Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books

by Kathryn C. Kelly

  Besides, suppose Knox was lying to her again?

  How could he be when, thus far, he had nothing viable to use? Sooner or later, his investigation had to end.

  On the other hand…

  She glanced at her roses again. She wanted to keep them so bad, but that would mean she was into Knox. More so than when she’d slept with him. At this critical juncture, she couldn’t allow herself to be swayed.

  Biting her lip, she pressed the button for the window. When the glass rolled far enough down, she tossed her roses, then closed the window again.

  “Did you just throw your flowers away?” Kendall asked in surprise.

  Bailey met her gaze through the rearview mirror. “Momma! Why would you do that?”

  “Fuck him, baby. He’s trying to butter me up.” Her voice caught on the last word and she cleared her throat. “Fuck him,” she said again, wanting to mean it as much as she wanted to mean something to…No! Fuck him, for real.

  “Are you okay?” Meggie asked, catching her eye through the front passenger side visor mirror.

  “Don’t worry about me, Meggie,” Roxy said with a too-bright smile. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re still a woman,” Kendall pointed out. “Not only is Knox super handsome, but he can be quite charming.”

  “Doesn’t he have the most amazing blue eyes?” Roxy attempted to breeze through the words, but even she heard her admiration. Other than their first meeting, she’d made it a point not to notice his physical attributes.

  “Momma?” Bailey called. “Don’t feel guilty for liking the sexy side of Knox. Most women need to feel wanted by a man every now and then. It validates your femininity.”

  “Oh my God!” Kendall cried. “Let me out of this vehicle. That is the most sexist, antiquated bullshit I’ve ever heard. You should be ashamed of yourself, Bailey. You’re going to school to have a career and you still need a man to reaffirm your womanliness?”

  “Kendall, that’s my business,” Bailey scoffed. “If you don’t want to walk back to the club, keep your meanness to yourself.”

  “It isn’t meanness, sugar,” Roxy told her daughter, understanding Kendall’s words. “It’s who Kendall is. A feminist at heart. You have to respect that.” She sidled a glance at Kendall. “On the other hand, baby, you have to respect how Bailey and Meggie feel. Diversity makes the world go around. If we all thought the same way, we’d be automatons. You’re wrong for going at my daughter for her comments.” She wouldn’t even mention Meggie. Kendall took her condescension of that girl to new levels of low. “I hope it comes from a place of concern, and I think it does. You just need to find a better delivery.”

  Kendall bowed her head as more silence fell in the SUV. Roxy needed a distraction from her thoughts of Knox and the girls needed a diversion from butting heads.

  “Let’s talk about Thanksgiving, ladies,” Roxy said. “Kendall wants to cook the meal.”

  Giving Roxy a horrified look, Kendall’s shoulders drooped. “You mean I do all the cooking on my own? I wanted it to just be me, Johnnie, and my kids. I don’t think I can cook for everyone. I’m not Meg—”

  “Don’t fucking say it, Kendall,” Roxy ordered.

  Kendall pursed her mouth and sent a glare in Meggie’s direction, who huffed out a breath.

  “What have I done this time?” Meggie asked tiredly. “Let’s get it out in the open before we get back to the club.”

  “What did you do?” Kendall screeched. “You went to that counter and made a fool out of me. I’d been wrangling with him for ten minutes to lower the price of the meat. He wouldn’t do it for me. You come along and he capitulates.”

  “Really, Kendall?” Meggie asked in exasperation. “You’re pouting because I talked him into compromising? Really?”

  “I know you went to him and smiled and said, ‘oh, butcher, would you please change the price? That would be really nice and a huge favor’,” Kendall spat, trying to imitate Meggie’s softer voice.

  “I did not say that,” Meggie replied.

  “Then, please, share with us how you got him to give you five bucks off per pound and he wouldn’t give me anything.”

  “I told him we’d be coming in to make a big purchase for Thanksgiving.”

  “See! You sucked up to him.”

  “I did not!” Meggie gritted. “I told him we’d accept the price he said it was, but I’d have to tell Christopher and from now on, my husband would make the meat purchases. That’s why he changed his mind. He’s met Christopher. It’s an experience he wouldn’t like repeated.”

  Bailey giggled and Meggie joined her. Soon, they were all laughing.

  When they stopped laughing, Kendall bit her lip. “I’m sorry, Meggie,” she said after a moment. “I’m so, so sorry.”

  Meggie didn’t respond and Kendall’s face fell. Roxy sighed and patted her hand. Meggie had to be tired of Kendall’s bullshit.

  “Forget it, Kendall,” Meggie said into the silence. “It’s over and done with.”

  “Can we all cook Thanksgiving dinner?” Kendall asked. “We can make it so much fun. We can even have the guys cook the dinner for the club and we cook dinner for the family. We can vie to see which team has the best food.”

  “Why does it have to be a competition?” Roxy asked, not understanding her logic.

  “To make it fun and give us an incentive. We can have bragging rights.”

  Forever the schemer, Roxy thought with an inward groan. Kendall wanted their help so she wouldn’t have to do all the work. If Bailey and Meggie knew the real deal, Roxy wasn’t sure, but Kendall clapped her hands at their agreement. It was either a tragedy-waiting-to-happen or a comedy-in-the-making.

  Either way, it was unfortunate Roxy wouldn’t be in town.

  Walking into the clubhouse the next night was akin to a saint traversing the depths of hell. Every eye turned toward Knox and gazed at him with either suspicion, anger, or plain dislike. Outlaw managed all three, but Knox merely smiled and pretended not to notice the death glares. Besides, he couldn’t get anyone on a look alone. He had to get them to state their nefarious intentions.

  Brooks walked in from the hallway as the door opened and Roxy followed Uncle Avalon in.

  Uncle Avalon? What the hell was going on?

  Knox remembered to keep his face blank at seeing his uncle there, dressed impeccably in an expensive suit and Italian leather shoes.

  “Avalon Harrington.” Brooks called out an introduction as Roxy sashayed to Knox and frowned at the back of Uncle Avalon’s head. “I’d like you to meet Outlaw.”

  She’d changed from her earlier outfit and wore makeup now.

  Wondering at his uncle’s game, Knox narrowed his eyes. He was almost certain Brooks wouldn’t have precipitated a meeting between the two men, so Avalon had contacted Brooks.

  Roxy looked from Avalon to Brooks, then to Knox, her lips drawing tight. “Motherfucker,” she whispered.

  It dawned on Knox that Brooks had said the last name. “I can explain,” he said quickly. “Once we get on the road, I will.”

  Although she glared at him, Roxy nodded.

  Uncle Avalon held out his hand to Outlaw. “Pleasure to meet you, son.” His jovial voice boomed through the suddenly silent common room.

  Outlaw stared at his uncle’s hand but didn’t move to take it. He transferred his scrutiny to Knox. “Ain’t your last fuckin’ name Harrington, assfuck?”

  “Pure coincidence,” Knox said in bored tones as Uncle Avalon pretended to look around and say, “Who?”

  “My legal assistant,” Brooks said quickly, paling at the rising tension. “Knox Harrington.” He looked at Outlaw. “I know all of Avalon’s relatives. If he and Knox were related, I would know.”

  Not all of them, Knox amended silently. Uncle Avalon grinned and nodded to Knox before looking at Outlaw again. The intensity of the man’s stare made his uncle loosen his tie and step back.

  Outlaw exchanged glances with Johnnie, Val and Mortician, then l
ooked at Avalon. He pointed to Brooks. “You his partner?”

  “One of his partner’s,” Uncle Avalon responded, his fake smile not as bright, his voice not as friendly.

  “Brooks, get this motherfucker the fuck outta my face. He called and asked to meet your fuckin’ ass here. For whatever fuckin’ reason, you asked me to fuckin’ meet him. We fuckin’ met. I don’t fuckin’ like him. I think he up to something or already fuckin’ did something. Ain’t no fuckin’ reason for the motherfucker to come here.”

  “Other than talking to my friend and partner, who along with me, lost everything in that horrendous fire.”

  Once again, Outlaw looked Uncle Avalon up and down, not fazed by the words. “For a motherfucker that lost every-fuckin-thing, you look mighty fuckin’ well-kept.” He nodded to the shoes. “John Boy, don’t your ass got some of them?”

  Johnnie circled Uncle Avalon. “I think I do, Christopher. My lovely wife bought them for me as a birthday present.”

  “Losing shit must be hard on you,” Mortician started, lighting a cigarette. “You downgraded your car like Brooks had to?”

  Uncle Avalon brushed off his jacket sleeve. “My situation is a little different.”

  Outlaw grinned, not nice, and it chilled Knox. “I’m sure the fuck it is, motherfucker.”

  Knox had never stopped to consider how his uncle continued to live so well, when all his other law partners were virtually ruined. His uncle was his uncle, though, so it hadn’t occurred to Knox that Avalon should’ve been more affected than he was by the sudden loss of his business. He must’ve had his money invested elsewhere. Certainly, his father had a very diverse portfolio.

  “That’s who put you up to your work, right, Knox?” Roxy whispered, for his ears only. “Avalon? Who is he to you?”

  “I’ll tell you later,” Knox promised. Last night, he’d made a major misstep. Now, Roxy mistrusted him so much, she was figuring out things he didn’t want her to know. Hopefully, when later came, he’d have her in bed and she’d forget all about questioning him. “Are you ready to get going?” He smiled at her and gave her the once over. “You look gorgeous,” he said honestly, and twisted his finger around one of her curls. “You could’ve left this home.” He referred to her wig. “It’ll be off in a little while anyway.”

  She snorted. “If I fuck you, it’s because I need dick. But I’m wondering if I should find a silicon cock rather than allowing a lying, low-down motherfucker in my pussy. I like my idea better, so fuck off.” She started to stomp away.

  How this woman continued to shock him was simply beyond Knox’s imagination. He usually had a woman figured out by this point. Yet, here was Roxy, telling him she’d sleep with him because she needed sex, not because she was so overcome by her attraction to him, she’d submit.

  Forgetting whatever his uncle’s game was, Knox rushed after Roxy, managing to stop her before she walked outside. He grabbed her arm. She turned a glare on him and he quickly released her, stepping back and holding his hands up.

  “I’m only trying to stop you from leaving, hellcat. I want to talk to you.”

  “Do you?” she spat, her eyes flashing at him. “You’re not happy with what you did last night. You had to invite another motherfucker over here to finish what you started. How many ways do I have to tell you to back off? This is my family you’re trying to use me to fuck over.”

  “How is Un…er…Avalon being here fucking over you?” Unease traveled through him at his near slip-up. He had to cover his tracks. Besides, if she discovered the truth, she’d be so furious she’d never let him touch her again. Her sapphire blue dress made her glow and started his cock to rise. He’d been looking forward to their date all day. He couldn’t allow his uncle’s surprise visit to ruin his time with Roxy. “I don’t know who he is.”

  She planted her hands on her hips and squinted at him. “Move the fuck out the way so I can go find a fucking mirror and see if an asshole is staring back at me. I’m not a gambling woman, but I’ll bet everything I own, that motherfucker and you are related and in cahoots. You know what else? I think Brooks and Charlotte know what’s going on, too.”

  The only saving grace Knox saw in Roxy’s assumptions was that she was still talking in a lowered voice and the other men were still engaged in their conversation. Otherwise, she was on point with everything.

  He winced. “Roxy, baby, listen to me.”

  “Fuck you. Don’t Roxy baby me. I want the truth, Knox. You don’t know what I’ve done for you.”

  Not caring about the others, Knox drew her into his arms, smiling at how stiffly she held herself. “I do understand what you’ve done for me by keeping my secrets even as I’m aware you won’t screw over your daughter and her husband.”

  “Knox, give this bullshit up before Outlaw figures this out.”

  “I’ve been told I’m smarter than the average bear, so I’m definitely smarter than him.” Of that, Knox was certain. She stiffened a little more. “I know you have to pretend to like him…”

  “There’s no fucking pretense,” she snapped. “If I didn’t like him, I would tell him.”

  He tightened his arms around her and kissed her temple. “Yes, but you like me more, don’t you? He can’t do for you what I can.”

  Roxy pulled away from him and smoothed her hands over his shirt. “If you’re not one hundred percent honest with me, I’m not walking out the door with you. Our fun and games end. The invitation I was going to extend to you for spending Thanksgiving in New Orleans with me won’t be issued. Nothing. We’ll be done.” She heaved in a breath and glanced around him to where Brooks and Avalon still talked with Outlaw, Johnnie, Mortician, and Val. “Everything’s out in the open, anyway.”

  Still reeling from her casual invitation, Knox couldn’t put too much thought into her meaning about whatever might be out. Roxy had intended to ask him to spend Thanksgiving with her. A part of him felt elated. They’d be away from all the intrigue and could focus on each other.

  He wanted that a lot…wait a minute! She was falling for him.

  Smugness stole the sweet meaning behind Roxy’s intentions. She was really into him, more so than she wanted to admit. He could use this to his benefit. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to spend the holiday with her. His son came before a love interest, but Roxy didn’t need to know his true intentions right now.

  Guilt hit him. Knox wanted to explore the connection he felt to her. He didn’t want anything to come between that. If he used her growing feelings for him to advance this case, she might end up hating him. Her family, these people, were so important to her. But they were crooks and criminals. Outlaws. Against Knox’s family and what was important to them.

  Still…

  Roxy wouldn’t easily forgive him. Would she?

  Of course she would. Every time he pissed her off, she forgave him and offered him another chance. This time would be no different. And, if it was, so what? Women were a dime a dozen. If she walked away, he’d replace her in a heartbeat.

  Instead of comforting him, the thought upset him.

  “Excuse me, son,” Uncle Avalon said, patting Knox’s back.

  Knox released Roxy and stepped back, taking the hand his uncle offered.

  “It was nice meeting you, Cox.”

  “You’re taking it too far,” Knox whispered, a smile plastered on his lips.

  Uncle Avalon laughed and brushed past Roxy without the smallest acknowledgment.

  She scowled at his back.

  “Knox, get the fuck over here,” Outlaw called.

  Knox couldn’t believe it but he was grateful. It interrupted whatever Roxy might say and give his uncle an even worse misconception about her.

  “Brooks, sit the fuck down and don’t say a motherfuckin’ thing.”

  Uncle Avalon’s behavior and surprise appearance annoyed Knox. It threatened to undo all the strides he’d made.

  “Knox! Get the fuck over here!” Outlaw demanded again.

  He started to i
gnore the summons, then decided it was easier to get it done. Roxy followed him and he grabbed her hand, pulling her alongside him. Once he reached the table, he brought her palm to his mouth and kissed it. He wanted them to see whose side she was on. The pleasure at his act vanished upon seeing Roxy’s glower. Refusing to acknowledge her displeasure, he grinned and winked at her.

  Outlaw stood, took a drag from his cigarette and blew it in Knox’s face. “Roxanne, leave.”

  “What?” she choked out as Brooks gasped.

  “You fuckin’ heard me. Get the fuck out.”

  Knox straightened to his full height. “This is a lady and you won’t use your language to intimidate her.”

  “Roxanne not a lady, son,” Mortician said with pride. “She my mama-in-law. There’s a world of difference between the two.”

  Roxy drew her brows together. “Boy, if that’s a fucking compliment, I’d hate for you to fucking insult my ass.”

  Stuffing his cigarette in the corner of his mouth, Outlaw went to her and threw her over his shoulder, ignoring her angry curses. He opened the door and put her out, before walking in and locking it.

  Roxy pounded the door. “Let me in, Outlaw!”

  Outlaw drew out his 9mm and aimed it at Knox’s head. Brooks started to tremble.

  “Now, fuckin’ strip,” Outlaw ordered.

  “Excuse me?” Knox couldn’t have heard right. Furthermore, he hadn’t gotten Outlaw threatening him. No one could see the weapon. He didn’t have a camera hidden on him. Only a microphone. “There’s no way I’m taking off my clothes for you, so shoot me.”

  “You see a fuckin’ gun anywhere on me?” he asked, like a lunatic, since he was pointing his gun right at him. “I don’t. You, John Boy?”

  Johnnie frowned, thoughtful. “No.”

  Outlaw ignored the continued yells and knocks of Roxy. “Mort?”

  Mortician looked toward the door. Knox expected the thing to cave in at any moment. “Sure don’t, Prez.”

  “Val?” Outlaw questioned.

  “Nope.”

  “Strip, motherfucker, or I’ma do it for you.”

  “On what basis do you have for me to undress?” Knox didn’t move a muscle, hoping Roxy broke in. If he stripped, they’d see his wire. Perhaps, he had underestimated Outlaw.