Page 129 of Misrule
“Johnnie kicked me out,” Kendall reminded Charlotte, gripping her phone tighter.
“A pure abomination,” Charlotte retorted. “And it tookOutlawto allow you to hire Ella back.”
That happened weeks ago. Ella still hadn’t returned.
“Johnnie’s still so furious with me. I just want my husband back. I’ll behave.”
“Behave? Do you hear yourself? You aren’t a child who needs disciplining. You’re a grown woman. That man…thatclubis lucky to have you.”
“But I got Meggie kidnapped. To Johnnie, that’s unforgivable.”
“She should’ve been murdered and tossed into the ocean like the garbage she is. While they were at it, they could’ve thrown that Roxanne woman with her. Ignorant piece of trash. I can’t understand what an elegant man like Knox wants with her.”
“I love Roxy, Charlotte,” Kendall bit out. “So donottalk about her in such a manner. As for Knox, he’s a fucking uptight asshole.Idon’t see whatshe’sdoing with a prude like him.”
“Knox is better suited to you, dear.”
Charlotte’s comment sent disbelieving horror through Kendall. “I hate that bastard. He was snooping around with the express purpose of sending the men to jail. That would’ve included Johnnie. I don’t trust him as far as I can see him. I think he’ll betray Roxy and the entire club the first chance he gets.”
“As if he shouldn’t. They are thugs! Killers.Arsonists! They burned my mansion to the ground.”
“Johnnie isn’t a thug. Furthermore, if my husband and his brothers can trust Knox, you have nothing to say about it.”
“Well, Brooks told me Outlaw knows Knox doesn’t like him. He was so suspicious that he had him investigated. When it turned up that Knox was clean, and he made Roxanne happy, Outlaw backed off.”
“Well, what do you expect? Outlaw isn’t stupid. If I was in his place, I would’ve had Knox investigated, too.”
Charlotte harrumped. “Outlaw is quite suspicious of those he perceives as his enemy,” she started in high tones. “Therefore, I question his generosity to you.”
Kendall did as well, but she’d never admit that to Charlotte. It would just give her one more reason to denigrate the club. One more reason to make Kendall feel like a failure for not living up to Charlotte’s standards after she’d been like a mother to her. “Oh, please. There’s no reason to question his gifts. He considers me family. In effect that ties his hands. Hehasto do this for me. It’s a requirement because I’m his brother’s wife.”
“My darling Kendall, you’re still so trusting. Remember Emily Riser. She was unworthy of you as a child and from what you said of your recent meeting, she’s unworthy of you as a woman.”
“The perfect, little blue-eyed blonde,” Kendall sneered, anger rising in spite of meeting with Emily and closing the door on that chapter in her life. “Meggie reminds me of her.” Her distasteful tone registered in her brain, but she needed to vent. She’d confess her regression to Doctor Briscow during her next appointment. Right now, she wanted a familiar shoulder to cry on. “Emily pretended she wanted to be my friend, then humiliated me and made me bite off the head of a butterfly.”
“Youtrustedher, and sincerely thought she’d accept you into her clique. You’re doing the same with Outlaw.”
No, she wasn’t by a long shot. Outlaw had plans for her. Serious, devastating, deadly plans. The more she juxtaposed his generosity with last night’s reaction to the fight, the more convinced Kendall became that she was in danger. Something else she wouldn’t tell Charlotte, so she just said, “I was thirteen-years-old! I’m a grown woman now.”
“Okay, dear. I’ll trust your judgment but reserve the right to sayI told you so, if Outlaw’s motives aren’t aboveboard.”
Kendall pursed her lips. “Let’s get back to the office plans, please.”
The rest of the conversation consisted of Charlotte making the plans to decorate the law offices with high-end luxury décor and furnishings that would cost a lot of money. Whenever Charlotte was angry with Brooks, she got her revenge by spending as much of his money as possible…well, shehadbefore Brooks fucked over Outlaw and lost everything.
Once she bid Charlotte goodbye and threw her phone aside, Kendall rested against her pillows. The silence nearly drove her insane.
The club, in the evening, was frenetic; Meggie’s mansion, where Kendall had had an office, was always a beehive of activity. Her own home was quieter, a place to unwind, but Meggie, Roxy, Bailey, Fee, Mort and Johnnie contacted her throughout each day. Ella needed direction. Kendall had to make sure she kept up with the latest fashions for herself and her kids, especially Matilda, and home furnishings. Or she was out shopping. Or at some committee meeting. Or at a day spa. A stylist to color out the few gray strands she’d found in her hair.
In essence, her life had been rich and busy and filled with family and leisure. She hadn’t had to worry about anything, not even her safety.
Especiallynot her safety.
Now, though…she shivered. She felt watched and stalked and…and unsafe.
She felt…
Her thoughts screeched to a halt.
