Page 17 of Ruptured

Beneath the surface of Johnnie’s horror at all the near-death befalling Christopher’s wife and kids, a small sense ofsomethinginvaded him. Gratefulness, certainly. But another feeling he loathed to explore.

Throughout the day, he checked his phone. Waiting for word from Christopher. Hoping Kendall called. Wondering if he’d hear from Bash. Unable to focus on any one thing, Johnnie’s thoughts skipped from subject to subject.

Finally, the alarm alerted him to the front door opened. Looking at the app revealed Kendall entering the house. She was so fucking gorgeous with her red hair framing her lovely face, despite her minimal make-up and understated jewelry.

He tracked her movements down the central hallway. She turned toward the library door, paused, drew in a deep breath, and continued on her way.

Disappointment vied with anger inside Johnnie at her brush off. Instead of seeking her out, he waited to see how long it would take her to acknowledge him.

Ninety goddamn minutes later, he had his answer. She sent JJ to collect him for the evening meal.

Unfortunately, dinner was a tense affair because Kendall barely talked to Johnnie. To the naked eye, it seemed as if she were too busy with Blade. Johnnie knew better. Calling her out meant giving in and speaking more than five words to her. Herefusedto cave tonight. Not after the indignities he’d suffered at Christopher’s hands and now Kendall’s.

If Mattie had been home,shewould’ve spoken to him, if only out of fear. JJ followed Kendall’s lead. Electronic devices weren’t allowed at the table, but JJ only opened his fucking mouth to shovel in food or respond to Kendall. Halfway through thetorturous meal Rory arrived home and piled his plate with two pieces of baked salmon, a mountain of braised sweet potatoes, a large heaping of garlic spinach, and three slices of eleven-grain bread bought from a nearby bakery.

“Hey, Mom. Dad,” he greeted, then dug into his food.

Between feeding herself and cutting Blade’s food into small pieces, Kendall refilled her wineglass three times without offering Johnnie a drop. Sensing the tension, JJ kept his eyes downcast and Johnnie waited for the moment his wife realized the error in her ways.

Because of her stubbornness, the kids were suffering, their family was falling apart, and Christopher had turned on him. Because of her,Meganhad turned on him.

If Kendall helpedhim, they’d get out of this predicament sooner rather than later. But no. She stood solidlywithChristopher. Johnnie’s primary reason for involving himself and not going to Christopher had been to protect Kendall. Did she appreciate that? It didn’t seem so. She was willingly risking herself for an impossible task.For Christopher.

Disheartened and disgusted, Johnnie returned to the library as soon as he could. He couldn’t take the accusation in Kendall’s eyes. He couldn’t take not knowing why he couldn’t let it go and feel even a shred of happiness that Christopher had finally taken her into the fold and valued her opinion.

Grabbing the decanter of whisky, Johnnie went to his desk, sat behind it, and swigged the alcohol. Fuck a glass. That was just a cursory show of etiquette.

Manners were unneeded when one’s life crumbled to dust.

The door creaked open. Without glancing in that direction, Johnnie used his excellent skills of deduction to reveal the visitor. Kendall and JJ avoided him, Matilda wasn’t there, and Blade was a toddler. That left Rory.

“Dad?”

Johnnie tipped the decanter back again. He didn’t look at his son. “What, Rory?”

The door closed.

“I didn’t invite you in.”

“I didn’t ask for an invitation.”

Scowling, Johnnie set the decanter on the desk and raised his hand to halt his son’s advance. “You’re getting beside yourself. Watch it, son.”

Rory held up a #10 envelope. “You have to read this.”

“I don’thaveto do anything. Talk to your mother. Tell her whatshehas to do.”

“Self-pity doesn’t become you.”

“Get the fuck out of here.”

Taking his disrespect to new levels, Rory continued, still ignoring Johnnie’s orders and walking to the desk. He laid the envelope down and, leaning over, slid it to Johnnie. It was opened.

“It’s from Randolph’s mom.”

“Who the fuck is Randolph?”

“Aunt Meggie’s nephew,” Rory said dryly. “Big Joe’s grandson. Snake’s son. Your second cousin and my third.”