Misfit (Death Dwellers MC #6) (7 page)

“You haven’t misjudged me, Kendall. I’m your friend. I hope I haven’t misjudged you.” Kendall needed something to do. Something to make her happy. Her career was that something. She’d also mention that to Christopher. “Don’t put
my
brother and
his
club at risk.”

“If he’s at risk, then so is Johnnie.” She turned and stomped away. “Check in with Jane to make sure everything is ready for Meggie’s arrival.”

“Fine. Be right back.”

Kendall’s voice halted Fee. “You do understand why I can’t allow you to sit with us?”

In all the weeks Fee had been working for Kendall and excluded from the brunches, this was the first time she’d thought to ask how Fee felt. Maybe, Kendall really did see her as a friend. “Yes.”

“You don’t mind it, do you?”

“What difference does it make? I understand you want to keep this professional. During business hours, I’m only your employee.”

“I promise I’ll make it up to you, but Ella and Jane were sent by Charlotte. She took time out of her busy schedule to find a nanny and a maid for me. I can’t disappoint her by being gauche enough to let my
assistant
eat with me on the clock. Don’t be mad. She’s like a mother to me.”

“I thought Roxy was like a mother to you.” Fee liked the club enforcer’s mother-in-law. She’d heard about Charlotte Redding but had never met her. If she offered Kendall this type of awful advice, Fee didn’t want to meet her.

“Roxy deserted me to go back to New Orleans, until the end of the summer. She hasn’t once called me to check in.”

That didn’t sound like Roxy at all. She’d taken a special liking to Kendall, so there had to be a reason for her lack of contact.

“You should call her,” Fee suggested. “Something might be wrong.”

“I
did
call her and she brushed me off. Talked to me less than a minute before saying she was busy.” Hurt crossed Kendall’s features before she tightened her jaw. “I’m used to it. My own mother never had time for me. Why would someone else’s mom want me?”

Fee recognized the loneliness in Kendall’s statement. She, too, felt alone amongst her remaining family and their friends.

Kendall nodded to the door. “I need you to check to make sure that Jane has bagels and lox ready.”

“Meggie don’t like lox.”

“Such a simple girl. I guess Christopher don’t like it so she doesn’t.” She giggled. “He probably doesn’t even know how to spell it.”

From vulnerability to bitchiness. Kendall’s changes gave Fee whiplash.

“Whoa, back up. First, you insulted CJ, a
child
. Now, you’re disparaging my brother. You can’t do that around me.”

Shame crossed Kendall’s face. “You’re right. But I’m just joking. Another thing you’ll find out now that I’m not so stressed with the case. I’m a real cut-up.”

Fee faked a loud laugh, then abruptly stopped and glared at Kendall. “Christopher happens to like lox and caviar.”

“He does? Not even Johnnie likes caviar.”

Fee shrugged, wondering if this was Kendall’s true character, or if she was having an off day, as everyone did at one time or another.

In the kitchen, Fee found Jane serving tea to Ella. She was a plump woman, too severe to be a nanny to young kids. Both her and Jane were older, matronly types, who wore gray and white uniforms that matched their gray and white hair.

Two silver trays, covered in clear plastic wrap, sat on the kitchen counter. The smaller one contained the lox, the bigger held a mountain of bagels. Silver dishes containing sour cream, chives, and something unidentifiable surrounded the trays. A large bowl of fresh mixed fruit was also there.

“May I help you?” Jane’s polite question drew Ella’s attention.

Fee smiled. “Kendall sent me in here to make sure everything is ready for Meggie’s arrival.”

Mouth pinched, Jane nodded to the trays and bowls.

“Erm, okay.” She stood like a doofus, wondering should she have Jane set the trays in the dining room. Should she do it herself? Usually, administrative work kept Fee busy, so Kendall handled her staff.

Considering her next move, she studied the kitchen, wondering why it resembled the one in her brother’s house. Whereas the center island in the other kitchen had stools in a semi-circle at one end, the center island here lacked any evidence that company was welcomed during food preparation. Cabinet styles matched in design, but Kendall had decorated her kitchen with dark wood, dark countertops, and dim lighting, giving a dramatic, sexy effect.

If she had her own house, Fee decided she’d choose colors and lighting somewhere in between.

“Is there anything else you need?” Jane asked, hands on hips.

Fee frowned at the woman’s attitude. “Kendall wants you to put the food out.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“No,” Fee admitted. “But it
is
time for it to go out, so get it done.”

“Out, missy. I’d never tell you how to do your job. Don’t tell me how to do mine.”

Kendall breezed in, and halted, looking from Fee to Jane. “What’s taking you so long, Fee?”

“Nothing.” Fee swept her hand toward the food. “As you can see, Jane has everything under control.”

Silence met her statement, as Kendall continued to divide her regard. She offered Jane a small smile. “You do understand this woman is my assistant?”

Lifting her chin, Jane cleared her throat. “Yes, ma’am.”

“That means if she’s in this kitchen
for me
, you’ll give her due accordance. Am I clear?”

Jane nodded.

“Now, set the food out before my sister-in-law arrives. I’ll remember this during our quarterly review.”

Review?

“Kendall?” Fee said once Jane began to move the trays to the side board in the dining room and Ella took her tea to wherever.

Kendall turned from transferring the coffee from the glass decanter to a silver service. “Yes?”

“You give employee reviews?”

“Of course. That’s how it’s done at the law firm. Well, Brooks and his partners do yearly reviews, but these people are in my house, around my husband and children. A year is too long to point out flaws.”

“Does that mean I’ll get a review, too?”

Setting the service on a nearby counter, Kendall paused and frowned. “Are you sure you’re related to Christopher, Johnnie, and Zoann?”

“What? Why?” she asked as the doorbell rang.

“Well, are you?”

“Of course! They’re my brother, cousin, and sister. You know that.”

“Then act like it. You’re scared of your own fucking shadow. It’s so annoying. Even Meggie stands up for herself. You’d let a mouse walk all over you.”

What did
that
have to do with an employee review? Still…“That isn’t true! I don’t have to be abrasive to prove I’m not a wimp.”

“I hate to tell you differently, but it’s not working
your
way, hon. You don’t have enough self-worth not to end up in horrible relationships.” Kendall gave her a sympathetic pat on the hand. “I know it’s difficult seeing yourself in the mirror every morning, but your inner beauty shines through.”

“Seriously, Kendall?” Fee said in disbelief. “I’m fine looking at myself in the mirror. I’ve never had issues with my looks. You’re insulting and offensive. Don’t let me go there with you, to prove I’m not as meek as you believe.”

Kendall grinned. “You’re so easy to rile up. You’re gorgeous. I was joking. Sparking a little fire in your blood. It worked.”

“Knock, knock,” Meggie said as Fee threw Kendall a dirty look.

“Meggie, darling,” Kendall greeted, sailing toward the door to hug the other woman. She indicated Meggie’s pink jeans, pink Uggs, and white top. “So cute. You could be an ad for bubblegum.”

“What would I do without your compliments, Kendall? You’ve just made my day,” Meggie said with biting sarcasm. She headed to Fee and gave her a hug. “How’s your job working out?”

Meggie asked the same question every week. Each time, Kendall answered for Fee with the same response.

“I’m a fabulous boss. How do you think it’s working out?”

“Just as I see it,” Meggie retorted, setting her purse on the counter.

Kendall scowled and snatched the pink and white bag. “A purse is one of the dirtiest items in the world. Crawling with bacteria. Do
not
put this on my counter.”

Rolling her eyes, Meggie took her purse from Kendall and settled it on her shoulders. Fee’s head spun watching the two of them interact. They both pretended to look forward to these brunches, but they were more frenemies than actual friends.

Side-by-side as they now stood, Fee could see why Kendall commented on looks. Her fair skin and red hair were attention getters, as much as her height and big breasts. An elegant woman, with brown eyes and a straight nose, who loved slacks, pencil skirts, and heels, she was rather self-contained, even as casually dressed as she was today. Meggie, on the other hand, was a small, golden girl, shorter than any of them,
younger
than any of them, but down-to-earth and all about family.

No wonder the two women repelled one another so much. As much as they were drawn together in friendship. Their personalities were complete opposites.

In their complicated world, two half-brothers were also cousins, making Kendall Meggie’s sister-in-law
and
cousin-in-law.

“I’m hungry,” Kendall grouched. “Let’s eat.”

“I am, too.” Meggie started behind Kendall, but stopped when Fee didn’t follow. “You’re not hungry?”

She was starving.

“She’s not eating with us,” Kendall informed Meggie in a voice that brooked no argument.

“The past few times you said she was busy. She’s not now. Come in and eat with us or I’ll walk out.”

“My house, Meggie, and
my
assistant. Stop butting into everyone’s business. She can’t eat with us. She works for me. There’s your reason. Are you happy?”

“Omigod! You can’t be serious?” Meggie asked in outrage.

Folding her arms, Kendall sniffed. “I am. What will the rest of my staff think?”

“Who cares? Your house, your assistant, remember?”

“Fuck, if it gets you to shut up, she can eat with us. You’re giving me a headache.”

“What’s going on in here?”

At the sound of Johnnie’s voice, a panicked look crossed Kendall’s face.

“Johnnie,” Kendall greeted as he and Rory strolled into the kitchen, wearing jeans and his cut.

He walked to his wife and kissed her. “I heard voices in here,” he said, slanting a glance at Megan and nodding to her.

“Hey,” Meggie said softly.

He smiled at Fee. “What’s up with you?”

“I’m fine,” she said.

“I’m glad to hear that.” He looked at Meggie again. “You’re rather
pink
, sweetheart.”

She laughed. “I am.”

“I said the same thing to Meggie,” Kendall said.

Johnnie cocked his head to the side, looking from one to the other. “You two okay?”

Meggie flushed, while Kendall dropped her gaze.

“All right, what the hell’s going on?” he demanded. “Kendall, what have you done now?”

Anger lit Kendall’s eyes, evaporating at Johnnie’s wordless warning.

“Nothing’s wrong, Johnnie,” Meggie said.

“You’re a fucking shit liar,” he growled. “I want the truth.”

“I’ve just told you the truth, idiot,” Meggie snapped. “Go to the park with Rory so we can get to our brunch.”

“I don’t want this to turn into something out of control and it gets to Christopher,” Johnnie told them, as if he were chastising errant children. “Tell me and perhaps I can settle your differences.”

“There’s nothing to say to you,” Kendall stressed. “Meggie and I are fine. Looking forward to our lox and bagels.”

“She hates fucking lox and bagels, Kendall,” Johnnie said, frowning.

“Does she?” Kendall asked innocently. “It slipped my mind.”

“I’ll bet it did,” Meggie bit out.

Johnnie sighed. “Rory and I have to get to the park. Will you two work this out?”

“We’re fine,” Kendall said.

“Yep, perfect,” Meggie agreed.

While Kendall waited for her husband and son to leave, Meggie headed to the dining room. Fee stayed in the kitchen. All the better to listen and appease her curiosity.

Rory flew to Kendall and hugged her legs. He wore jeans and a cut similar to Johnnie’s. “Bye, Mother!”

She ruffled his blond hair. “Have fun with dad, my love.”

“Me and CJ like to play.”

At the mention of CJ’s name, Kendall grimaced.

“Kendall—”

“I want to play, Dad.”

Whatever he’d intended to say to his wife evaporated at his son’s interruption. “When I get home tonight, you and I are talking, Kendall. I want answers. Understand?”