Chapter Forty-Three – Kendall
“In the interest of time, I will brief you later, Johnnie,” Kendall said into the silence as he escorted her back to her seat and took the one next to her.
“Why the fuck are your watch and earrings in front of Bash?”
“Because I used the jewelry as payment.”
“You see? You can’t handle Bash on your own. He’s going to keep milking you, Kendall. It’s what he did to me.”
“The payment is for one transaction,” she gritted. “Not a fucking retainer on the basis of his fucking honesty.”
“I resent you looking so gorgeous and smelling so fucking good for another man.”
She ignored him. “We need to ask Bash about Meggie. I asked you in because you know more about why he first contacted you.” That was no longer true, but she needed to see how deep Johnnie was in with Bash. If he wouldn’t help her, then she’d have her answer.
“Watching you two amuses the fuck out of me,” Bash said.
Kendall plastered a smile on her face. “I’m sure. Listening to you with that woman amused me.”
His eyes crinkled. He knew she didn’t mention Hopper on purpose.
“If my wife and I amuse you, you should see Christopher and Megan,” Johnnie grumbled. “Better yet, fuck both me and Christopher’s relationships. Find your own.”
“So touchy, little brother.”
“Ask him about Meggie, goddamnit!” Kendall snarled.
“Why? Why can’t Mortician do it? That’s who Christopher called first to come here. Disrespectful motherfuckers.”
“You are shot the fuck up again, asshole. You needed someone to drive you over.”
“They could’ve waited until I found a driver.”
“To put my fucking life and virtue at risk for your ego?”
“What fucking virtue, you little bitch? Megan’s the paragon, not you.”
Kendall gasped. A dull ache settled in the pit of her stomach and humiliation roared through her.
“Remember her? She’d never go anywhere with another motherfucker. You dressed for Bash. I saw you giggling with him. What? Offering him pussy the way you offered it to Christopher and Mortician?”
Tears brimmed in her eyes, and she bowed her head. She sniffled, refusing to allow one fucking tear to fall, despite how crushed she was.
Through the years, she watched her husband morph into a version of his grandfather.
When he was angry or hurt, he lashed out in the cruelest way.
Just recently, she’d realized he treated Mattie as Logan treated Zoann.
But it went deeper than only Mattie with Johnnie.
It extended to her and Meggie. They were just possessions.
As long as they were good girls, he approved.
“Yo, Johnnie,” Val called, and leaned against the door. “Outlaw said get the fuck out the conference room. Let Kendall finish with Bash without you.”
“Kendall’s my wife and she called me in. Besides, he isn’t even here. I don’t have to move.”
“Come on, Johnnie. You hopped up on painkillers, antibiotics, and whatever else because that video has fucked you up.”
“What is he going to do? Shoot me again?”
“Get your fucking ass out, son,” Mortician ordered, suddenly next to Val.
Johnnie bared his teeth. “Make me.”
Mort smiled without humor. “Wouldn’t want Bash to think there’s friction in the club, cousin.” He glared at him and backed away.
“Bailey talked to you,” Johnnie said with a satisfied grin.
“You didn’t,” Kendall whispered, all her joy sucked away. She started to get up to go to Mortician, but he raised his hand.
“Don’t. Nothing you can say to take back what Johnnie said, Kendall,” Mort said.
“I’ll talk to Bailey,” Kendall blurted. “I’ll make her understand—”
“What? That my life not in danger because of Cleaner?” Mortician nodded to Bash. “Even if you work out something with him.”
“You’re a miserable motherfucker, Johnnie,” Kendall said thickly.
“I’m not standing idly by while any man tries to steal you from me.”
“Even if you don’t trust them, you can trust me!”
“You’re mine,” Johnnie gritted.
“You know your fucking problem, Johnnie?” Mortician demanded.
“I’m not interested in hearing it from you,” Johnnie sneered.
“Too motherfucking bad because I’m telling your bitch ass any goddamn way.”
“All right, Plato. Philosophize.”
“You’re fucking bitter, guilty, and jealous,” Mortician said. “You’re having fucking conniptions over Red and Prez and me and Red because of Meggie. Kendall don’t deserve to be your fucking seconds.”
“I should shoot the fuck out of you.”
“You won’t,” Mortician said flatly. “For the same fucking reason I didn’t fuck you up.
I don’t know what Prez know about all of this and I’m not going to be the motherfucker to deliver news I fucked you up because you can’t stop being a fuckhead.
Not while he so fucking trigger-happy. If he don’t know everything or if Meggie get wind of this and it upset her, he would fucking kill me.
Then, I’d have to spend eternity with your motherfucking ass. ”
“Do you really think you’re going to heaven?” Johnnie asked.
Kendall’s eyes widened.
“Do you, motherfucker?” Mort asked.
“I probably am.”
“Killing a delusional motherfucker like you is a goddamn crime,” Mort spat, and stormed past Val, back into the waiting room.
Sighing, Val shook his head and backed out, allowing the door to slowly close.
“Mortician never did anything to you,” Kendall said, unable to stop a few tears from falling. “You know how much he loves Bailey. How could you?”
“Because I felt like it. I’m tired of you giving everyone attention but me.”
“You don’t deserve it, you entitled fuckhead,” she said around a sob, hurting for her friend. Bailey would be impossible to get through to.
“Johnnie?”
“Shut the fuck up, Bash.”
Bash narrowed his eyes. “I see how it is, you miserable motherfucker. Only one cunt I ever defended and protected. Never thought I’d defend another one, but your bitch?
Is solid. One hundred. She’s gorgeous, fearless, loyal, and so fucking smart she almost made my head spin.
The way you’re treating her, in front of your supposed enemy no less, is too fucked up to even consider. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Kendall knows I love her.”
Kendall snorted.
A beat of incredulity, then Bash burst into loud guffaws. He laughed so loud and hard, tears rushed to his eyes and he pounded the wooden table. “You really are fucking delusional.” He winked at her and leaned forward. “Watch this, babe.”
Rearing back, he propped his booted feet on the expensive conference table. “Johnnie, does Kendall give you orders while she’s riding your cock?”
“I take umbrage—”
“If you don’t fucking tell me, Cleaner can always find out himself.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“He wouldn’t, Johnnie,” Kendall said wildly, barely able to breathe as she watched her husband’s downfall before her very eyes. “Are you crazy? Don’t fall for that!”
Johnnie patted her hand. “I’ve got this, Kendall. At least trust me with this. Even if you think Christopher is a knight-in-shining armor, I do know how to protect you.” He glowered at Bash. “Do not disrespect my wife, motherfucker.”
Bash placed his hands behind his head, clearly enjoying himself. “Go ahead and test me if you want to put her pussy on the line.” He shrugged. “Cleaner will send me a video.”
A pained expression crossed Johnnie’s face. Kendall’s stomach cramped.
“Johnnie—”
He ignored her cry and said, “Sometimes.”
Kendall’s breath sawed in and out of her longs and she drew in sharply.
“When do you give her orders while you’re deep in her pretty pussy?”
Johnnie squinted. “Have you ever seen her pussy?”
Bash nodded. “Don’t you think it’s pretty?”
If Kendall didn’t feel so wobbly, she’d get to her feet and run away, not stopping until she put as much distance between herself and Johnnie as she could. Who was this man, allowing another man to run circles around him?
Even if there was a reason, there was no fucking excuse for him to be so goddamn stupid.
“Cleaner, John Boy,” Bash said politely. “Remember him?”
“Motherfucker, if you answer that, you will sleep at the fucking dog pound like the mangy cur you are,” Kendall yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks despite her outrage.
“He isn’t giving me a choice, Kendall.”
She slapped her hand over his mouth.
He jerked it away. “It is very pretty. And I give her orders when she’s sucking me off.”
“Is Meggie in danger, Johnnie?” Bash asked as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
“You said no.”
“Do you believe me?”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
Clasping his hands and resting them in front of him, Bash shrugged. “Can’t think of a reason why?”
“None that I believe.”
Bash dropped his boots to the floor and turned to Kendall just as she freed herself from Johnnie’s hold.
“There’s your answer, princess. Meggie’s not in danger.
You heard it straight from your husband.
” He smiled. “You’re gorgeous even through your tears.
Mascaras not even running. The cunts at the club look like coked up raccoons when they cry.
If you were my cunt, I’d have you give makeup tutorials. ”
Kendall felt drained. She didn’t know what to say. More than anything, she wanted to help Mortician.
Bash slid her jewelry to Johnnie. “I told you I’d take care of it, Kendall. And I have. It’s done. I’m done for you. I wish I could come to some type of business agreement with the Dwellers.”
“Wait a fucking minute!” Johnnie exploded, then began to laugh. “You’re lying. This is just another ploy.”