Chapter Thirty-Nine – Kendall
Although Kendall awakened anticipating her meeting with Bash and compartmentalizing all the topics she wanted to address, now that she stood in her office awaiting his arrival nerves almost overcame her.
She had so much at stake. Especially her life. Even if she’d found him oddly charming during their telephone conversation, he was still him.
Brooks didn’t argue with her suggestion he stay home today and give everyone the day off. Diesel hadn’t answered her text when she suggested the same thing. He was probably somewhere having his cock sucked.
She hadn’t said much to Johnnie since her return from LA.
What more was there to say? He wouldn’t cooperate and she was exhausted, fed-up.
She wanted to love her husband from afar because he was slowly destroying her.
However, she had a responsibility to her children, even Rory, the child she’d known would never be truly hers.
Three years was an interminable length of time.
She’d do it, though. She’d endure and prosper and then leave.
Or, maybe, Johnnie would straighten up. Maybe she should’ve extended the invitation for him to come with her today.
She shook her head. He wouldn’t have come.
She’d thought about asking Outlaw…Christopher to allow Mortician to accompany her, then changed her mind.
She didn’t want Bash to think she’d set him up.
Meaning, she was completely alone. The guys were on the other side of town.
By the time they arrived if things went to hell, she’d either be dead or kidnapped.
Pressing her lips together, Kendall smoothed her dress.
She’d chosen a high-necked silk bodycon dress that reached just above her knees.
The black floral appliqués gave a nod to her black Louboutins and added flair to the dress’s emerald green color.
She’d swept her hair up, artfully allowing a few ringlets to fall free.
The style also showcased her emerald and diamond earrings.
She’d also carefully made up her face, chose her most expensive parfum to dab on her pulse points, and slapped on a diamond encrusted Rolex that she’d gladly part with if it meant Bash would back away.
The clip of bootfalls reached her, along with jingling spurs. Her heartrate accelerated and for the briefest moments, she remembered Spoon’s attack so many years ago.
She’d never felt more alone then; she never felt more alone now. Leaning against her desk, she gripped the edges. Tight. So tightly, her fingers burned.
The door opened. Of course he wouldn’t knock. Arrogance was a dominant trait in the Caldwell men.
Bash halted, his eyes skating over her and flaring in surprise. A slow, appreciative smile curved his mouth. He raised his hand and she squeaked in surprise.
“Red roses,” he said, almost shyly. “Three dozen. Women like flowers, right?”
Kendall drew in a breath, disarmed. “We do.”
His smile deepened and he held the huge bouquet higher. He seemed inordinately pleased with himself.
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.” She sailed to him, took the roses, and bussed each of his pockmarked cheeks. He’d cleaned himself up, smelling of fresh air, mint, and cologne. “Well, brother-in-law, family does matter to you.”
He smirked. “Family first. Always. But I didn’t give you those as my sister-in-law.”
She was well aware. “I’ll escort you to the conference room, then go to the kitchen and find a vase for these.” She nodded to the roses.
“You’re so fucking beautiful. Perfection,” he added. “Johnnie should kiss your fucking feet everyday and thank his lucky stars. I’d kill to have you as mine.”
A chill slid down her spine. If she gave him the smallest indication she wanted him, he’d kill Johnnie. She didn’t want him, but she had to respond with care so he wouldn’t misconstrue her meaning and hurt her husband.
“Let’s go to the conference room,” she suggested, indicating the outside of her door with a flourish of her hand. The diamonds on her watch sparkled.
“After you, sister-in-law.”
Refusing to show her uneasiness, Kendall clutched her roses, their sweet fragrance a little nauseating. Aware of his close proximity, she led the way out of her office and into the waiting area.
She nodded toward the glass enclosed room on the other side. “I’ll meet you in there.”
He studied her, his pale green eyes taking in every inch of her face.
Once, he’d probably been handsome before hard living wore him down.
Without warning, he gripped her hips and pulled her closer.
The roses prevented him from crushing her to him.
Without a doubt, he would’ve tried to kiss her.
She would’ve slapped the shit out of him and he probably would’ve killed her.
“My brothers checked the area earlier,” he said. “To make sure I wasn’t walking into a trap.”
It took everything in her not to struggle so he’d release her. “I told you I only wanted to talk to you. Not get you killed.”
“I appreciate how trustworthy you find me, Kendall,” Bash murmured, his fingers digging deeper.
Control. Control. Control. She had to stay in control of herself to stay on equal footing.
“They’re watching you.” She thrusted her chin toward the ceiling. “Cameras.” Though they weren’t in the conference room, due to privacy laws. She wondered if Bash would know that.
“Figured they would be,” Bash said, still holding onto her.
“Are you sure about that?” she retorted. “You haven’t let me go.”
He released her.
“Thank you,” she said, and turned.
Before she escaped, Bash settled his chin on her shoulder. “If you’re a real good girl, I have a present for you at the end of our meeting.”
“I’m Johnnie’s wife. My vows might mean nothing to you, but they mean a lot to me.”
“It doesn’t matter if they mean fuck all to him, gorgeous.”
“It matters to me,” she said softly. “I love my husband.”
“He isn’t worthy of you.” Bash ran a finger down her arm. “You got the softest skin I ever touched.”
“Motherfucker, if you don’t step the fuck back from Red, it’ll be the last skin you ever touch,” Mortician growled, stalking next to Bash and jerking him back.
He went for his weapon, but Mortician had the biggest gun Kendall had ever seen pointed at Bash’s head.
“You went off the fucking plan, Kendall,” Mortician said crossly.
“You set me up,” Bash said coldly, his mood abruptly changing.
“She didn’t,” Mortician said. “Outlaw thought you set her up when he saw you walk your fucking ass in with roses.”
“Mortician, please. I need to ask Bash about Patricia,” Kendall rushed out.
“We not stopping you.”
“We?”
“Val and Johnnie parking the van.”
“I don’t want Johnnie to hear,” she blurted.
Mortician sighed. “That fucking bad, huh, baby?”
She nodded just as Johnnie and Val walked in.
Val nodded to her. Johnnie glowered.
“Can I please talk to Bash in the conference room?” She nodded behind her. “You’ll be able to see in.”
Val nudged Johnnie.
“Where do you need me to be, Kendall?” he asked begrudgingly. He looked so pale. “With you or out here?”
She lowered her lashes. “Out here.”
Bash started for the conference room door, then paused and looked at Val. They studied each other.
Val smirked. “Tell Wally, Jr. that cunt dead and chipped up.”
A muscle ticked in Bash’s jaw. His nod was almost imperceptible. “Don’t know a Wally, Jr.”
“In case you did,” Val retorted.
“They protect all you cunts so fiercely?” Bash demanded, staring at Kendall.
“Why wouldn’t they?” she asked irritably. “Motherfuckers like you are determined to hurt us and ignore what we want.”
“I thought you’d want romance. I didn’t do it right?”
She wanted to beat him with the beautiful roses. “Not if you were touching me against my fucking will!”
Bash frowned. “Shouldn’t it be up to me to change your mind? No means yes for a romantic motherfucker?”
“I don’t know why I’m so fucking disappointed in you.”
Bash lifted his brows. “Disappointed? In me? Only people ever felt disappointment in me was my daddy and my sister. No one else gives enough of a fuck.”
“Honesty and respect are basic tenets of human decency, fuckhead,” she gritted. “I have questions I need answers to. I need your help.”
His pale green gaze swept over her again. “Never had a high-class cunt pretty herself up for me.”
“You’ve never had a high-class anything, asshole.”
Bash chuckled. “Got your balls back, now that your swinging cocks are here to protect you, huh, babe?”
Flushing, she glanced away. “You know a lot about us, so I’m sure you know about Spoon.”
“Who says I know anything about you?”
She glared at him.
“Fine,” he huffed. “I know. If he wasn’t dead, I would fuck him up for touching you.”
“I took care of that myself,” Johnnie snapped, finally finding his fucking voice. “Kendall’s mine. I will kill anyone who looks at her wrong.”
“Or fuck with them some other way, huh, Johnnie?” Val asked in disgust.
Johnnie smirked at Mortician, who turned such a look of hatred toward Johnnie that Kendall shivered.
“What did you do, Johnnie?” she croaked.
“It must not matter much if he hasn’t run crying to you.”
Kendall gasped.
Mortician dragged his livid gaze away and managed a sad smile. “It’s okay, Red.” He walked over and grabbed her roses. “I’ll put them in water for you.”
Head bowed and shoulders slumped, Mortician turned and headed down the hallway toward the break room and the offices. Shaking his head and glaring at Johnnie, Val stalked behind Mortician.
She marched to Johnnie and poked him in the chest. “What did you do?” she demanded again.
“Really, Kendall? You’re talking to me now. Because of that motherfucker?” He jammed a thumb over his shoulder.
“He’s my friend. At times, he was my only friend.”
“He overlooked what a cunt you could be because he wants pussy from you.”