Page 218 of Relentles
“Wouldn’t we have the same problem, sweetheart? We couldn’t trust that Bash wouldn’t go back on his word.”
Sighing, Kendall walked to the table where her laptop sat. “This is so fucking bad, Johnnie.”
“It is. However, I forbid your involvement.”
She swirled around. “Oh, no, fuckhead. I’m already fucking involved. My child’s life is at stake. And this isn’t club business. Remember? It’s fucking personal.”
“If I can get Megan out of the picture for a few months, I can buy time.”
“You’ve tried that. It hasn’t worked.”
“Kendall—”
“Where is this Rack, and does he have heirs?”
“You know who Rack is, Kendall. His fucking picture is on the Freebird wall. I think he had a son, but I don’t know if he’s dead or alive. If he is alive, then, yes, Willard would have a claim, too.”
“Willard? Isn’t there a Willard that’s enrolled at Ridge Moore?”
Johnnie shrugged. “Willard and Wallace Byrd.”
Kendall closed her eyes, trying to recall the information on Rack’s plaque.Byrd?Free…bird? Fuck. It. All. “Wasn’t Rack’s given name Wallace? Wally Burt? Or…?”
The color dropped from Johnnie’s face. “Wallace Bart. Yes, Wallace and Willard Byrd are enrolled, but they can’t be connected…”
“That much fucking coincidence doesn’t exist in the world! Wallace and WillardByrd?” At his blank look, she rolled her eyes and folded her arms. “Freebird, Johnnie.”
“No.”
“Yes,” she hissed. She grabbed her cellphone. “I have to call Meggie and alert her.”
Johnnie rushed to her and snatched the phone away. “No! No. Not yet. Hear me out.”
“Do you want us to fucking die? It isn’t a coincidence those boys are at the school at the same time Bash is circling. All the kids are in danger.”
“They may be the key to solving the dilemma, Kendall.”
“Johnnie—”
“You have to trust me.”
“Johnnie, please,” she said, despair replacing her anger. “Please. I…we’ve all been so happy. We’ve been a family. Roxy loves me like a daughter. Not only is Meggie my friend, but she’s like a sister. Bunny. Fee. Zoann. Bailey. You have been a good father and a loving husband.” Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she sniffled. “Please, don’t risk your life,ourlives, the family we’ve built. I’m begging you. If you don’t want me involved, I won’t be. I’ll do anything if you just let me tell Meggie about Wallace and Willard.Please.”
“Everything may spill out.”
“You’re risking Brooks and Charlotte too.”
“Brooks involved himself on his own. I offered to take over without him.”
“He’s afraid of Outlaw and you. Rightfully so, asshole! If he tips his hand and Outlaw finds out against your orders, you’ll kill him. If Outlaw finds out by accident, he’ll kill him instead of just sending him to the fucking meatshack.”
Johnnie threw her a dark look. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“The paper trail.” She swiped at her tears, frustrated. “Are there any notarized documents? If so, in what state? Can you see court instrument numbers on any of the papers? Were there any attorneys involved? Are they still in practice? Some of what you’re describing might be public records, though I’m sure Brooks would hesitate to dig too deep for fear that the club have contacts who would alert Outlaw.”
The admiration on Johnnie’s face relieved her slightly and she smiled, though she was still heartsore.
“Thank you, gorgeous. You’ve given me new hope.”
