Page 214 of Relentles
Slowly, Kendall turned, surprised to find her husband inches from her.
“Tell me why Bash thinks he has a right to anything pertaining to the Dwellers, Johnnie,” she ordered. “Cee Cee Caldwell was an American Scorpion. Bash should have no claim. For that matter, neither should Meggie. She isn’t a club member.”
“Big Joe misappropriated her social security number to take out loans. By the time he died, it was free and clear of debt, but everything was still in her name. At least according to copies of the documents Bash provided. We can’t find the originals.”
As fearful of Outlaw as Brooks was, he’d probably made discreet inquiries. “Where are these copies?”
“I don’t want you involved.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I’m already involved, fucker. He wants to fucking kill me and our daughter.” She shoved him. “And,you,fuckhead, allowed both of us to traipse merrily about. You’re more concerned about protecting Meg—”
“Don’t you dare fucking finish that sentence,” he snarled. “I offered my own fucking life to save you and Mattie. Brooks was willing to confess all to Christopher, forfeit his life, for the two of you.”
Kendall stood her ground. “Johnnie, motherfucker, bastard, asshole, cocksucker,youdecided it wasn’t club business, when it clearly is.”
“I resent your name-calling.”
“I resent your fucking stupidity,” she spat. “Do you have any idea what your death would do to me? Our children?”
“Not much,” he barked, “given how you view me.”
“I view you as you act. Nothing more. Nothing less. Iloveyou, Johnnie. Outlaw would eliminate me because he’d believe I would target Meggie out of resentment. However, you’ve endangered not only Mattie, Meggie, Brooks, yourselfandme, but the entire club. They are sitting ducks, although I’m still not quite clear why Bash feels he has a claim to it.”
Sighing, she stomped to a table and snatched a hair band. Sweeping her hair into a ponytail, she secured her hair into a bun, not sure what to do with her hands.
“That was a very expensive mirror you destroyed, sir. I understand you were angry when all this came to light. I only wish you would’ve talked to me, instead of shooting the fucking mirror and then disappearing. We can…” At his wince, she trailed off.
Possibilities whirled in her mind. However…however, her husband had gone on more club business in the last year, then he had ever had. Twice a year, the brothers went on big, important runs. Other than that, Johnnie had left town on behalf of the club three times in the past decade.
Anger hit Kendall so fiercely, it made her dizzy. “You’ve known about this for over a year.”
About a week before Outlaw’s 49thbirthday, Johnnie left town and came back a different man. At the time, she hadn’t thought much of it.
“You fucking sneaky, miserable, lowdown…” She couldn’t think of a strong word to describe her husband. “How dare you? At any time, we could’ve been killed. Not youorBrooks. Fuck you both! I mean Mattie, Meggie or me. How the fuck isn’t this club business, John Peter Donovan?”
Stark pain entered his eyes, and he scrubbed a hand over his face.
“What set you off the day you left?”
He glanced away.
“Tell me, Johnnie.”
“Bash’s arrival in Hortensia,” he said quietly. “CJ came to tell me about him. Bash found the kids at Turn Creek Bridge.”
“You reacted by shooting up our house and running away?” she asked with incredulity. “Our nephew came to you for help and—”
“Don’t start. If Christopher hadn’t been dealing with Megan, CJ wouldn’t have come to me.”
“Fuckhead, hello? That goes without saying. Outlaw is the president. You, as the VP, are the next in line as the decision maker.”
“I didn’t appreciate his attitude.”
“Shocking,” she sneered. “You don’t appreciate anything in Meggie’s children.”
“I resent that.”
“I forgot when I gave a fuck whatyouresented.”
