An Outlaw Valentine

by Kathryn Kelly

  “Because Outlaw hates your ass. Johnnie knows he don’t have to worry about the man ever fucking you. Again, you’re the only one who’s missed the memo. You’re playing games you’re not going to win.”

  “I’m so sorry, Roxy.”

  Roxy heaved in a breath. “Sometimes, sorry’s not good enough. Your confession about drugging Johnnie would exonerate him but put you in the hot seat.”

  “I know.”

  “Have you been to see Meggie?”

  “I’m too ashamed,” Kendall whispered, bowing her head.

  “You just have to buck up. You had the balls to do all this bullshit. You’re going to need them to go and see about her.”

  “I guess you want me to confess.”

  “I want you to straighten the fuck up before it’s too late. I don’t want you to forfeit your life. Get home and pull yourself together. We need to find something to divert those boys’ attention.”

  “Meggie wants to throw a Valentine’s Day Ball.”

  “That’ll do,” Roxy said, “but we’re telling her we need to start planning it so we can settle things down. Understand? Right now, we’re not going to air your dirty laundry. She’ll tell her husband and I wouldn’t fucking blame her. Don’t drug Johnnie again. Let him show how remorseful he is once he comes back to himself. Meanwhile, we’ll figure out a way to tell Johnnie what happened.”

  “He’ll hate me!”

  “I bet your ass right now Outlaw hates him. I won’t allow their relationship to be a casualty of your bullshit. But Johnnie loves you. He’ll be angry, hurt, and disappointed. He’ll get over it, though.”

  “One day, he won’t,” Kendall whispered.

  “You need to remember that before you start with your bullshit.” She held out her hand and helped Kendall to her feet. “Now, get home. We have to fix this mess, one step at a time, and the first step is visiting Meggie.”

  Although Kendall nodded, she disagreed. Her first step should be resigning from that stupid case.

  With her throat hurting and her voice hoarse, Meggie opted not to make any phone calls. Luckily, she didn’t have meetings scheduled, which allowed her to hole up in her office. Word spread amongst her friends, about the stranger who broke in and choked her.

  Circulating the story made it more believable.

  Zoann veered from their usual schedule and stopped in to see Meggie before she went to their first client. Bailey brought homemade apple sauce. Ophelia came with flowers. As usual, Bunny did whatever Meggie needed, but hovered just a little more. They all came with hugs.

  Meggie told Bunny the truth. Mortician probably told Bailey the real happenings of the day before. Whether or not he filled in Val, Cash, and Stretch, who, in turn, told Zoann and Ophelia, Meggie wasn’t sure. As a matter of fact, she hoped not. That would be such a coverup from Christopher. However, in her heart, she knew her husband would never forgive himself if he harmed Johnnie.

  Despite their differences, they loved each other.

  “Mommie, I got toast for you,” CJ announced, walking into her office and stuffing a hand in his pocket. He hadn’t wanted to leave her this morning, so she’d allowed him to stay home.

  She intended to go about her normal routine. Therefore, both Christopher and CJ could know she was fine.

  Turning from her desk to face CJ, Meggie smiled. “I can use a piece of toast, buddy.”

  CJ lifted his brows at the sound of her voice. He had so many of Christopher’s mannerisms, including the way he liked to cock his head to the side. Just as he did now.

  “Your throat is sore?”

  “A little,” she admitted. “But I’m fine.”

  He studied her a moment longer, then dug in his pocket and handed her cold, butter-sogged, balled-up, bread. She hid another smile. Crumbs must be overflowing in every seam of the jeans he wore.

  “I make it softer.” He squished the stuff between his fingers, further ruining it, then he held it to her lips.

  Obligingly, she opened and allowed him to shove it into her mouth. “Ummm, yum.”

  CJ grinned

  “Meggie,” Kendall called, walking into view. “How are you?”

  “Fine,” Meggie answered, wondering if Kendall knew the truth. She gave no indication that she did. Her gaze focused on Meggie’s neck, her expression unreadable.

  Roxy brushed past Kendall and headed to Meggie, stopping at the edge of her desk. “Are you all right, sugar?”

  “Aunt Roxy!” CJ yelled with a big grin, as if he hadn’t seen her in days when, in fact, he’d been with her until late last night.

  Keeping her gaze on Meggie, Roxy opened her arms. CJ barreled against her. Automatically, she lifted him in her arms and kissed his cheek.

  CJ squirmed out of her hold. “I gave Mommie breakfast,” he announced.

  “It was delicious,” Meggie said with a smile.

  He beamed between her and Roxy.

  Kendall glided to a stop behind Roxy. “CJ, can you get me a glass of water?”

  “Yes, Aunt Kenda—”

  “Or is Bunny around, playing maid, assistant, and nanny?”

  CJ frowned at her.

  “Cut the bullshit, baby,” Roxy snapped. “CJ, why don’t you check on your brothers and sister?”

  “Aunt Kendall wants water.”

  Roxy smiled. “She’ll do fine without.”

  Still not convinced, he glanced at Meggie, and sidled closer to her. “Mommie sick. I’m taking care of her. She got fingers on her neck.” He pointed toward the area in question, then frowned at the scarf covering the bruises.

  “I’m fine, CJ,” Meggie reassured him for the millionth time, ruffling his hair. He tipped his head back and grinned.

  “You don’t sound fine,” Kendall said in a shaky voice. “You sound as if you were strangled to within an inch of your life.”

  Meggie glared at Kendall, while Roxy placed her fisted hands on her hips.

  Tears rushed to CJ’s eyes and he crawled onto Meggie’s lap, laying his head against her chest, and sniffling. He didn’t like to cry, considering himself a big boy, so he was doing his best to hold back.

  “Kendall, bring this baby to Bunny,” Roxy ordered, nodding to CJ.

  “No!” CJ sobbed. “I stay with MegAnn.”

  “It’s okay, potato,” Meggie whispered, kissing his head. “The kids are probably missing you. Go help Aunt Bunny with them.”

  It took a moment to convince her son to leave her, but he finally slid from her lap and went to Kendall, grabbing her hand. Although she didn’t pull away, her expression was less than pleased.

  “Do you need anything?” Roxy asked, once they were alone.

  “A do-over from yesterday,” Meggie admitted, not going into detail and suspecting Roxy knew some, if not all, of what had transpired.

  Pressing questions remained. Did Kendall know? Had Johnnie gone and confessed. Or had Mortician given her Meggie’s version?

  Roxy slid onto the desk and allowed her booted legs to dangle. “Lying to Outlaw to save Johnnie’s life was a good thing.”

  “Mortician told you everything, then,” she said, relieved she wouldn’t have to relive the nightmare by answering whatever questions Roxy might have. “Or does Kendall know the truth, too?”

  “Kendall came to my house a little while ago and mentioned some of what happened. She’s very upset and worried about Johnnie. Since his ass hasn’t turned up missing and this happened yesterday, I went to Mort and got the full story after she left my house.” Roxy smiled at her. “You’re doing the right thing, baby.”

  “Thank you,” Meggie said quietly. She placed her elbows on the desk and hung her head. “This has to be done, but I feel as if I’m being disloyal to my husband.”

  “No, sugar. You’re doing what you have to do to protect him. By now, Johnnie’s dumb ass would be dead. Then, reality would set in for Outlaw, and he’d have a hard time reconciling the fact that he killed Johnnie.”

  Meggie nodded.

&
nbsp; Roxy leaned forward and tipped Meggie’s chin up. “How are you really doing, sugar?”

  Sidling a glance at the door and not wanting to be overheard, Meggie lowered her lashes. “I was so scared,” she confessed on a whisper, thankful she had Roxy to talk to. “I thought he was going to kill me.”

  “Oh, baby.” Roxy hopped from the desk and hugged Meggie.

  She laid her head against Roxy’s stomach and held onto her, grateful for her motherly embrace. Roxy allowed Meggie to cry in misery, who didn’t speak again until long minutes later when her tears stopped.

  “Mortician saved my life.” It had been mere coincidence that Meggie had called him to help her out. “I owe him so many bottles of skittle vodka.” Her eyes watered again.

  “It’s okay to cry all day if you need to, sugar,” Roxy said gently. “I’m here for you.”

  “I can’t…” She pursed her lips and swiped at the wetness on her cheeks. “If I dwell on it, I’ll slip up and Christopher will know the truth. Worse, I’ll panic, because I have to act normal around Johnnie and…and…I might…” Her voice trailed off. Start cutting myself again.

  She’d gotten past self-harm because she was safe. She trusted no one would hurt her. Now, Johnnie had busted the protective bubble…the shield Christopher had placed around her. Johnnie had pushed all her triggers. At one time to counteract feeling powerless and helpless, she’d cut herself. Self-mutilation was her decision. In her control. She was still in control and did what she had to do to protect her husband.

  Johnnie wouldn’t, couldn’t, do her anything more. She was safe.

  A tremble went through her, and another, and another, until she was shaking like a leaf in a storm.

  Roxy tightened her hold on Meggie. “Shhhh, it’s okay,” she soothed. “Johnnie wasn’t in his right mind. You know he’d never hurt you.”

  She nodded. “I guess he’s stressed,” she said dully.

  “He is,” Kendall agreed from the doorway.

  “I know,” Meggie said sadly. “Are you okay, Kendall? I mean other than Christopher…?” Her voice trailed off and she covered her mouth to hold back another sob.

  “I’m fine,” Kendall said quickly, rushing closer to Meggie and Roxy, and pausing. Hesitation crossed her features. “Can I hug you, Meggie?”

  “Oh, Kendall! Of course,” she responded.

  Roxy stepped aside, so Kendall could get closer to Meggie and hug her.

  “This is what I like to see,” Roxy said with pride. “My girls getting along.”

  “Group hug?” Kendall requested.

  The three of them linked arms.

  “Let me see your neck,” Roxy said after a moment. She released Kendall and Meggie, and grabbed the scarf, unwrapping it before Meggie agreed to her request.

  Once her neck was exposed, Kendall’s hands flew to her mouth and she stumbled back.

  “That motherfucker!” Roxy snarled, bringing a trembling hand close to Meggie’s neck, then changing her mind and moving away. “Look at you.”

  “Oh, Meggie!” Kendall wailed. “I’m so, so, so, so sorry. This is all my fault.”

  “You didn’t make Johnnie do what he did,” Meggie said tiredly. “You aren’t responsible.” Christopher choking Kendall precipitated Johnnie’s actions. Glancing at Kendall’s neck, she saw a lot of the same marks that were on her neck. She winced. “Are you okay?”

  “Outlaw didn’t do much to me,” Kendall got out.

  “He shouldn’t have done anything at all to you,” Meggie said glumly.

  Kendall heaved in a breath, then indicated her neck. “Most of these marks are self-inflicted.”

  She’d put those ugly purple bruises on herself? Meggie squinted, studying the injuries. They were fingerprints, so what did Kendall mean? She couldn’t imagine Kendall strangling herself with enough force to leave that amount of discoloration.

  Meggie had to be misunderstanding the statement.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Johnnie is just so stubborn,” Kendall cried. “I want…you know what I want.”

  “Your job back,” Meggie told her.

  “Yes.” Kendall sniffled. “I wanted his compliance so…so…oh my God! I’m so ashamed.”

  “What did you do?” Meggie demanded.

  “Oh, Meggie! I can’t…No! I can’t tell you.”

  “Yes, the fuck you can,” Roxy said sharply. “Stop with the damn theatrics and confess.”

  At the directive, Kendall met Meggie’s gaze. “I drugged Johnnie. The first medicine nearly killed him,” she rushed out. “This time around, it turned him into a monster.” She leaned down and threw her arms around Meggie’s neck. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me. I never expected Johnnie to react like this.”

  The feel of Johnnie’s hands around her neck haunted Meggie. Worse, she had to live with deceiving Christopher once again about one of his brothers. All because of Kendall.

  “Let go of me,” Meggie snarled.

  Her sobs deepening, Kendall released Meggie.

  “How dare you?” Meggie stood, suddenly feeling crowded into her desk with Roxy and Kendall hovering. “What kind of a sick individual are you to do such a thing merely to have your own way?”

  “Meggie!” Kendall said tearfully. “I’m sorry. Please, don’t desert me.”

  “Really?” Meggie released bitter laughter. “Not only did Johnnie almost succumb to the side effects of the drug, but he almost killed me. My husband almost shot him to death. All because of your selfishness. I’ve defended you and protected you. Even when you and I are at each other’s throats, I downplay our arguments.”

  “For Christopher,” Kendall said, around tears. “Not for me.”

  “It’s mainly for Christopher. But I do it for you too and if you believe otherwise, then you’re just pathetic. I can’t believe you,” she repeated on a shout. Kendall had gone too far. Yes, Christopher was wrong, but Kendall’s actions made the situations ten times worse. Enough was enough. “Get out of my house and don’t ever come back.”

  “Roxy, do something,” Kendall begged. “Talk to her. You and her are all I have ever had besides Johnnie and my children.”

  “Wrong, Kendall,” Meggie piped up. “You had the entire club behind you. Zoann, Bunny, Bailey, and Fee tried to befriend you. You spurned them. I looked up to you and confided in you. How do you repay me? By coming on to Christopher, so I stopped talking to you about stuff. You don’t have a trustworthy bone in your entire body, yet you expect everyone to give you loyalty. It doesn’t work that way.”

  In the silence that followed, Roxy took Meggie’s face between her hands and thumbed away the tears sliding down her cheeks. Kendall’s betrayal cut deep. She’d wanted them to be friends. Partly because they were sisters-in-law, but also because their husbands worked so closely together, and she’d already seen the rift it could cause between the men if she and Kendall were feuding.

  Roxy hugged Meggie. Emotion flowed through her and she cried bitter tears for what could’ve been between her and Kendall, and, now, what never would be.

  “Meggie, baby, I know you’re hurt,” Roxy began, patting her back. “But Kendall needs you and me.”

  “She doesn’t need anything from me. She needs to have her way.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Kendall repeated.

  “Sugar, you’re angry right now,” Roxy said, taking Meggie’s face between her hands and staring at her. “You’ve got every right to be. I was pissed too, when Kendall first told me what she did. Work through your feelings. There’s going to be a lot of tension between the men. If Johnnie fucks up one time, Outlaw will go off. It’s up to us to run interference.”

  “I’m done,” Meggie insisted. Through the years, she and Kendall had had their ups and downs, even getting into a physical altercation, but enough was enough.

  “Why are you so angry, Meggie?” Resentment infused Kendall’s voice. “I didn’t do anything to you. I did it to Johnnie. Or is that it? You’re furious on
his behalf.”

  Meggie twisted out of Roxy’s hold and marched to Kendall, jabbing her with her finger. “You just don’t get it, do you? I’m angry because I once trusted you. I’m angry because I once believed in you. But I’ve never met a more callous, selfish person in my entire life. You’re all about you. I’m angry because Johnnie almost took me from my husband and children because of what you did to him. What would my family have done without me?”

  “You didn’t die, Meggie, so get over it,” Kendall told her, her eyes blazing with anger and desolation. “You’ve always turned your back on me. You could’ve stood up for me and gotten me what I wanted, but—”

  “Enough, Kendall,” Roxy ordered. “I’m not listening to this bullshit another minute. For somebody who supposedly is sorry, you have a fucked-up way of showing it.”

  “I am sorry, Roxy, but that doesn’t matter to her. Do you hear all the vile things she’s saying to me?”

  “Omigod, you’re such a moron,” Meggie said on a groan.

  “My hair happens to be fiery red, not precious golden blonde, which means I have a very high IQ.”

  “In a minute you’re going to have a very broken nose, after I punch you,” Meggie snapped.

  “See?” Kendall pointed at her. “She’s threatening me, Roxy.”

  “I’m about to fuck you up myself,” Roxy fumed, glaring at Kendall before huffing out a breath and gazing at Meggie. “Baby, listen to me. I know I’m asking a lot of you. But we need to get those boys back on even ground. This has the potential to fuck up the entire club.”

  It also had the potential to get Mortician killed, since he’d assisted with the cover-up. Megan couldn’t allow Mortician to face retribution because of a decision she’d made.

  “What do you want me to do?” she asked quietly.

  “Besides going upstairs and resting?” Roxy said. “I want you to plan your Valentine’s Day Ball.”

  Meggie didn’t need to guess how Roxy had found out about the ball.

  “It’ll give the boys something else to focus on,” Roxy continued. “We can have our first meeting tomorrow night.”

  Meggie wasn’t in the mood to plan any type of event. Maybe, when she was feeling better and her son and husband realized she was fine, she could turn her focus away from this latest disaster-in-the-making. God, no! She had to forge forward. Get through this…get over it. She didn’t have the luxury of wallowing in anger, self-pity, or fear. She had to take care of Christopher and set everything right. Part of her responsibility was making sure she didn’t come between him and his club because he loved it so much. Therefore, she’d agree to Roxy’s suggestion.