Page 205 of Relentles
“And in case you’ve forgotten, she is still suffering the aftereffects of that pregnancy,” Kendall screeched. “And Jo is facing another surgery.”
“I meant no harm, sweetheart,” Johnnie lied. He could only stay on course, an even more urgent choice now with Christopher on the trail and Bash back on the hunt. “But I want to spend time alone with my beautiful wife. Sue me.”
At least, that was true. He wanted to lose himself in Kendall. Worship her. Pay homage to the day she’d strutted into the club, on a mission for a demon.
“You do understand Mattie will be in Rebel’s company?”
Shoving his hands in his trouser pockets, Johnnie shrugged. He hated Mattie hiding her drinking and cussing from him. For now, it couldn’t be helped. He had to treat her like a fragile object—as his grandfather regarded him and Zoann—to protect her.
Kendall looked at him, her brown eyes suspicious. “Why do I get the feeling you’re gaslighting me? You know exactly who that Scorpion is and you’re pretending all is well. To prove your point, you’ve decided we go away for the weekend.” Fists balled at her sides, she tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Why, Johnnie? What’s going on?”
Fuck! Alarms clanged in his head. Kendall connected the dots and knew she’d met Bash.
He walked closer, stopping an arm’s length away, so he wouldn’t pull her into his arms and hide her away. “It’s club business, Kendall.”
“But—”
“Leave it at that, sweetheart,” he warned, low. “You’re my wife. Not a member.”
She studied him. “Who is he?” Challenge filled her tone.
She definitely knew it was Bash.
“His name is Bash. He’s one of Cee Cee’s sons.”
“So he’s…he’s my brother-in-law. He’s dangerous? Cee Cee certainly was.”
“No.” He threw out the one word like a shard of ice. “If he were, I’d tell Christopher. I don’t know why he’s in town.” The fucking lies! “But he hasn’t contacted the club.”
“Bash? The one who contacted Meggie?”
“Yes, Kendall.” Bleakness framed the words.
“I think we should tell Outlaw.”
Oh, indeed they should. The situation was spiraling so far out of Johnnie’s league, his head was spinning. The beauty of hindsight was acknowledging mistakes and realizing the exact fuckup moment when everything went off the rails. As much as Kendall had envied and resented Megan, Johnnie had felt the same toward Christopher. He’d always loved him, but he’d suffered from outraged assholery that Christopher had won Megan and was such a fearsome leader. Like Kendall, Johnnie had done a great deal of soul-searching. Not only toward his marriage, but all his relationships. He had to face his failings and his weaknesses. In doing so, he’d come to truly appreciate Christopher for the man that he was.
If he had gone to Christopher when motherfucking Bash first contacted Brooks, the Scorpions would be history. There would be no peace agreements as they’d settled on with the Gnomes.Blood in, blood out. Every last drop between Bash and Cleanerand Christopher and Johnnie was fuckingbad,only rectified by spilling buckets of one side or the other.
“We don’t have to tell Christopher anything, Kendall,” he barked and narrowed his eyes. “Unless you don’t trust me? You don’t think I can protect you?”
Kendall straightened, shock marching across her lovely face. “I didn’t say that, asshole!”
“You implied it!”
High color swept into her cheeks, but he pressed on, aware how much easier it was to throw her off-balance nowadays.
“I reminded you how I’d keep Megan in line if I were her husband, so you’re insinuating Christopher is the better leader.”
Her lips trembled and tears rushed to her eyes. For a moment, he thought of telling her the truth. Except Brooks was involved, too. Johnnie had threatened to gut him if Kendall discovered Bash’s demands. He didn’t want her endangering herself by searching for her own solution.Himtelling her would garner the same results, so he kept his glare in place.
“I am going to eat, husband,” she hissed, her watery gaze shooting daggers at him. “I am not in the mood for your company, so please find a spot at your table in hell.”
She snatched open the door.
“Tell Megan she’s watching the kids this weekend.”
Facing him again, she lifted her chin. “I don’t want alone time with you.”
