Chapter 42 – Kendall #4
“Oh shit.” Ophelia rolled her eyes and snorted. She hadn’t been friendly to Kendall since their LA trip. “You’re about to tell me Mama wasn’t related to me.”
“No, hun,” Kendall retorted with the same amount of saccharin sweetness as Ophelia. “I’m about to tell you that your father isn’t the same as Zoann’s. Hers is Fred Sterling. Yours is Wallace Bart.”
“What?” Zoann, Outlaw, and Ophelia cried.
Bursting into tears, she turned to Stretch. While he hugged her, Cash rubbed her back.
Kendall moved on. Fuck Ophelia. “Outlaw, you and Johnnie are cousins and half-brothers.”
“Fuck, you sure that shit right?” Outlaw grumbled. “I ain’t got no last-minute save?”
“Oh, I fucking like that, Christopher,” Johnnie barked.
“Ain’t givin’ a good fuck. Choke on that motherfucker. Not only ain’t I want to be related to your motherfuckin’ ass, I don’t even wanna look at you.”
Hurt flickered across Johnnie’s face, then he scowled and flipped Outlaw off.
“I had a dream, Uncle Johnnie,” Axel said, squirming next to Diesel.
Considering the amount of time this was taking, Kendall applauded the kids’ behavior. The adults were starting to get restless.
“A dream about what, Ax?” Ryder piped in since Johnnie refused to take Axel’s bait.
“That I broke into Uncle Johnnie’s bedroom, put glue on his fingers and shoved them up his nose, then watched him smother.”
Bash roared with laughter. “You’re a creative little motherfucker, you know that, kid?”
“Uh-huh,” Axel said proudly. “Dad calls me that, too. And Mom buys me all types of stuffs to fester my createness.”
“Foster and creativity,” Rebel told him.
“’K, Reb.” Axel shifted. “Wanna help me, Uncle Bash?”
“Of course not,” Tabitha said, still hanging onto Diesel as if she was growing out of his goddamn side. “I would miss Uncle Johnnie so much.”
“That’s because you’re stupid like him,” Axel said flatly. “No motherfucker with sense would miss that motherfucker. We wouldn’t miss you either.”
“Watch it—” Tio started.
Diesel cleared his throat.
“If I were you, I’d shut the fuck up, Tio Caldwell,” Celia snapped.
Whatever Easton told Bash and Bash related to Celia had father and aunt very upset with Tio. Kendall considered that a small victory.
“Kendall, get on with it,” Johnnie gritted.
No matter how Kendall behaved, Johnnie wouldn’t change his mind about having sex with her. If this was the only way to make him suffer, she’d take what she could.
“Outlaw, Bash and Celia are also your half-siblings.”
“Am I related to them?” Johnnie asked.
“If you’re related to Uncle Christopher and he’s related to Bash and Celia, that seems obvious, Dad,” Rory said.
“It’s Uncle Bash and Aunt Celia,” Kendall told her son, placing the current page under the stack in her hand. “They are your father’s half siblings.”
“Only if Dad tells me to call them that,” Rory retorted.
“Why do I have to tell you if Kendall already said it, son?” Johnnie asked.
“Unlike her, you keep your promises, Dad.”
Ryan snorted. “Since when, cuck?”
“Mom left,” Rory said flatly. “She left, not caring she’d made a promise to me.”
“What the fuck promise was that?” Outlaw asked, his anger ignited. “You already hurt the fuck outta your ma. Now, you talkin’ about some fuckin’ promise?”
“What’s Christopher talking about Kendall?” Johnnie demanded.
“It doesn’t matter,” Rory said. “Mom promised me she’d take me to view Gypsy’s body, then she just fucking left. She knew how important this was to me, but she didn’t fucking care.”
“I’ll take you to view the body,” Diesel offered. “Spare your mother that experience.”
“No!” Rory said, sniffling. He jabbed a finger in Kendall’s direction, not caring how mortified she was. “I want her to take me. She promised me! She promised.”
“Kendall doesn’t owe you a fucking thing, Rory,” Johnnie exploded, getting to his feet, but unable to reach Rory because of the crowd. “How fucking dare you put that burden on her, talk to her in that manner, for any fucking reason? I know why she changed her mind—”
Typical,” Rory said bitterly, swiping at his tears. “She falls apart if you’re gone more than a fucking day but thinks she can betray me when it was so important that I tell Gypsy goodbye.”
“Why?” Rebel scoffed. “Was she fucking you like she fucked Diesel?”
“Ew,” Mattie said, though CJ elbowed Rebel.
“Listen up, Rory,” Outlaw said before Kendall put it all together in her head, “you couldna fuckin’ saw nothin’ of Gypsy but motherfuckin’ ashes. Derby had her cremated, so shut the fuck up.”
Rory’s gasp joined everyone else’s, except Meggie and Bunny’s. Neither one of them reacted, so they’d known already.
“She’s cremated, Uncle Christopher?” Rory squeaked.
“Yeah, boy.”
“Is he holding a memorial service, Prez?” Mortician asked.
Outlaw shook his head. “Either her ashes already scattered or they in a fuckin’ closet, already forgotten. He was already back to his regular behavior the last time I talked to him.”
“Fucking asshole,” CJ griped.
“I need some air,” Rory cried.
“You need to apologize to your mother,” Johnnie snapped, but Rory ignored him, shoving his way through everyone until he escaped. “I’ll talk to him, Kendall.”
Only time would heal Rory’s bitterness toward her. Kendall’s reasons, her disappointment in him, wouldn’t matter.
Wishing she hadn’t come tonight, she looked at the next sheets. “To put an old rumor to rest: Ryder is Outlaw’s son.”
Despite the pain that suspicion had once caused Kendall and was a product of her own insanity, the announcement elicited chuckles.
“Everybody says how much me and JJ look alike,” Ryder said, smiling at Meggie. “It’s good to know you didn’t sneak one of my brothers to Aunt Kendall and Uncle Johnnie.”
“It is, son,” Meggie agreed.
“Bash, Easton and Tio are your sons.”
Bash smiled. “I appreciate your thoroughness, although I knew since DNA already confirmed it.”
“I understand, but I wanted my own copies,” she said.
“Understandable, gorgeous.”
“Johnnie, Outlaw, Bash, Celia, Tabitha is your niece.”
“What the fuck that mean?” Outlaw demanded.
Johnnie winced and averted his gaze. Motherfucker. He’d already known they were related and kept that a secret, too.
“Surprise, everyone,” Tabitha said with a broad smile. “I’m Charles’s daughter.”
“One of the motherfucker’s that fuckin’ kidnapped Val and me?” Outlaw gave Bash a furious glower. “You sent that cunt to spy on me, ain’t you?”
Diesel’s look promised murder. “And you fucking used me to do it.”
“You allowed yourself to be used,” Tabitha told him. “I was just helping Uncle Bash however I could.”
“She really loves you, Diesel.” Celia sent a pleading gaze to Outlaw. “It might’ve started nefariously but it isn’t now.”
“My little sister’s right,” Bash inserted.
“That’s grounds to terminate the peace agreement,” Diesel said. “You’re forcing me to stay married to her when you sent her to me under false pretenses.”
“Fuck, no.” Bash shook his head. “Absolutely not.”
“You knew, huh, Johnnie?” Outlaw asked, not addressing Diesel or Bash’s assertions.
“Not at first,” Johnnie said warily.
“Excuse me, gentlemen.” Before someone said or did something that ruined everything, Kendall intervened. “The peace agreement was not contingent on family ties. The payments were.”
“What does that matter?” Tabitha smiled evilly, like a cartoon character in a sweater dress. “Diesel’s my husband and either he does what I want or I will ruin him.”
“Diesel is a new partner in the firm,” Kendall stated, ignoring Tabitha, which was always the best option in her estimation. She met Bash’s gaze. “Furthermore, you sent Tabitha to the law firm, part of which I own, as a mole. She could’ve helped to ruin a business I’ve worked very hard to build.”
True regret on his face, Bash nodded. “What’s your solution? Tabitha’s happiness is still important to Celia. Diesel didn’t have to marry that cunt. And he certainly didn’t have to disrespect her and move another cunt in before his divorce.”
All of the above was true, but Kendall would take her shot.
“As a new partner, Diesel will be working closely with me. He will honor the agreement that we outlined but let it begin in January of next year and end in June. If they reconcile, we’re out of it.
If they don’t reconcile, her divorce settlement will be cut in half and will not include a house or a car. ”
“That isn’t fair!”
Pretending Tabitha hadn’t spoken, Kendall continued to focus on Bash. “If she decides to end the marriage before their trial reconciliation begins, I will see to it that she reaches a fair resolution. But if she moves forward and changes her mind, even a day later, it’s monetary only.”
“And Jana?” Bash asked.
“Jana remains in the treehouse, under our protection,” Kendall said evenly. “If and when Diesel moves back in with Tabitha, that will not change.”
Tabitha snorted. “I have to accept him living in adultery?”
“He had to accept you sucking Shine’s cock,” Kendall retorted.
“I wasn’t the only one cheating,” Tabitha said. “We cheat on each other.”
“Oh brother,” Axel said.
“Jesus Christ, did you really just fucking admit that?” CJ asked in shock.
Rebel cackled. “Stupid bitch is as stupid bitch does.”
“Before I accept this, I want to make a few things clear,” Bash said, ignoring the kids since one of them always had a comment.
“I’m listening,” Kendall told him.
“I don’t think either of the clubs will do anything to break the peace agreement, but my little sister has helped me a lot.
It is why I included Tabitha’s bullshit in the agreement.
I want to make it clear that if Diesel breaks his end of the bargain, then it ends our agreement.
” Bash looked at Outlaw and all the other men. “Do you understand?”
“Wait a fucking minute. You’re using a fucking club matter to protect your sister and your niece?” Johnnie demanded, exchanging glances with Cash. “When we…?”
“Betrayed my dad because he wanted to protect my mom?” CJ supplied. He thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, uncle. That’s about right.”
“Ain’t nothin’ but a thing, boy,” Outlaw said gruffly, then looked at Bash. “Your position clear. We all understand.”
“Then I accept.” Bash smiled at Kendall. “Dee Dee can return to the condo in January—”
Wailing, Tabitha ran from the room.
Johnnie looked at her, an inscrutable look on his face. “Can you please read Jana’s results, Kendall?”
She couldn’t put it off any longer, so she looked at Abel. “Give me the test for Jana Reynolds.” When he complied, she forced a smile and met Johnnie’s gaze.
“Oooo, can I say it?” Bash raised his hand. “Johnnie, you are the father.”
JJ and Mattie’s eyes widened.
“No.” Kendall shook her head. “Johnnie isn’t the father.”
Her husband sagged in relief, then looked at Diesel. “I told you she wasn’t related to me. Now, apologize.”
“Fuck, wait!” Bash sounded truly baffled. “If Johnnie’s cum didn’t make her, whose did?”
“Good question. Once it’s answered, I still want an apology, Diesel.” Johnnie gave Kendall a smug smile. “Tell these self-righteous fuckheads the truth. Oooo, can I say it? Christopher, you are the father.”
“You aren’t her father, Johnnie,” Kendall told her husband. “Neither is Outlaw.”
“Then who?” Johnnie demanded. “Or do you know?”
Kendall nodded. “It was Logan.”
Johnnie paled and his eyes widened.
Stunned silence met her announcement until Outlaw sighed and said, “Ain’t no fuckin’ way Ima ever call Jana fuckin’ aunt.”