Narci went limp, unconscious.
Christopher let that motherfucker drop to the floor. “You did fuckin’what?”
“It was getting out of hand, all the shit planned for her. Thanks for the thought though, brother. I’m going have my dick sucked, so I’ll talk to you later.” He disconnected.
Cursing, Christopher stormed to his office and slammed the door shut.
How the fuck would he break that news to Megan?
Sitting on the porch of the house she intended to make an offer for, Kendall allowed the breeze to sweep over her, wondering if she should’ve taken Mattie with her. Her daughter didn’t know her exact destination, or the reason for it, but she knew Kendall would be leaving early. Mattie wanted a lie-in and swore she’d be okay with Johnnie and the boys. Besides, Ella was on premises, which eased Kendall’s mind.
Bringing Mattie would’ve placed the burden of secrecy on her daughter’s shoulders, and she had enough to contend with. Kendall thought it was best all around to capitulate to Mattie’s wishes.
Rory was another story.
Because of him, a simple excursion for a house viewing turned into a two-day stay that included a visit to her attorney.
Mattie aside, Kendall considered how deeply Harley was suffering, how hurt Rebel was, even though she tried to pretend otherwise. Father nor son—herfuckhead husband and misguided child—considered Rebel, Harley, or Mattie. She’d bet her fucking life on that. Johnnie’s ability tothinkon his feet was non-existent, so thinking ahead and predicting the outcome of a situation wasn’t happening.
Kendall hadn’t been able to handle being in her son’s company, even to talk to him about what he’d done. As fucked up as it was, she was used to Johnnie’s fuckery. But it just crushed her to think Rory was so enamored of Johnnie that he’d do such a thing. Kendall regretted how she’d handled the situation, especially because Rory, all her children, played a factor into her decision to try and stick out her marriage for three more years.
However, if Kendall could pretend Ryan was innocent, then she’d have to reconcile her anger and disappointment toward her own son and do the same. She’d talk to that little motherfucker and ask him if he’d lost his fucking mind, but she’d forgive him and stay her course.
And when she needed to escape over the next three years, she’d drive to Nampa and stay at her secret house.
Once she divorced Johnnie, Kendall’s life would change dramatically. She wouldn’t be able to contact any of her family for the same reason she hadn’t been able to bring her phone with her. Johnnie would trace her. He didn’t track her as virulently as he once did. Mainly to punish her. Her walking away and divorcing him would be the ultimate humiliation. He’d track her to kill her, kidnap her, or take her children.
Rory would be eighteen, but Mattie would only be sixteen, JJ fourteen, and Blade six. She had three years to plan for all possibilities. In all honesty, she still prayed her husband, her Johnnie, came back to her long before then.
Stranger things happened. Fifteen years ago, she never thought she’d be so accepted by everyone. She never believed Outlaw would ever see her as such an asset to the club that he’d make her their lead attorney.
Fuck,tenyears ago she hadn’t thought such a scenario was possible.
Ten years ago, she hadn’t expected any of what she’d been through to be helpful to anyone. It never occurred to her that all her pain and trauma would give her the fortitude to try and help Mattie and Harley.
Talking to Zoann and asking her to share her own experiences with Harley had been so difficult. The last thing Kendall wanted to do was bring up old trauma for her cousin-in-law.But Harley needed all the support she could get. Bailey sure the fuck wasn’t stepping up.
Standing from the rocking chair, Kendall stretched and dusted off her jeans. She’d driven nearly seven hours in a rented car, not having the time to get to her hotel and freshen up. Nor had she eaten. She was tired and hungry. Needing to wrap up the visit, she walked the entirety of the wraparound porch, enjoying the sweeping vistas the acre of land afforded her. There was an entry point on each side. Front led to the small entry hall, nothing elaborate like where she lived now. The door on the east side led to a dedicated office, a charming room with a lot of light that would serve no purpose if she used her real name. The back door opened to the den and the west one led to the kitchen.
For some reason, she’d decided she needed seven bedrooms. One for her, each of her kids, Ella, and a guestroom. Now that she’d found the perfect spot, she questioned her decision. Ella might not want to move to Idaho. And, again, she’d have to lay low so she doubted she’d have any guests.
Loneliness enveloped her. She could use a fucking hug or a good cry. She wanted Johnnie. Inside her, touching her, pleasuring her. Loving her.
Except if that motherfucker touched her, she’d kill him.
“There you are, Ms. Miller.”
Pasting a smile on her face, she turned to Evan Marks, her real estate agent. Using her maiden name was a gamble, too.
“Mr. Marks,” she greeted. She’d left him in the office about an hour ago. Seeing him behind the desk allowed her to imagine the space as her own. “I’m sorry I took so long.”
“Don’t apologize,” he told her, a silver fox, handsome with his silver hair, blue eyes, and weatherbeaten skin. Hands on hips, legs braced apart, he looked as if he had the world at his feet. “Do you have any other questions?”
She shook her head. “I would like to make a bid,” she said crisply.
He smiled, his eyes crinkling. “Perhaps, we can discuss the details over dinner and drinks?”
As tempting as the offer was, if only to have something to occupy her mind, Kendall declined. She still loved her husband, even if she no longer wanted to be his wife.
