The alarm beeped, so Knox set his suitcase of equipment down and hurried to where Kendall’s security system was located. It deactivated without a hitch.
Knox grimaced, unimpressed by Outlaw’s high-handedness, but wanting Kendall gone more so. It also didn’t help that Mortician babysat him, night after night, giving him or Roxanne no chance to see each other alone again.
He thought a similar scheme would’ve taken place after this week’s family dinner. It had been at Zoann and Val’s house, which, in Knox’s mind, made logistics for a secret rendezvous so much easier. But, no. Not a damn thing!
Roxanne had just offered sultry smiles and stole teasing kisses after Bailey momentarily distracted her stupid husband and Roxanne asked for Knox’s help with Harley and Lou. Except they’d gone nowhere near the children. She’d led him to an alcove in the log cabin styled house and kissed him senseless. Until Mortician found them and yanked Knox away from Roxanne as if they were horny teenagers instead of sex-starved adults.
It still irked Knox that Roxanne had allowed Mortician’s actions to pass without complaint.
Frustration had become Knox’s daily companion. He missed Roxanne so much. He missed sleeping next to her. He missed her scent. Her laughter. He couldn’t believe she hadn’t rebelled, but, no, she seemed perfectly happy with the arrangement as it was.
He wasn’t. He wanted his sweet Roxanne, who gave his life meaning, made him laugh and see things from a different perspective.
Not only was Mortician shutting him out of Roxanne’s house and company in private, but Outlaw had been on his ass to wire Kendall’s house for observation. Knox should’ve known the maniac had little understanding about logistics. He couldn’t very well storm the house and do what needed doing while the redhead was home. Besides, he’d needed to prepare for the job. He’d needed to purchase the equipment.
Tired of the constant belligerence from Outlaw, Knox had finally suggested to Roxanne that she and Bailey needed to set up the first wedding committee meeting with all the women. That would get Kendall out of the house. Besides, he wanted to order his wedding attire as Mortician and Grant had. After avoiding Roxanne’s wrath and winning brownie points by pushing for the wedding planning, she took his suggestion and scheduled the meeting for today. That had given him three days to acquire the tools he’d use to rig Kendall’s house. Knox spent hours upon hours making sure he had everything he’d need.
This needed to be a one-and-done. He didn’t relish breaking and entering even with a secret key.
Except it was Kendall, who deserved every retribution Outlaw planned. Except Kendall was one of Roxanne’s babies.
Was he really as hypocritical as Outlaw? The man smiled in everyone’s face while planning Kendall’s destruction. Her death. Just because he wouldn’t pull the trigger, if Kendall killed herself, he’d still be responsible.
One more example of how little logic Outlaw had. It was obvious the biker thought he couldn’t be accused of her demise.
Stupidity was Outlaw’s problem. Knox had a job to do.
First, he’d get a feel for the place, and then he’d get to work. Luckily for him, knowing how the women liked each other’s company, leaving Knox with hours to do his job. Besides, his mother had begged him to have the meeting moved to her house. Something Knox was glad to do. He hadn’t relished his gentle mother going to a biker club. She was a well-respected society matron and a premier restaurateur, unused to such rough surroundings.
And in her capable hands, she’d see to it that Roxanne and the others were entertained for hours.
“I know Joan Harrington,” Charlotte Redding said with dismay as Kendall almost missed the turn that led to the entrance door of the Harrington estate. “I was so happy to hear that her dear boy is marrying. I must admit I was shocked to hear who the bride is.”
Kendall gave Charlotte the side-eye.
“Thank you for letting me be on the planning committee,” Charlotte continued, ignoring Kendall’s disapproval.
“Only if Roxy agrees,” Kendall reminded her friend and mentor. “I shouldn’t have listened to you. I should’ve asked her before I allow you to crash the meeting.”
“That woman needs all the guidance she can get to have the type of wedding a Harrington deserves.”
“Come on, Charlotte,” Kendall chided. “Don’t be like…like Knox. He pretended to accept our lifestyle just to get Roxy, then reverted back to being an asshole. It was all just a façade.”
Look who’s talking. Regret and guilt hit Kendall hard as the thought drummed through her head.
Charlotte lifted her chin and drew herself up. “What do you mean our lifestyle? It is their lifestyle. You’re not one of them. Don’t ever debase yourself in my presence in such a way.”
“But I am one of them,” Kendall protested, her sadness almost overwhelming. “If only they’ll have me.”
“Bah!” Charlotte waved a hand, the gesture as dismissive as the tone of her voice.
“Charlotte! Stop this. If it wasn’t for Roxy, Knox’s uncle would’ve killed you.”
“I know the woman saved my life when Avalon took a dark turn. For that, I’m grateful to her. However, her deed didn’t change her overall character. She was trash before she saved me and she’s still trash. She’s classless. I just cannot abide her.”
“Give her a chance. Please. For me. I invited you without her knowledge. Please behave as you taught me to do. With calm decorum.”
“As you know, I was wrong in regards to them. You, especially, should understand that they make you sink to their level. Those people don’t allow you to keep your decorum. You have never been able to accept those barbaric bikers, even though, for the time being, you are married to one of them.”
“I hope it’s longer than for the time being,” Kendall retorted. “You apologized to Roxy,” she added, turning the subject away from her marriage and back to Charlotte’s behavior. “I thought your words to her were sincere, Charlotte. I’ve never known you to fib.”
Charlotte gasped. “Fib? You accuse me of being a fibber? That is such a harsh word, dear.”
Kendall bit her lip. “I’m so sorry.”
“I will have you know I was quite sincere when I said sorry to that woman. I was overwhelmed with emotions, thankful to be alive. These people try your patience. Test your resolve. Make you rethink if it is a good idea to socialize outside of your class. Think of Knox! He apologized to them also after they beat the tar out of him. He said he’d changed and accepted them, too. They are the ones who never change. They are the reason good folk like you and me and Knox Harrington go back on their word. We realize our efforts are useless. They are all morons. I see that clearly now. And I also clearly see Roxanne as a baseborn, ignorant, loudmouth piece of trash.”
Kendall gasped. “I won’t stop being her friend because of how you feel, Charlotte. Just as I won’t stop being yours.” Not that Roxy had ever, or would ever, demand such a thing of her. “Please don’t ruin this afternoon.”
“Just as that woman is the same, so am I. Thanks to them! I abhor the lot of them. My status hasn’t changed much since Brooks has gotten back into Outlaw’s good graces. Brooks is lucky that I love him. He still has me living like a pauper, while that Roxanne-woman is about to marry into one of the richest families in the country. It’s an appalling, ironic travesty.”
Kendall was getting nowhere with Charlotte, so she remained silent, advice offered to her by Dr. Briscow. Every statement didn’t require a response. Every topic up for debate didn’t have to turn into a battle. Kendall lived her life at war because her emotions and thoughts were always in turmoil. Wanting her family back was top priority, so Kendall would try her best to heed the psychiatrist’s suggestions.
A few minutes later, Kendall drove up to the Harrington mansion and stopped behind two cars already parked. She got out of her car and started toward the door, smiling at Roxy’s purple Navigator and scowling at Zoann’s Jeep Cherokee.
Ch
arlotte was right on Kendall’s heels as they paused at the front entrance. Before they rang the bell, the door swung open and a butler in uniform stood there.
“Mrs. Donovan,” he greeted. “Mrs. Harrington and the others are awaiting your arrival.”
“Traffic held me up,” Kendall answered smoothly, when in fact, it was the detour to Charlotte’s house. She really hadn’t wanted Charlotte to tag along, but the poor woman had lost most of her society friends, and her family had drifted apart because she’d gotten on the wrong side of Outlaw. Kendall felt somehow responsible since the stand Charlotte had taken against Outlaw had been on Kendall’s behalf. She stepped aside so Charlotte could enter. “This is Mrs. Redding.”
The butler nodded, not betraying his thoughts about the extra, uninvited guest. “Very good, ma’am.” Once he shut the door, he walked past Kendall and Charlotte. “Follow me,” he instructed politely.
As she walked behind the butler, Kendall noted the crystal chandeliers, silk wallpaper, marble floors, and fine artwork in the corridors. The Harrington house was magnificent, suggesting not just wealth, but wealth. A bank account that would last for generations.
The butler opened a pair of double doors. “Mrs. Harrington, Mrs. Donovan and Mrs. Redding have arrived,” he announced.
“Mrs. Who?” Roxy asked sharply, unseen but quite loudly heard. “No, you didn’t, Kendall.”
A throat cleared. “Please, show them in, Merrick,” a voice as cultured as Charlotte’s said.
The servant stepped aside, and Kendall entered an airy room with traditional décor in tones of cream and white, with a French antique Aubusson rug in the center. She’d looked at something similar for one of the rooms in her house, but ultimately decided against it. In retrospect, it was because Johnnie wouldn’t have liked it even if he’d accepted on her behalf.
“Joan, darling,” Charlotte greeted, walking forward with the dignity of a queen.
Joan Harrington stood. “So good to see you,” she told Charlotte as they air-kissed each other’s cheeks.
Roxy threw Kendall a dark look.
“I’m sorry,” Kendall mouthed.
“Kendall, Charlotte, we have orange juice, coffee, pear spritzes, and cranberry-champagne cocktail.” Joan indicated the elegant setup of tables near the huge bank of windows. “I thought buffet style would work best for the meeting.”
“What would you like, Charlotte?” Kendall asked nervously, withering under Roxy’s burning anger. “I’ll get it.”
“The pear spritz,” Charlotte responded, seeming to stand taller in surroundings she felt she should be in. “Thank you, dear.” She headed to one of the Bergere chairs, while Joan seated herself in the other one.
“Meggie, Zoann, Bunny, Bailey,” Kendall greeted, since they only seemed to want to stare at her. “Roxy.”
“Hi Kendall,” Meggie greeted with a smile.
Kendall couldn’t place the tone in the girl’s voice. It almost sounded cool, but that wasn’t Meggie’s style, so Kendall dismissed it and headed to the table containing the drinks. She picked up the pear spritz and the cranberry-champagne cocktail, admiring the crisp, white tablecloths on the two tables. One held drinks and the other held fine china plates, cloth napkins, silverware, and trays of food.
Kendall brought Charlotte her drink, then sipped her own, assessing the room. Charlotte and Joan sat on one side in designer clothes with legs demurely crossed.
Meggie wore brown suede pants and a cream-colored cashmere sweater. Kendall had actually been with Meggie the day she’d purchased the outfit. She actually looked decent. Zoann wore scrubs—of all the tacky things. Bunny and Bailey wore jeans, while Roxy had on a stylish jumpsuit, drop earrings, and heels. Roxy dressed like she deserved to be a Harrington. Looking at each side of the room, where women who were worlds apart sat on separate sides, Kendall’s uncertainty surprised her.
Charlotte’s designer clothes might’ve been from a resale shop, but they were still name brand and added to her inherent elegance. On the other hand, Meggie’s outfit had been extremely expensive, but she was still low-class.
Roxy, Meggie, and Bailey sat on the sofa. Two extra chairs had been brought in for Bunny and Zoann—and placed on that side of the room. If Kendall sat on Joan’s side, she would have more space. Besides, that setup would form a nice circle.
Joan had drawn a dividing line between her and Roxy. Kendall was almost certain the chair Charlotte sat in had been meant for herself.
The door opened and the butler who’d led them to the room carried a chair. His silent, efficient movements impressed Kendall as he sat the spare chair next to Charlotte.
“The seat Charlotte took was going to be yours,” Joan confirmed to Kendall.
She offered Joan a gracious smile. Though she didn’t want to offend Charlotte or Joan, hurting Roxy was out of the question. Whether the other women spoke to her or not, they’d agreed to let Kendall plan the weddings with them. They could have just as easily told Roxy it was either her or them.
Kendall sat her glass on the coffee table, then dragged her chair midway between each side, hoping everyone understood.
“Well, then,” Joan started with a little laugh, not giving away her feelings on Kendall’s actions. “First, I’d like to congratulate my soon-to-be daughter-in-law on her recent engagement.” She lifted her glass, waited until the other women did the same with theirs, then took a sip.
“Thank you, Joan,” Roxy responded politely. “Although this is a surprise, considering you had almost three fucking weeks to congratulate me.”
Kendall shifted in her seat, needing to gulp a glass of scotch, instead of a weak champagne cocktail.
“Oh, Roxy, darling, forgive me. I’ve been so busy and Knox took me completely by surprise when he told me and his father he’d proposed to you.”
“How many days did you stay in bed upon hearing the news?” Charlotte asked sweetly. She offered Roxy a false smile. “Knox is her only child and, yet again, she’s losing him to the vagaries of his heart.”
“In a fucking minute—” Roxy started.
“May I say something?” Kendall interrupted. She didn’t want Roxy to burn her bridges with Joan. No matter what, the woman was that asshole’s mother—Roxy’s soon-to-be mother-in-law.
“Yeah, bye,” Roxy snapped, “and take this bitch with you. She wasn’t invited, Kendall. What the fuck is wrong with you, bringing a bitch that hates me to plan one of the most special days of my and Bailey’s lives?”
“That’s what I wanted to say,” Kendall said quietly. “But first I want to thank you.” She met each of their gazes—Roxy, Meggie, Zoann, Bailey, and Bunny—hoping she conveyed her gratitude. “You didn’t have to include me, yet you did.”
“As long as you’re Johnnie’s wife, you’re part of the family,” Zoann told her, without warmth, her look and her tone telling Kendall she hoped that situation would change soon.
Kendall lowered her lashes. “But I haven’t been invited to the family dinners in weeks.”
“You know when they are held,” Bunny replied with a shrug. “It was up to you to attend or not.”
Meggie sighed, and glided her fingers through her golden hair. “Kendall, please come to dinner tomorrow night. It’ll be at my house, and I’d love to have you.”
Staring at Meggie, Kendall saw the strong resemblance to Emily. Wasn’t it written somewhere that there were seven people in the world who mirrored each other’s looks?
Meggie did look like Emily, which had tortured Kendall for years. But the girl wasn’t Emily. Most importantly, she had a completely different personality, a completely different outlook. She wasn’t vile and evil like Emily. Then, Meggie’s build was smaller. Her hair was lighter. Emily was a honey blonde and her eyes were a darker blue than Meggie’s.
In Kendall’s mind, though, Emily and Meggie had been the same. Kendall had ruined everything because she’d set Emily—and therefore Meggie—as the ideal.
Emily never would’ve ex
tended a dinner invitation to Kendall, under the circumstances.
“Thank you. I’d love to attend,” she answered.
“Well, I hope everyone brought their appetites,” Joan said into the silence. “Tempers are always cooler on a full stomach. Let’s eat, then we can get into the wedding discussion.”
Kendall’s house was beautifully-appointed, just the type of home she’d appreciate, with the airs she liked to put on.
Bitter anger rushed through Knox. Outlaw had bullshitted him with a story about this house being one of the club’s safe houses. Specifically, his family’s.
Riiigggghhhttt, and Knox was the King of England. Artwork, elaborate lighting, and Persian rugs, wasn’t for Megan Caldwell. Even if it was, it certainly wouldn’t withstand the bratty onslaught of Outlaw’s Baby Thug, CJ.
No, this house had been purchased with Outlaw’s diabolical plan for Kendall in mind.
Walking around, Knox scoped out places to install his various cameras. He also had listening devices for rooms he couldn’t install cameras. Outlaw had given him blueprints of the house, so he knew where each room was, but he needed to get a bird’s eye view for installation purposes.
The master bedroom had light gray walls and white trimming. The bed—with white sheets and white comforter—was neatly made. A pair of burgundy alligator pumps stood in the spot between the wall and the nightstand. A silk robe lay on the back of an overstuffed chair.
It surprised Knox to see photos of Johnnie, Rory, Matilda, and JJ on the dresser.
A camera in the bedroom meant complete lack of privacy, but Outlaw insisted on it. He wanted to know if Kendall was cheating on Johnnie. Not that he had any reason to believe that. It was just another excuse he used for his spying.
Once again, Knox didn’t like it, but he wanted to be rid of Kendall bad enough to follow through on the orders.
It was easiest to install a light-bulb camera in this room. He’d have a panoramic view, motion detector that alerted him to movement, night vision, and microphone. Unlike in the other rooms, once the subject or subjects laid in bed, he’d get a clear view of a face.
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