Johnnie said nothing.
“I thought your bitch was comin’ up the walk.”
“Do you see her here? It wasn’t her. It must’ve been someone else.”
“Matilda still a lil’ kid. Kendall the only red-headed grown bitch that got the code to the gate. Unless that bitch dead and I saw her fuckin’ ghost.”
“She’s not here, Christopher.”
“What the fuck ever, motherfucker,” Outlaw grunted, before the sound of his bootfalls carried him away.
A moment passed, then: “You can come out, Kendall,” Johnnie called. “Wherever you’re hiding.”
Kendall stalked into view. Johnnie stood there, tall and imposing, and gorgeous in gray trousers and white dress shirt. His sleeves were rolled up, partially revealing his biceps.
“Did you get what you wanted?”
She blinked at Johnnie’s question. “You knew I was here.”
He shrugged. “Of course. I saw you at the gate and watched you walk to the door. “You play so many fucking games, I decided to beat you at this one. Doing what you love to do. Listen for a snippet to justify bad behavior. I gave you what you wanted, sweetheart.”
At Johnnie’s pettiness, Kendall was torn between rage and despair. For now, the feelings buried all dreams of reconciling with her husband. She’d always known Johnnie wanted Rory to be another CJ…a mini Outlaw…but the extent in which he blamed her for Rory’s woes shocked her.
Glaring at him, she got straight to the point. “Is it any wonder why I despise that little bastard? You think CJ is as perfect as Meggie. Because he’s her son.”
“Enough, Kendall,” he warned, walking closer. “Don’t start this tonight.”
“He called me names and you couldn’t even defend me!”
“I did! I said I was going to spank him. You heard Christopher. What did you expect me to do?”
“Why am I fighting for you, for us, if I can never live up to your ideal? Not only do you want me to be Megan, but you want Rory to be CJ,” she spat. “Why can’t you appreciate us for who we are?”
“Let’s not discuss this here.”
“The kids aren’t even staying with you. They’re here. Where your perfect ideal of a woman lives.”
“Goddamn it, don’t start this bullshit!”
Was that all he could say? Of course it was! What other defense did he have?
“I want a divorce,” Kendall blurted around a sob.
Johnnie tightened his jaw. “That’s a decision we must reach mutually.”
“No, it isn’t. It’s my decision to make. I want a divorce and I want full custody of the children.”
“Fuck you. Fuck no.”
Kendall stared at Johnnie, hating him and Outlaw and Meggie and CJ. Hating them for making her feel inferior. Hating them for acting superior. Even Meggie, with all her kindness, behaved with some condescension toward Kendall.
“File for divorce,” Johnnie went on, “but you’re not getting my children.”
“I gave birth to them!”
“When has that ever mattered to you?”
“Fuck you.”
He stepped closer to her, his gaze ice-cold. “Don’t you wish you could? It was you who came back in search of my cock after I fucked you the night we met.”
“That was the biggest mistake of my life,” she snarled. “I wish I had never fallen in love with you.”
“You never loved me. You loved the security. You loved being around Christopher.”
“I’m not going to stand here and try to convince you of my feelings or lack thereof. If you believe I never loved you, and loved being around Outlaw, then you’re a brainless motherfucker.”
“Leave, Kendall,” he ordered.
“Fuck you,” she threw at him again. “You didn’t invite me. Meggie did. Besides, I have a thing or two to tell CJ.”
“I wouldn’t fuck with that child if I were you. Then again, you never listened to me, so go ahead and risk your life. I’m done.”
Giving her one last hard look, Johnnie turned on his heel and stormed in the direction he’d come, while Kendall remained inside the hallway.
Her head pounded and she felt as fragile as delicate glass. She had to leave. She couldn’t stay there tonight. Johnnie would make her life miserable.
A sob escaped her.
Would he take her seriously and start divorce proceedings? She just didn’t know what to do. She felt so backed into a corner.
She should leave. But could she? She wanted to see her children. She needed to give her regards to Meggie and Roxy. She craved their kindness. Roxy might even hug her.
Kendall lost track of time as she debated what to do, but the sound of running snapped her to the present.
“Go get more candy, Ro,” CJ whispered, sounding as if he was chewing. “MegAnn not going to see. Meet me here.”
“Okay, CJ.”
Like a little lamb, her sweet Rory did CJ’s thieving business.
CJ stood a short distance away, in a corner of the main hall, digging in his pocket, and pulling out chocolates. As he unwrapped the candy and stuffed it into his mouth, he threw the foil on the floor.
“CJ!” she called, barreling forward, so angry she could hardly contain herself.
CJ looked up as she reached him and grabbed him by his shirt, yanking him forward, up and off his feet. His green eyes widened.
“Aunt Kenda!” he squeaked in a shaky voice.
She shook him. “You little motherfucker. It’s Kendall.” She shook him again. “Kendall!”
“What’s going on in here?”
Knox Harrington’s voice interrupted Kendall’s rage. Breathing deeply, she sat CJ on his feet. The little boy stared at her, shocked into silence, fear gleaming from his face.
“I asked you a question, Kendall,” Knox said with authority.
CJ ran off, so Kendall turned and faced Roxy’s fiancée.
“What are you doing here, fuckhead?” Kendall asked coolly. “After the way your mother treated Roxy, us, I would think she would’ve kicked you to the curb.”
“If I were you, I’d worry about myself and keep your goddamn nose out of my business. I’m as much family as you are.”
“Yeah, but you’re more of an asshole,” she retorted, then smirked at him. She refused to show how much his jab about worrying about herself bothered her. She’d get in a few of her own. Everyone thought she was crazy and stupid, but she saw things. She read people. That’s what made her such a good attorney. “It doesn’t matter who invited you,” she said. “I’ll bet Outlaw doesn’t know you don’t particularly like him and you’re just using him to stick around for Roxy...? Or is there a motive to your method? Do just enough to stay alive, if beaten to a pulp on a regular basis.”
His eyes narrowed and he stiffened. As if she gave a fuck. She smiled without humor.
“Oh, you hide your feelings, bastard,” she went on, then shrugged. “For Roxy. To save your own miserable fucking life! But you’re a fucking coward. At least, I’m honest about how I feel about him.”
“Including the fact that you want to fuck him so bad, your pussy gets wet every time you’re near him.”
She wouldn’t dignify that with a response, so she returned back to the original subject. “This is Roxy’s wedding, not Joan’s.”
“Stay out of our business,” Knox ordered.
“Roxy is my business,” Kendall said, undeterred. “She had a tough time in her past relationships. Everyone wanted her to change. Be someone she isn’t. To say it like she would, she’s the realest person you’ll ever know. Your mother will make her miserable. Before she does, get Joan in line.”
“I don’t need advice from a woman who can’t hold onto her husband.”
“I don’t give a fuck what you need, prick,” Kendall snarled. “This is for Roxy’s sake. Stop being a fuck dick-douche and tell Joan to butt out.”
“That’s my mother! You will not disparage her. Nor will you interfere. If I want my mother i
nvolved, that’s up to me. Roxanne can’t put up with my mother, yet I tolerate that classless fucking purple Navigator that Outlaw bought her?”
What? Where was this coming from? The asshole’s complaint caught Kendall completely off-guard. She recovered fast. “That Navigator is her. It’s colorful, loud, and fun.”
“It’s purple,” he reiterated. “And another man gave it to her. Outlaw.”
“Oh shut up, cry baby. Is your lack of self-worth an indication of a lack of…prowess?” She ignored the dark look he threw at her. “Or maybe it’s an indication that you lack brain cells? Because, as I see it, you’d realize what a jewel Roxy is and not give a fuck about what she drives.”
“I just brought that up to make a point,” Knox snapped.
“Really? It must be on your mind—”
“It isn’t,” he gritted. “I haven’t…look, Kendall, let’s lay our cards on the line. I’ve already put my mother in her place, but I don’t like you.”
“Join the fucking club, asshole,” she said blithely. “As if I give a fuck who likes me. Roxy likes me and that’s all that matters.”
“If I were you, lady, I’d watch your fucking step. I don’t want you in our wedding. I don’t want you around. Let’s see who wins this round. You have the enemies. I don’t.” He brushed past her, and left her standing alone in the hallway.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Drawing in a breath and fuming at the confrontation he’d had with Kendall, Knox followed the sound of the laughter and headed to the den. Through the crowd, he zeroed in on Roxanne, who stood and stretched, turning this way and that, torturing Knox without mercy.
She wore a pair of black jeans that made her ass so fucking fabulous, Knox almost went to her, dropped to his knees and kissed it. Her skin was as smooth and as sweet as liquid caramel. And her voice, her laughter…there was nothing Knox loved better than hearing those sounds. Seeing her joy. She was an innately happy, optimistic woman, and brought sunshine to whoever she befriended. She’d certainly put a spark in his life.
“Ladies,” Knox greeted, nodding to the women, as Roxanne turned and grinned, her light brown eyes lit with mischief, telling him, without words, that her little display was solely for his benefit.
Shaking his head and laughing, Knox winked at her, sharing in the glow of this morning’s secret sex fest.
Her face lit up and she waved at him, then blew him a kiss. She leaned over and whispered to her best friend, Dr. Jordan Baptiste, while Cam stood at the bar with the rest of the guys. It was a full house tonight. Bunny, Bailey, Ophelia, Zoann, and Roxanne sat around Megan Caldwell, as they held a conversation in low tones, ignoring the boisterousness of their men at the bar, blissfully unaware of Kendall’s presence. Hopefully, she’d decided to leave.
Shoving his annoyance toward Kendall aside, Knox headed toward Outlaw.
“’Law!” CJ yelled, just as Knox reached the man. Baby Thug didn’t seem the worse for wear from his run-in with Kendall. “I wanna ride your cycle like you let me do before.”
A frown crossed Outlaw’s face and he glanced in Megan’s direction. Her brows snapped together.
“Not to-fuckin-night, boy,” Outlaw responded. “We ain’t ate yet.”
“The way Meggie girl glaring at you, you not eating no time soon,” Mortician observed with a snicker.
“The lil’ motherfucker just don’t know how to shut the fuck up. I think he do that shit on purpose.”
“Nuh-uh, ‘Law,” CJ said with a grin, then looked up at Johnnie. “I want to play monster again, Uncle Johnnie.”
Johnnie held up his drink. “Later. For now, play with the other kids. Where’s Rory, anyway?”
“Him stealing candy for me.” CJ dug in his pocket and came up with a chocolate. “I sent him, but him didn’t come back yet. Maybe, he saw his ma.”
Digger, Val, Cash, Stretch, and Mortician sniggered. Cam turned away and sipped his drink. While Outlaw stared at the Baby Thug, Knox felt a spark of anger towards both the biker and his son.
“Fuck me, boy. I ain’t even knowin’ where my ass need to start,” Outlaw said on a sigh.
“Try with the stealing?” Johnnie suggested, not at all happy.
Knox wouldn’t be either if his kid was involved in criminal activity at the behest of someone else.
“Wait a fuckin’ minute, CJ.” Outlaw sat his bottle of rum on the bar and gave his full attention to his son. “My fuckin’ ass heard your ma say you ain’t able to have candy ‘til after dinner. You fuckin’ asked her when she let your lil’ ass outta time-fuckin-out for callin’ psycho cunt a big giant bitch.”
CJ’s lower lip trembled at his father’s harshness and his face crumpled.
“Not only aintcha listenin’ to her, you gettin’ another fuckin’ man to do your fuckin’ dirty work. Don’t lie to your ma and don’t send no motherfucker on a job you ain’t willin’ to fuckin’ do.”
CJ’s face brightened, and he held up the chocolate that had been wrapped but now was partially squeezed out by the child’s fisting it. “But, ‘Law, I stoled already. When Mommie let me up.”
The idiots who’d been laughing before howled again.
“You ain’t supposed to fuckin’ steal and you ain’t supposed to fuckin’ lie. A thief as miserable a motherfucker as a fuckin’ liar. Motherfuckers ain’t able to trust neither, and if you got nothin’ fuckin’ else you gotta be a man of your word, boy.”
“I’m is,” CJ protested, his brief moment of happiness disintegrating at his father’s stern lecture.
“What about your ma?” Outlaw continued, surprising Knox with his correct pronunciation of about. “You ain’t listen to her.” He swatted CJ’s butt. “That’s for your fuckin’ thievery.” Another swat. “That’s for tryna bitch your ma out. You always respect your ma. Al-fucking-ways,” he roared, ignoring CJ’s tears. “If she tell you to fuckin’ do somethin’ or don’t fuckin’ do somethin’, follow what the fuck she say. Hear me, boy?”
“Yes, ‘Law,” CJ sobbed.
From Knox’s point-of-view, the taps on the brat’s ass hadn’t been enough. Outlaw should’ve given CJ a real spanking. Therefore, Baby Thug’s screaming wails were unnecessary.
“Come here, potato,” Megan called from the other side of the room.
“MegAnn,” CJ sobbed, running to her and throwing himself into her open arms. She pulled him onto her lap as he cried against her neck.
“Rory and CJ aren’t men,” Johnnie snapped, glaring at Outlaw, as CJ’s tears quieted. “They’re little boys.”
“No fuckin’ shit,” Outlaw said. “They gonna be men one fuckin’ day, Johnnie.”
“They’re children,” Johnnie said flatly. “So let them be children.”
“Uncle Johnnie,” CJ called in a pitiful voice. “Monster.”
“Later,” Johnnie responded.
“’Kay,” he said hoarsely, sliding from Megan’s lap. “I going by Diesel.” Still sniffling with such force his shoulders shook, he walked from the room.
Knox supposed Outlaw’s adopted son was somewhere watching over the brood of kids as he usually did.
Shaking his head, Johnnie walked behind the bar. “What are you drinking, Knox?”
There was a definite strain on the man’s face. He looked sad and angry and on the verge of exploding. If Knox couldn’t sneak Roxanne away later, maybe he’d ask Johnnie to join him for a drink.
In the meantime… “I’ll take a Scotch neat.”
“I see your ass almost all healed from the whipping Outlaw gave you, Knox. What your ass did this time for Outlaw to fuck you up like you was? You was to’e up from the flo’ up,” Digger told him. The sergeant-at-arms sipped from his bottle of beer.
“I resent that.” The bruises from Outlaw and Mortician’s punches were practically non-existent now. Still, he didn’t think either man had gone and broadcast the fact that they’d beat him. Scowling, he accepted the glass of Scotch that Johnnie held out to him. “How do you know it was Outlaw? I c
ould’ve fought someone else and won.”
“Not,” Val put in. “You don’t go places to fight.”
“I’m always in dangerous places. I’m a PI,” Knox reminded them, ignoring the lift of Cam’s eyebrow, his business partner, that called bullshit on the claim.
Cash grinned and elbowed his husband, Stretch. “Barely. I can do better investigating than you.”
“Fuck, CJ can do better than Knox,” Digger added.
“All right. Give the poor man some slack,” Johnnie demanded. “He’s under a lot of pressure right now. Something I can identify with.”
“You and Kendall going to work things out, John Boy,” Mortician said with reassurance.
Everyone glanced at Outlaw, but he said nothing to Johnnie and instead looked at Knox. “Still enjoyin’ bein’ en-fuckin-gaged, Knox?”
“Yes. It’s wonderful,” Knox replied. “How did it feel when you were engaged?”
“Ain’t never was engaged. Ask John Boy. He know.”
“He would,” Knox retorted.
“You share Val disease, Knox,” Mortician told him with a smirk.
Knox sipped his Scotch, then looked at Mortician. “Which is?”
“The fucking masochistic need for Outlaw to beat your ass every couple months,” Mortician said, grinning at the laughter of Digger, Val, Cash, and Stretch.
“You’re funny,” Knox gritted.
“Fucking hilarious,” Mortician agreed. “Just so you know, me and Bailey was never engaged either.”
“I see,” Knox said with irritation. “That’s why you’re encroaching on my wedding to her mother.”
“Encroaching?” Mortician echoed. He started to say something else, then huffed out a breath. “Knox, I don’t want Bailey and Roxy wedding to have a cloud hanging over it. If we have issues and problems all through the planning, it might make for a shitty wedding day. Let’s keep shit friendly.”
“Since when have you become so fucking superstitious?” Johnnie asked.
“Since all this bullshit started. You and Kendall not together. Never thought I’d see that day. Then, Knox bitch-ass momma and Charlotte-fucking-Redding started with their bullshit. Personal bullshit sometimes more vicious than club war.” He nodded in the direction of the women. “They waiting for Red to get here, so they can start looking through that stack of wedding magazines. And, fuck…I just got a bad feeling about tonight, man.”
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