Chapter Thirteen – Kendall #3
“I don’t give a fuck, bastard. You’ve wreaked havoc in my life.
I was content before you showed up. Happy even.
I’d accepted my place in Johnnie’s heart.
” She began to sob. “I had enough love for both of us. He was my Johnnie. Then you showed up and he turned in Logan Lite. He turned against me, our kids, Christopher, the club, and most importantly, Meggie. Without her, he would’ve been dead years ago. I would’ve been dead years ago.”
“Explain,” Bash said harshly.
“What is there to explain, Bash?” Kendall said tiredly.
“About Meggie.”
“We’re on her No-Kill List.”
“I beg your fucking pardon?”
Swiping her cheeks, Kendall sniffled. “Christopher would’ve killed Johnnie years ago, but Meggie believes in family.”
“Does she?” Bash spat. “She’s the reason Daddy was killed and the reason her own brother was killed.”
“I hadn’t arrived yet, but both those fuckheads deserved to die, you miserable motherfucker.
Cee Cee was going to throw her body in the fucking creek and even then she told me she prayed she didn’t have to hit him with her car.
She just wanted to escape and him to leave her alone.
He fucked with her. He shot Val in the fucking church and then took her. What did you expect Outlaw to do?”
“I don’t want to talk about Daddy.”
“You brought him up. Don’t jump into the fucking fire, if you can’t handle the fucking heat.”
“Goddamn, you’re sexy.”
Kendall glowered at the ceiling. “As for Snake, he took Meggie. She was minding her own fucking business, so you see, fuckhead, those two maniacs fucked with her and got killed because there’s no fucking way Christopher wouldn’t rescue her and annihilate the threat.”
“I loved my father.”
“You must’ve found something to love. A rarity since, as far as I know, he didn’t show himself to be lovable or loving.”
“He loved me.”
“I’m sorry you lost him,” Kendall said quietly, meaning it.
“I’m so sorry on your behalf, but I’m not sorry he’s gone.
I feel the same way about Logan. I loathe that motherfucker.
Decades after his death, I do a happy dance every time I remember he’s in hell.
But I’m sorry Johnnie lost him. I’m sorry Logan wasn’t the man Johnnie built him up to be in his head. ”
“Thank you for that, babe. I…no one has ever tried to understand how I feel about my father.”
“Do you know the amount of pain your father caused? You grieve for him but you shouldn’t hold it against anyone else if they don’t. He hurt Tess. He hurt Zoann. He hurt Meggie and had intended to hurt her even more.”
“Interesting you didn’t mention Patricia.”
“I have nothing to say about her,” Kendall responded, her stomach growling. “I have to go, so please answer if we can reschedule the meeting.”
“Why did Meggie put Johnnie on the No-Kill List?” Bash asked, ignoring Kendall’s demand.
“Because she knows it would destroy my kids and me.”
“And you? Why are you on it?”
“I’m not anymore, but I was on it for Johnnie.
” Kendall swallowed and shook her head, even though Bash couldn’t see her.
“An oversimplification. Meggie believed in me even when all seemed lost. With Johnnie, it’s more complicated.
She really believes Christopher couldn’t live with the guilt if he killed Johnnie. ”
“And you believe he can?”
“I do. Johnnie is destroying himself, our marriage, and our family. If I’m tired and frustrated with my husband, I can only imagine how Christopher feels.
As much as Johnnie has put me through, it is only a fraction of what he’s done to Christopher.
But she’s tired, Bash. Johnnie has crossed several lines with Meggie.
She was the dividing line between Christopher’s retribution and Johnnie’s fuckery. ”
“So, she has a say-so in the club?”
“No. Somehow, Johnnie manages to cross club lines and family lines.”
“You’re confusing me.”
“Another good reason I’m not available,” she said lightly. “I’ve had more than one mental breakdown. Crazy Kendall. Psycho Cunt.”
“Show me the motherfucker who called you that, so I can cut out their fucking tongue.”
“Good luck with getting to Christopher.”
“Oh.”
She laughed. “It’s unfortunate you’re so psychotic and want to kill Meggie. You and Christopher might’ve reached a deal beneficial to both clubs.”
“I don’t want to fucking kill that little cunt,” Bash snapped. “That’s a tired line that’s starting to piss me off.”
Her stomach growled again. “Can you make the meeting?”
“Are you setting me up?”
“No, I swear I’m not. I know you only have my word to go on, but it’ll only be you and I at my office.”
“When?”
“Wednesday.” At least she hoped.
“Can’t promise that, but I’ll try. It’s Saturday and I’m still in Salt Lake City.”
“I’ll keep my schedule open just for you.”
“Oooo, I like how that sounds.”
She smiled. “You’re a dirty flirt.”
“For you.”
“Please, stop,” Kendall said, unable to believe that she found Bash a little charming. “I love Johnnie.”
“A little competition never hurt. That brainless blond is too fucking comfortable. He takes you for granted, sweetheart.”
“It runs in the fucking family,” she grumbled.
“Are you implying Christopher takes Meggie for granted?”
“Nope.”
“Another question.”
“You have an endless amount.”
“Ask questions or stay in the dark,” he retorted. “Why are you on a burner?”
“I’m not–”
“You are. You sent me your personal cell phone number in your note. When you called earlier, this one came up as ‘Unknown’.”
“It isn’t important.”
“I can draw my own conclusions.”
“Please do, so I don’t have to paint the fucking picture and talk to you another twenty minutes.”
He snickered. “I have so many uses for your smart mouth.”
“Goodbye.”
“One other question.”
“What?” she asked irritably.
“Does Meggie really look out for you that much?”
“Yes,” Kendall said softly. “I don’t know where I would be without her and Roxy. Meggie…Meggie deserves better than what she’s been getting from Johnnie. From everyone. If she falls, we all will.”
“I’ll fix everything, Kendall,” Bash swore. “Let’s talk first. Don’t worry about anything else. I’m on this.”
He disconnected.