Misfit(255)

That was exactly how Fee had pleaded with Zoann and Christopher. That decided her, once and for all.

“Let’s go from this moment,” she said. “We’ll see how things work out.”

Kendall sniffled. “C-can we still be friends?”

Perhaps, in the future, but, first, Kendall would have to earn Fee’s trust and friendship

again. “We’ll be family for now.”

“Fair enough.” Kendall rubbed her eyes. “I understand. I promise I’ll do better and earn your friendship and trust again.”

“That’ll be nice,” she said, meaning it. “I’d better leave since I don’t want to be driving on these back roads at night.”

“It’ll be hours before it gets dark. Why don’t I fix something for us to eat? There’s plenty of food here. I can even cook seafood for us.”

At Kendall’s hopeful tone, Fee lifted her eyebrows. She might’ve forgiven her, but she damn sure wasn’t ready to break bread with her. “Thanks, but I have to decline. I have other plans for tonight.”

She’d wanted to meet with Cash and Stretch, but that wasn’t set in stone. So focused on Kendall, she’d forgotten to text Stretch. But she didn’t want them to know about her excursion to Kendall, so she needed to get back to her apartment soon.

Kendall rocked on her heels. “Do I know them?”

“Even if you do, how’s that your business?”

“I…you’re right, Fee,” she said in a broken whisper, tugging at Fee’s conscience. “It really isn’t any of my business. I just…It’s so lonesome here. I thought you’d keep me company a while.”

Fee hesitated. Kendall held regular pity-parties but she was also one of the most self-destructive women she knew. She’d also just lost her baby.

“I’ll stay for one cup of coffee, then I have to leave. My other plans are my priority.”

Neither of them spoke as Kendall prepared their coffee. Fee regretted her decision to stay with the palpable tension in the room. She couldn’t say much to her because she didn’t want it repeated or used against her. She didn’t want to bring up the baby, not knowing how stable Kendall was. Therefore, Fee finished half her cup before making a hasty retreat.

Driving away, Fee settled in for the long drive back home, hope that she’d beat Cash and Stretch to her apartment diminishing. She was busted because she’d gotten lost, and would have to give a detailed explanation about her excursion.

By the time Fee got halfway to Hortensia, darkness had fallen. There didn’t appear to be another soul on the two-lane road as she sped along the curves.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a pair of headlights glared in her rearview mirror, hurting her eyes. She accelerated, but not fast enough. The car rammed her from behind, sending her into a tailspin as she lost control.

Fee screamed, gripping the steering wheel to correct the careening car. It slid into the brush on the side of the road, and she slammed on the brakes as it hit a tree.

Banged up but alive, Fee opened the door and stumbled from the car, her heart pounding in her chest.

The headlights from the other vehicle shone on her and she raised her hands to shield her vision. The driver got out of the car. Stepping out of the glare, he raised a gun and pointed it at her head.

Noah Counts grinned at her. “Hello, Fee.”





Where the fuck was Fee?

After trying to reach her for two fucking hours and failing, Cash went from ire to concern. When he’d left, she hadn’t told him she intended to leave. It was past dinner time. Stretch was on the way home, and food was ordered. She had a special ringtone for him, so she knew he was calling her and, yet, she wouldn’t answer.

So where the fuck was she?

Unable to contain his anxiety, especially with Counts still on the loose, he called Meggie on her cell.

“Hey.” Meggie’s voice was little more than a whisper.

“Hey, Sweetness. Am I disturbing something?” he asked, referring to whether Outlaw was near or not, without actually asking.

“No. I just put Ryder down for the night. What’s up?”

“Fee.” He tried to keep the alarm out of his voice, not wanting to worry Meggie without cause. “Is she there?”

“No. Isn’t she at her apartment?”

“No. I’m here. She isn’t.”

“Let me call Zoann. I’m sure there’s an explanation for this.”

“Thanks, honey,” he said, unease slipping into him. He knew Fee. If she could, she’d answer her phone.

Jesus!

Within five minutes, Meggie called back. Fee wasn’t at Zoann’s and no one had seen her that day.