Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books

by Kathryn C. Kelly

  “Whatcha doin’, baby?”

  “Getting one of the blankets I’m lying on.”

  Lifting her halfway as she held onto Ryder, he grabbed the blanket and then helped her back down. He threw the cover over their son just as Zoann raced in. Christopher was glad because he knew fuck all about caring for newborns.

  “I got here as soon as I could,” she said, removing her rain poncho and revealing a medical kit. “Where’s Val? He isn’t home yet.”

  Christopher winced. No one had told Zoann that Val was missing. In a way, he understood, but he just hated that he had to break the news to her about Val’s injuries.

  “Val comin’,” he started, indicating Zoann to sit. Once she did, he laid Ryder across her lap but kept a hand on his squirming son. “We ran into some problems.”

  “What type of problems?”

  “Big fuckin’ ones,” he told her. “But Val fine now. He gonna be released from the hospital in a couple days.”

  “What do you mean?” she cried.

  “Just what I said. It’s a real long fuckin’ story. I promise I’ma tell you every fucking thing once Ryder looked at.”

  He thought she might argue. Instead, her medical training kicked in and she dug into the kit. “I don’t have much for childbirth emergencies.”

  “Considerin’ the baby factory ‘round this motherfucker, you should.”

  She nodded and sighed, adjusting Ryder so that he lay on his side. “The gravity will naturally clear the fluids. Johnnie called for an ambulance.”

  “We have to get them back to the house.”

  “I’ll carry Ryder while you see to Meggie.”

  Quickly, she closed her medical kit while Christopher lifted Ryder into his arms and stared at his newest son. He was bald-headed, so he didn’t know what color his hair might be. The dim candlelight made it hard to tell the color of his eyes. He was tiny, though, but perfectly formed.

  When Zoann stood, she reached for Ryder. Christopher hurried to Megan and lifted her into his arms.

  “He’s okay?” she asked.

  As far as Christopher saw. “Yeah, baby.”

  Offering him a weak smile, she laid her head against his chest. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Megan,” he responded, knowing their bond had helped him to endure these past few days.

  Kendall lay in her hospital bed, sobbing softly. The weekend had come and gone and there’d been no sign of Johnnie. Not even a phone call. She’d left so many messages for him, only to be ignored, leaving her to wonder if he’d just deserted her and Matilda.

  Tomorrow she was being released from the hospital. The doctor advised she wait an additional three days before scheduling a flight back home on behalf of her little girl. She hadn’t made any travel arrangements yet because she kept hoping Johnnie would come.

  After giving her history, her attending physician had prescribed the same old antidepressants she’d been on before. Kendall declined to take them. She wanted to see her doctor, so her prescription would be changed and she’d feel more like herself on the medication.

  The door opened and Kendall sniffled, not lifting her head, already knowing she’d find Digger. He’d remained behind to look after Val, but he also kept watch over her, never failing to come in and sit with her for at least an hour.

  “Crying again?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets and glancing at her from head-to-toe. When he’d returned to the club, his dreads had been shoulder length, but he was allowing them to grow out. He was a little more serious than Mortician, though just as loyal. “You should be cried out, girl.”

  Her lips trembled. “Johnnie hates me.”

  “He don’t,” he insisted. “He pissed like a motherfucker with you, but his ass worship the ground you walk on.”

  “He does not! If he worshiped me, he’d be here.”

  Digger shrugged. “You know the shit you caused? Any other motherfucker probably would’ve walked the fuck away from you. John Boy love you, Kendall.”

  “Then where is he? He has a fine way of showing it.”

  “The motherfucker right where he been for the past three goddamn days. In the waiting room. He take breaks here and there to go to the nursery to feed Matilda her bottle.”

  “He’s here?” she gasped.

  “He must’ve left home as soon as he found out you had your baby.”

  “He’s here?” she echoed, torn between hurt, betrayal, and anger. She swiped at her cheeks. “How dare he come and not see about me.”

  “He just short of choking the fuck out of you, so I’d back the fuck off. The dude not in a good place right now.”

  “You just claimed he loved me,” she sneered, her tears drying up as anger set in. “He won’t hurt me in any way if that’s the case. You tell him if he doesn’t see me right away, he doesn't ever have to see me again. I’ll take Matilda and Rory and leave.”

  Digger gave her a disapproving frown. “You sure you want me to tell him that? Cuz I will, but think about that shit first. The way I see it, your son on club grounds. You might have a hard time getting him. As for your daughter, John Boy might say take her because she’s a girl and girls belong with their mommas. You walked away once. You do it again and your marriage over.”

  His calm explanation sent fear into Kendall. He wasn’t threatening her as much as explaining the facts. It might do her well to listen, since… “Not even Meggie has called to check on me.”

  “Meggie girl went into labor. Her son was born the same night as Matilda. They just hours apart.”

  “It figures,” she said resentfully. “She won’t even allow my daughter and me that much attention. I give birth so she has to give birth. I suppose Outlaw ran to the hospital straight from the airport when he couldn’t even come here to tell me goodbye.”

  “You not getting one fucking thing I’m saying, huh?” Digger growled in frustration. “You think Meggie went into labor on purpose? Put her fucking son at risk being born early just to take the spotlight away from you?” Shaking his head, he laughed without humor. “That’s some fucked up ass shit. For real. What make you think like that?”

  She glared at him, hating that the question made her feel unwell. “Am I wrong?”

  “As a matter of fact, you are.”

  Johnnie’s voice captured Kendall’s attention and she snapped her head in the direction of the door. He sauntered to the other side of her hospital bed, his expression unreadable. Usually, he played the part that she preferred—CEO—and dressed in a suit and tie. Today, he was all biker with jeans, a T-shirt, and motorcycle boots, though he didn’t wear his cut like Digger.

  “Megan delivered her baby in the cave.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” she screeched, incredulous. “And the image of her saintly façade is complete. Pity she didn’t give birth on Christmas Eve.”

  “Enough, Kendall,” Johnnie warned coldly.

  “Why? Does she ever think about anyone but herself? What the hell was she doing in a fucking cave knowing she was pregnant?”

  “That’s my cue to leave you to your wife,” Digger said, backing away. “You really need to check yourself, girl.”

  “No! You check yourself. Why am I taking up for Outlaw anyway? The asshole left me to die!” She turned a tearful gaze to Johnnie. “Did you know that?”

  “Prez wouldn’t do that,” Digger scoffed.

  “The fuck he wouldn’t,” she yelled and explained the conversation she’d overheard word-for-word, the one where he’d said he would pay for someone to fuck her up.

  “He was taking the heat away from you,” he told her while Johnnie stayed ominously silent. “Don’t you see that? He don’t like you, but he’d never let other motherfuckers hurt you. You have to give him more credit than you do.”

  “No, never! He’s a horrible asshole. That man who took me told him not to move or he’d kill me. What did he do? He fucking shot him!”

  “What the fuck did you say?” Johnnie snarled, no
longer standing so emotionless. White hot rage twisted on his face.

  “You heard me. Instead of not moving—”

  “Not that,” he interrupted. “What man took you and when?”

  “Kendall, Kendall, Kendall,” Digger sighed. “You just don’t know when to shut the fuck up.” He looked to Johnnie. “Despite me telling your woman to keep her ass put, she left the fucking room and got taken. Prez saved her. Val told me all about it.”

  Drawing in a deep breath, Johnnie closed his eyes. “Digger, leave,” he ordered in a hard voice.

  Digger nodded to her and did as Johnnie demanded, leaving Kendall alone with her husband.

  “Riddle me this, Kendall. You said you were defending Christopher when you were going on about Megan giving birth. How?”

  “Do I really have to tell you?”

  “Apparently. I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”

  “He’s lost weight. He’s tired. He’s probably in pain. Yet, he had to deal with her.”

  “She’s his wife.”

  “I’m yours,” she challenged. “You couldn’t even let me know you were here.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, Johnnie narrowed his eyes. “I was with Megan when she went into labor. I was with her in the cave, helping her deliver Ryder.”

  Her mouth dropped open at his hard announcement. If she thought she felt betrayal before, it didn’t compare to her anguished humiliation now.

  “How often have you jerked off thinking about the sight of her pussy?” she bit out.

  “This stops now,” he told her. “There was nothing sexual about what went on in that cave, Kendall, and you know it. Unless you’re comparing how you felt having Christopher see your pussy.”

  “You bastard.”

  Pacing around the bed, Johnnie thrust his fingers through his hair. “Shut the fuck up. This competition you have with Megan stops now. It almost got you, Christopher, and Val killed.”

  “That’s not true! I wanted him to like me for you. Not for any other reason. But what did the asshole do? Left me to get killed. Tried to get me killed. Ignored me in my hour of need.”

  “Stop with the goddamn theatrics. He didn’t do any of that and we both know it. You know what the fuck we also both know? You’ve never quite forgiven him for knocking you on your ass the night you came to seduce him. It’s over and done with. Everyone has moved on, except you and I. No one gives a fuck, especially Christopher. He’s living his life and he’s doing what he’s always done. Protecting me. Even when he’s suspended me from the club.”

  “You would say that. That asshole protects no one but his spoiled wife.”

  “He protects her first,” Johnnie agreed tiredly, “but he protects us all. Family is important to him. To me.” A muscle ticked in his jaw and he scowled at her. “I can’t discuss this any further with you right now. I might say something I regret.”

  Since she’d left him, Johnnie hadn’t been so harsh with her, and he’d definitely hadn’t walked away from her because he was too angry to continue. He was so angry in fact, he hadn’t once called her gorgeous to soften his words.

  Panicked that she might’ve pushed him too far, she shoved her covers aside and hurried after him, catching up to him just outside the door.

  “Wait, please,” she cried, tears once again streaking her cheeks.

  He stopped but didn’t turn. “What?”

  Anger and resentment welled inside of her and she stiffened. If he’d truly meant to leave her, he wouldn’t have stopped, so she’d not give in and offer any apologies, until he did. “Nothing. Never mind.”

  Not answering, he stalked away. Glaring at the nurses who followed Johnnie’s departure, Kendall stomped back in the room. He was angry, but he’d get over it. He always did.

  A week after Kendall delivered Matilda, Johnnie accompanied her back to Hortensia. It was early evening and everyone knew they were home, but he’d specifically requested they stay away.

  The time had come for him to have another heart-to-heart with Kendall. Once she settled their daughter in her nursery and returned to their bedroom, Johnnie stood from the couch, beer already in hand.

  She lifted a brow, looking pointedly at the bottle, but backed down at his narrowing eyes.

  “I know you’re still angry, Johnnie,” she began.

  Oh, she didn’t know the fucking half of it. “Angry?” he asked mildly and gulped from the bottle. He nodded. “That’s one way of putting it.”

  Hand on her still-swollen belly, she stomped to him. “I just had a baby. Your daughter. The least you could do is cut me some slack.”

  “No, Kendall, the least I can fucking do is not walk the fuck out and stay away until you’re following your doctor’s advice again. Do you know the shit you’ve caused? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  A question Christopher had asked over and over and Johnnie had always gotten pissed off over. Looking back, he realized he’d directed his anger at the wrong goddamn person.

  “You could’ve gotten Christopher killed.”

  “Christopher! Christopher! Christopher!” she blared. “I despise him. He treated me worse than dirt when I was having Matilda. He walked away and made Digger take over. That’s how much he hates me. Enough to risk our daughter’s life by ignoring my need.”

  A time or two at the beginning of their relationship, Kendall had made Johnnie angry enough to want to commit violence, but he always pulled back. Because he loved her. Because he knew she’d been through so fucking much. But, fuck him, enough was enough.

  “Stop blaming everyone for the shit you do,” he roared. “Christopher didn’t risk Matilda. You fucking did. You stowed away in the goddamn plane, knowing you were close to your due date.”

  The color dropped from her face and tears rushed to her eyes. “That’s because I wanted to make amends with—”

  “You can’t have every fucking thing you want. Even a goddamn child has that much fucking understanding.”

  Her loud sobs almost drowned out his words.

  “Save your fucking tears and listen to me for once.”

  “I haven’t fully recovered from having your baby and you’re yelling at me,” she cried.

  “I told you to shut the fuck up, didn’t I?” he gritted through clenched teeth.

  “Y-yes,” she sniffled, somehow managing to contain her bawling.

  “Then do it.”

  Eyes wide, she stared at him while Johnnie wrestled with his anger, on the verge of tearing his hair out.

  “I love you,” he told her, “but even my love won’t be enough to save our marriage if you don’t stop being such a selfish witch. Every goddamn thing that goes on is for your benefit. Not mine. Not Rory’s.” And Rory was afraid of her, something he needed to discuss with her, but not when he was so fucking angry and she looked hurt to her core. “We can’t have a one-sided marriage. Hear what the fuck I want and take it into consideration.”

  “Or what?” she challenged, recovering enough to fire back at him. But that’s what Kendall did.

  “I’m going to ignore that for now. You’ve got to understand that from this moment forward, we compromise. No more sticking your nose in club business. No more keeping me from my beer. No more fucking recitals at Charlotte and Brooks.”

  “How’s that compromise? It sounds as if it’ll all be about what you want.”

  “Why shouldn’t it, as long as it doesn’t fucking hurt you or our marriage? Not one fucking thing I’ve said has one fucking impact on you unless you allow it. You don’t like beer? I do. You like fucking opera? I fucking hate it. We can have separate playlists or we can share a playlist that has half your songs and half my songs. You want to go to those horrid events Charlotte hosts? Wonderful. See you when you get fucking back.”

  “So this is the way we’re going to be?”

  “Yes! Happy, for the first time since you’ve gotten pregnant.”

  She gasped. “How dare you? You’re responsible for my condition.”

/>   Fuck, she wore him out. Instead of addressing that, he continued with the argument he’d been having. “What you desire doesn’t mean taking away my pleasures. That won’t happen ever again. As for our children, they’ll call us Mom and Dad. Not Kendall and Johnnie. Understood, Kendall?”

  Folding her arms, she raised her chin. “And if I don’t?”

  He glared at her. “Are you really challenging me to give you an ultimatum?”

  They stared at each other and, for a moment, Johnnie thought Kendall would tell him yes. If she had, he would’ve walked out. What else could he have done? She’d caused all kinds of havoc that got him suspended from the club and her, Val, and Christopher kidnapped.

  But, instead of an affirmative answer, she lowered her lashes and said, “N-no, Johnnie.” Rushing to him and sitting, she threw her arms around his neck and sobbed. “I’m so sorry. For everything. But Christopher took my job at the law firm. He—”

  Pulling away from her, he grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Shut up,” he ordered. “Get over it. The sooner you face the fucking facts, the better off you’ll be. You’ll never, ever, EVER get Christopher to like you. Brooks likes living so he won’t allow you to rejoin the firm. There are others you can apply to.”

  “No, please, Johnnie! Brooks respects my opinions. He’s like a father to me.”

  And spoiled her like a father. Brooks had allowed Kendall to have the run of the department she worked in, just to make her value herself. But she’d run the fuck over him as she did with Johnnie and Charlotte. Even Megan had grown tired of Kendall’s demands.

  He caressed Kendall’s back and kissed the top of her head. “I love you,” he repeated again. “But you’ve got to do one other thing.”

  “Go back on my medicine,” she supplied around her tears.

  Smiling, Johnnie threaded his fingers through her hair. “Will you?”

  “I love you, too, and I want our marriage to succeed. I want to be the best wife and great mom and role model for Matilda. I just thought it showed how much we respected them as little people to have them call us by our names. I wanted them to know that we—”