Page 128 of Misrule
Cam sighed. “Give her a few days, Knox,” he relented. “She’s probably hurt to her core. All that woman does is talk about what a wonderful man you are to my wife.”
“I feel like kicking my own ass.”
“You should.”
Knox sagged against the windowsill, while Cam stood.
“I didn’t roll out of bed and leave my gorgeous wife on a Saturday to unfuck what you’ve fucked, so let’s review the recordings before Outlaw and company arrives.”
Having to watch Kendall Donovan wade through her myriad problems, when he had so many of his own, didn’t interest Knox at all. He had no choice in the matter. Outlaw had hired him to do this job.
If Roxanne ever found out what Knox was up to, she’d have one more reason to never talk to him again.
Chapter Thirty-One
Kendall had spent most of yesterday reviewing plans with Charlotte for the Donovan and Redding Law Firm. She’d been happy, if not content. Something had niggled at the back of her mind, preventing her from real enjoyment. Between then and now, it seemed as if a lifetime had passed.
Raising her vintage French Louis XV hand mirror as she lay in bed, Kendall stared at her black eyes and various bruises, courtesy of Meggie, and scowled. She couldn’t believe Johnnie had been the only one to intervene on her behalf. Anyone of them could’ve entered the fray…
A memory of Outlaw firing a round into Johnnie’s cheek rose in Kendall’s head. The barbarian had pulled his 9mm last night, too. Knowing he wouldn’t hesitate to shoot must’ve stopped them all, so Kendall decided she couldn’t really blame them.
However,and this was a huge revelation to her, the discontent she’d felt yesterday as she made plans with Charlotte made sense now. Outlaw hadshotJohnnie, a relative who’d been as close as anyone to him, because of Kendall’s actions. Then, he’d turned around and rewarded Kendall.
What gave?
It could be argued that hewasgrateful that Kendall had given up Meggie’s location; in essence, saving her life. He’d known that when he’d shot Johnnie, though. Suddenly, he’d given Kendall,her,his most hated human, the go-ahead to practice law again, effective immediately.
She’d get land, a house in her name, access to money in the form of her own bank account, and a bigger percentage in Meggie and Zoann’s company, if she and Johnnie stayed married.
But, after last night’s fight with Meggie, and Outlaw’s glee, nothing made sense to Kendall. His allowing her to practice law concerned her. He hadn’t had to allow her to practice againand,on top of that, design the building, all at his expense.
Besides her husband and children, her degree mattered most to her. All of the other things she thought she’d wanted so she could feel equal to Meggie just wasn’t important. She’d give it all up, if only Johnnie gave her another chance.
Sinking further down into the covers, she raised the hand mirror again and sniffled. Before she noted any other marks on her, her cell phone rang.
“Hi Charlotte,” she said by way of answering, after seeing the woman’s name and number pop up on her screen. “How are you today?” She forced cheer into her voice.
“Darling,” Charlotte started. “I just heard your voice message, canceling our dinner plans. Are you all right?”
No. She was heartbroken, lonely, and afraid. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You mingled with those people last night, that’s why,” Charlotte said in a huff.
“Yes,” she whispered, then cleared her throat. “It went fine. I’m just exhausted from all the wine I drank.”
“Was that uncouth woman, Roxanne, behaving herself?”
“I don’t want to discuss Roxanne with you, Charlotte. Let’s not talk about any of them. Why don’t we have a phone meeting? I’d love to know how your search for a receptionist is coming along.” Lies! All lies! She couldn’t give less of a fuck.
“I have a couple of women I think will work out fine. We just have to go over the requirements you put in place,” she said cryptically.
Kendall didn’t like the sound of that. “I’m not changing my mind on one point. I refuse to have any young receptionists and secretaries in that office. I can’t have Johnnie coming over and finding some little slut attractive.”
Charlotte sniffed. “Threaten to take him to the cleaners, my dear. He’ll never stray again.”
She realized to get to those points, he had to want to take her back, a prospect that grew increasingly unlikely. But what if they divorced, God forbid, and he visited her at the office for some reason and saw…saw a younger woman? A blonde little goddess who reminded him of Meggie? Suppose there would be a younger employee who’d jump when Johnnie told her to?
Yes, he could meet other women anywhere, but Kendall wouldn’t make it as easy as finding her in the office.
