Page 82 of Misrule
Holstering his gun, he rubbed the back of his neck as another thought invaded him. Kendall had sworn someone was there; she didn’t have the best track record for honesty, however. Shecouldhave lied to get him there. Yet the fear Johnnie had heard in her voice had been real. She’d left her alarm on and it was off when she returned.
“FUCK!” Johnnie roared, as he drew yet another conclusion, this one more harrowing than the others.
Christopher had been in the house. Possibly, he’d hidden himself to ambush and kill Kendall.
“Johnnie?”
Her shaky voice traveled to him from the first floor. She must’ve been nearby and saw his Navigator in her driveway.
“I’m here, Kendall,” he said on a bleak sigh and made his way downstairs.
She stood in the center of the entry hall, wearing the barest makeup, her hair piled high on her head. She’d never needed much. Without makeup, she was still a perfect beauty. Her lacy pencil skirt and black blouse hugged her curves, made her look elegant, professional, and gorgeous.
Fear—real, true, and genuine—shone in her lovely brown eyes.
Not wanting to alarm her, Johnnie decided to keep what he suspected happened to himself. Telling her that Christopher was hunting her served no purpose.
“It’s all clear, sweetheart,” he said gently, his mind racing.
The situation cornered him and left his hands tied. Unless he packed his bags and took Kendall and their kids away. Christopher wouldn’t leave Megan to follow Johnnie and Kendall to wherever. Nor would he send another club member to do his bidding in this instance. Not only was it too personal, but the club supposedly didn’t kill women.
Supposedlybeing the key word. Kendall had committed the cardinal sin and fucked with Megan. Johnnie doubted Christopher would be as outraged over CJ—if not for Megan’s kidnapping.
“J-Johnnie?” Kendall whispered. “What is it? What are you thinking about?”
“Club business,” he blurted, an automatic response he’d learned to give her when he didn’t want to share his thoughts.
She nodded, started forward, and then stopped, waiting for his encouragement.
Yet he couldn’t give it to her. As badly as he wanted to. As much as heneededto. If only he could take her in his arms and love her. Feel her warmth and vitality, and know that she was alive.
He couldn’t make that move or encourage her to do so for the same reason he wasn’t rushing her to pack up so they could escape tonight. He hadn’t figured out if he could continue on in their marriage. He didn’t want to lead her on and he didn’t want to take advantage of her.
Lifting her chin at his rejection, she wrapped her arms around her waist. “I don’t know who could’ve been in here. Or, maybe, it was my imagination?” she asked with hope.
“I don’t think it was merely your imagination,” he told her, deciding on a partial truth. He took his Glock in hand, put the safety on, then held it out to her. “Keep it near you at all times.”
Nodding, she grabbed the gun from him, then met and held his gaze. “I won’t hesitate to shoot, Johnnie.”
“I know.”
“Then you’re giving me permission to shoot him?”
He lifted a brow. “Shoot who?”
“Don’t be asinine,” she sniffed. “Outlaw. We both know it was him who was in this house.”
Johnnie winced and started to speak.
“Don’t,” she interrupted. “You don’t want to kill him but you’d see no problem if someone else did.”
“That isn’t true!” he snapped. “This is part of the problem, Kendall. You believe the things I do are for completely different reasons than what I actually intend them to be. I don’t want Christopher dead, by your hand or my own. I do wantyousafe.”
“Safe?” she asked in disbelief, then held up the gun. “Safe? If itisOutlaw who broke into here and does so again, what then? If I point a weapon at him, either I have to fire, or die myself.”
Scowling, Johnnie snatched the Glock from her and shoved it away. “Do you have to make a fucking argument out of everything? I always have your best interest in mind withallthat I do.”
“I doubt that,” she spat. “Shooting Outlaw is a moot point anyway. I’m no longer in possession of the gun.”
