Page 192 of Misrule
“The fuck you will. My money paid for that. It fuckin’s stay. Just a lil’ more and Kendall fuckin’ herself up.”
“Jesus Christ, you’re heartless.”
A glimmer of regret…?...hesitation…?...sadness…? passed over Outlaw’s features before he schooled his face into unconcern. He shrugged.
Defeated, Knox took his tablet and returned to his room, his heart heavy.
Outlaw meant to see Kendall dead, and nothing was going to stop him.
Opening the door to Kendall’s house, Johnnie stopped in the entry hall, frowning at the silence. When she called, he’d been at the club, debating on what to do about Emily. Since the scene in her house, she’d called and texted, begging his forgiveness, swearing her regret ran deep over her behavior towards Kendall. He was on the verge of giving in and inviting Emily out to dinner. Christopher swore he didn’t have anything to do with Johnnie and Emily meeting.
While a little voice warned him that Christopher might be a lying motherfucker, Johnnie ignored it. In her tearful calls, Emily sounded sincere, too. Although her behavior had affected Kendall’s outlook greatly, Emily seemed so far removed from the petty little girl she’d been. She’d pointed out everyone deserved a second chance.
That had hit him right in his gut. He’d always held to that mantra with Kendall, whom he’d given more than just two chances.
In the midst of his internal debate over Emily, Kendall had called. Johnnie had begged for her life to Christopher, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t fed up with her lies and manipulations. He wanted peace and happiness. He wanted a family.
He wanted a woman who loved and respected him.
While the jury was still out on whether or not Kendall had ever loved him, he sure the fuck knew she didn’t respect him. Therefore, hearing her sobbing self-pity had annoyed him. He’d been determined to brush her off and let the chips fall where they may. He’d chosen to pursue Emily and leave Kendall to her misery.
A minute after he’d disconnected her call, Johnnie had hurried out to see about her, taking his Harley, since he’d get to her place faster.
Now, he’d arrived and saw no sign of her. Her Navigator was in the driveway, though that didn’t guarantee she was home.
He walked through each room downstairs, frowning at the darkness, stopping here and there to turn lamps on.
She’d gotten him again. Made a fucking ass out of him. That call had probably been a test of his love and loyalty. Fury spread through him. Before he called and blasted her, he bounded up the stairs, two at a time, heading straight for her bedroom.
He saw her the moment he walked through the door. She lay in the middle of the floor, trembling.
His anger fleeing, he ran to her, dropped next to her and gathered her in his arms. He registered she was fully clothed, but her skin was red and splotchy, warm to the touch.
“Kendall, sweetheart,” he whispered, threading his fingers through her sweaty hair. “Have you taken anything?”
She hiccupped, then lifted her head, staring at him. Her eyes were swollen with tears.
“Johnnie,” she said, throwing her arms around his neck and sobbing against him. “He’s watching me.”
“Who’swatching you?”
“Outlaw!”
“Kendall—”
“He’s going to kill me, Johnnie.” The words came out in a hysterical rush. “He’s watching me and waiting for the perfect time.” She hugged him again. “Please don’t let him kill me.”
Johnnie wrapped his arms around her. “Why do you think he’s watching you? What makes you think he intends to kill you?”
“Because I deserve it. I’ve done so much. And…and I know he’s watching me. Sometimes, I see flashing lights and hear beeps.”
“Kendall, listen to me. Christopher doesn’t have time for those types of games.”
Anger flared in her red-rimmed eyes. Without warning, she slapped him so hard across the face that he reeled back. His nose hadn’t completely healed, and pain reverberated through his head. Out of reflex, Johnnie shoved her away and jumped to his feet.
“First you abandon me, now you don’t believe me,” Kendall snarled, balling her fist and swinging again.
Expecting her to lash out again, Johnnie caught her hand. “Can you fucking blame me?” he growled, grabbing her other hand when she swung. “You’re a goddamn liar.”
