“I need to call my brother,” Daphne interjected in a shaky voice. “I…this isn’t fun anymore.”
“Oh, shut up,” Kendall snapped, glaring at her. “And cover up. You’re fucking disgusting.”
“He threatened to kill me.” Daphne sniffled. “And you. He was going to kill both of us. Doesn’t that frighten you?”
“No! I just want my goddamn job back,” Kendall said on a whisper.
“Well, you can’t get it back if you’re dead,” Daphne sobbed. “I’m telling him the truth. I’ve never been in a serious relationship, but I’d be as crushed as Meggie was if I thought a man I believed in was cheating.”
“Suppose I tell Johnnie what you’re doing?” Stretch asked, unable to believe what he’d just witnessed.
“What’s that?” Kendall demanded.
“Fee told me everything,” he said, “including your blackmail, so cut the bullshit.”
“How about this? You tell Johnnie what I’m doing. Blackmailing Fee, for instance. You’ll have to share with him why she’s in her predicament. You think he’ll be happy? You think Outlaw won’t find out? Yeah, Johnnie would be angry with me, but he’d forgive me. You’d be too dead to know. So tell away.”
Stretch glowered at her. Her threat was almost word-for-word the one she’d given to Fee. She meant what she said.
Folding her arms, Kendall smiled nastily. “Charlotte Redding says, I have to take matters into my own hands. So if you don’t want Outlaw to find out that you and Cash brought this slut to the park because you both fucked Fee and Slipper saw her with you, you’ll shut the fuck up.”
“It’ll be your word against mine,” he said, scowling at Daphne, not appeased by the shame crossing her face. “You fucking sold us out to her.”
“I had to resort to drastic fucking measures just for Meggie to believe he’d fuck over her,” Kendall said with disgust. “Fuck, the stupid little bitch is so fucking hard-headed where he’s concerned. I’ve tried my best to educate her, but stupidity can’t be overcome.”
Stretch breathed in and out, to keep from taking Outlaw’s place and choking Kendall. Despite having heard Kendall’s reasons from Fee, Stretch still couldn’t believe her calm explanation. Maybe, stupidity couldn’t be overcome, but it could be silenced.
“Kendall, just take the job at that other company,” Daphne pleaded. “Working for Brooks isn’t worth all the trauma you’re causing. You’re breaking both Meggie and Outlaw. Cash said you’re wrong about Meggie anyway. I-I mean this campaign you’re on to make everyone lose respect for her seems dangerous after witnessing Outlaw’s wrath. Cash said—”
“Fuck Cash, Daphne,” Kendall ordered. “He’s in the same position as Stretch and Fee. At my mercy. If they play along with me, I keep their secret. Otherwise…”
Otherwise, they were fucked. Kendall would continue on with Johnnie, living her version of happily-ever-after, while chunks of Cash and Stretch would be buried all over.
“Daphne, you have to tell him the truth,” Stretch told her. They might not be able to say anything, but Daphne could.
“Um, no.” Kendall laughed with glee. “Arrow planted dear little Daphne because he was a fucking jackass. Although her brother means the club no harm, Arrow didn’t know that at the time. Imagine what Outlaw would think if he heard that. Besides, she’s already taken money from me to fuck with Meggie. He wouldn’t be happy at hearing that.”
“So you’re not fucking with club enemies?” he asked, then he released a bitter chuckle. “Why should you? You’re the fucking enemy.”
“Fuck you,” she spat. “I’m enemy to no one as long as they stay the hell out of my way. I’d never, ever betray Johnnie or the club by fraternizing with rivals. My loyalties belong with Johnnie.”
“No, your loyalties are with you,” Stretch said.
She shrugged. “That’s a given.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m going to fix this, okay? Does that make you feel better? Cash’s schemes gave me this idea, so if you want to blame anyone, blame him.” She looked at Daphne. “Come on. You have to leave before the barbarian returns.”
As Stretch watched Kendall sail away, he hoped Meggie held onto her tiny belief that her husband would never cheat. That must’ve been the reason she’d stayed today. No matter what Outlaw had asked of her—how he’d asked it—if she’d felt otherwise, she would’ve left.
Fee leaned back on the sofa in Meggie’s den, trying her best to relax, though this was the last place she wanted to be. Guilt at knowing of Kendall’s deception ate at Fee. With Kendall there, acting as if nothing was wrong, and Meggie looking so unhappy, while trying to play it off by smiling and talking, shot Fee’s nerves.
For some reason, she thought of Stretch, and those long lashed, blue eyes of his that held such sadness and regret. No one saw him as a threat. She doubted even Christopher would’ve balked at her having a relationship with Stretch, if he didn’t already know how Stretch felt about Cash. That would be Christopher’s sticking point with Stretch and her being together, in a one-on-one relationship. Add in another person…Fee shifted, the conversation from the other women floating over her head. All the noise—the boisterous kids running through the house, the hum of the men’s conversation echoing from the opened door of Christopher’s mancave, the music Meggie loved—seemed to be incidental background noise compared to her raging thoughts and her need to look at her relationship as others would see it.
Polyamorous.
Definitely frowned upon.
God! What happened when she wanted a ring on her finger? All before, she’d thought to marry Cash. Now, that wasn’t fair or feasible. Marriage would give an unfair advantage to two of them. Legally. Emotionally. Every way.
Fee sighed. She could frame it however she wanted—triad, polyamorous, more than one, ménage-a-trois, alternative—most people would just call it immoral, wrong, and disgusting. They wouldn’t consider all the ramifications to her decisions. They would judge.
Christopher wouldn’t be one of those self-righteous asses, but he wouldn’t approve. He wanted to protect her. Especially from Cash.
Cash’s arrogance was kind of off-the-charts. The man needed a little humility. Yet, he wouldn’t be Cash if he didn’t have that big ego.
Thinking of Cash and Stretch led Fee to the other reason why she wanted to be someplace else. Sooner or later, they’d arrive, and she’d have to pretend to be surprised at Cash’s injuries.
She reminded herself that her brother was furious, and on the right trail, as usual. All he’d need was one tidbit about her presence and he’d somehow use his uncanny ability to figure out all her secrets. His sixth sense must’ve saved him many times, dooming all who crossed him.
Would he kill her for her betrayal and lies?
No, Christopher wouldn’t hurt family members. He’d ostracize them, but not murder.
She was also so worried that Cash and Stretch hadn’t forgiven her for outing them to Kendall. She didn’t know how to make it up to them, especially since they wouldn’t answer her calls or texts. How would they treat her when they saw her? Hopefully, not any more dismissive as usual. She didn’t know if she could take them completely ignoring her, but what choice would she have?
“Are you all right?”
At Kendall’s question, Fee threw her a tense smile.
“Yeah, Fee, you’ve been rather quiet all evening,” her sister said, searching her face.
Fee stretched the hem of her pleated mini dress, worn for Cash and Stretch. She was insane like that, wanting to go undetected by Christopher and still tempt her guys. Get them to forgive her.
Her eyes following Fee’s nervous movements, Kendall smirked.
“I’m fine,” Fee said defensively, not sounding fine at all.
“Has anyone seen Cash and Stretch tonight?” Kendall asked, sipping from the drink Meggie made.
Heat suffused Fee’s face at Meggie, Zoann, and Bailey’s frowns. They might’ve been confused, but Kendall was s
till taunting Fee.
“You, Meggie?” Kendall pressed.
Meggie cocked her head to the side, suspicion in her eyes. “No. Why? Do you need them for anything?”
“I was just asking. All the guys are here, even Digger. It’s sweet that he’s upstairs with Bunny as she’s looking after Ryder for you.” Kendall gulped more of the frozen pink drink. “Never really one of us, right? We’re all here enjoying ourselves and she’s upstairs babysitting. I don’t know what I’d do without Charlotte. She sent Jane and Ella to me. She’s the only one I can count on through thick and thin. Some people leave town, go back to New Orleans, and forget I exist.”
“Leave Momma out of this, Kendall. I haven’t heard from her in weeks,” Bailey said sharply. “I’ve called her. Lucas has, too. Grandma says she’s busy, so lay off.”
“I’ve tried her, too,” Meggie added. “I talked to her, once, two weeks ago, for five minutes. She said she’d call me back and hasn’t yet.”
“Five minutes?” Kendall sneered. “She talked to me for one minute before saying she’d call me back. Obviously, she’s had time if she talked to you, Meggie.”
“Lay off the Pink Panties, Kendall,” Zoann advised, referring to Meggie’s drink of pink lemonade, vodka, ice, and cool whip. “You’re fucking smashed if you see a problem with that.”
“I agree. I haven’t spoken to my mother in at least a month, and I’m not begrudging her talking to Meggie.” Worry crossed Bailey’s face before she held up her nearly empty glass and attempted a smile. “I need a refill of my drink. This is so delicious.”
Fee picked up on Bailey’s attempt to change the subject. “It looks like a strawberry milk shake.”
Grinning, Meggie stood and took Bailey’s glass. She went to the blender on the bar and buzzed it on for a quick second to mix in the layer of foam that had floated to the top. Once she refilled all of their glasses, she turned on the second blender to repeat the process with her drink, Pink Panties minus the alcohol. Or, as Fee called it, Pink Pantlettes.
Kendall gazed at Meggie through her lashes. “I would’ve thought you’d be gone after the way Outlaw humiliated you yesterday.”
Unable to believe Kendall, Fee gave her an incredulous look.
“I wasn’t humiliated,” Meggie snapped. “Besides, whatever I was is between Christopher and me.”
“I’m so concerned about you,” Kendall insisted. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You can shut the fuck up.” Zoann drained her glass. “That would help a lot.”
Twirling her hair, Kendall made a face at Zoann.
“I admire your unyielding faith in Christopher.” Zoann tapped Meggie’s foot with her toes. She relaxed on the chaise lounge part of the sectional, with Zoann stretched out near her, and Bailey at the other end. Kendall curled up on the love seat and Fee occupied the recliner. Pine floors, taupe colored walls with white molding, built-in bar, and pretty furniture blended Meggie’s feminine side with Christopher’s masculine tastes.
“In the same situation, I might’ve cut Val’s dick off, then debated on his guilt or innocence.”
Fee knew that, despite how much her big sister adored the man she’d married. Hearing that let Fee know she’d chosen the right couple for Kendall’s schemes. Zoann would never have shown Val the trust Meggie had with Christopher.
“I also want to thank you,” Zoann went on, then bowed her head. “You’re the only one who’s ever stuck by him through thick and thin. The only one who’s ever had such unconditional love and loyalty to him.”
Exactly what Fee wanted with Cash and Stretch, though she feared she’d never have it.
“We could all take lessons from the two of you,” Fee added before Meggie responded.
“Maybe, you can,” Kendall said crisply. “But I have no need to. Johnnie and I are writing our own love story, by our own rules, without having to look to anyone else for pointers.”
“We all are perfect for our husbands,” Meggie chimed in. “Kendall, you and Johnnie were made for each other. You’re both so tall and beautiful. Sharp and snarky.”
“Of course we are,” Kendall said, drinking again. “that’s why he belongs to me and me alone. I have the look and height of a mature woman, instead of resembling a thirteen-year-old waif who’s been used by a barbaric pervert.”
Anger flashed across Meggie’s face and she narrowed her eyes. Fee swore she heard her teeth grinding.
“Of course, look at Daphne,” Kendall continued. “She’s stunning, with the face and body of a grown-up. That’s why she was noticed.”
“Kendall, stop,” Bailey told her. “Meggie is about to lose it, so back off.”
“Yeah, Kendall.” Fee rose to her feet and went to her, attempting to take the drink out of her hand, but was met with resistance. “Come on. You’ve had enough. This is making you very confrontational.”
“As opposed to when?” Meggie asked sweetly.
“Exactly,” Zoann said. “You have more patience than me, Meggie. I’m ready to fuck her up and she isn’t even addressing me.”
“Sit down, Ophelia!” Kendall ordered, keeping a firm hold on the drink. “I’m not a fucking child. I can drink however much I’d like.”
Fee wasn’t even sure why she was attempting to help Kendall, with the way she was holding Fee’s feet to the fire and teasing her with the knowledge. Sighing, Fee went back to her seat.
“This Daphne incident just reminds me how important it is to keep the fire alive in my marriage. Keep myself up. Always be there for Christopher. I’m so glad we’re best friends, and know each other so well.”
“If the sex is as hot between the two of you as it is between me and Lucas, then you don’t have to worry. Ever,” Bailey said with an impish laugh.
Meggie nodded. “I put him first as much as possible. If I can’t because of the kids, I find a way to make it up to him or make him think he’s first.”
To Fee, she didn’t sound like an unsatisfied woman. Not the way Kendall painted the picture.
“Do you ever tell him no?” Bailey asked. “The way Outlaw makes it sound, you two do it a lot.”
“Every day,” Meggie agreed with a bright smile. “At least in the morning and at night.”
Zoann lifted a brow. “How do you still walk? Christopher opened the door once, stark naked, so, um, I know he isn’t…”
Fee chuckled at seeing her sister blush for the first time in her life. “Oh my God! You’re beet red, Zoann,” she squealed.
Meggie turned pink, too. “No, he isn’t small,” she agreed, erupting into fits of laughter at her confession, causing the others to laugh. Even Kendall smiled.
“Val and me fuck once a day,” Zoann revealed on a happy slur, stirring her drink with a straw and slurping it up. “Rarely ever twice, unless it’s a special occasion like our anniversary or his birthday. Sometimes, I’m happy for the break during my period. Other times, I’m so horny I can’t stand it and jump on him as soon as I can. Any of you feel that way?”
“Right. Do any of you agree with that?” Kendall asked. “What about you, Fee?”
“Uh, well…” Fee floundered. She was the only one who supposedly wasn’t in a relationship. She’d kept her part of the bargain with Kendall, so why was she continually baiting her? “It’s been so long for me, I don’t remember.”
“I’m like Zoann,” Bailey said, unwittingly saving Fee. “Sometimes, I welcome the rest, especially if me and Lucas have been making love particularly vigorous.”
Eyes gleaming, Kendall focused on Meggie. “What about you, Mrs. Caldwell?”
“That time of the month for me doesn’t deter Christopher,” she announced with pride. “At first, I thought it was…” Her voice trailed off and she scrunched her nose, giving away her feelings in wordless communication. “Now, I crave him as much as he craves me, and want it just as much.”
“What do you want?” Kendall asked. “Tongue? Dick? What?”
“Whatever he’s willi
ng to give me,” Meggie answered, making all of them erupt into laughter again.
This time, Kendall glowered. “What do you think he gives Daphne?” she speculated, the question halting the fun.
“Nothing,” Meggie snarled. “If you insist on accusing my husband of something I don’t believe he’s done, please leave.”
“You left in tears yesterday,” Kendall said without remorse. “If you believe he’s innocent, why cry?”
Fee’s heart sank at hearing Kendall’s games with Daphne had once again reduced Meggie to tears. Confessing would end the uncertainty.
Fee could…The reason for Kendall’s taunts dawned on her. She must’ve known Fee would be plagued with bouts of conscience. Her statements were subtle warnings to stay silent or suffer the consequences.
“Hearing about Daphne shook me a little,” Zoann admitted, all traces of drunkenness gone.
The revelation made Fee feel even worse. Kendall should’ve been ashamed of herself, but the satisfaction in her eyes told Fee she wasn’t.
“Val loves to have his cock sucked. Suppose he would’ve decided a blow job wasn’t cheating?”
“Val wouldn’t betray you, just like Lucas wouldn’t with me,” Bailey said. “That isn’t to say I wasn’t a little uncomfortable knowing about her. But don’t we look at and admire handsome men? The guys doing the same doesn’t mean they’ll be unfaithful.”
“I cried last night,” Meggie said softly. “When Christopher fell asleep. That card affected me the most. Seeing his handwriting and thinking what-if. What-if my husband was a cheater? What-if I didn’t know him as well as I do? What-if I didn’t trust in him enough or believe in us enough? It’s the thought of not having Christopher, as well as the idea that someone is going through a lot of trouble to damage my marriage, that is tearing me to pieces. I need to think through this. Work it all out in my head.”
“Are you a fucking masochist or an idiot?” Kendall hissed. “You slept with him last night? You opened your legs to him and—”
“And nothing,” Zoann barked. “So think about what you’re going to say next. If Meggie doesn’t escort you out, either I’ll do it myself or I’ll call Christopher and have him do it.”
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 317