Page 82 of Ruptured
“Listen, motherfucker, you’re the goddamn adult amongst your brothers. Act like it. There is no fucking reason for you to lose your fucking mind like a jackass.”
He’d jumped to his feet, forcing her back. “You haven’t seen Rebel,” he screamed.
“Step the fuck back, Diesel,” she yelled, “or I will geld you. For your fucking information, I saw her this morning.” She’d let her guard down for a moment, covered her face, drew in a deep breath, and forged on. “It isn’t easy,” she’d said in a thick voice, “but fall apart when she’s better.” She pointed to the double doors. “Now, get back there and see to your brothers.”
Without another word, he stalked away, slamming his finger against the buzzer. He threw her one last glare, and she’d flipped him off.
Kendall went to Meggie, shoved Easton away and kneeled down. It was only then that Mort realized that motherfucker had taken position as one of her guards.
Meggie had lookeddefeated.“I told him to tell them,” she said tiredly. “He…he must’ve forgotten.”
Kendall smiled gently and nodded. “I’m sure he did, sweetheart.”
Everyone knew Prezhadn’tforgotten. He didn’t forget such serious shit. When Kendall stood, she threw Outlaw a dark look. By now, he leaned against the wall, arms folded, glowering.
She’d smiled sweetly. “Easton, can you wheel Meggie back to her room?”
Other than throwing her a look putrid enough to kill, Prez stayed silent.
As Easton rolled Meggie back onto the unit—before Kendall lit into Outlaw—Chester arrived.
“Mattie called me. I was already in the parking lot, looking for a space, to visit Meggie and Rebel.” She zeroed in on Val. “Did you know about Rebel and didn’t warn the boys, Matthew?”
Alarm raced across Val’s face and he’d raised his hands in supplication. “What?” He shook his head.Vigorously. “No! I didn’t know. I would’ve told them if I had.”
She’d turned to Outlaw, unafraid of the menace on his face. “I should fuck you up, you stupid motherfucker,” she cried.
“How the fuck not tellin’ the boys about Rebmyfuckin’ fault, Bitsy? Megan could’ve done it.”
“A stance I don’t agree with, Puff,” Val said quickly, then swallowed at Outlaw’s dirty glare. “I mean, not really—”
Kendall turned her head and tipped her ear forward. “Do my little ears detect cowardly deflection? Throwing responsibility onto an injured woman? Is that what I’m hearing?”
“I believe so, cousin-in-law,” Chester answered. “I also detect enabling.” She looked at each of them with meaning. “I think that calls for retribution.”
“But Puff—”
“Shut up, Matthew.”
“My bitch not even here,” Digger complained. “Neither is any of theirs.” A wave of his hand took in the waiting area, filled with bikers panicked at the thought of their old ladies freezing them out. “Why we got to pay? Prez right, anyway.”
Cocking his head to the side, Outlaw narrowed his eyes. He might’ve been mad at Meggie, but he was suspicious of Digger.
“I’m on your side, Outlaw!”
“Yeah, Puff,” Val said helplessly. “We don’t have a choice. Outlaw our Prez.”
“You always have choices,” Chester cooed, “especially in family matters. Take your pillow and blanket, and sleep outside with that pig bitch.” She’d turned and stormed away.
Never seeing Meggie or Rebel because she didn’t come back.
“Say what the fuck you gotta say, Kendall, and then get to fuckin’ steppin’.”
Mort shook his head at the happiness in Johnnie’s eyes.
Undeterred, Kendall smiled and folded her arms. “Okay,Outlaw. I’ll reserve my opinion on mybrother-in-lawabout his shitty treatment toward his wife. Callinghima fucking dickhead who’s already on thin ice with his wife might be seen asdisrespect. Far be it from me to do that.” Turning, she marched to Johnnie. “Why didn’t you tell the boys?”
“I thought Christopher did, Kendall,” he cried, suddenly not so happy. “You knew about her! You’re the one who told me. How is it my fault that I didn’t know he hadn’t?”
