texting Lottie to hang out soon.

“So, if we can grab a coffee soon, that would be great, sis.”

Did she dare hope Nora had changed?

And then.

“I have this great opportunity I think you’ll love. Like really.”

And there it was.

Lottie inhaled and let it out slowly. “That will be a no. No to everything, Nora.”

Her sister blinked. “What do you mean by that? You haven’t heard what it is yet. It’s a no risk investment.”

“Everything about you is a risk; I want no part of it.”

“You’ve got such a fucking double standard, you know that, Lottie? Risk? Yet you’re hanging with bikers after all the sanctimonious shit you spewed on me about Thorn and his friends. Holier than thou Lottie is doing the same thing.”

Lottie’s gaze sharpened. How did she know that? Unless Nora or Thorn had been watching her house. The thought of it creeped her out.

“The Riot Brothers are bad news. You’ve always known it. So whatever this opportunity is, that’s your mess, not mine.”

“You’ve always thought you were better than me.” Nora glowered.

She didn’t want to ask if Nora was taking drugs to explain how erratic she was, but it was a good possibility.

“I don’t think. I know I am,” Lottie told her.

She no longer sugar-coated her sister’s feelings. For once, she could take the hard truth with a tall glass of milk. It wasn’t as though she’d ever listen, anyway.

Nora, as predictable as ever, spat expletives at Lottie.

“You act like the world owes you a favor. Like I owe you a favor, Nora. But what have you ever put into the world besides a lot of bitching? I worked two jobs through college and have the career I earned myself. You hitched your wagon to a worthless piece of shit, expecting his wonder dick to fix your problems, and when he inevitably proves he’s useless, you come crying to me without ever trying to change.”

“You know what you did.” Her eyes were filled with hate, which used to hurt Lottie. But no longer. She’d hardened her heart against her sister years ago.

“What invisible crime have you made up in your mind to make you hate me? The last time I checked, Nora, we had the same childhood. Your shit wasn’t worse than my shit. But I’ve made something of my life, and you can’t stand that.”

“You’re fucking boring. Who wants that life?”

“Me, I do. I achieved something on my own. Instead of doing the same, you wasted time with drug-using losers. Men with bigger egos than their intelligence.”

“Shut your mouth, you know nothing.”

“Don’t I? I know they’re criminals. You’re tarred with the same deadbeat brush.”

“And what of your bikers? I could tell you some shit about them.”

It was too late for Nora. Lottie knew that.

She had been with the Riot Brothers for years, fully involved in their activities. Lottie had made plenty of unsuccessful attempts to reason with Nora in the past.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? They’re my family.” Nora softened her voice, but Lottie wasn’t fooled. She never stopped pretending.

“That’s fine, but keep out of my way. I blocked you for a reason.”

“Oh, shut your fucking mouth, miss high and mighty, control freak.”

Lottie’s smile was devoid of any humor. “And? You’re not telling me anything I don’t know. I took control of my life, Nora. You’re pissing yours away. So we’re both fucked up, huh?”

“Listen, I need a short-term loan.”

“Congratulations, I hear there are jobs that help with that.”

“Don’t be smart. I need money now, and you owe me.”

Lottie scoffed. “For what? These invisible crimes against you? I’m so sorry I fed and clothed you for years when I barely had enough to get me through college. I’m so sorry I was the one who signed for your first apartment and car. I’m so sorry for bailing you out—how many times? Countless. These so-called crimes are all of your own making.”

Nora’s mask dropped, revealing her true self to Lottie. An enraged, impulsive, and indulged woman. She was a toddler in a grown-up body.

For years, Lottie had justified her sisters’ behavior by attributing it to their deprived upbringing. There was a juncture where today’s decisions could not be held accountable for an awful childhood. It was tough to deal with, especially because she wanted to see the best in Nora.

“I might be pregnant. I need money, sis.”

“Congratulations.” That poor kid.

“It won’t hurt you to give me a loan.”

Loan. Ha. Her definition of a loan involved giving with no repayment.

“How do you know what I have?”

“Look at the car you drive.”

“It’s on finance.”

“You’ve got a house.”

“It’s called a mortgage, not liquid money. I work for the things I have.”

Nora popped out a skinny hip and rolled her eyes behind the fake lashes. “I know you. You’ve probably saved a bunch, haven’t you? Having kids isn’t cheap, you know? Oh, you wouldn’t know that, would you? When was the last time you got laid, sis? Or are you still carrying the cherry around?”

Wouldn’t she be surprised if she told Nora it was this morning? Her inner thighs were still aching from being held on Bash’s shoulders all that time while he pummelled orgasms out of her.

“That’s none of your business.”

Nora cackled, and her eyes gleamed. “I thought so. If you gave me a loan, I could set you up with someone.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather dip myself in a bowl of herpes than date men you know.”

Nora’s eyes flared. “You bitch . You’re no better than me.”

Sighing, Lottie rubbed her forehead. “This is where we came in, so I’m wrapping up this futile conversation.”

“I need it! You’re not going to help me, seriously?”

Lottie gave her sister a withering look. “Do you know how much it costs to have a baby? If you are pregnant, which I doubt, you wouldn’t allow something else to take your spotlight. A few hundred bucks won’t dent what you need to prepare for it.”

“I need more than a few hundred, Lottie. I’ll pay you back.”

“How will you pay me back?”

Her voice became more whine-like, like old times. “I’ll pay you back. You know I will.”

“No, I don’t know that. Of all the times I’ve loaned you money, tell me how many times you’ve paid me back. Go on, guess.” When Nora only glared, Lottie continued. “It’s zero times. Ask your king of a boyfriend. You just said he pampers you.”

“Thorn is strapped for cash right now, but he has a few things coming up that’s gonna get us big. I need something to keep us going.”

Thorn was a redneck loser from the deep south. He should’ve been swallowed instead of born because he’s done nothing meaningful. He was a freeloading jerk who spent more time in jail than anywhere else.

“Isn’t that what he’s been telling you for years? Do yourself a favor and find someone better.”

Nora’s face took on a nastier appearance as she narrowed her eyes into darker slits. “So you can have him? You already tried that, remember? It’s why you owe me. I forgave you for that shit.”

Lottie nearly choked on her spit. “Is that the lie he’s feeding you? I wouldn’t have Thorn if he came attached to Chris Pine’s dick. I told you back then, the same as I’m telling you now, he tried it on with me more than once while you weren’t around, and I put the asshole in his place. He made up lies to cut you off from your family. You ate it all up and started attacking me.”

Nora huffed. “I don’t wanna discuss that. It’s in the past.”

“Yeah, you’re right, Nora. I’m asking you one last time; don’t contact me again.”

With that, Lottie walked out of the room, never looking back. She then returned to the ER floor to do what she did best.

Taking care of other people’s problems.