Page 221 of Misrule
Neither he nor Emily spoke as they walked along the forested path that took them past Mortician, Val, and Christopher’s houses. Behind Digger’s house stood Johnnie’s property as well as Cash and Stretch’s. They’d created a nice little enclave for themselves and their women.
“That was interesting,” Emily said once Johnnie had left the property. “Are they always so colorful?”
“Always,” he confirmed. “It surprises me how much we look forward to the weekly dinners, considering they almost always turn into a free-for-all.”
Emily chuckled. “Perhaps, that’s the fun in it right there.”
“Maybe,” he agreed, hoping she stopped her small talk so he could think over the evening’s events.
Every now and then, streetlights lit the inside of Johnnie’s Navigator, and Emily saw his handsome profile with unerring clarity. Ever since she’d met Outlaw, her luck had changed for the better. Such as now. At that moment, the light glimmered into the car, allowing her to see how he was closing up. He gave her the merest of glances, then refocused on the road ahead, but it was enough to know if she shut up now, her fortunes would head south again and she’d be paddling her canoe in a sea of shit once more.
She pretended to put her anger aside. Pretended that she didn’t hate Megan Caldwell as much as she had always despised Kendall. Whereas Kendall hadn’t known the power she had over men, Megan was well aware of her influence. She had beauty and youth and the devotion of Outlaw. Still, in Emily’s eyes, Megan was gorgeous but Kendall, with her natural red hair, was absolutely stunning. Because blondes had a reputation of being more fun, everyone wanted to be blonde. They came a dime a dozen. Redheads, though, were a rare breed, which made them all the more outstanding.
A country song invaded her thoughts. Johnnie had turned on his radio.
She blew out of breath, then turned the radio to the ‘off’ position.
“I was listening to that,” he complained.
“I love Country music, too,” she said, able to tell this truth. “But I’d prefer we talk.”
“About?”
The last person in the world she wanted to discuss. “Kendall,” she said softly. “Your wonderful family.” She’d keep her hatred toward one of them to herself. Well, she didn’t care for Zoann or, actually, none of those bitches that had been present. “I would’ve loved to have been part of such a huge, unruly bunch,” she said in a small voice. She forced herself to sniffle. “You’re very lucky.”
The silence stretched by for such a long moment that Emily feared she’d overplayed her hand.
“My family is nosy, noisy, bossy, and more than a little opinionated,” he finally said.
True, true, true, and true. “They are perfect,” Emily lied. “I’m honored you brought me to meet them.”
“Yeah, well—”
“As to what the girl…Joann, was it…?”
“Zoann.”
Of course, she’d never forget that bitch’s name. “Oh, what an unusual and pretty name.”
“She’s my cousin,” Johnnie grunted.
Emily would grunt that fact, too. Who would want to claim that bitch as family? “It’s obvious she loves you very much.”
Johnnie sidled a glance at Emily. “She could’ve kept her fucking thoughts to herself.”
“I know they aren’t the truth, so please don’t be embarrassed on my behalf.”
“I’m not,” Johnnie said, surprising Emily.
After all, Zoann called him a piece of shit for a slew of crimes that mostly involved Megan Caldwell.
“I just can’t believe she had the fucking gall to say that to me.”
Emily lowered her lashes. “Was it true?” She applauded the meekness in her voice.
“Does it matter?”
Not really. Not for her end goal. “Of course,” she said in a trembly voice. “How do you think I felt hearing you brought me there to compare me to another woman? One who isn’t even your wife? Are you in love with that girl or something?”
