“No problem. Do you know Kendall? Are you the one contacting my brother?”
“What do you know about the Torpedoes and the bombing?” he asked, not answering her pointed questions.
“Not much. When I heard about it, I was so worried about my brother.”
“Oh, babe. That’s the second time you’ve mentioned a brother. Is he a biker, too?”
“Yep,” she stated, noting Noah’s genuine surprise. She could’ve sworn she’d heard Meggie and Zoann say someone from his club had been trying to get in with the Dwellers. Maybe, she was mistaken. “He’s a leader, too. Christopher Caldwell. Or you might know him as—”
“Outlaw. Holy fuck,” he breathed. “You’re his sister?”
The awe and reverence in his tone shocked her. It also convinced her Noah wasn’t the man behind the calls to the club. She giggled. “He’s not a god.”
“Fuck, no, but he’s a legend.”
Without warning, Noah grabbed her and kissed her cheek. “Go out with me.”
He gave her an intense stare, one that sent a shiver down her spine. She wasn’t sure if the chill stemmed from attraction or fear.
“I’m in a relationship. Sorry. Thanks for the invitation, though. See ya.”
He didn’t try to stop her departure. Jumping in her car, she drove to Cash’s house, but the total darkness indicated his absence, so she continued on to her apartment.
Half an hour later, after getting a drink of water, Fee went to her closet to choose tomorrow’s outfit. She settled on a cute skirt and scooped neck top.
Her phone beeped and she threw her clothes on her bed, rushing to it and seeing Kendall’s name.
Two words glared at Fee. You’re fired.
Wondering what he’d find after the shouting match he and Kendall had over the telephone, Johnnie stormed into his house. The first floor was quiet, with only a dim hall light visible as he hurried down the hall to the staircase. He couldn’t fucking believe Kendall. From the day Christopher invited them back into the fold, Kendall wanted her job back. That very day, she’d asked him about it, so, of course, she’d fucking scheme to make it happen.
Growling in frustration, Johnnie threw opened their bedroom door and halted. Kendall sat on the sofa, Matilda on her shoulder, Rory’s head resting in her lap as he slept peacefully against her. She was the picture of beauty and maternal serenity. Johnnie’s heart started a frantic beat in his chest.
He loved Kendall so much, for all her wild ways. Knowing he needed to be quiet so he wouldn’t awaken his son and daughter, Johnnie went to his family and lifted his son into his arms, carrying him to his room where he laid him in his bed. He remained a moment to make sure Rory didn’t awaken, then he walked out and closed the door.
Kendall had trained Rory to sleep in complete darkness. Sometimes, though, Johnnie still worried that his son awakened in the middle of the night and was fearful when he found no light.
Back in his room, he found her still stubbornly holding Matilda. Usually, Kendall put her in her room as soon as she went to sleep, on the days Ella left early.
“I need to talk to you.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, your daughter needs my attention.”
“Matilda is asleep. Put her in her fucking room.”
“Fuck you,” she spat, high color rising in her cheeks. “I have nothing to say to you. You’ve told me everything over the phone, especially how that bitch betrayed me. I fired her by the way.”
“That’s up to you. You’re lucky she came to me instead of going to Christopher. Do you know the fucking havoc you’ve created?”
“I don’t give a fuck,” Kendall yelled, making the baby jump. “I only want my job back.”
Pacing back and forth, Johnnie thrust his fingers through his hair. “At what fucking cost? At the cost of Christopher’s marriage? At the risk of Daphne’s life?”
“I haven’t forced her to go along with me.”
Matilda released a cry and Johnnie stomped to Kendall.
“At least take responsibility for your part,” he fumed, lifting his daughter into his arms.
“Why? Because Fee came to you? What went on between me and her sister made her rat me out.”
“I’ve heard all about the fight that you fucking lied to me about.”
“Does it make a difference? Instead of defending me, you’re screaming at me. Waking our innocent baby.”
“Cut the fucking theatrics.” Johnny put Matilda on his shoulder and began to pat her back. “You had our kids in here to escape the argument you knew was coming.”
“I’m a grown fucking woman, Johnnie. I don’t need your permission to do anything, especially if it benefits me.”