“How dare I what?” Meggie asked in exasperation.
“Prevent me from chastising my son when he so clearly deserved it.”
“You were abusing him, not disciplining him, plain and simple. I’ll call Johnnie every time you do that. You either let your son act like a child in my house or else.” Meggie rubbed her temple. “You know what? Go home. I’m not in the mood for your stupidity.”
Pacing, Kendall threw Meggie a hate-filled glare. “Johnnie is my husband not yours. Do not call him as if you own him.”
Closing her eyes, Meggie heaved in a breath. “Kendall,” she started, her tone calmer. “Johnnie loves you. You’re everything he wants and needs, and so much more. You’re a beautiful, intelligent woman, and the mother of his children.” She nodded to Kendall’s stomach. “You’re pregnant again, too, so he’d never deliberately upset you. You’re his everything.”
Instead of appeasing Kendall, Meggie’s words angered her completely. “Nice little pep talk,” she sneered.
“Kendall, you’re stressing yourself out,” Stretch interjected, remembering Meggie’s words the day he’d left for Kansas City. She’d changed tactics for a go at peace.
“What do you know?” Kendall folded her arms and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “You’re too busy being gay to notice a woman.”
“Oh my god.” Meggie pointed toward the door. “Get out of my house right now. You and your narrow-minded views aren’t welcomed here until you straighten up.”
“Oh, please. You know I’m right. One day he’s fucking women. Then, his gay days come around and he’s running behind Cash.”
Stretch should’ve felt insulted or angry. He was neither. He was just fucking done. “You’re a bigot. I’d prefer if you never talked to me again.”
She blinked, real confusion entering her eyes. “A bigot? Me? Like seriously? Mortician is one of my best friends. He hugs me and everything. If I was a bigot, I wouldn’t want him to touch me. I’m the most open-minded person in the entire world.”
Meggie’s shock mirrored Stretch’s, and they exchanged glances. Kendall really believed her words.
“No, you’re the most delusional,” Meggie snapped.
Hurt crept across Kendall’s face. “I am not. How dare you accuse me of being bigoted because of what I said. I don’t comprehend how he can like women one day and men the next! I’d understand his sexuality better if he only liked one or the other. I don’t understand bisexuality.”
“It’s the same as heterosexuality,” Meggie pointed out.
Kendall frowned. “I-I…how?” She shook her head and raised her hands. “Never mind. I didn’t come here for sex education. I came to discuss you interfering with me and my son.”
“I asked you to leave,” Meggie retorted. “Since you haven’t, we’re discussing your ignorance.”
“Oh, please,” Kendall scoffed. “Stretch can fuck a monkey. I was merely making a point when he interfered in our discussion.”
“On your behalf,” Meggie shouted.
“No one does anything on my behalf. Least of all you.” She smiled in triumph. “Maybe, this will change your mind, Saint Megan.”
“Kendall,” Meggie growled.
“You deserted me and stood behind your barbarian when he insisted I give up my partnership. You want him out of jail anytime soon, you’ll tell him to allow me to go back to the firm.”
“I…what?” Meggie heaved in a deep breath, struggling to understand Kendall’s latest bullshit as much as Stretch. “What are you talking about?”
“Christopher.” She smirked. “Brooks is working out the details of an agreement that your husband has to sign if he wants to be released before his court date. Just to make sure the barbarian gets the message, Brooks hasn’t bailed him out.”
Meggie’s eyes bugged out. “Are you insane? No, is Brooks insane? Christopher will kill him.”
Grabbing her cell phone, she slid it across the counter toward Kendall. Not moving to catch it, she allowed it to fall to the ground.
“Call him,” Meggie demanded as she picked her phone up, checked the screen, then held it out to Kendall. “Tell him this is a suicide mission.”
“No. If Brooks doesn’t get me my job back, Charlotte’s leaving him. He loves his wife more than he cares about some silly threat.” Kendall shoved Meggie’s hand away with such force, she stumbled back. “Outlaw won’t do a fucking thing. Always threatening and never following through. He’d kill a stupid bitch like Daphne. She’s expendable. He’d never touch me. He thinks he’s so smart, but he’s at Brooks’ mercy. My mercy.”
“He better agree before he’s injured in a freak accident. Showers can be a dangerous place for assholes.” She chuckled. “Literal and figurative ones.”
“Get out of my house, Kendall, and don’t ever come back,” Meggie ordered. “You and I have had our differences, but you will not screw over my husband.”
“What are you going to do?” Kendall shoved Meggie. “Hit me? I fucking dare you. I’m the pregnant one. Me, alone, so I have the advantage.”
“Do you? You don’t know what I am. It’s been weeks since you’ve been civil to me.” Glowering, Meggie pushed Kendall with all her might. “By the way, don’t ever dare me again. Pregnant or not.”
“Are you fucking serious?” Kendall gasped, staring at Meggie’s stomach. “No way are you pregnant again.”
“Kendall…oomph!” Meggie reeled back at Kendall’s vicious punch to her midsection.
“Fuck!” Stretch rushed forward, managing to catch Meggie before she hit the floor. “Are you out of your fucking mind, Kendall? Suppose she is pregnant?”
“Then she won’t be much longer, will she?” Kendall scooted around them. “If you want your precious Christopher to see the light of day anytime soon, he’ll let me have my job back.”
Stretch ignored Kendall’s words as he helped Meggie back to her stool. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, her mouth tight with pain. “Give me a few minutes.”
“You want some more, Meggie?” Kendall taunted. “Come at me like a fucking woman.”
Standing, Meggie breathed in deep, staring at Kendall’s smirk. Without warning, she balled up her fist and punched Kendall’s jaw. Once again, Stretch was shocked. Not as much as Kendall, however. They stared at each other before Meggie punched her again.
Kendall reeled back, tears forming in her eyes. Holding her stomach, Meggie stumbled back to her stool.
“Get out of my house,” she puffed out.
Stretch smiled and offered Kendall a two-fingered salute as she ran away, a sob floating in her wake.
Meggie had taken care of Kendall pretty good. Outlaw would be so proud of her. Stretch was. But he also knew she’d never tell her husband. He’d really kill Kendall. However, Johnnie should know.
“Do you want me to tell Johnnie?”
“No. I’ll deal with Kendall myself. First, I need to talk to Charlotte.” She drew in a deep breath and pressed her fingers against her belly. “I’m going to call her to let her know I’m heading to her house to talk to her. Can you bring me?”
“Of course.”
Neither of them spoke on the drive to Charlotte’s house, later that afternoon, since the woman claimed she wouldn’t be home until then. Now, Meggie blew through more than one yellow light, her foot heavy on the pedal. She must’ve been taking lessons in speed from her husband. Or, maybe, the urgency of the matter had her driving so fast, handling her VW Beetle like a race car driver.
“You don’t have to come in,” Meggie said when she screeched to a halt along the circular driveway. “I won’t be long.”
Kendall had already punched Meggie and she was in cahoots with Charlotte. They were both insane enough to kidnap Meggie to force Outlaw’s hand.
“I’m not leaving your side,” Stretch promised as she rang the doorbell.
A moment later, a maid answered the door, and gave them a snooty once-over. Behind her, the fine appointments of the house made Stretch tens
e up. He wore his cut. Everything he’d heard about Charlotte Redding from Fee made him think she wouldn’t want him near her.
“I’ll see if Mrs. Redding is in,” the woman said sharply.
“She knows I’m coming!” Meggie declared, to no avail. The maid slammed the door in her face and left them standing in the drizzle.
Stretch felt sorry for his Prez’s girl, doubting she’d get any satisfaction from such a formidable woman. As tired and harassed by Kendall as Meggie was, Charlotte would squash her hopes.
The door reopened, revealing the same sour-faced woman. “Follow me,” the maid said.
She led them to a room with deep orange walls. Light yellow décor softened the effect of the interesting color.
“That’ll be all,” Charlotte called to the maid, crossing her legs, not bothering to stand up.
Meggie shifted from foot to foot. “Charlotte.”
“Hello, Meggie.”
Sighing at the imperious tone, Meggie scampered to the couch closest to where Charlotte sat in a winged back chair.
She assessed Stretch, her lip curling, before she scowled at Meggie. “I don’t recall offering you a seat.”
“I don’t recall asking for one,” Meggie snapped back, raising her hands in supplication. “I’ll get right to the point. Brooks is the club’s attorney. That means he has to represent the members if one of them is in trouble. Please allow him to do so without threat of divorce. He loves you.”
“He can represent whoever he’d like in the club, except your husband.” She smiled. “Unless Kendall returns to the firm.”
“That’s not happening.”
“Then I guess your husband doesn’t need my husband’s services. He’s the reason my sweet Kendall is suffering so deeply. Him and her husband, who had the audacity to give her an ultimatum.”
“Kendall is very fragile. How dare you do this to her.”
“I’m not doing anything to her, but reminding her she’s better than a bunch of filthy bikers. Smarter than a little two-bit hussy like you. How dare me? How dare any of you think you’re good enough to order her around. You should be kissing her ass for even deeming to talk to you.”
Meggie got to her feet. “It was a mistake coming here.”
“At least you’re bright enough to figure that out.”
“Right.” Meggie stared at Stretch.
Sympathizing with her desperation, he shrugged, not knowing what else to do.
Shoulders slumped, she started forward, then halted. “How much do you love Brooks?”
“Very much. Not that it’s any concern of yours.”
“Would you say you have a decent lifestyle?”
Lifting her brow, Charlotte glanced around. “More than decent.”
“Brooks must have huge policy on himself. By not representing Christopher, he’s betraying the club. You see, as uneducated and filthy as we are, we live by a code. One your husband’s familiar with since he readily accepts the retainer my husband pays him. I don’t recall you telling him to decline that money unless Kendall returns to work. Sooo, I guess you’ve betrayed the club, too. And, since Christopher is locked away, I’ll just have to bring my grievances to Johnnie.” Meggie smiled at her and narrowed her eyes. “Do you really want that?”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I would. You either pick up that phone and tell Brooks to drop everything to get my husband out of jail or I’m going to Johnnie.”
“What makes you think he doesn’t already know? How did you find out?”
“Kendall bragged to me,” Meggie answered simply.
“I must have a word with her.”
“Do that. Thank her for saving your lives.”
“Get out.”
“Call Brooks.”
“No.” Charlotte grabbed her cell phone from the table and dropped it in her lap. “Kendall will rejoin that firm.”
“And Brooks will get killed,” Meggie returned. “Kendall has had offers that doubles her pay. You’re the one blocking her. If not for your bad advice, she might be happy somewhere else right now. All you’re doing is bringing out what’s in the back of her mind. Nothing that’s good for her. If you really care about her, back off.”
“I care about her as if she were my daughter. There are times when women have to take a stand against the injustices of their husbands. I’m merely instructing her on how to do that.”
A look of annoyance crossed Meggie’s features, then she indicated the phone in Charlotte’s lap with a sweep of her hand. “Call your husband.”
“We can go through this all afternoon for all I care. Until you tell me your husband will give in to Kendall’s demands, I’m not budging.”
Stomping back to the couch, Meggie plopped down and folded her arms. “Stretch, please call Johnnie and explain the situation. Then call Cash and ask him to talk to Sloane. His attorneys might agree to represent Christopher at such short notice. Charlotte, start thinking about the outfit for your husband’s funeral.”
As she spoke the last sentence, she turned her head, allowing Stretch to see how much she hated to make such a threat. At any minute, he expected her to apologize and make a hasty exit.
“Call Johnnie,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Are you sure?” he asked. Essentially, she was ordering Brooks’ death.
Swallowing, Meggie sidled a hopeful glance to Charlotte. Seeing Meggie’s paleness, Charlotte sat unmoved. Nose reddening and panic in her eyes, Meggie waited. After a couple of minutes of silence and Charlotte smirking, Meggie’s chin wobbled and a tear slid down her cheek. “Send Johnnie after Brooks.”
Admiring her determination, Stretch nodded and got his cell phone.
Charlotte widened her eyes and straightened. “Fine! I’ll call Brooks! But know this. I don’t intend to lose where my family is concerned, Meggie.” She dialed her husband’s number, then sniffed as he answered. “Brooks?” she began.
“Speakerphone,” Meggie ordered.
Huffing, Charlotte put the call on speaker. “Are you there?”
“I’m here, Charlotte,” Brooks said in a tired voice.
“Please forgive me, darling. Of course you’re free to represent Outlaw. If—”
“Brooks?” Meggie interrupted. “Whatever you’re doing, stop and go to Christopher. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to get Johnnie’s help.”
Brooks choked. “Not necessary, Meggie. I talked to Johnnie yesterday. Now that you’ve spoken to my wife, we’re all on the same page. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“There won’t be any repercussions for Brooks, right?” Meggie asked Charlotte. “No threatening divorce or kicking him out? Nothing of the sort?”
Charlotte threw her a dirty look.
“I tried to explain the dynamics to her myself,” Brooks said, the background noise indicating fast movements. The squeak of a chair as it banged against a desk. The snap of briefcase locks. “She thought sending Outlaw a note with her demands would work in Kendall’s favor.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Outlaw shot me once.”
“Maybe, it’s time to rethink your position in the club,” Meggie said, “if you can no longer handle the tasks Christopher gives to you.”
“That’s not necessary, Meggie,” Charlotte said quickly. “I still haven’t completed my renovations.”
Meggie lifted a brow at her, then exchanged a glance with Stretch. “Right.”
“You won’t involve Johnnie?” Brooks sounded desperate.
“Not if I don’t have to.”
“Nor does Outlaw have to know about this small hiccup,” he pressed.
To Stretch’s way of thinking, this was a big hiccup. He’d threatened to leave Outlaw in jail, without the benefit of private counsel.
“Small?” Meggie repeated incredulously. “We have very different definitions of what a small hiccup is.”
“Meggie, please. Please, Meggie. If either Outlaw or Johnnie gets a small idea that you were desperate enough to threat
en me with Johnnie…God! They’ll kill me, anyway.”
“I want my husband home,” Meggie said quietly. “You get him back to the clubhouse by tonight, I’ll keep this to myself.”
“It’s nearly four.”
“Not my problem. You should’ve been doing your job in the first place. Call the mayor, the governor, the president. Whoever. Call in every favor you have to. Do your job and get. Christopher. Home.”
“Give him until tomorrow morning,” Charlotte inserted, finally picking up on the gravity of the situation and losing some of her attitude. “I was out of line. Please don’t have him killed.”
“That was never my intention,” Meggie said with some regret. “I came here to talk to you. Honestly, I never considered telling Christopher or Johnnie until our argument.”
“Then it was just a threat?” Charlotte asked, hope springing in her eyes.
“No. My husband’s freedom is on the line. If I have the choice between him or anyone else, it’s always him. I’ll do whatever is required of me to protect him and save him.” She lifted her chin. “I don’t lose where my family is concerned. Good day, Charlotte.” She looked at Stretch. “Let’s go,” she said, and stalked away.
A blanket of clouds covered the night sky. Any minute, Christopher expected rain to fall. The air blowing through the a/c in Brooks’ Benz smelled damp. In the two days since he’d killed assfuck and was moved to solitary confinement, he’d had a lot of time to think. Moments where he thought he’d be in for a while. He’d ache for Megan, wanting to see her and touch her. Hear her voice.
One day longer and he would’ve given in to his need to call her. Not trusting motherfuckers not to use conversations against him, if they were recorded, Christopher refrained. Recorded conversations could also be used to break Megan, and that he wouldn’t risk.
Being locked away was a hazard of the job, one he’d always sworn never to put himself in for Megan’s sake. That he had, pissed him off all the more. After her performance in the interrogation room, Christopher knew Megan would make him proud, even if he had major prison time ahead.
He’d resigned himself to another night in jail and without Megan in his arms, when he’d heard his name called and expected a variation of the shower shit. That hadn’t been the fucking case. He’d finally made bail.
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 350