“So you’re not fucking with club enemies?” he asked, then he released a bitter chuckle. “Why should you? You’re the fucking enemy.”
“Fuck you,” she spat. “I’m enemy to no one as long as they stay the hell out of my way. I’d never, ever betray Johnnie or the club by fraternizing with rivals. My loyalties belong with Johnnie.”
“No, your loyalties are with you,” Stretch said.
She shrugged. “That’s a given.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m going to fix this, okay? Does that make you feel better? Cash’s schemes gave me this idea, so if you want to blame anyone, blame him.” She looked at Daphne. “Come on. You have to leave before the barbarian returns.”
As Stretch watched Kendall sail away, he hoped Meggie held onto her tiny belief that her husband would never cheat. That must’ve been the reason she’d stayed today. No matter what Outlaw had asked of her—how he’d asked it—if she’d felt otherwise, she would’ve left.
Fee leaned back on the sofa in Meggie’s den, trying her best to relax, though this was the last place she wanted to be. Guilt at knowing of Kendall’s deception ate at Fee. With Kendall there, acting as if nothing was wrong, and Meggie looking so unhappy, while trying to play it off by smiling and talking, shot Fee’s nerves.
For some reason, she thought of Stretch, and those long lashed, blue eyes of his that held such sadness and regret. No one saw him as a threat. She doubted even Christopher would’ve balked at her having a relationship with Stretch, if he didn’t already know how Stretch felt about Cash. That would be Christopher’s sticking point with Stretch and her being together, in a one-on-one relationship. Add in another person…Fee shifted, the conversation from the other women floating over her head. All the noise—the boisterous kids running through the house, the hum of the men’s conversation echoing from the opened door of Christopher’s mancave, the music Meggie loved—seemed to be incidental background noise compared to her raging thoughts and her need to look at her relationship as others would see it.
Polyamorous.
Definitely frowned upon.
God! What happened when she wanted a ring on her finger? All before, she’d thought to marry Cash. Now, that wasn’t fair or feasible. Marriage would give an unfair advantage to two of them. Legally. Emotionally. Every way.
Fee sighed. She could frame it however she wanted—triad, polyamorous, more than one, ménage-a-trois, alternative—most people would just call it immoral, wrong, and disgusting. They wouldn’t consider all the ramifications to her decisions. They would judge.
Christopher wouldn’t be one of those self-righteous asses, but he wouldn’t approve. He wanted to protect her. Especially from Cash.
Cash’s arrogance was kind of off-the-charts. The man needed a little humility. Yet, he wouldn’t be Cash if he didn’t have that big ego.
Thinking of Cash and Stretch led Fee to the other reason why she wanted to be someplace else. Sooner or later, they’d arrive, and she’d have to pretend to be surprised at Cash’s injuries.
She reminded herself that her brother was furious, and on the right trail, as usual. All he’d need was one tidbit about her presence and he’d somehow use his uncanny ability to figure out all her secrets. His sixth sense must’ve saved him many times, dooming all who crossed him.
Would he kill her for her betrayal and lies?
No, Christopher wouldn’t hurt family members. He’d ostracize them, but not murder.
She was also so worried that Cash and Stretch hadn’t forgiven her for outing them to Kendall. She didn’t know how to make it up to them, especially since they wouldn’t answer her calls or texts. How would they treat her when they saw her? Hopefully, not any more dismissive as usual. She didn’t know if she could take them completely ignoring her, but what choice would she have?
“Are you all right?”
At Kendall’s question, Fee threw her a tense smile.
“Yeah, Fee, you’ve been rather quiet all evening,” her sister said, searching her face.
Fee stretched the hem of her pleated mini dress, worn for Cash and Stretch. She was insane like that, wanting to go undetected by Christopher and still tempt her guys. Get them to forgive her.
Her eyes following Fee’s nervous movements, Kendall smirked.
“I’m fine,” Fee said defensively, not sounding fine at all.
“Has anyone seen Cash and Stretch tonight?” Kendall asked, sipping from the drink Meggie made.
Heat suffused Fee’s face at Meggie, Zoann, and Bailey’s frowns. They might’ve been confused, but Kendall was still taunting Fee.