Misfit(194)
“I’m here,” Kyler returned. “Brooks wouldn’t like your threat. You see, Mr. Caldwell’s release is currently dependent on Brooks and his firm. In other words, my counsel. Unless you can find another firm willing to represent your group on such short notice?”
Cocking her head to the side, Megan nodded. “You have me there, sir. You can’t be completely clueless about the club, right? Don’t you know any specifics?”
Kyler took his phone from his shirt pocket and scrolled through it in wordless dismissal. “Some.”
“Do you know me?” she pressed softly.
Johnnie rolled his eyes. “Leave, Megan. We have to set Kyler straight.”
“Yes, I know you,” Kyler answered, ignoring Johnnie. “You’re Outlaw’s old lady. Kind of inconsequential without him around.”
Digger laughed without humor. “Who the fuck this motherfucker think he is?”
Meggie swallowed, her lower lip trembling. “Christopher’s coming back.”
“He is,” Kyler agreed, and the relief Cash felt matched the relief on Meggie’s face.
She and the attorney faced off. He smirked at her.
Her teary eyes narrowed. “Get my husband back to me and our kids. Or else I’ll tell Christopher that for every day he was behind bars, he puts the same number of bullets in you. Today’s his fourth day behind bars? You have two knees and two eyes. Four bullets.” Hands on hips, she leaned forward. “See where this is going?”
Johnnie grinned and Mort puffed out his chest in pride as she used one of Outlaw’s favorite phrases.
“There’s not many people who’d be mean enough to call me inconsequential. Actually, only two come to mind. Kendall, when she’s in her moods. And Charlotte, who hates me because I’m a biker’s wife. I’m curious to know if the hold-up is legal or personal.”
Kyler’s face flushed, his body stiffening. “L-l-legal as far as I know.”
A bit of hesitation entered her eyes, torn between anger and grief.
Cash wanted to join Stretch at Fee’s side. The longer it took for the meeting to begin, the longer he’d be away from Fee. Standing, he went to Meggie.
“Sweetness, why don’t you get to your house? Let us impress upon him how inconsequential you aren’t.”
She looked at Outlaw’s chair, empty now that she’d stood.
Mort came to her and drew her into his arms. “Meggie girl, Prez’ll be so proud of you. As soon as we done here, me and Digger will come and keep you company with Bailey and my kids.”
Bunny was already at the house with Meggie’s kids.
“I know you feel closer to him being around us motherfuckers, but we going to fix this and get your man home. Just let us take it from here.” Mort pushed her away and settled his hands on her shoulders. “Besides, you don’t threaten motherfuckers right. Instead of being unsure, you should’ve told Kyler ass what you getting Prez to do, without tears. Honestly, Meggie girl, you just need to ask one of us to do that shit now and we’ll jump to it.”
Johnnie’s eyes brightened at the prospect and his attention snapped to Mort and Meggie. He drew out his Glock and jammed it against Kyler’s temple, scowling at the attorney’s scream. “He’s right, Megan. I can fire in more places than just his knees and his eyes.”
“God, no!” Kyler cried.
“Just tell me, sweetheart,” Johnnie said, almost breathless with anticipation. “Tell me to kill him and then close your eyes.”
“Mrs. Caldwell! Please, don’t! I’m working on his case. I-I-I promise we’ll get him out.”
“Don’t kill him, Johnnie,” she whispered. “I just wanted to light a fire under him.”
Val snickered. “I prefer lighting him on fire.”
The disappointment on Johnnie’s face amused the fuck out of Cash. “Sick fucker,” he chortled.
Johnnie indicated a chair with his Glock. “You, sit,” he ordered Kyler, then pushed both Cash and Mort out of the way to get to Meggie. “Even if you threatened him only to light a fire under him, Megan, he didn’t need to know that. The key to effective intimidation is being willing to follow through or making the motherfucker in question believe you’ll go ahead. Got me?”
“Yeah, Meggie. Prez would do this and more to get you out of shit,” Digger explained. “Nobody’ll hold it against you for doing the same.”
“When you get to the house, call me and tell me you’re absolutely certain you want him to live,” Johnnie added. “His death is the least we can do for Christopher.”