Shame crossed Kendall’s face. “You’re right. But I’m just joking. Another thing you’ll find out now that I’m not so stressed with the case. I’m a real cut-up.”
Fee faked a loud laugh, then abruptly stopped and glared at Kendall. “Christopher happens to like lox and caviar.”
“He does? Not even Johnnie likes caviar.”
Fee shrugged, wondering if this was Kendall’s true character, or if she was having an off day, as everyone did at one time or another.
In the kitchen, Fee found Jane serving tea to Ella. She was a plump woman, too severe to be a nanny to young kids. Both her and Jane were older, matronly types, who wore gray and white uniforms that matched their gray and white hair.
Two silver trays, covered in clear plastic wrap, sat on the kitchen counter. The smaller one contained the lox, the bigger held a mountain of bagels. Silver dishes containing sour cream, chives, and something unidentifiable surrounded the trays. A large bowl of fresh mixed fruit was also there.
“May I help you?” Jane’s polite question drew Ella’s attention.
Fee smiled. “Kendall sent me in here to make sure everything is ready for Meggie’s arrival.”
Mouth pinched, Jane nodded to the trays and bowls.
“Erm, okay.” She stood like a doofus, wondering should she have Jane set the trays in the dining room. Should she do it herself? Usually, administrative work kept Fee busy, so Kendall handled her staff.
Considering her next move, she studied the kitchen, wondering why it resembled the one in her brother’s house. Whereas the center island in the other kitchen had stools in a semi-circle at one end, the center island here lacked any evidence that company was welcomed during food preparation. Cabinet styles matched in design, but Kendall had decorated her kitchen with dark wood, dark countertops, and dim lighting, giving a dramatic, sexy effect.
If she had her own house, Fee decided she’d choose colors and lighting somewhere in between.
“Is there anything else you need?” Jane asked, hands on hips.
Fee frowned at the woman’s attitude. “Kendall wants you to put the food out.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“No,” Fee admitted. “But it is time for it to go out, so get it done.”
“Out, missy. I’d never tell you how to do your job. Don’t tell me how to do mine.”
Kendall breezed in, and halted, looking from Fee to Jane. “What’s taking you so long, Fee?”
“Nothing.” Fee swept her hand toward the food. “As you can see, Jane has everything under control.”
Silence met her statement, as Kendall continued to divide her regard. She offered Jane a small smile. “You do understand this woman is my assistant?”
Lifting her chin, Jane cleared her throat. “Yes, ma’am.”
“That means if she’s in this kitchen for me, you’ll give her due accordance. Am I clear?”
Jane nodded.
“Now, set the food out before my sister-in-law arrives. I’ll remember this during our quarterly review.”
Review?
“Kendall?” Fee said once Jane began to move the trays to the side board in the dining room and Ella took her tea to wherever.
Kendall turned from transferring the coffee from the glass decanter to a silver service. “Yes?”
“You give employee reviews?”
“Of course. That’s how it’s done at the law firm. Well, Brooks and his partners do yearly reviews, but these people are in my house, around my husband and children. A year is too long to point out flaws.”
“Does that mean I’ll get a review, too?”
Setting the service on a nearby counter, Kendall paused and frowned. “Are you sure you’re related to Christopher, Johnnie, and Zoann?”
“What? Why?” she asked as the doorbell rang.
“Well, are you?”
“Of course! They’re my brother, cousin, and sister. You know that.”
“Then act like it. You’re scared of your own fucking shadow. It’s so annoying. Even Meggie stands up for herself. You’d let a mouse walk all over you.”
What did that have to do with an employee review? Still…“That isn’t true! I don’t have to be abrasive to prove I’m not a wimp.”
“I hate to tell you differently, but it’s not working your way, hon. You don’t have enough self-worth not to end up in horrible relationships.” Kendall gave her a sympathetic pat on the hand. “I know it’s difficult seeing yourself in the mirror every morning, but your inner beauty shines through.”
“Seriously, Kendall?” Fee said in disbelief. “I’m fine looking at myself in the mirror. I’ve never had issues with my looks. You’re insulting and offensive. Don’t let me go there with you, to prove I’m not as meek as you believe.”
Kendall grinned. “You’re so easy to rile up. You’re gorgeous. I was joking. Sparking a little fire in your blood. It worked.”
“Knock, knock,” Meggie said as Fee threw Kendall a dirty look.
“Meggie, darling,” Kendall greeted, sailing toward the door to hug the other woman. She indicated Meggie’s pink jeans, pink Uggs, and white top. “So cute. You could be an ad for bubblegum.”
“What would I do without your compliments, Kendall? You’ve just made my day,” Meggie said with biting sarcasm. She headed to Fee and gave her a hug. “How’s your job working out?”
Meggie asked the same question every week. Each time, Kendall answered for Fee with the same response.
“I’m a fabulous boss. How do you think it’s working out?”
“Just as I see it,” Meggie retorted, setting her purse on the counter.
Kendall scowled and snatched the pink and white bag. “A purse is one of the dirtiest items in the world. Crawling with bacteria. Do not put this on my counter.”
Rolling her eyes, Meggie took her purse from Kendall and settled it on her shoulders. Fee’s head spun watching the two of them interact. They both pretended to look forward to these brunches, but they were more frenemies than actual friends.
Side-by-side as they now stood, Fee could see why Kendall commented on looks. Her fair skin and red hair were attention getters, as much as her height and big breasts. An elegant woman, with brown eyes and a straight nose, who loved slacks, pencil skirts, and heels, she was rather self-contained, even as casually dressed as she was today. Meggie, on the other hand, was a small, golden girl, shorter than any of them, younger than any of them, but down-to-earth and all about family.
No wonder the two women repelled one another so much. As much as they were drawn together in friendship. Their personalities were complete opposites.
In their complicated world, two half-brothers were also cousins, making Kendall Meggie’s sister-in-law and cousin-in-law.
“I’m hungry,” Kendall grouched. “Let’s eat.”
“I am, too.” Meggie started behind Kendall, but stopped when Fee didn’t follow. “You’re not hungry?”
She was starving.
“She’s not eating with us,” Kendall informed Meggie in a voice that brooked no argument.
“The past few times you said she was busy. She’s not now. Come in and eat with us or I’ll walk out.”
“My house, Meggie, and my assistant. Stop butting into everyone’s business. She can’t eat with us. She works for me. There’s your reason. Are you happy?”
“Omigod! You can’t be serious?” Meggie asked in outrage.
Folding her arms, Kendall sniffed. “I am. What will the rest of my staff think?”
“Who cares? Your house, your assistant, remember?”
“Fuck, if it gets you to shut up, she can eat with us. You’re giving me a headache.”
“What’s going on in here?”
At the sound of Johnnie’s voice, a panicked look crossed Kendall’s face.
“Johnnie,” Kendall greeted as he and Rory strolled into the kitchen, wearing jeans and his cut.
He walked to his wife and kissed her. “I heard voices in her
e,” he said, slanting a glance at Megan and nodding to her.
“Hey,” Meggie said softly.
He smiled at Fee. “What’s up with you?”
“I’m fine,” she said.
“I’m glad to hear that.” He looked at Meggie again. “You’re rather pink, sweetheart.”
She laughed. “I am.”
“I said the same thing to Meggie,” Kendall said.
Johnnie cocked his head to the side, looking from one to the other. “You two okay?”
Meggie flushed, while Kendall dropped her gaze.
“All right, what the hell’s going on?” he demanded. “Kendall, what have you done now?”
Anger lit Kendall’s eyes, evaporating at Johnnie’s wordless warning.
“Nothing’s wrong, Johnnie,” Meggie said.
“You’re a fucking shit liar,” he growled. “I want the truth.”
“I’ve just told you the truth, idiot,” Meggie snapped. “Go to the park with Rory so we can get to our brunch.”
“I don’t want this to turn into something out of control and it gets to Christopher,” Johnnie told them, as if he were chastising errant children. “Tell me and perhaps I can settle your differences.”
“There’s nothing to say to you,” Kendall stressed. “Meggie and I are fine. Looking forward to our lox and bagels.”
“She hates fucking lox and bagels, Kendall,” Johnnie said, frowning.
“Does she?” Kendall asked innocently. “It slipped my mind.”
“I’ll bet it did,” Meggie bit out.
Johnnie sighed. “Rory and I have to get to the park. Will you two work this out?”
“We’re fine,” Kendall said.
“Yep, perfect,” Meggie agreed.
While Kendall waited for her husband and son to leave, Meggie headed to the dining room. Fee stayed in the kitchen. All the better to listen and appease her curiosity.
Rory flew to Kendall and hugged her legs. He wore jeans and a cut similar to Johnnie’s. “Bye, Mother!”
She ruffled his blond hair. “Have fun with dad, my love.”
“Me and CJ like to play.”
At the mention of CJ’s name, Kendall grimaced.
“Kendall—”
“I want to play, Dad.”
Whatever he’d intended to say to his wife evaporated at his son’s interruption. “When I get home tonight, you and I are talking, Kendall. I want answers. Understand?”
“Nothing’s going on,” she stressed.
“Bullshit, but I have to accept it for now. Whatever it is, fix it,” he ordered.
“It was just a joke gone bad,” she admitted. “Meggie doesn’t have a sense of humor.”
“Oh, wow.” If Kendall’s jokes with Meggie were any way the insult she’d given Fee, then she understood the attitude. She shook her head. “You’re such a riot.”
“I am,” Kendall agreed, either missing or ignoring Fee’s sarcasm.
Rory jigged up and down. “I want to go, Dad.”
Kendall swallowed at the sight of Rory’s energetic moving, before blurting, “Keep still.”
“He can’t.” Johnnie grabbed Rory’s hand. “He’s a little kid.”
Snapping her mouth shut, Kendall ground her teeth together but stayed silent.
“I’ll see you later tonight, gorgeous.”
As abruptly as he’d arrived, Johnnie departed with his son.
Kendall heaved in breath and stiffened her spine. “Let’s eat.”
Fee followed Kendall to the dining room, finding Meggie seated at the table.
Kendall stalked to the other side of the table and leaned forward. Bracing her hands on the table, she glared at Meggie. “You’re doing a piss poor job of keeping up appearances like we agreed after last week’s…disagreement. Unless you’re doing this on purpose.”
Wait, what?
“I’m here, aren’t I? I didn’t know Johnnie hadn’t left yet.”
“Do you know I can take your extreme reaction as a sign of your extreme guilt.”
Meggie jumped up. In turn, Kendall straightened. “I don’t care if the guys are gone or not. I’m leaving. I refuse to sit here so you can accuse me of sleeping with Johnnie because my son has blond hair.”
Oh shit. Christopher needed to know about this, too.
Kendall rattled the chair in front of her. “It was a fucking joke.”
“No, it wasn’t. You don’t joke about those things.”
“You’re so, so annoying. Fine! I’m sorry. Ok? Can we just eat?”
Meggie laughed without humor. “You’re impossible. You can eat your lox and bagels yourself, Kendall. You’re just incredible. You know that?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I didn’t mean it as a compliment, so shut up.”
“Do you accept my apology or not?”
“That is one of your crappiest apologies ever.”
Kendall shrugged. “It’s the best I have.”
“Don’t ever accuse me of sleeping with Johnnie. I’ll stop coming to our brunches and not care who knows why. More than that, don’t ever say my kids aren’t Christopher’s. He’s the only one I’ve had children for.”
“He’s the only one you’ve slept with. According to you. That means he had to teach you in order to find any pleasure.” She raised her hands at Meggie’s glare. “Just an observation.”
“First a joke and now an observation,” she hissed. “Are you advertising your own experience or bragging about it?”
“Please, can we forget about this? We’ve been getting along for the past few months.” Kendall thrust her chin toward the side board. “I have fruit for you. To extend an olive branch. Until we settle this, you’ve agreed to keep it from Outlaw. For our men’s sake. I appreciate that. I didn’t mean to insult you by suggesting Ryder belonged to Johnnie.”
“I’ll stay and eat the fruit.” Meggie stomped to the sideboard. “I’m so over your petty spite, Kendall.”
“And I’m over your interference,” she retorted.
Fee stood as a silent witness to Meggie’s and Kendall’s volatile relationship. More than that, she realized the lengths the two women went to, to protect Christopher and Johnnie. If Fee ran to Christopher with everything she’d learned, all hell would break loose.
It didn’t matter he’d hired her to report to him. Protecting him and their family mattered most. If that meant being a real friend to Kendall and hiding everything from her brother, then Fee would.
Meggie adored Christopher and would never do anything to jeopardize him. Yet, even she kept her arguments with Kendall under wraps.
“Fee, I just remembered you have a pile of emails to answer for me.”
“Kendall, if you don’t allow Fee to eat with us, I’m leaving.”
“No, Meggie,” Fee inserted, not wanting to add fuel to their simmering fire. “I intended to excuse myself anyway. I have a few appointments to schedule for Kendall.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to sit with us?”
Fee nodded. “Positive, Meggie.”
“The three of us can go out to eat,” she suggested.
“Not on my account.” Fee backed towards the door, leaving them to their version of friendship.
She questioned her own reasons for referring to Kendall as a friend. After today, she wondered if it was her sanity she should question.
Cash lifted his head at his ringing phone, pushing Daphne off his chest and reaching over to his nightstand. The moment he grabbed the phone, it stopped ringing. He ran his fingers over his bleary eyes. Raising his arm, he looked at the time on the watch he’d never removed.
11:43.
Intending to press redial, he frowned at the name beneath the words missed call. Not Georgie like he suspected, but Josh, their brother. Usually, the guy was in the middle of a business deal, especially so early on a Monday. Shit! Something awful must’ve happened. Their father flashed in his head. If something was wrong, then it would also affect his little sister.
/>
Cash didn’t want Georgie to worry about their dad. Parnell’s antics had jeopardized her enough because of how much she loved the motherfucker. He hadn’t developed the same closeness or devotion for their father. Parnell didn’t support Cash’s biker lifestyle, his sexual preferences, his casual attire, his drug and alcohol use, his…in simpler terms, Parnell approved of nothing about Cash. Even his military service didn’t impress Parnell. Instead of “finding” himself in the Marine Corps, Cash had decided being a lifer in the United States military was definitely not for him.
Now, their dad was having issues with Abby Mason—he was just a dickhead like that—and Georgie worried about his state of mind, despite everything he’d put her through. Josh held Abby partly responsible for his mother’s suicide. He’d forgiven Parnell for whatever wrong doing he might’ve been responsible for. Which, knowing his father, had been a lot.
Parnell McCall was a fucking womanizer. He could couch it as boredom or falling out-of-love. His father liked young women, so it wasn’t surprising to Cash that at almost sixty, the asshole shacked up with someone not quite thirty.
His mother was much better off without Parnell in her life. She’d just returned from Iceland. Lake Myvatn. She adored luxury and dragged her second husband around the world to resorts of all types, with the search for the perfect hot spring, her latest obsession.
Her traveling suited Cash perfectly. It kept her out of his business and her quest to fix him.
Cash sat up, ignoring Daphne’s sleepy groan. Just as promised he’d locked himself in his room at the club with her. If anyone asked, she would say they’d fucked like monkeys the entire weekend.
They’d drank like monkeys but he hadn’t put his cock in her yet. He’d promised her he’d do her, so he would. He didn’t want to piss her off, since her cooperation would assist him in the jam he might be in with Outlaw. Not only couldn’t he rely on Slipper’s silence regarding Fee attending the party, but the motherfucker would know Cash had something to hide. He’d be at the alcoholic ass’s mercy, subjected to blackmail.
No fucking thank you.
If he didn’t play this perfectly, he’d be fucked up in so many different ways by his president.
He’d met Outlaw at the age of eighteen when he’d been enrolled at the University of Portland. By twenty, he was a full-fledged member of the club. A month after he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, Cash went Nomad, returned to Houston, and ended up in the Marine Corps. He’d been out of the military nearly four years now. In all the years Cash had known Outlaw, the man hadn’t hesitated to kill whoever had it coming until he’d met his wife.
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 302
