Bash (Diablo Disciples MC #6)

TWENTY-NINE

Bash

Death came to everyone eventually.

It was the one thing no one could avoid.

Death, when it arrived, was never easy, even if it was expected or orchestrated.

Bash’s biggest regret was not being able to do anything for Charlotte.

His girl, the love of his whole life, trembling and crying in his arms, and he could see the surrender in her beautiful, teary eyes.

She was giving up.

She was accepting what was coming.

And there was not a thing he could do about it.

He didn’t give a shit about what happened to him. Death could claim him as its prize, and he’d happily go instead of her.

He regretted pursuing Charlotte and allowing her into his chaotic life. It was a mistake driven by selfishness and love.

With his lifestyle, it was bound to hurt people.

And what made it even worse was that it was always their women who got hurt.

It was way too late to turn back.

Death had already opened the door and was coming inside.

* * *

Ten Hours Earlier

“You are an absolute menace, Benjamin Laurent!” she squealed, dodging before he could shoot her with water again. “I’m gonna get you.”

Across Denver’s yard, his twin daughters were hooting with laughter.

Bash didn’t know he’d be roped into an epic water battle with his woman.

Charlotte was currently hiding behind a Lacebark Pine tree in the backyard. Like she thought a tree would keep him away from her.

Bash smirked and waited until she peeked out, as he knew she would. She laughed as they fired together.

When he collapsed on the grass sometime later, soaked to the skin, she fell into his lap, and he eased the hair away from her face.

“This was fun,” she smiled as they watched the girls scampering around the yard. “We should babysit more often.”

Denver hadn’t felt safe taking Casey out on a date in a while. Now that his wife wasn’t being dogged by her demented stepbrother, he’d asked Bash to watch the girls so he could take her out for a few hours.

“Don’t think I’ve overlooked what you did, little darling.”

“What did I do?” she asked, toying with the silver necklace around his throat. She then traced over the four silver rings, all connected by one chain.

“You used my name. And you know what happens when you do that.”

Charlotte’s eyes lit up. “You can’t do that here, so I felt confident using it.”

His teasing girl thought she was safe, did she?

“Can’t I? I can give the kids a plate of cookies and soda and carry you into the house to the downstairs bathroom, where I’ll make you hold the sink while I peel those sinful shorts down your legs and then bury my mouth between them from behind. And you won’t be able to scream, Charlotte. Then I’d push in behind you, getting in nice and tight to that ass I love. I’ll have to cover your mouth with a hand before I shove in, because my sweetest darling can’t take me all at once and it hurts at first, doesn’t it? But then the pussy I own softens and takes every inch.”

“Bash,” she groaned, pressing her face into his shoulder. Her fingers went tight on his shirt. Lust shook her voice. “You don’t play fair.”

Bash kissed the top of her head.

It was only fitting since she had him in tangled knots over how much he loved her.

“Later,” he promised.

* * *

Seven Hours Earlier

“Hey, hotness, I have something that needs fixing.”

Because he recognized the sultry voice catcalling him from the open garage door, Bash was grinning when he saw Charlotte leaning against the wall, trying to go for a bad girl look. But she was every inch the good girl, and he fucking loved it.

He’d put his overalls on to change the oil in her car while Charlotte was inside the club. He peeled them off his legs and tossed them aside.

“I got the right tool for that, darling.”

“I bet you do,” she squealed when Bash tried reaching for her.

“You’re all dirty! Don’t touch my shorts with your dirty mitts, mister.”

“You usually like me making you dirty.”

“In bed only. Not on my clothes.”

“Is your girl’s meeting over?”

“Yes.” She flashed a secret smile.

“And what trouble do the old ladies have planned?” He remembered the night he played cards with his brothers when they all started receiving dirty texts from their women. They couldn’t get out of the door fast enough.

“Nina is hosting an after hours’ night in her salon. I might come home with blue hair. What do you think about that?”

Bash shrugged, walking to her after washing his hands. “You could have no hair, and you’re still the most beautiful thing I ever saw.” He bent at the waist to tap a kiss on her waiting lips.

She melted against him and wound her arms around his waist.

“Aww, you’re so cute.”

He’d show her cute. Smacking her ass, he urged her toward her car. “Let’s go get food.”

* * *

Four Hours Earlier

“Is it too early in our relationship to go on vacation together?” she asked from the floor. She was currently grooming the most pampered cat in all of America. Bash was equally responsible for spoiling Prince. The other night, he brought home a bell toy he had seen while paying for gas.

He was sitting on the couch doing his favorite thing. Watching Charlotte.

Nothing was too early for them. He was going to race them to the end zone soon.

“Where do you wanna go?”

“Somewhere tropical, with golden beaches and endless carbs.”

“I’ll make it happen, baby.”

“Noooo. I didn’t mean you pay for it, Bash. We can go halves. I wasn’t sure if I was moving too fast for a couple’s vacation.”

“You’re my woman. I pay for what you want.” That’s all he had to say about it. “And move faster, baby, catch up to me.” he winked when she smiled shyly. “I’m gonna talk about moving you and Prince into my house soon. Like in days, maybe a week. So let your mind work around that.”

Look at him being a compromising prick by giving his girl some time to mull over his decision. Maybe he was one of those modern men he’d read about. Bash watched all the emotions rush across Charlotte’s face.

She was an overthinker, and he was a doer. They matched fucking perfectly.

“Well.” she finally said, returning to brushing the cat. “I guess I better think about that. I do like your bed better than mine.” Bash’s heart boomed in his chest.

“When you’re done with Prince, get over here and give me some attention.” He rasped, and his heart went again when she looked at him with undiluted love in her eyes.

They might not have shared the words yet, but he knew Charlotte loved him.

Bash was the luckiest sonuvabitch.

He silently vowed to give her the best life together.

* * *

Three Hours Earlier

While Bash showered, Charlotte couldn’t wait for him to do it and had snuck out to collect a pizza and popcorn for their movie night. He’d spank her little ass for that trick when she got back.

He waited by the open garage door, eager to get his hands on her. He’d made specific promises to her today and would keep to them.

Bash grew increasingly worried as time passed.

He only got her voicemail when he tried calling several times.

“Where the fuck are you, Charlotte?” he murmured.

BASH : Little darling, are you munching the pizza in the car?

The message was read, and his heart rate decreased with relief.

There were no three bouncing dots showing that she was replying. She was likely driving, and his good girl wouldn’t text behind the wheel.

He held his phone like a teenager, fixated on the screen. Another ten minutes went by. The pizza place was only fifteen minutes away. She should have reached home by now.

His concern skyrocketed.

Another call, and after a few rings, it dropped to voicemail like she’d cut it off prematurely. The fuck ?

BASH : Charlotte, where the hell are you, woman?

Again, the message was instantly read, but no reply came.

Right then, Bash leapt into action. He grabbed his keys and quickly got on the bike. His imagination was going off the rails. She’d been in an accident and couldn’t reply. Or she had phone trouble and ended up stranded on the road. He checked the pizza place twice, but no sign of Charlotte’s red Blazer. He stopped by her place, and it was dead silent.

He left his bike and paced to the door of his house.

No amount of calling made Charlotte pick up.

He knew she wasn’t cutting his calls off. She wasn’t like that. They’d had a good day together, no cause for her to throw a fit.

He had to think rationally and not with his racing emotions.

In case of an accident, the hospital would have called or answered her phone. She had already shared with him the procedures they follow to inform families.

He called the clubhouse in case his girl was there. He was grasping at thin fucking air, looking for a rational explanation. But the prospect on duty said she hadn’t been by.

If Primo wasn’t in jail, he’d ask his buddy to hack into Charlotte’s phone and see her last texts.

Something had happened, but Bash couldn’t figure out what.

Then he remembered someone else who could lend a hand.

The Apollo Kingsmen were allies to the Diablos. Axel had worked with Jamie Steele, their prez, several times. But he didn’t need Steele. Since he didn’t have their numbers, he called their clubhouse.

“This is Bash from the Diablo Disciples MC. I need to speak to Amos. Is he around?” he told the woman who answered.

Amos was their VP. He had a hacking skill, and the Diablos had previously used him for background checks.

“Hey, Bash from the Diablo Disciples MC.” She had a smile in her voice. “Hang on a second, and I’ll see if his snarkiness is around.” She must have used a sound system because Bash heard her call out for Amos. A minute went by, and then he heard.

“Bash?”

“Amos, how quick would it take to hack into someone’s phone records?”

“You need a service?”

“Yes, like yesterday. My old lady has disappeared into thin fucking air. She’s getting my messages, and my calls are being cut off. I’m probably jumping to conclusions that some shit has happened to her. But I’d rather that than sit on my ass and wait.”

Being in MCs meant Amos got the urgency. To pay attention to intuitions that are unfathomable to a regular person. After a few hours, civilians would contact friends, family, and the police, following the right protocol.

Deep in his gut, Bash felt a sinking sensation, a sure sign that something had happened to Charlotte. She wouldn’t ignore his calls unless she had no choice; a clear indicator that something was amiss.

“Let me grab a pen to get the deets.”

“Whatever you charge, I’ll pay it,” he assured.

“We’ll see what I unearth about your old lady before discussing the price. This isn’t a DV sitch, is it? I’m not getting in the mix of a domestic if she’s run away.”

“I’d never lay a finger on my old lady, and she hasn’t run the fuck away. She only went out to pick up pizza.” Trying to hold his shit together, Bash was close to losing it.

“Maybe she met with a girlfriend. They do that shit, chicks, man. They have like fifteen side quests a day.”

He knew that. But his Charlotte was level-fucking-headed more than most. She was punctual as fuck and reliable. This was out of character for her. He was scared for her, and his stomach churned.

“Charlotte isn’t like that.”

“Okay, I’ll tell you what I find shortly. You wanna hang on the line?”

“Yes.”

It was a long wait, feeling like decades, as he listened to Amos typing on the other end.

While he waited, he sent a text to Axel.

BASH : Charlotte is missing. Can you ask the old ladies if they’ve heard from her in the last hour?

If he had to mobilize the brotherhood, he needed them on standby.

They were powerful individuals with discerning skills, but the Diablos were a force to be reckoned with as a group. If Bash needed a force, there were no other men he’d want at his back.

He just hoped assembling the MC was not needed.

When Axel’s text popped up on his screen, he was grateful the prez didn’t ask unnecessary questions. He was a no-fuss leader, who quickly cut through the bullshit.

AXEL : I’ll put Scarlett on it and call Fielding to check local CCTV. Keep me informed.

“Okay, I got something. You ready?” Amos finally said.

“Tell me.”

“I got into her messages. Your girl likes to keep everything. The messages she’s had today are yours, asking where the fuck she is. And another text thread with someone who isn’t in her contacts. The first text is signed by Nora. You know her?”

Bash frowned. “It’s her estranged sister.”

“Do you want me to read ‘em out or forward this to you?”

“Both.”

“Gotcha. Right, the messages go as this: Lottie, it’s Nora. I’m in big trouble, sis. I need help. I think I’ve killed someone. What do I do? Then your old lady replies: What? Are you joking? Nora says no. She explains someone was attacking her, and she stabbed him. She’s scared, yadda, blah blah, and doesn’t know what to do. She asks your old lady for help and tells her not to call the cops. She says again how scared she is and needs her sister.”

“Fucking hell.” Bash punched the wall.

“There’s more. Nora gives your old lady an address. She tells Nora she’s on her way. That’s the last message, Bash. I’ve forwarded it all to this number.”

“Did she have any incoming calls in that timeframe?”

“Only yours.”

Why the fuck hadn’t she called him? He was her goddamn attack dog and would have sorted it out for her.

Because Nora is her sister and Charlotte is a bleeding heart for that woman. Of course, she’d charge into the fire without protecting herself first. It was so Charlotte-coded.

For Christ’s sake, they would talk about that later.

Bash dragged a hand over his hair. “Thanks, man. Let me know what I owe, and I’ll transfer it.”

“Nah, we’re good. It was hardly anything. Call it a favor.”

Bash was surprised. Amos wasn’t known for his generosity. “You sure?”

“Yep. One day, I’ll call it in. Good luck with your wayward old lady.” He chuckled, and they hung up.

When he looked up the address, Bash frowned. It was an out-of-business aquarium. Weird fucking place to kill someone. He could only assume that bitch and her man were using the dump for their base.

He refused to stand idly by and analyze the situation; his focus was on ensuring his woman’s safety. Based on what he had heard about Nora, she had a reputation for exaggerating shit. Charlotte may have unknowingly walked into a trap set by Nora to win her sister around again.

BASH : I got some info. It’s some bullshit with Charlotte’s sister. She claims she offed someone in self-defense and needs Charlotte’s help. includes address If I don’t contact you in an hour, you know what to do.

AXEL : I can be on my bike in 5.

BASH : I’ll check it out first.

AXEL : One hour.

Before Bash even left the garage, his phone chimed. He expected Axel or one of the other brothers to offer to ride with him, but he was shocked when he saw Charlotte’s name.

The relief hit him like a train.

She was okay. Thank fuck.

Yet, the relief was short-lived, and his blood became icy cold.

CHARLOTTE : Lottie isn’t coming home, and if you want to see her alive again, you’ll follow the instructions to the letter.

CHARLOTTE : DO NOT CALL ANYONE. YOUR CLUB OR THE COPS. NOONE. WE’LL KNOW IF YOU DO.

CHARLOTTE : We hear one siren, and I’ll slit her fucking throat. Got it?

CHARLOTTE : Lottie said you’re good for readies. Bring 40k in an hour to this address.

CHARLOTTE : It’s a simple exchange. Money for Lottie.

CHARLOTTE : if you think you can be the big hero, think again. IF YOU brING YOUR MC OR THE COPS SHE DIES. NO BARGAINING.

CHARLOTTE : 1 hr from now.

CHARLOTTE : Picture PROOF SHE IS ALIVE RIGHT NOW.

His girl was sitting on a chair; her hands clasped together in her lap. She wore the outfit she’d left the house in. It wasn’t clear if she was injured, but a man was standing over her, holding a hunting knife to her throat.

Bash’s world fucking shattered. His rage was colossal.

He didn’t know Nora well enough to know if she’d hurt her sister. He only had Charlotte’s opinion of Nora. And he trusted her judgment—to know the other woman was as sly as a fucking rattlesnake and unhinged to attempt something this crazy.

That bitch thought she could shake him down for cash and threaten her goddamn sister like that? Was Harvey responsible for it? Or was Nora working independently?

Whoever was aiding Nora, mostly likely that simpleton of a boyfriend, those cocksuckers were going to die.