Page 9 of Ruptured

Swallowing, she glanced up at the camera in the ceiling. She knew he wasn’t watching. He’d ordered them disabled.

“If you don’t care what happens to me, then you’re on your own.”

His words after she’d told him about Ryan’s visit. Johnnie said the meeting hadn’t been recorded. She thought about asking Christopher or Mortician to override Johnnie’s order since Bash was still lurking. She prayed Johnnie valued her life enough not to risk itthatmuch. If he felt Bashwasa threat, he’d allow the cameras to record so her kidnapper or murderer could be discovered if it came to that.

She considered contacting Bash herself. She had to have safeguards in place, though. No fucking way she’d allow that motherfucker to swagger in and with the upper hand. Fuck him and the fucking Harley he rode in on.

Grabbing more tissue from the box covered by a silver holder, Kendall dabbed at her cheeks again. Tears did no one any good.

Years ago, she’d chosen her life course. For the most part, it was a sound decision. She loved her husband, her children, and her family. From the outside looking in, she had it all—a thriving career, designer clothes, a luxurious lifestyle even within the framework of a biker club, and a bad boy in a business suit.

A motherfucker determined to break her to have his goddamn way.

She glared at the camera and stiffened her shoulders, sitting taller and sucking back the last of her tears. “Well, fuckhead, we’ll see who folds first. Newsflash: it won’t be me, so fuck you.”

Damn, that was good. It comforted her topretendJohnnie wasn’t a selfish, vindictive asshole and he still monitored her.

“Knock, knock,” Brooks Redding said as he opened the door and walked into her office.

Kendall smiled at him. Brooks was like a father to her, who her children adored. Although they weren’t as close to his wife asthey were to Roxy, Charlotte was an important part of their lives, too.

Brooks held up a #10 envelope, then set it on her desk. “Beams asked me to give this to you. It came a few minutes before she left.”

“A check?” From where she sat, the envelope looked empty.

Brooks picked it up again. “No return address, although I think the postmark indicates it was mailed from Michigan.” He turned it toward her and pointed. “See?”

“It’s too far away for me to see the stamp.” She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Give me the letter. I’ll look at it tomorrow.”

Once Brooks complied, Kendall unlocked the desk drawer she kept the folders in, then set them inside along with the envelope.

“How are Meggie and Rebel?”

“Outlaw…Christopher…he won’t let anyone see Rebel,” she said. “CJ said Meggie is still sedated.”

“I can’t believe…” A faraway look entered his eyes. Whatever went through his mind marred his face with sadness before he snapped out of it and met Kendall’s gaze. “I’ve had my issues with Outlaw, but my heart goes out to him. Does my sympathy mean I’m betraying my son-in-law? My daughter and grandchildren were never the same after Kyler’s death. Liz still barely abides me.”

“We all knew the danger of crossing Outlaw.” Kendall lowered her lashes, wondering if all her past sins were finally catching up to her. She’d thought she could forget all her many crimes against Meggie and had escaped the wrath of karma. “Even though Liz remarried, she still hates me as much as Kyler’s daughters. You were only doing what Charlotte ordered to help me, Brooks. There’s so much I have to atone for.”

“Stop it this instant, Kendall,” Brook said sharply. “You, my darling girl, aren’t blameless but I bear the brunt of it.Iwas taking the man’s money andIlistened to Charlotte. Given a second chance, I would do a lot differently. Taking you as my adopted daughter isn’t one of them.”

Kendall blinked, overly emotional. The situation with Rule capped off a horrendous few weeks.

“Charlotte loves you just as much, my dear.”

“I know,” Kendall responded.

“She doesn’t know everything about…” He gestured with his hands, then looked at Kendall with meaning. “She wouldn’t be very happy with me or Johnnie if she knew the extent of our involvement with Mr. Caldwell.”

“If you’re referring to Bash, call him Mr. Motherfucker,” Kendall said crossly. “Better yet,motherfuckerwill do.”

Brooks grimaced. “Charlotte and I have had our fair share of marital upheaval after I double-crossed Outlaw.”

That was news to Kendall. Brooks and Charlotte always seemed so solidly in each other’s corner. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“It doesn’t matter, my girl.”

“It does!”