“That’s your choice. Even Daphne has enough ambition to work with me. She knows what she wants and has found a way to get it.”
“And what’s that? An early grave?”
“Money. A lot of it.”
“If she doesn’t realize the danger and back out, you’re going to get her killed,” Fee reiterated.
“Counts is encouraging her to work with me, too. Between the two of us, she’ll be at my beck and call until my mission is complete.”
“Then she’s a fool.”
“Is she? Or are you the fool? I have to blackmail you for your cooperation, instead of working with me as my friend and in exchange for my help. I’d say you’re the idiot.”
“Go to hell, bitch!”
Kendall’s mouth tightened. “I’ll ignore that since I called you an idiot. Now, you promised I had seven days.”
Tears stung Fee’s eyes, Kendall’s betrayal cutting her deep. She needed to talk to someone. Cash. Stretch. Johnnie. Somebody. Christopher? Jesus. Christopher would kill Kendall.
God, Fee had to reason with Kendall herself, and save her life. “You’re not being a very good friend to Meggie.”
“I’m being as good a friend to her as she’s being to me by siding with her husband over me. What’s fair is fair. I’m fighting for my survival. Meggie just blindly follows behind Christopher.” She lowered her lashes and leaned toward Fee. “I have to admit something else.”
“What now?”
“I’ve arranged for Daphne to play a little game tomorrow afternoon.” At the lifting of Fee’s brow, Kendall’s lower lip trembled. “Don’t hate me. I just want to matter. My position with Brooks gives me a purpose.”
“You make it hard not to hate you. Or, at least, your despicable actions,” Fee rushed out. “But, Kendall, you’ve put me in a very awkward position and I’m so angry with you!”
“Meggie won’t even believe that Christopher gave Daphne a handwritten card that insinuates an affair.”
Fee jumped to her feet. “Oh my God!”
Kendall burst into tears. “Please, Fee. This won’t do anything to them,” she sobbed. “I swear to you I’d never hurt Meggie. I’ll fix it all. I just…” Heaving her shoulders, she dissolved into loud weeping, drawing attention their way.
Hating to leave Kendall in such a state, Fee slid back into her seat, suspecting the display was part acting and part desperation. Despite Kendall’s blatant betrayal, she felt compelled to protect her if she could. Kendall was still a family member.
Fee grabbed a few napkins from the holder and held them out to Kendall. “Don’t cry,” she soothed, wanting to cry herself. This was so, so bad, but Kendall had reached her limit. If Fee turned her back on her, it might push her back into a deep depression. “Suppose this backfires on you? How would you feel if you’re wrong about Daphne if he thinks she’s threatening Meggie? Did you tell Daphne she’s risking her life?”
“Oh, please. Have you been listening to me at all?”
“Yes! I’ve heard every miserable word you’ve said.”
“Then you’ve noticed your brother trying to live up to Meggie’s expectations? Just as we discussed. Right?”
Clenching her jaw, Fee didn’t respond.
“He doesn’t know if he’s coming or going. Meggie has the bar so fucking high, he’s bound to fail somewhere. He’s trying to teach his sons to respect women. He’s trying to keep his bikers happy. He’s a watered down, pussy-whipped version of himself. I knew this day would arrive. He doesn’t even realize how fucking dopey he’s become. Now, I move in for the strike and get what I want.”
“Will you get your job back in a week?” If she couldn’t, then whatever happened over the next few days would be pointless.
“Even if I don’t, I’ll be well into my plan. Just trust me. I’d never jeopardize our family.”
“Don’t do this,” Fee begged.
“Which this are you referring to?”
How right. There were several to choose from. “Any of the above,” Fee clarified. “Don’t blackmail me. Don’t use Christopher’s love for Meggie. Don’t…How about I give you just tomorrow for the card thing you alluded to? I’ll hold my peace, no matter what. Then, you find another way, forget what you know about me, and we move on.”
Kendall gave her a thoughtful look, offering Fee a glimmer of hope that she’d agree. It wasn’t the best solution, but it was better than the alternative.
“No,” Kendall said, her tears all dried up, her mercurial mood frustrating Fee to no end. “Give me seven days or Christopher finds out about your love life. Do we have a deal?”