“You’re so fucking right,” Johnnie agreed coldly. “Which makes me think I should turn you into Outlaw.”
“Johnnie,” Kendall gasped, paling, her eyes widening. “You wouldn’t.”
“You’re the mother of my children. The woman I’ve loved from the first moment I laid eyes on you, but that doesn’t seem to be enough.” It never had been. Kendall’s mind was always working and that kept her unsettled and unhappy. He didn’t know if it was her illness that made her that way or her personality. “I’ve put my life on the line for you and your antics. Even that isn’t enough. Why? Because you’re vain, self-centered, jealous, and overbearing.”
Rage blanketed her face and she rushed him, shoving his shoulder. “I’m none of those things. All I want is a goddamn second chance to prove myself. This was the only way to do it. To show Christopher…”
“Shut the fuck up, Kendall. Keep it the fuck up and we’ll have Outlaw not Christopher. You would’ve shown Outlaw and then he would’ve shown you.”
Kendall stared at him, her anger deserting her. She burst into tears. “That’s the problem, Johnnie. His mean unpredictability has you intimidated. He has a fucking split personality. We all know it! His Dr. Jekyll side is reasonable. Mr. Outlaw Hyde would make an example of you just to get back at me. He wouldn’t care that I was pregnant or—”
“I’m through fucking around with you. Christopher wouldn’t kill only me. He’s at his most dangerous right now. I’d say he’s been pretty fucking forgiving, considering. But he fucking hates you. This would give him the impetus he needs to blow you the fuck away. You’re trying to destroy his marriage.”
“Fuck him! He destroyed my career.”
“Jesus! If Fee hadn’t come to me, you’d continue on your suicide mission.”
“She’s pathetic. She’s in such need of a fucking friend, she’d do anything I asked of her.”
“I can’t fucking believe you!” Why couldn’t he? This was classic Kendall, using someone else’s weakness for her own gain. “All Fee wanted to do was help you and you played her.”
“I was right to, wasn’t I? She wasn’t loyal to me. Almost everyone betrays me. Charlotte is right—”
“About that fucking bitch.”
Kendall gasped. “How dare you!”
“As of this minute, you’re no longer having any contact with the Reddings. Brooks or Charlotte.”
“You can’t fucking make me!”
“The fuck I can’t. I’m not letting you risk my life, your life, or the baby you’re carrying. I got shot once on your behalf. It’s not fucking happening again. I refuse to allow you to dig my fucking grave with your bullshit.”
Marching to him, Kendall snatched Matilda from him, not caring that the baby had fallen asleep. Matilda released a furious wail.
“Stop acting like a mean bitch and remember you’re this child’s mother. Don’t take out your anger toward me on her.”
“She’s mine. Just as Rory is. I love you, Johnnie, but you won’t keep me prisoner and keep me from my friends.”
“We have children to raise. To do that we have to be fucking alive. You’ve had other offers for positions. If you want to work, consider other options. In how many different ways do I have to tell you, YOU’RE NOT WORKING FOR BROOKS EVER AGAIN?” he snarled, at wit’s end. “You’re playing a fucking dangerous game.”
“Fuck you,” she spat, yet again. “Maybe, I should take the children and leave until you come to your senses.”
Johnnie stilled, not quite believing she was threatening to walk away again. They’d been down this road once and she knew it devastated him, so she thought to hold it over his head. “Walk the fuck away and we’re through.”
“As if,” she sneered. “You said that before.”
If she wanted to play hardball, he’d have to do the same. “Try me, Kendall. Leave and it’s over. I’ll divorce you and get custody of my children.”
“You…you wouldn’t take the kids from me?” she asked in a small voice.
“Oh, I would if you leave. Defy me and fuck with Brooks and Charlotte if you want. I’ll fucking kill Brooks, box his goddamn head up and send it to Charlotte as a gift. She’s the bitch responsible for your current state. By the way, get back on your fucking medicine. If you don’t, I might still kill Brooks.”
Her face crumpled and her tears started again. This time, she was really crying. Brooks was like a father to her.