“Why not? She’s the reason for everything. Your betrayal that led to Outlaw’s distress and Kendall’s deterioration.”
“Kendall is not deteriorating,” Charlotte snarled, recovering too quickly. “She’s thriving! She will rise above all of you and make you wish you’d never met her.”
“QUIET, CHARLOTTE!” Terror gave Brooks’ voice new determination and turned his complexion a deathly shade of gray.
“No! I’m sick of their bullying. They shot you! They’ve done something else to you. I wish I would’ve ordered Kyler to have Outlaw killed.”
“Honey, no! Please,” Brooks said tearfully. “You don’t mean what you’re saying.” He gave Cash a pleading look, understanding her words were a death sentence. “Don’t hurt her. Please. I beg you.”
“I dare him to! Kendall will avenge me. Kendall will kill Megan Caldwell!”
“No! Kendall has never threatened to kill Meggie, Charlotte,” Brooks screamed. “Never! Shut up. Now! I mean it.”
“No! Outlaw’s an ignorant brute just like Kendall said.” She hugged Brooks. “Look at your handsome face, dear. He did this to you!”
Instead of addressing his wife, Brooks looked at Cash. “Please, ignore her. She’s distressed. Don’t hurt her.”
“What room has the most recent electrical work?” Cash asked, not responding to Brooks.
Shoulders sagging, Brooks nodded toward the interior of the house. “The dining room.”
Cash nodded. Faulty wiring started electrical fires on a regular basis. Dangerous chemicals were everywhere, thanks to the remodeling, so he had more than enough tools he’d need to reduce this house to ashes. First, he’d continue scaring the fuck out of Charlotte, arrogant bitch that she was.
He stalked toward Brooks and Charlotte, hiding his laughter when they cowered back.
“I can always cut your hair off, Charlotte. Maybe, scar your face. Every time your distasteful desire to harm Outlaw came up, you’d see the error of your ways.” He shrugged. “Or I could just put you to death and be done with it. After all, your implication of arranging Outlaw’s murder is the same as treason. We all know treason is an offense punishable by death.” He smiled at her. “Do you think Kyler is suffering right now? Or has Outlaw already killed him?”
It took a moment for Cash’s words to sink in. Getting the meaning, Charlotte glanced at Cash then looked at the grief on Brooks’ face and reached out to him, before swaying.
Brooks caught her as she sank to the ground in a dead faint.
“Get her out of here, Brooks,” Cash commanded. “Take her far away and don’t let her return until you impress up on her, the detriment of fucking over the club. Am I clear?”
“Yes,” Brooks said in a broken voice.
“You have ten minutes to get a few things.” He must’ve been going soft in his old age, but fuck it. “Take a few days off to think about your bad judgment. When you come back, report to the clubhouse. We’ll direct you to your new office then.”
Bowing his head, Brooks buried his face against his wife’s cheek and cried. “My office, too?”
Cash gave him a cold look, refusing to confirm Brooks’ question. As soon as he finished at the mansion, Cash was heading to the law firm. He wanted to get to the building before anyone else arrived. On his way there, he’d contact Stretch and give him the go-ahead to hack into the security system, so Cash could do the job, without incident.
“Go, Brooks,” Cash ordered. “Before I decide to use you and Charlotte as tinder.”
“Wake up!”
A hard shake accompanied the sound of Kendall’s voice. Fee groaned and opened her eyes.
“Wake up!” Kendall cried again.
“What’s wrong?” Fee croaked out. Though much better, in the morning time, her voice was horrible. The clock on the wall read ten after eight. Gasping, she sat up, noting Kendall’s puffy eyes and reddened nose. “What’s wrong, Kendall? Why are you here so early in the morning? Has something happened…?”
Panicked, Fee swung her legs on the side of the bed, wincing at the pain of her still healing injuries.
All types of scenarios ran through her head, none of them good.
“I hate your brother and Meggie,” Kendall snarled around her tears. “Christopher killed Kyler and made Johnnie help him because of Meggie! Your brother burned Charlotte’s house down and assaulted Brooks. I hate him!”
Fee repositioned herself on the bed and stared at Kendall. “What are you talking about? Christopher’s in jail.”