“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Kyler and I know what we’re doing. He’s my son-in-law for a reason.”
“O-okay.”
“Don’t give in to his wife. You’re superior to her, in every way. I can’t stand what she does to you.”
“I-I know. You’re right. Meggie has done a lot. An incredible amount of damage to my career and my marriage.”
“Your life!” Charlotte amended. “Every time you pick yourself up, she kicks you down. I’ve always believed in you, even when you had self-esteem issues. Never forget you have people who love you dearly. She isn’t one of them.”
“You’re right,” Kendall repeated. “Everything you’ve said is right about her. I-I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“I’m advising you the same as I’ve advised my girls. Of course, they’re ahead of you. They’ve married men worthy of them.”
“So I shouldn’t restart my medicine? I’ve already lost my best friend being so awful. Now, I also have to renege on my promises to Johnnie.”
“His demands are ridiculous and borderline abusive. If you allow your husband to dictate to you about anything, you’re a failure.”
Kendall burst into tears.
“Oh, dear, I want you happy. I do! I’m just searching for suggestions to achieve that. The same suggestions I gave to my daughters and my mother gave to me.”
Though she kept her eyes closed, Fee felt Kendall lay her head on the edge of her bed.
“Don’t cry anymore. Let me get you home. I’ll find that husband of yours so he could give you some TLC.”
Fee’s heart went out to Kendall, so she lifted her hand and put it on the back of Kendall’s head.
“S’okay,” Fee croaked.
“Oh, Fee,” she said in a wobbly voice, lifting her head. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“S’okay,” she said again.
“Hello, Ophelia,” Charlotte greeted in her usual unfriendly manner.
“She still has trouble talking.”
“We were just leaving. Come, Kendall.”
Kendall hesitated, then kissed Fee’s forehead. “Bye, Fee,” she whispered.
Fee wished she had the strength to comfort Kendall and make her understand how wrong Charlotte was.
This proved that underneath her abrasiveness Kendall had a very fragile soul, one Fee was determined to protect as soon as she healed.
Meggie sat at Outlaw’s table, looking so sad. In the two days since his release, there was no sign that her husband would follow suit any time soon.
Johnnie had assembled as many members as possible for church, so Cash wasn’t quite sure why Meggie hung around after she and Zoann cooked and served a fabulous meal. Her job now finished. Meggie needed to take her sister-in-law’s cue and leave.
Straightening in her seat, she looked over Cash’s shoulder. “Where’s Brooks?”
Val glowered in the direction she stared.
“Fuck.” Mort scrubbed a hand over his face. “Brooks playing some type of game.”
“This is Kyler,” Johnnie introduced as he escorted a motherfucker with a high and tight haircut, to the table and nodded to Meggie. “Kyler, this is Outlaw’s wife, Megan. Update her, then we’ll address the club. If we like what we hear, you’ll leave alive.”
“I’ve come in Brooks’ stead,” Kyler said, his attitude superior. “Brooks is tied up.”
“Then tell him to get untied,” Meggie said evenly. “Christopher pays him a lot of money to drop everything when he’s needed.”
“I understand you’re upset,” the attorney responded, not in the least bit hesitant after Johnnie’s announcement. Other than a moment of surprise, he remained cool and arrogant, continuing to address Meggie. “Brooks has a few minor details to work out.”
“What details?” she asked.
He gave her a condescending smile. “Details. Things I need to familiarize myself with. Particulars that Kendall Donovan knew about as Brooks’ co-counsel for the club. With her no longer employed in the firm, he has chosen me to replace her. If you wanted quicker legal service, it would’ve been in your best interest to keep her on.” He indicated Johnnie with his head. “Considering her husband is a high-ranking member.”
Johnnie offered the attorney a glacial smile. “Megan, sweetheart, it’s time for you to go.”
Without protest, she got to her feet and paused in front of Kyler. In Outlaw’s top, the hem almost reached below her knees and the sleeves covered her hands. “I haven’t slept very well since Christopher’s arrest. I miss my husband, sir,” she said quietly. “If I’m not mistaken, your words were little more than a veiled threat. Or an ultimatum. Christopher wouldn’t like that too much. Brooks chose you for a reason, so do your job.”