Misfit(17)

Rory squealed and hopped up and down. “CJ, CJ, CJ,” he chanted.

Ella held out her hand. “Come, Mr. Rory. Let’s find you suitable clothes.”

“Johnnie likes him in jeans. Remember?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ella responded and escorted Rory out.

Kendall grabbed a bottle of water from the edge of her desk and drank. “Did you finish RSVP’ing?”

Guilt ate at Fee for being in Kendall’s house to spy on her but she wouldn’t allow Kendall to disparage her nephew. “About CJ.”

“Don’t, Fee. I have nothing against that child. Ella is just a little protective of Rory and Matilda. That’s why I love her so much. You’ll understand when you become a mother.”

“I want kids soon.”

“You need a man first.”

Heat rose in Fee’s cheeks at Kendall’s sardonic assessment and she bit on her lip. An image of Stretch rose in her head. Showing her his toys night before last, allowed her a glimpse into his world. Granted, it hadn’t been planned. Sometimes, however, spur of the moment encounters outranked planned seduction.

“I didn’t mean my words in a bad way,” Kendall cried, “so let’s drop it while I freshen up my appearance.”

She opened her drawer and pulled out a tube of lipstick, using the camera on her phone as a mirror.

Completing her makeup application, Kendall frowned in Fee’s direction. “It must be hard for you.”

Fee slid her chair back. “What’s hard for me?”

“You’re so cute. Girl-next-door. Living in the shadow of a gorgeous sister like Zoann. Then Meggie comes along and steals Zoann’s thunder, pushing you even further in the shadows.” Kendall smiled at her camera and snapped a selfie. “As I said, it’s so hard.”

“There isn’t a competition going on.”

Kendall got to her feet, tall even without shoes on. “We’re friends, right?”

Doubtful, if they judged by this conversation. “If you say so.”

“Of course we are. You’ve only been with me a couple of months. I’ve been rather distracted with that divorce case. Now, I have time so you’ll get to know the real me. Please don’t let me intimidate you.” She walked to Fee and grabbed her hands. “I’m very open and honest. Aboveboard. I understand you’re softer than Zoann, but you have to get out of her shadow one day. Right?”

“I’m not intimidated by you. I can deal with your dominating personality.” Fee had dealt with her brother and sisters her entire life. “I can’t help it if you think I’m stunted by my sister’s success. Her life is hers. I’m finding my way again. Forging ahead for my future. That’s why I wanted to move away from my brother’s house.”

Kendall tittered. “Meggie’s house.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you know? Christopher put everything in her name.” Kendall made it sound like the most important tidbit of the day.

“How’s that my business? Or yours?”

“It explains everything and pisses me off how he treats her is the way he expects everyone else to treat her.”

“She’s his wife. How should he treat her?”

“Never mind,” Kendall said with a dismissive wave. She leaned in closer and dropped her voice. “If you want to know anything, come to me. I have the 411 on everybody in the club. All the dirty little secrets.”

Could Kendall give Fee any insight into Cash and Stretch? Crap! She couldn’t blurt about their relationship, given that Cash and Stretch engaged in sex, too. Stretch had almost gotten killed for just that reason.

She changed the subject. “Did you hear that a dude from that club where the bombing happened has been trying to contact Christopher?”

Studying her nails, Kendall plastered a smile on her face. “What club?”

“The Torps, I think. Some kind of stupid name.”

“Torpedoes?”

“That’s it.” She didn’t know the particulars, having overheard Meggie and Zoann talking. “I guess they shorten it to Torps.”

Kendall offered her a shit-eating grin. “Do you know the firm I worked for once represented them? I served as co-counsel with one of the partners.”

“Oh my goodness.” What wonderful stories Kendall must have. “How exciting. How did you all come to represent the Dwellers?”

“Long story. One for another time. I’ll tell you a different secret in its place.” Kendall looked over her shoulder and all around. “Charlotte Redding confided in me that a group of scattered members called on Brooks, in hopes of contacting Christopher. I offered a few suggestions on how to make the meeting happen. As usual, my ideas were so impressive, they put me back on the payroll. Secretly, of course. However, Charlotte and I are working on a way for the firm to rehire me.”