He scooted toward the shower. “My turn!”
Christopher caught him before he jumped in and started the water. “No the fuck it ain’t.”
“Why you all wet, ‘Law?”
Glancing over her shoulder, Megan smirked at him. “Yes, why are you all wet, ‘Law?”
“Cuz Mommie said I needed to try gettin’ in the shower with my clothes on, boy.”
She shot to her feet. “I did not!”
Dripping to her, he grabbed her neck and pulled her to him, kissing the top of her head, holding in his laughs at her hilarious outrage. “Just fuckin’ kiddin’, CJ. I came to tell your ma bye and…” His voice trailed off. He couldn’t tell his young son that she’d looked so fucking gorgeous, he hadn’t been able to control his dick. “And she couldn’t fuckin’ hear me over the water, so I stepped in and got all fuckin’ wet.”
CJ glanced at the shower.
“Later tonight I’ll let you try it,” Megan promised, just as Christopher knew she would.
Watching his boy bounce around the room, he anticipated the big fucking mess CJ would create.
“Rule and Ryder, too, ‘Law?”
“Ryder just four fuckin’ months old.”
“Ryder ain’t doing this?”
Christopher frowned at CJ’s question. His boy tried to imitate him in all things, even speech.
While he was too fucking old to truly change, he could try to talk a little better for the sake of his kids. He still cut out the ‘g’s most of the time and fucked up other parts of correct English. He’d never be a Shakespeare motherfucker, but his children? They’d be everything he’d never been.
“Ryder can’t do this,” Christopher reminded his son. “He a…he’s a small baby.”
Christopher averted his eyes at Megan’s look. Not her love and adoration. He’d never get enough of that message in her eyes. It was her understanding and encouragement over correcting himself that got to him. She insisted CJ would learn in school.
“As long as you’re doing this for you, Christopher,” she’d said, loving him just as he was.
In a way he was doing it for himself. If he was remembered for nothing else when he became a Free Bird, he wanted Megan to say he’d been a good husband to her and a good father to their kids.
“C’mon, ‘Law.” CJ grabbed his hand and tried to yank him forward. “I ready to leave. Wanna shower with my clothes.”
Today was boys’ day out. With no urgent business, he, CJ, and Rule always met Johnnie and Rory, and Val, Ryan, and Devon, at the park twice a month for father/son bonding. Usually, CJ looked forward to the playdate. Now, though, Megan had just given him a reason to hurry shit along.
“We got a long day, son,” Christopher told him. “Playin’ at the park with your cousins and then food.”
Sometimes, when he thought about how his life had been compared to now, it amazed the fuck out of him. No one would believe a bunch of fucking bikers would bring their sons to a fucking park, like women at a stroller meet. Going to a fucking park twice a month bored the living fuck out of him. To liven shit up, he couldn’t fuck with his old friends, Herb and Al, until afterwards, either.
The only exciting recent event was a Torpedo fuckhead who’d survived the bombing at their old MC reaching out to Christopher several times, requesting help. Christopher wasn’t interested in forming an alliance with a club that had gone from friend to foe. He’d never trust their intentions.
“Hurry, Daddy!”
“I gotta find dry clothes,” he reminded his son.
“I help,” CJ promised, not releasing his hand.
He’d miss CJ when he started school in the fall, so he wouldn’t balk at the offer. He’d take all the time he could get with his son, before he began the next chapter in his young life.
“Have fuckin’ fun, baby.”
“I will. I love you,” she added, as she always did.
“I love the fuck outta you.”
It didn’t matter that they said those exact words at least twice a day, it never got old. Life changed on a dime. Although shit had gotten good again with the extinguishing of all their enemies, he’d still take no chances. If he was fucked up in the next minute, he never wanted Megan to fucking forget how much he loved her.
Fee sat at the desk, remembering the mistake she’d made by not walking out the moment Cash laid down his ultimatum. He had a lot of gall, expecting her to fall into line. On the other hand, he must’ve detected the high bar on her bullshit meter.
Without considering her, or Stretch, Cash spelled out his terms. When Stretch hadn’t put up an argument, Fee knew she couldn’t either, not trusting he wouldn’t find a way to remain in Cash’s life, if Fee exited the relationship.
Lately, the push and pull of their triad felt more like a triangle, one where she had to stick it out for the long haul to come out the victor. The only time they were all ever on the same page was with sex. This time, Cash had resisted. Well, as much as he could, which wasn’t much at all.
He’d been too happy to get rid of her when another woman came along before Fee had even left. He’d made an obligatory call to her, a few minutes after she arrived home, to check on her safety, then hung up.
Stressing over the situation, and still not finding a solution, bruised her self-esteem. Cash needed to sort things out in his head to realize what a real relationship entailed. In the meantime, if he stayed stuck on stupid, she’d move on.
“Fee!”
Kendall snapping her name forced awareness into Fee’s brain and she turned to her cousin-in-law.
“Meggie will be here in about thirty minutes.”
“For your weekly brunch, right?”
Sliding Fee four envelopes, Kendall smiled. “It is Monday, isn’t it?”
“If yesterday was Sunday, then today is Monday,” Fee responded.
Dressed in yoga pants, Kendall brushed some of her red hair behind her ear. “In that case, you know it’s the weekly brunch, silly.” She pointed to the envelopes. “Those are invitations. I’ve marked off the party Johnnie and I will attend. Please RSVP with an acceptance. There’s two to decline. The fourth one doesn’t deserve a response.”
She walked across the room to her desk and sat, firing up her computer, while Fee got to work.
“Once you’re finished, I need you to research a precedence for the case I’m working on.”
Fee had been looking for a position and Kendall offered her the job as her assistant. Christopher dented Fee’s intentions to refuse by asking her to take Kendall’s offer and report back to him any suspicious goings-on. He especially wanted to know if she stopped her meds, which she was, as far as Fee knew.
Not having a legal background, Fee had hesitated, but capitulated at Christopher’s and Kendall’s insistence. Kendall didn’t know the role Christopher played in Fee’s decision. All for guaranteed tuition for college when she had yet to decide if she’d ever go back to school.
“Mother!” Rory called.
Kendall looked up from her work. “In here, son.”
A moment later, the little boy rushed in, somewhere between running and walking. In contrast to Kendall’s fiery red hair, Rory had blond locks. He looked so much like his father, Fee giggled every time she saw them together.
“Mother, CJ is at the park.” The excitement in his words gave away his anticipation.
“Sorry, Mrs. Donovan.” Ella bustled in. “This one got away from me while I was putting Matilda down for her nap. He’s been talking about CJ all morning. He thinks that little ruffian is setting foot in this house.”
Kendall darted her gaze between her nanny and Fee. “Fee’s here.”
“Oh, goodness!” Ella placed a hand on her chest and laughed. “CJ’s a lovely boy. He’s just a little rambunctious.”
“I want CJ, Mother,” Rory whined, turning a pleading gaze to Kendall.
“Father is going on a playdate with you.”
He bowed his head. “Yes, ma’am.”
Slamming her laptop closed, Kendall huffed. “CJ will be there.”
Rory squealed and hopped up and down. “CJ, CJ, CJ,” he chanted.
Ella held out her hand. “Come, Mr. Rory. Let’s find you suitable clothes.”
“Johnnie likes him in jeans. Remember?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ella responded and escorted Rory out.
Kendall grabbed a bottle of water from the edge of her desk and drank. “Did you finish RSVP’ing?”
Guilt ate at Fee for being in Kendall’s house to spy on her but she wouldn’t allow Kendall to disparage her nephew. “About CJ.”
“Don’t, Fee. I have nothing against that child. Ella is just a little protective of Rory and Matilda. That’s why I love her so much. You’ll understand when you become a mother.”
“I want kids soon.”
“You need a man first.”
Heat rose in Fee’s cheeks at Kendall’s sardonic assessment and she bit on her lip. An image of Stretch rose in her head. Showing her his toys night before last, allowed her a glimpse into his world. Granted, it hadn’t been planned. Sometimes, however, spur of the moment encounters outranked planned seduction.
“I didn’t mean my words in a bad way,” Kendall cried, “so let’s drop it while I freshen up my appearance.”
She opened her drawer and pulled out a tube of lipstick, using the camera on her phone as a mirror.
Completing her makeup application, Kendall frowned in Fee’s direction. “It must be hard for you.”
Fee slid her chair back. “What’s hard for me?”
“You’re so cute. Girl-next-door. Living in the shadow of a gorgeous sister like Zoann. Then Meggie comes along and steals Zoann’s thunder, pushing you even further in the shadows.” Kendall smiled at her camera and snapped a selfie. “As I said, it’s so hard.”
“There isn’t a competition going on.”
Kendall got to her feet, tall even without shoes on. “We’re friends, right?”
Doubtful, if they judged by this conversation. “If you say so.”
“Of course we are. You’ve only been with me a couple of months. I’ve been rather distracted with that divorce case. Now, I have time so you’ll get to know the real me. Please don’t let me intimidate you.” She walked to Fee and grabbed her hands. “I’m very open and honest. Aboveboard. I understand you’re softer than Zoann, but you have to get out of her shadow one day. Right?”
“I’m not intimidated by you. I can deal with your dominating personality.” Fee had dealt with her brother and sisters her entire life. “I can’t help it if you think I’m stunted by my sister’s success. Her life is hers. I’m finding my way again. Forging ahead for my future. That’s why I wanted to move away from my brother’s house.”
Kendall tittered. “Meggie’s house.”
“What?”
“Didn’t you know? Christopher put everything in her name.” Kendall made it sound like the most important tidbit of the day.
“How’s that my business? Or yours?”
“It explains everything and pisses me off how he treats her is the way he expects everyone else to treat her.”
“She’s his wife. How should he treat her?”
“Never mind,” Kendall said with a dismissive wave. She leaned in closer and dropped her voice. “If you want to know anything, come to me. I have the 411 on everybody in the club. All the dirty little secrets.”
Could Kendall give Fee any insight into Cash and Stretch? Crap! She couldn’t blurt about their relationship, given that Cash and Stretch engaged in sex, too. Stretch had almost gotten killed for just that reason.
She changed the subject. “Did you hear that a dude from that club where the bombing happened has been trying to contact Christopher?”
Studying her nails, Kendall plastered a smile on her face. “What club?”
“The Torps, I think. Some kind of stupid name.”
“Torpedoes?”
“That’s it.” She didn’t know the particulars, having overheard Meggie and Zoann talking. “I guess they shorten it to Torps.”
Kendall offered her a shit-eating grin. “Do you know the firm I worked for once represented them? I served as co-counsel with one of the partners.”
“Oh my goodness.” What wonderful stories Kendall must have. “How exciting. How did you all come to represent the Dwellers?”
“Long story. One for another time. I’ll tell you a different secret in its place.” Kendall looked over her shoulder and all around. “Charlotte Redding confided in me that a group of scattered members called on Brooks, in hopes of contacting Christopher. I offered a few suggestions on how to make the meeting happen. As usual, my ideas were so impressive, they put me back on the payroll. Secretly, of course. However, Charlotte and I are working on a way for the firm to rehire me.”
After all the problems Kendall’s interference had caused, less than five months ago, her words stunned Fee. “Are you kidding me? You can’t work there again. Christopher forbade it! You’ll get Charlotte and Brooks killed, and you and Johnnie banned.”
“Oh, please,” Kendall scoffed. “Brooks said your brother had the opportunity to shoot him in the head and fired into his shoulder instead. Outlaw isn’t going to lay a hand on any of us. I even hand-picked another attorney to take my place as the club’s co-counsel.”
The moment of truth had arrived. Discovering this information told Fee Christopher had a right to his concern. Despite how much she liked Kendall and felt she was betraying her, she’d pass this along to Christopher.
First, she’d try to talk some sense into Kendall.
“Kendall, I don’t like this. This sounds so dangerous. If you’re going behind his back and talking to a rival club, Christopher will see this as a betrayal. And what will Johnnie say?”
“Don’t you want to know who I chose to take my place?” Kendall asked, ignoring Fee’s question.
“Yes.” The more she knew, the more she’d have to report to Christopher. If Kendall wanted to get Johnnie kicked out of the club and her entire family exiled, that was on her.
“Kyler Charles, whom hardly anyone knows is Charlotte and Brooks’ son-in-law. Isn’t that a brilliant move? Kyler and I are friends, so the choice was easy.”
“Please, be careful. As the head of the family, my brother will forgive a lot of things, but not dealing with a known club rival.”
“Have I misjudged you? This is between you and me. I’d never put my husband or his club in jeopardy.”
“Kendall—”
“Fee, you and I are friends. I’d never share my secrets with anyone, except my husband. This time, not even Johnnie knows.”
“Really?”
Kendall nodded. “I want everything in place before I tell him. He was so upset when Christopher resigned my position.”
“I thought you resigned.”
“No.” Kendall blinked rapidly and her nose reddened. “Christopher did it. He almost came to blows with Johnnie over this.”
What would happen between them once Fee gave her report? God! What other choice did she have? “Your interference caused a lot of mayhem.”
“I understand and I’m so, so sorry. I’d never do anything to risk Outlaw. Please, believe me.”
All over again, Fee’s guilt resurfaced. This was information Christopher needed to know. But everyone in the club seemed untrusting of Kendall. If someone showed themselves as a real friend to her, Kendall might do what she must.
“You haven’t misjudged me, Kendall. I’m your friend. I hope I haven’t misjudged you.” Kendall needed something to do. Something to make her happy. Her career was that something. She’d also mention that to Christopher. “Don’t put my brother and his club at risk.”
“If he’s at risk, then so is Johnnie.” She turned and stomped away. “Check in with Jane to make sure everything is ready for Meggie’s arrival.”
“Fine. Be right back.”
Kendall’s voice halted Fee. “You do understand why I c
an’t allow you to sit with us?”
In all the weeks Fee had been working for Kendall and excluded from the brunches, this was the first time she’d thought to ask how Fee felt. Maybe, Kendall really did see her as a friend. “Yes.”
“You don’t mind it, do you?”
“What difference does it make? I understand you want to keep this professional. During business hours, I’m only your employee.”
“I promise I’ll make it up to you, but Ella and Jane were sent by Charlotte. She took time out of her busy schedule to find a nanny and a maid for me. I can’t disappoint her by being gauche enough to let my assistant eat with me on the clock. Don’t be mad. She’s like a mother to me.”
“I thought Roxy was like a mother to you.” Fee liked the club enforcer’s mother-in-law. She’d heard about Charlotte Redding but had never met her. If she offered Kendall this type of awful advice, Fee didn’t want to meet her.
“Roxy deserted me to go back to New Orleans, until the end of the summer. She hasn’t once called me to check in.”
That didn’t sound like Roxy at all. She’d taken a special liking to Kendall, so there had to be a reason for her lack of contact.
“You should call her,” Fee suggested. “Something might be wrong.”
“I did call her and she brushed me off. Talked to me less than a minute before saying she was busy.” Hurt crossed Kendall’s features before she tightened her jaw. “I’m used to it. My own mother never had time for me. Why would someone else’s mom want me?”
Fee recognized the loneliness in Kendall’s statement. She, too, felt alone amongst her remaining family and their friends.
Kendall nodded to the door. “I need you to check to make sure that Jane has bagels and lox ready.”
“Meggie don’t like lox.”
“Such a simple girl. I guess Christopher don’t like it so she doesn’t.” She giggled. “He probably doesn’t even know how to spell it.”
From vulnerability to bitchiness. Kendall’s changes gave Fee whiplash.
“Whoa, back up. First, you insulted CJ, a child. Now, you’re disparaging my brother. You can’t do that around me.”
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 301
