Misfit(242)
“I didn’t mean her and Stretch. I meant her and Meggie,” she sneered. “In case you missed it, asshole, I had no idea Noah and Counts were the same. I’ve been devising a plan to bring Noah out of hiding and into a trap to avenge Fee.”
“Why should I believe you? Besides, if I wanted you dead, I wouldn’t go through all this fucking trouble.”
Drawing herself up, Kendall narrowed her eyes. “I don’t give a fuck if you believe me or not. I’m not interested in your approval or your absolution. I sure as fuck won’t beg you to trust me.” Her lips trembled and she lifted her chin. “I will, however, apologize to you, since it seems you do want to help me. I’m sorry for the blackmail and for that fucking asshole who hurt Fee. You could’ve left me to Outlaw’s wrath, instead you came here to get me away.” Her lashes lowered, and she looked on the verge of bursting into tears again. “Thank you, Cash.” Shoulders slumped, she started to turn. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready to leave.”
Whether he liked it or not, he had to admit Kendall had a certain charisma that lured people to her. He understood why Johnnie loved her so much. Dealing with her now, he even understood why both Fee and Meggie were so loyal to her.
He sighed. “Fine, Kendall. Do you mind if I go to Matilda’s nursery to talk to Johnnie?”
“Do you ask Meggie if you can go from room to room at her house?”
“Is this her house?”
“Just answer my question.”
“Fuck, fine. No, I don’t.”
“Then, my house is open to you as hers is.”
He wasn’t touching that.
“Cash?”
He paused at the door. “Yeah?”
“You do believe that I wouldn’t betray Johnnie or the club?”
Thinking about it, he realized that he did. Once again, he credited Kendall’s magnetism. Whether she was a lying bitch or not, he didn’t know. She wouldn’t betray them on purpose, but if they got betrayed by her actions, oh well. “I do.”
Without waiting for her response, he walked out of the room and followed the sound of a fussy baby, straight to a room with a baseball theme. Rory’s room, where Johnnie paced with Matilda and fed her a bottle, while Rory sat at a small table, coloring.
“Is she okay?” he asked the moment he saw Cash.
“She’s packing.”
“Take care of my wife, fucker.”
“You know I will.”
“Where are you taking her?”
Cash hadn’t decided yet. He shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. Outlaw won’t get over this soon. He’s pissed. If he didn’t want to see to Meggie, he probably would’ve come here for Kendall tonight.”
“I’m sure. Megan’s owed a great deal of gratitude by many of us.”
“Yeah, but I don’t think she can save Kendall right now. Outlaw was angry enough to kill Daphne in front of Meggie. After this afternoon, he’s just as angry with your old lady.”
“Can I go with Mother?” Rory asked softly.
Johnnie turned to his son. “No, but I promise we’ll see her as much as possible.”
“Yes, sir,” he said in a sad voice, and went back to coloring.
“If you can, bring her to one of the nicer places.”
“You got it,” Cash agreed.
Ten minutes later, Kendall was ready to leave. Since he didn’t own a vehicle, he used Johnnie’s Navigator to bring Kendall to a small house, located in the middle of nowhere, halfway between Oregon and California.
Hopefully, too far away, for Outlaw to leave Megan to get to, in the event the man tracked her location.
Fee shuffled into Zoann’s kitchen and sat at the table in the breakfast nook. She’d spent most of the night in tears, making her throat hurt and her head ache. Kendall’s betrayal sucked everything from her, leaving her empty and ashamed. She almost wished Noah had finished her off. The family she’d so cherished, her beloved brother and sister, had disowned her, thanks to her misguided trust of a woman whom her brother had warned her about.
“Fee?”
She flinched at the sound of Val’s voice. He’d checked on her throughout the night. His kindness deepened her guilt.
“I’m going to make coffee,” he said gruffly. “Would you like a cup?”
Sniffling, she shook her bowed head, feeling like hell, tired and in pain. Emotionally and physically. She wanted to sleep forever.
“Fee? Have coffee with us.”
Zoann? Afraid to believe the gentle call came from her sister, Fee looked toward the doorway. Dressed for the day, Zoann’s eyes were as red as Fee’s. Unable to control the river of tears that kept flowing like a waterfall, she looked at her big sister.