Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books

by Kathryn C. Kelly

  “Scott, for one thing.”

  “Oh, Charlotte! I’m so scared Johnnie will realize Counts is Noah. I sent him to talk to Fee because we need the details for ourselves. Even if she can’t talk, she can write. But his visit has led to more problems,” Kendall sniffled.

  “Oh, my dear, my plan has stressed you out even more.” Charlotte sighed. “I’d like us to continue, but if you want me to pay off Scott and put a stop to this, we will. You can allow your husband to dominate you, and no one will ever be the wiser that you gave up all your rights in this marriage.”

  Kendall’s sharp intake of breath drowned out Fee’s. Jesus Christ! Charlotte was playing into Kendall’s fears.

  “No,” Kendall said in a small, broken voice. “We’ve gone this far. I can’t give up now, especially with Fee so badly hurt. Oh my God! This is all my fault.”

  “Stop this!” Charlotte demanded. “You’re a strong, beautiful, amazing woman. Brilliant! But you can’t foresee the future. We couldn’t have known the chain of events would lead to this.”

  “Fee can’t die. Roxy still isn’t talking to me. Zoann would just as soon kill me. Bailey stays neutral. Bunny isn’t in my league. You, Fee, and Meggie are the only ones on my side.”

  “I’ve told you before to spit on Meggie. She isn’t in your league either. She’s married to the man who shot my husband. You shouldn’t like Meggie any of the time,” Charlotte advised, apparently satisfied that Fee was asleep. “She’s disgusting, an insult to decent women.”

  “I miss Meggie. She’s still angry with me about how I accused her of sleeping with Johnnie.”

  “Don’t regret anything regarding her. You’ve been too kind to her.”

  “Charlotte, she’s my friend!” Kendall cried. “You have to stop—”

  “I’m your friend, dear,” Charlotte said with a little sniff. “I’ll give you a pass for this girl and Mr. Donovan. But none of the others. Do it my way and I’ll help you. I can lead you to the top of Portland society.”

  “You’re being so unfair. I’m not in my best frame of mind. Don’t put this type of pressure on me. I want Johnnie and…and Roxy. And Meggie. And you,” she whispered.

  “You can’t have all of us. Meggie’s husband shot mine! They both deserve whatever we can do to them.”

  “But it was my fault! I’ve ruined everything. Johnnie is so angry with me. After the scene in the shop, on top of everything else…He’s not even sleeping in our bed. He’s barely talking to me. Not even my pregnancy is garnering his sympathy.” She sniffled. “Why are you doing this to me?”

  “I want you happy.”

  “I can’t lose Johnnie. I love him. He’s my everything. I’m so confused.”

  “Leave it all to me. Understand? Just do what you’ve been doing. That Caldwell man is right where we want him. Maybe having a little difficulty with some of the other prisoners that Kyler has represented. Some of the guards Kyler knows,” she added. “He even tipped the detectives off. Not enough to have Outlaw be irrefutably guilty. Just enough to put doubt in law enforcement’s mind. Put him on the radar.”

  Kendall gasped. “Don’t get Christopher killed or locked away. That’s the last thing I want.”

  “Not killed. Just bruised and beaten. Weakened. Whether or not he’s kept in prison on other charges depends on how smart he really is.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Kyler and I know what we’re doing. He’s my son-in-law for a reason.”

  “O-okay.”

  “Don’t give in to his wife. You’re superior to her, in every way. I can’t stand what she does to you.”

  “I-I know. You’re right. Meggie has done a lot. An incredible amount of damage to my career and my marriage.”

  “Your life!” Charlotte amended. “Every time you pick yourself up, she kicks you down. I’ve always believed in you, even when you had self-esteem issues. Never forget you have people who love you dearly. She isn’t one of them.”

  “You’re right,” Kendall repeated. “Everything you’ve said is right about her. I-I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “I’m advising you the same as I’ve advised my girls. Of course, they’re ahead of you. They’ve married men worthy of them.”

  “So I shouldn’t restart my medicine? I’ve already lost my best friend being so awful. Now, I also have to renege on my promises to Johnnie.”

  “His demands are ridiculous and borderline abusive. If you allow your husband to dictate to you about anything, you’re a failure.”

  Kendall burst into tears.

  “Oh, dear, I want you happy. I do! I’m just searching for suggestions to achieve that. The same suggestions I gave to my daughters and my mother gave to me.”

  Though she kept her eyes closed, Fee felt Kendall lay her head on the edge of her bed.

  “Don’t cry anymore. Let me get you home. I’ll find that husband of yours so he could give you some TLC.”

  Fee’s heart went out to Kendall, so she lifted her hand and put it on the back of Kendall’s head.

  “S’okay,” Fee croaked.

  “Oh, Fee,” she said in a wobbly voice, lifting her head. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “S’okay,” she said again.

  “Hello, Ophelia,” Charlotte greeted in her usual unfriendly manner.

  “She still has trouble talking.”

  “We were just leaving. Come, Kendall.”

  Kendall hesitated, then kissed Fee’s forehead. “Bye, Fee,” she whispered.

  Fee wished she had the strength to comfort Kendall and make her understand how wrong Charlotte was.

  This proved that underneath her abrasiveness Kendall had a very fragile soul, one Fee was determined to protect as soon as she healed.

  Meggie sat at Outlaw’s table, looking so sad. In the two days since his release, there was no sign that her husband would follow suit any time soon.

  Johnnie had assembled as many members as possible for church, so Cash wasn’t quite sure why Meggie hung around after she and Zoann cooked and served a fabulous meal. Her job now finished. Meggie needed to take her sister-in-law’s cue and leave.

  Straightening in her seat, she looked over Cash’s shoulder. “Where’s Brooks?”

  Val glowered in the direction she stared.

  “Fuck.” Mort scrubbed a hand over his face. “Brooks playing some type of game.”

  “This is Kyler,” Johnnie introduced as he escorted a motherfucker with a high and tight haircut, to the table and nodded to Meggie. “Kyler, this is Outlaw’s wife, Megan. Update her, then we’ll address the club. If we like what we hear, you’ll leave alive.”

  “I’ve come in Brooks’ stead,” Kyler said, his attitude superior. “Brooks is tied up.”

  “Then tell him to get untied,” Meggie said evenly. “Christopher pays him a lot of money to drop everything when he’s needed.”

  “I understand you’re upset,” the attorney responded, not in the least bit hesitant after Johnnie’s announcement. Other than a moment of surprise, he remained cool and arrogant, continuing to address Meggie. “Brooks has a few minor details to work out.”

  “What details?” she asked.

  He gave her a condescending smile. “Details. Things I need to familiarize myself with. Particulars that Kendall Donovan knew about as Brooks’ co-counsel for the club. With her no longer employed in the firm, he has chosen me to replace her. If you wanted quicker legal service, it would’ve been in your best interest to keep her on.” He indicated Johnnie with his head. “Considering her husband is a high-ranking member.”

  Johnnie offered the attorney a glacial smile. “Megan, sweetheart, it’s time for you to go.”

  Without protest, she got to her feet and paused in front of Kyler. In Outlaw’s top, the hem almost reached below her knees and the sleeves covered her hands. “I haven’t slept very well since Christopher’s arrest. I miss my husband, sir,” she said quietly. “If I’m not mistaken, your words were little more than a
veiled threat. Or an ultimatum. Christopher wouldn’t like that too much. Brooks chose you for a reason, so do your job.”

  “I’m here,” Kyler returned. “Brooks wouldn’t like your threat. You see, Mr. Caldwell’s release is currently dependent on Brooks and his firm. In other words, my counsel. Unless you can find another firm willing to represent your group on such short notice?”

  Cocking her head to the side, Megan nodded. “You have me there, sir. You can’t be completely clueless about the club, right? Don’t you know any specifics?”

  Kyler took his phone from his shirt pocket and scrolled through it in wordless dismissal. “Some.”

  “Do you know me?” she pressed softly.

  Johnnie rolled his eyes. “Leave, Megan. We have to set Kyler straight.”

  “Yes, I know you,” Kyler answered, ignoring Johnnie. “You’re Outlaw’s old lady. Kind of inconsequential without him around.”

  Digger laughed without humor. “Who the fuck this motherfucker think he is?”

  Meggie swallowed, her lower lip trembling. “Christopher’s coming back.”

  “He is,” Kyler agreed, and the relief Cash felt matched the relief on Meggie’s face.

  She and the attorney faced off. He smirked at her.

  Her teary eyes narrowed. “Get my husband back to me and our kids. Or else I’ll tell Christopher that for every day he was behind bars, he puts the same number of bullets in you. Today’s his fourth day behind bars? You have two knees and two eyes. Four bullets.” Hands on hips, she leaned forward. “See where this is going?”

  Johnnie grinned and Mort puffed out his chest in pride as she used one of Outlaw’s favorite phrases.

  “There’s not many people who’d be mean enough to call me inconsequential. Actually, only two come to mind. Kendall, when she’s in her moods. And Charlotte, who hates me because I’m a biker’s wife. I’m curious to know if the hold-up is legal or personal.”

  Kyler’s face flushed, his body stiffening. “L-l-legal as far as I know.”

  A bit of hesitation entered her eyes, torn between anger and grief.

  Cash wanted to join Stretch at Fee’s side. The longer it took for the meeting to begin, the longer he’d be away from Fee. Standing, he went to Meggie.

  “Sweetness, why don’t you get to your house? Let us impress upon him how inconsequential you aren’t.”

  She looked at Outlaw’s chair, empty now that she’d stood.

  Mort came to her and drew her into his arms. “Meggie girl, Prez’ll be so proud of you. As soon as we done here, me and Digger will come and keep you company with Bailey and my kids.”

  Bunny was already at the house with Meggie’s kids.

  “I know you feel closer to him being around us motherfuckers, but we going to fix this and get your man home. Just let us take it from here.” Mort pushed her away and settled his hands on her shoulders. “Besides, you don’t threaten motherfuckers right. Instead of being unsure, you should’ve told Kyler ass what you getting Prez to do, without tears. Honestly, Meggie girl, you just need to ask one of us to do that shit now and we’ll jump to it.”

  Johnnie’s eyes brightened at the prospect and his attention snapped to Mort and Meggie. He drew out his Glock and jammed it against Kyler’s temple, scowling at the attorney’s scream. “He’s right, Megan. I can fire in more places than just his knees and his eyes.”

  “God, no!” Kyler cried.

  “Just tell me, sweetheart,” Johnnie said, almost breathless with anticipation. “Tell me to kill him and then close your eyes.”

  “Mrs. Caldwell! Please, don’t! I’m working on his case. I-I-I promise we’ll get him out.”

  “Don’t kill him, Johnnie,” she whispered. “I just wanted to light a fire under him.”

  Val snickered. “I prefer lighting him on fire.”

  The disappointment on Johnnie’s face amused the fuck out of Cash. “Sick fucker,” he chortled.

  Johnnie indicated a chair with his Glock. “You, sit,” he ordered Kyler, then pushed both Cash and Mort out of the way to get to Meggie. “Even if you threatened him only to light a fire under him, Megan, he didn’t need to know that. The key to effective intimidation is being willing to follow through or making the motherfucker in question believe you’ll go ahead. Got me?”

  “Yeah, Meggie. Prez would do this and more to get you out of shit,” Digger explained. “Nobody’ll hold it against you for doing the same.”

  “When you get to the house, call me and tell me you’re absolutely certain you want him to live,” Johnnie added. “His death is the least we can do for Christopher.”

  Horror washed over the attorney’s face, increasing when Meggie only nodded, then stumbled away.

  The moment the door closed, Johnnie’s gun returned to the side of the attorney’s head. His hand was shaking. “I want to fill your fucking head with bullets, although I like Megan’s idea better. Her way will prolong your agony.”

  “You can’t shoot the fucker now,” Cash protested, while Mortician went to the bar. “Meggie will think she ordered his execution.”

  “She didn’t!” Kyler said on a wild sob.

  “Shut the fuck up,” Johnnie barked, jiggling the gun against Kyler’s temple. “I can always tell her I accidentally pulled the trigger.”

  “No!”

  “Why Prez still in the tank?” Mort demanded, from his place behind the bar, capturing the attention of the brothers who’d been watching the entire scene unfold. “It got something to do with Charlotte?”

  “No! Brooks really....” Kyler heaved in a deep breath, his face red and splotchy from crying. “Talk to him. He sent me here to update you.”

  They all considered each other and the attorney, whose shoulders shook from the force of his tears since Johnnie hadn’t moved his gun.

  “When can you have him out?” Cash questioned, still shocked he’d gotten released and Outlaw hadn’t.

  “What’s the holdup?” Digger threw at him.

  “Shouldn’t he have made bail before Cash?” Slipper called from the back. “No offense Cash but Prez is Prez.”

  Cash waved the man off. “I agree with you. Outlaw is in more danger than I was.”

  “We’re working to get him out of general population,” Kyler blurted, then realized his mistake at the gasps of outrage.

  Mort swigged from his vodka. “Fuck, man.”

  Hearing where Outlaw was housed when Cash had been in solitary confinement sent a wave of guilt through him. He’d been in that place, almost buying into those detectives’ bullshit.

  “What if he’s killed?” Val managed. “What happens to us?”

  “What happens to Megan?” Johnnie said in a faraway tone. Without warning, he yanked Kyler up by his scalp. “Here’s what the fuck’s going to happen. If you can’t get him released, you’re getting Christopher moved today. When we visit him tomorrow, we’ll make it a point to ask him. If he’s still where the fuck he shouldn’t be, I’m going to introduce you to the meatshack, motherfucker. You’ll fucking wish I would’ve taken Meggie’s advice of four bullets with the gruesome death you’ll suffer.” Shoving the attorney away, he kicked him to the ground.

  Kyler scrambled to his feet. “I’ll move heaven and hell to have him relocated,” he promised in a faint voice.

  “You better fucking hope Prez don’t have a scratch on him, son,” Mort added.

  Not responding, Kyler almost tripped over his feet getting away from the club. Johnnie stared at the place where the man had stood, his face clouded with worry. “Meeting’s cancelled,” he said finally. “I have nothing to say.”

  “What about the Torps?” another member called. “Shouldn’t we be doing something about them?”

  Johnnie swallowed. “Yes. Kill anyone, on sight, associated with them or wearing their colors.”

  “Caldwell,” the guard’s voice traveled to Christopher as he sat alone at a table in the cafeteria, eating shit passing for food. He didn’t know Fee’s condition. He
hadn’t seen his girl or heard her voice. Nothing, and it was pissing him the fuck off that he hadn’t been sprung.

  After another four hours at the station, he’d been transported to the jail, and placed in general population. Now, four days and two fights later, he not only felt as if Brooks was fucking over him in some kind of way, he believed he wouldn’t make it out alive. One fight got a motherfucker thrown into solitary. He’d had two, none of them his fault, but he’d still engaged. The other two motherfuckers had been removed.

  He hadn’t.

  “Caldwell,” the guard called again.

  Christopher continued eating, narrowing his eyes at the motherfucker on the other side of the room, the big fuckhead amongst the prisoners.

  Without warning, his plate of food flew to the floor. “Get the fuck to your feet,” the guard demanded.

  “I understand your fuckin’ problem.” Christopher stood, looking the little motherfucker up and down. “You tryin’ to prove you a fuckin’ man and not a fuckin’ troll.”

  Gargoyle the guard smiled without humor. “Follow me.” He nodded to another guard, standing a few feet away.

  “Think you’re a big man, huh, Caldwell?” Troll-motherfucker asked, directing him to Gargoyle.

  “Ask your fuckin’ ma. Her ass’ll tell you how big I am.”

  It was low, throwing slurs on a woman he’d never met. For all he fucking knew, she might’ve been pushing up her tits six feet under. But these motherfuckers worked on his ass.

  Gargoyle shoved him, barely moving Christopher.

  “Walk,” Troll-motherfucker ordered.

  He did as instructed, aware of Gargoyle behind him. He trusted the guards as much as he did the other inmates. The corridor was long and dim, leading to the showers. He’d been avoiding those fucking showers like the plague. He’d be vulnerable. More importantly, he’d be near a fucking drain, where he could bleed to death and not make a fucking mess.

  The showers. Right the fuck where he ended up. The area was quiet right now, perfect for murder without witnesses.

  “Strip,” Troll-motherfucker said.

  Sure he’d misheard, Christopher frowned. “You out your fuckin’ mind.”