Page 29 of Frankie (Big Northwest #5)
KENNETH
Fuck this felt good.
He loved his life in Shadow Pine. Spending time with Edward. With the daughters and grandchildren he’d claimed as his own. Helping run the little town that meant so much to so many.
But this…
He missed it more than he realized. More than he’d ever admit to.
The man he was following stumbled a little, wobbling on his feet as his work boots scuffed along the sidewalk. He didn’t turn to look behind him. Didn’t seem to notice at all that a threat lingered in the shadows.
Dumbass.
Carl managed to stop at the upcoming crosswalk, looking one direction before weaving between the faded lines on the asphalt. His toe caught the curb when he reached the other side, but again, he managed to stay upright.
Maybe he wasn’t as drunk as he’d seemed back at the neighborhood bar he frequented nearly every night now that his life had imploded. His loud laments over all he’d lost and slurred claims about the woman who’d fucked him over certainly made it seem like he’d been overserved, but maybe Carl was even more manipulative than anyone knew.
Maybe he was smarter than anyone suspected.
The possibility had a smile working across his face. Hunting down a fool was one thing. An unfulfilling means to an end.
But hunting a more worthy adversary?
That would be infinitely more satisfying.
Kenneth paused as they neared the small single-story Carl called home. Sliding into the darkness cast by the trees lining the residential street, he waited, watching as Carl finally looked around, squinting into the night. The man who’d nearly gotten away with murder lingered for a few too many seconds, giving himself away.
This was going to be fun.
Finally, Carl moved toward his house, making his way to the small porch, unlocking the door and letting himself inside.
Rocking his head from side to side, stretching out the tension caused by anger, Kenneth turned. Pulling down the mask covering his face, he ducked between the two houses he’d identified as his best path of entry while scouting out the area in the weeks since it became clear Carl wouldn’t be charged for his part in what happened to Frankie.
And he most certainly played a part in it. He might not have pulled the trigger, but the bastard might have done something worse.
He let his daughter take all the blame. Left her high and dry when she needed him most.
And that was unforgivable.
Reaching the back of the houses, Kenneth quickly scaled the first fence in his way, dropping silently to a crouch. After ensuring no one in the adjacent house noticed his presence, he moved across the yard, pausing to peer between the slats of the fence. The backside of Carl’s house was dark, making it likely he was still in the front portion.
With another smooth movement, he hoisted his tall frame over the top of the barrier and dropped to a crouch in the grass on the other side. Carl’s yard was darker than the last one thanks to the number of mature trees edging the space. Their thick leaves blocked out the moonlight, making the darkness feel nearly complete.
But he didn't need to be able to see to know he wasn't alone in the yard.
Holding his crouched position, Kenneth went still, slowing his breathing as he listened. Waiting for an indication of where Carl believed he was hiding. It didn't take long—Carl had to breathe eventually—and when he did Kenneth slowly rotated his head, zeroing in on the tree the other man was attempting to hide behind.
Dumbass.
Keeping his eyes and ears focused on that spot, Kenneth straightened, going to his feet. He’d hoped this would play out indoors where the likeliness of leaving witnesses behind would be lower, but he'd always been good at working within the parameters he was given. That's why he'd been so good at what he did.
As Carl was about to discover.
Without hesitation, Kenneth strode across the yard, going straight Carl's way. In a shocking show of ballsiness—shocking since he’d shown himself to be a coward time and time again—Carl rushed him, darting out from behind the tree and barreling his way. As Carl closed in, his body shifted, center of gravity changing in a way that could only mean one thing.
He was swinging. And more than just a punch. Likely a crowbar. Possibly a pipe. Maybe even a baseball bat.
Hopefully not an axe. Axes could get messy.
Putting his right foot out, Kenneth braced, one arm going up to deflect the impact while his other hand opened and gripped the weapon.
Baseball bat it was. At least now he knew Carl didn't have a gun. Probably supplied the only one he could get his hands on to his daughter. Not that he’d admitted to it.
Remembering how Carl refused to accept any blame for what his daughter did had Kenneth yanking the baseball bat away and landing a hard elbow in the center of the other man's face. The popping of a nose breaking was beautifully unmistakable.
Carl doubled over, bending at the waist as he grabbed at his face. "You broke my fucking nose."
Kenneth grabbed him by the back of his shirt. "You'll be lucky if I don't break every fucking bone in your body."
He dragged Carl upright, bracing the bat across the other man's chest to slam him back against the tree he'd hidden behind. Carl grunted at the impact, all the air rushing from his lungs. Kenneth took advantage of the development and raised the bat higher, pressing it directly against Carl's throat, using the hard steel to pin him in place as he leaned close. "I want you to listen to me carefully, can you do that?"
Carl tried to speak, but since he couldn't breathe, that was difficult. He grabbed at the ends of the bat, trying to wrestle it loose in an attempt to regain his access to oxygen.
Kenneth pressed harder. "You don't need to talk to me. Nod your head."
Carl bobbed his head as much as it would move with the tree behind it.
"Good. You're not as stupid as I thought." He paused, letting the prickle of panic sink a little deeper into Carl’s skin before continuing. "I know you think you want revenge for what happened, but you don't. "
Carl tried to kick him, but Kenneth again deflected the attack, knocking the other man's foot out from under him.
"Unless you want me to do the same with your other foot and let you hang, you'll keep your hands and feet to yourself." He was losing his patience quickly, and it wouldn’t be good for Carl if it ran out.
Since he was likely close to blacking out, Kenneth eased up a little on the bat, letting the other man suck in a breath before sealing his windpipe off again and getting to the point of their little meeting.
"If you so much as think about coming to Shadow Pine or getting close to Frankie or anyone in her family, I will kill you." He didn't have to try to sound serious. He was. Completely and totally. "And it won't be a fast or easy death." Kenneth leaned in until they were nearly nose to nose. "It will be slow and painful, which is honestly better than you deserve."
He'd worked so hard to become a father. It was pure luck when Edward came into his life, bringing an amount of happiness he never expected to experience. Having a son was the best thing that ever happened to him. There is nothing in this world he wouldn't do for him.
Then he met Alex and Danny and Sam and Frankie and Charlie. They became his too. Like Edward, there's nothing he wouldn't do for them.
And that included burying this piece of shit in a shallow grave in the middle of the mountains .
“Do you understand me, Carl?” His grip on the bat tightened, the urge to finish the man off nearly overwhelming. It’s what he deserved for everything that happened to Frankie.
For letting his daughter take all the responsibility.
Carl managed another bobbing nod.
It wasn’t good enough, not by a long stretch, but it had to suffice.
After a few more seconds, Kenneth finally released the press of the bat and took a step back. Carl sucked in air, slumping against the tree, eyes bugging out of his reddened face as blood streaked from his broken nose. “Wh-who are you?”
That was a good question. “I suppose that depends on who you ask.” He stepped close to Carl again, smirking when the man flinched. “But you should probably consider me your worst nightmare.” He used the end of the bat to tip Carl under the chin. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Then he turned, checking his watch to make sure he still had time to pick Lily up for the slumber party they were having at the B&B. Jeffrey was making brownies and popcorn to enjoy while they watched Inside Out .
And there was no way he was missing it.
Thank you so much for reading Frankie and JD’s book.