“What Avalon did was pathetic,” Amfinger agreed. “But please don’t penalize me for his actions.”
“Amfinger—”
“As part of the deal, I have two crates of Kalashnikovs. I would be willing to include them as a bonus. A sign of good faith.”
Knox scrubbed a hand over his face. AK-47s—Kalashnikovs—were so numerous that many dealers didn’t bother with them. Prices varied wildly. On the dark web, they were sold for nearly three grand a piece. In some countries, where they were locally made, one rifle mist go for under two hundred dollars. The dealers who ran or traded them usually used them as Amfinger proposed—loss leaders. Guns to give away to build a relationship.
“Mr. Harrington, I understand you originally went to investigate the club to see them behind bars.”
“Avalon couldn’t keep his fucking mouth shut.”
“If not for your uncle, you wouldn’t be engaged to a member’s mother-in-law.”
Knox frowned. “Roxanne and I recently got engaged, so Avalon wouldn’t have known that.”
“You’re a Harrington. The announcement was in society columns everywhere.”
Knox huffed out a breath. “Okay, fine. What’s your point?”
“If you want to get in good with the club, imagine what bringing this deal to them would do for your standing.”
Would it also show Roxanne how sorry he was for being so critical of her, the club, and the members? Everything and everyone important to her, he’d complained about.
“Give me your phone number, Amfinger,” Knox ordered. He needed to think on this.
“You’ll help me out?”
“I didn’t say that.” Knox chose his words with care. If this was some type of setup, they couldn’t get him on anything because he hadn’t agreed to work with him. Most important, money hadn’t exchanged hands.
After Amfinger gave Knox his number, the call ended.
“Knock, knock,” Cam greeted, pushing open Knox’s ajarred door and walking into the office.
Deciding not to involve Cam in this—one way or the other, Knox ripped the paper with Amfinger’s number from the notepad and stuffed it into his shirt pocket.
Cam set his briefcase on one of the chairs in front of Knox’s desk, glancing at his phone. The wide smile told Knox Cam had gotten a message from his wife. Knox sighed. The simple gold band on his ring finger lowered Knox’s spirits even further. Lost in whatever Jordan had sent to him, he barely glanced at Knox.
“Did you review footage of Kendall?” Cam asked in that same distracted manner.
Knox shook his head. “No,” he mumbled.
Cam looked at Knox. He touched Roxanne’s ring, then spun it, drawing Cam’s gaze. His eyes widened.
Self-recriminations tore through Knox and he bowed his head. “I haven’t even thought about Kendall Donovan,” he admitted with a sigh.
“What happened, Wafer?” he asked, using the nickname he’d given Knox years ago. “Roxanne…” Cam’s voice trailed off and he studied the ring again.
“Yeah,” Knox answered, not sure what the question was and not caring.
Roxanne broke it off with him? Yeah.
He’d been a motherfucker? Yeah.
She didn’t intend to forgive him? Yeah.
He was so fucked if Mortician or Outlaw found out what Knox had done but he didn’t care? Yeah.
“I-I was so horrible to her. For no reason.”
Unbuttoning his suit jacket, Cam sat in the other chair in front of Knox’s desk. “In your head, there’s a reason, Wafer, and his name is Outlaw. Get over the man,” he warned. “The cop in you can’t get over the criminal in him. You can’t understand why a beautiful woman like Roxanne considers them her family. Your feelings are affecting your life and risking your relationship. You love Roxanne. Besides, Outlaw isn’t so bad.”
“I was hot under the collar from an argument I’d had with Mortician,” he confessed. “I should’ve kept walking when I heard her calling me. Ignoring her would’ve pissed her off, but she…she would’ve forgiven me. No, wait. She says she forgives me now but she’s done with me.” Once again remembering the names he’d called her, he cringed.
Disgust dropped into Cam’s face. He wished the man would act on his anger and deck him.
“You don’t have to say it. I should be ashamed of myself. I know she’s not used to wealth—legal wealth—but she wasn’t after me for money.”
“I should punch you in your fucking mouth for being such a stupid-ass bastard.”
“Please, do. It might make me feel better. I have to find a way to win her back. Get through this day. Outlaw is implementing another phase in his plan to destroy Kendall.”
For a moment, Cam’s attention turned from Knox’s stupidity. “The day has finally arrived.”
Knox nodded, jumping on the chance to discuss the case before he broke down in sobs. “We’ll see if Johnnie loves Kendall as much as he claims, or if he just wanted a woman to fill in the void left by Megan Caldwell.”
“My bet is he’s not going to take the bait.”
“I really don’t give a fuck.”
“You should. It’s part of the job we’re doing for Outlaw.”
“I understand, but…but…goddamnit…I want Johnnie to get rid of Kendall. After last night, I would think that would be a given. I just…Roxanne loves Kendall, too, and I’m happily working to annihilate her.”
“Yes,” Cam agreed, grave. “You’re working to precipitate her death.”
“Roxanne would hate me.”
“According to you, she already hates you.”
Instead of answering, Knox gave another nod.
Cam folded his arms. “You owe her an apology.”
“I’ve already apologized.”
“Apologize again. Kiss her ass in the middle of downtown and admit over a loudspeaker what an unintelligent fuck you were.”
Knox slumped back in his chair. Cam’s stare chastened Knox and made him feel so low he almost slid to the ground.
Cameron Baptiste was the brother Knox never had. He loved him as if he were his own flesh-and-blood and valued his opinion. To see Cam’s unspoken disappointment because of his actions, gutted Knox.
Relaxing his position, Cam relented in his silent annihilation of Knox. “Let me school you a little, my brother,” he started. “Remember some months ago, the news story about mega-preacher, Sharper Banks?”
How could he forget it? Reverend Banks had been killed in an explosion in an Atlanta hotel, across the country from where his home and huge church was located in Los Angeles. Not long after, the church had been blown up, too. Those two stories had dominated news cycles for weeks.
The man had been ultra-wealthy, having written books and enjoying a huge, devout following that donated money to him faithfully. He’d lost his wife years ago in an automobile accident.
“Sharper Banks was Mortician and Digger’s father.”
Knox blinked at Cam’s matter-of-fact statement. “No,” he managed in a strangled voice.
Cam nodded. “Yeah.”
In shock, Knox stood from his seat and sat again. Heat crawled up his neck and into his face. “You’re joking…No. I would’ve known…My god…please, tell me this isn’t true.”
“Feel like a big, diseased asshole yet? Because, believe me, it is true. And you didn’t know because whenever his children were mentioned, it was reported they wanted to remain anonymous. In this day and age, that’s hard to do. Unless you have the reach and the power of the Death Dwellers. Not to mention the world at your feet as two wealthy men.”
“Noooooo! That can’t be right. They don’t even act rich,” Knox ranted. “It’s illogical. No. You’re lying, Cameron,” he decided. “No wealthy preacher’s son is going to be a notorious criminal.”
“Unless the preacher was one.”
“How the fuck is a rich man supposed to act?”
“Not like the Hortensia Hillbillies, goddamn it!” Knox yelled.
&nbs
p; “Jesus Christ! So acting like Uncle Avalon is excusable?”
Second time today Avalon had been brought up. “Do you know Joyner Amfinger, by any chance?” Or was it just coincidence that he’d called Knox and had been a friend of Avalon on the same day Cam spoke of his uncle?
“Who the fuck is Joyner Amfinger?”
“Never mind.” Bleak, Knox looked at Cam. “Why wouldn’t Mortician have told me who his father was whenever I called him poor?”
Cam lifted a brow. “Why did the man have to explain himself to you, Knox?”
He got up from his seat and stumbled to the window, wanting to throw-up. “My god,” he said again. If Mortician was wealthy, then Bailey was, too. And if Bailey had money, then…“Roxanne…Roxanne…has her own money,” he finished on a painful gasp.
“You don’t say.”
Knox spun around and faced his best friend. “Why didn’t she tell me?”
“Again, why did she have to? She left it up to you to figure out. She ever asked you for anything? Exorbitant gifts? Expensive trips? Designer clothes?”
“No, of course not! Roxanne isn’t…”
“She isn’t that type of person, right, jackass? Even if, in fact, she was as poor as your small brain thought she was, she wouldn’t ask you for a goddamn thing. I don’t know what the fuck else you called her, but gold digger?” Cam snorted, and glared at him. “Why should she ever come back to your insulting ass?”
“Cam—”
“Fuck, Knox! I don’t want to hear it. Instead of asking why didn’t they, ask yourself why didn’t I. Why didn’t I love her enough to shut the fuck up? Why didn’t I recognize that she didn’t tell me anything because she took me as I was so she expected me to do the same?”
Knox couldn’t listen to anymore. “Stop!” he shouted. “Stop. Just stop.” He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. “What do I do? How do I get her back?”
Cam threw another angry glare at him.
“Please, help me,” Knox begged. “I love her.”
“You don’t treat anyone you love with such disregard and disrespect.”
“I know, Cam,” Knox said close to tears.
Cam sighed. “Give her a few days, Knox,” he relented. “She’s probably hurt to her core. All that woman does is talk about what a wonderful man you are to my wife.”
“I feel like kicking my own ass.”
“You should.”
Knox sagged against the windowsill, while Cam stood.
“I didn’t roll out of bed and leave my gorgeous wife on a Saturday to unfuck what you’ve fucked, so let’s review the recordings before Outlaw and company arrives.”
Having to watch Kendall Donovan wade through her myriad problems, when he had so many of his own, didn’t interest Knox at all. He had no choice in the matter. Outlaw had hired him to do this job.
If Roxanne ever found out what Knox was up to, she’d have one more reason to never talk to him again.
Chapter Thirty-One
Kendall had spent most of yesterday reviewing plans with Charlotte for the Donovan and Redding Law Firm. She’d been happy, if not content. Something had niggled at the back of her mind, preventing her from real enjoyment. Between then and now, it seemed as if a lifetime had passed.
Raising her vintage French Louis XV hand mirror as she lay in bed, Kendall stared at her black eyes and various bruises, courtesy of Meggie, and scowled. She couldn’t believe Johnnie had been the only one to intervene on her behalf. Anyone of them could’ve entered the fray…
A memory of Outlaw firing a round into Johnnie’s cheek rose in Kendall’s head. The barbarian had pulled his 9mm last night, too. Knowing he wouldn’t hesitate to shoot must’ve stopped them all, so Kendall decided she couldn’t really blame them.
However, and this was a huge revelation to her, the discontent she’d felt yesterday as she made plans with Charlotte made sense now. Outlaw had shot Johnnie, a relative who’d been as close as anyone to him, because of Kendall’s actions. Then, he’d turned around and rewarded Kendall.
What gave?
It could be argued that he was grateful that Kendall had given up Meggie’s location; in essence, saving her life. He’d known that when he’d shot Johnnie, though. Suddenly, he’d given Kendall, her, his most hated human, the go-ahead to practice law again, effective immediately.
She’d get land, a house in her name, access to money in the form of her own bank account, and a bigger percentage in Meggie and Zoann’s company, if she and Johnnie stayed married.
But, after last night’s fight with Meggie, and Outlaw’s glee, nothing made sense to Kendall. His allowing her to practice law concerned her. He hadn’t had to allow her to practice again and, on top of that, design the building, all at his expense.
Besides her husband and children, her degree mattered most to her. All of the other things she thought she’d wanted so she could feel equal to Meggie just wasn’t important. She’d give it all up, if only Johnnie gave her another chance.
Sinking further down into the covers, she raised the hand mirror again and sniffled. Before she noted any other marks on her, her cell phone rang.
“Hi Charlotte,” she said by way of answering, after seeing the woman’s name and number pop up on her screen. “How are you today?” She forced cheer into her voice.
“Darling,” Charlotte started. “I just heard your voice message, canceling our dinner plans. Are you all right?”
No. She was heartbroken, lonely, and afraid. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You mingled with those people last night, that’s why,” Charlotte said in a huff.
“Yes,” she whispered, then cleared her throat. “It went fine. I’m just exhausted from all the wine I drank.”
“Was that uncouth woman, Roxanne, behaving herself?”
“I don’t want to discuss Roxanne with you, Charlotte. Let’s not talk about any of them. Why don’t we have a phone meeting? I’d love to know how your search for a receptionist is coming along.” Lies! All lies! She couldn’t give less of a fuck.
“I have a couple of women I think will work out fine. We just have to go over the requirements you put in place,” she said cryptically.
Kendall didn’t like the sound of that. “I’m not changing my mind on one point. I refuse to have any young receptionists and secretaries in that office. I can’t have Johnnie coming over and finding some little slut attractive.”
Charlotte sniffed. “Threaten to take him to the cleaners, my dear. He’ll never stray again.”
She realized to get to those points, he had to want to take her back, a prospect that grew increasingly unlikely. But what if they divorced, God forbid, and he visited her at the office for some reason and saw…saw a younger woman? A blonde little goddess who reminded him of Meggie? Suppose there would be a younger employee who’d jump when Johnnie told her to?
Yes, he could meet other women anywhere, but Kendall wouldn’t make it as easy as finding her in the office.
“Johnnie kicked me out,” Kendall reminded Charlotte, gripping her phone tighter.
“A pure abomination,” Charlotte retorted. “And it took Outlaw to allow you to hire Ella back.”
That happened weeks ago. Ella still hadn’t returned.
“Johnnie’s still so furious with me. I just want my husband back. I’ll behave.”
“Behave? Do you hear yourself? You aren’t a child who needs disciplining. You’re a grown woman. That man…that club is lucky to have you.”
“But I got Meggie kidnapped. To Johnnie, that’s unforgivable.”
“She should’ve been murdered and tossed into the ocean like the garbage she is. While they were at it, they could’ve thrown that Roxanne woman with her. Ignorant piece of trash. I can’t understand what an elegant man like Knox wants with her.”
“I love Roxy, Charlotte,” Kendall bit out. “So do not talk about her in such a manner. As for Knox, he’s a fucking uptight asshole. I don’t see what she’s doing with
a prude like him.”
“Knox is better suited to you, dear.”
Charlotte’s comment sent disbelieving horror through Kendall. “I hate that bastard. He was snooping around with the express purpose of sending the men to jail. That would’ve included Johnnie. I don’t trust him as far as I can see him. I think he’ll betray Roxy and the entire club the first chance he gets.”
“As if he shouldn’t. They are thugs! Killers. Arsonists! They burned my mansion to the ground.”
“Johnnie isn’t a thug. Furthermore, if my husband and his brothers can trust Knox, you have nothing to say about it.”
“Well, Brooks told me Outlaw knows Knox doesn’t like him. He was so suspicious that he had him investigated. When it turned up that Knox was clean, and he made Roxanne happy, Outlaw backed off.”
“Well, what do you expect? Outlaw isn’t stupid. If I was in his place, I would’ve had Knox investigated, too.”
Charlotte harrumped. “Outlaw is quite suspicious of those he perceives as his enemy,” she started in high tones. “Therefore, I question his generosity to you.”
Kendall did as well, but she’d never admit that to Charlotte. It would just give her one more reason to denigrate the club. One more reason to make Kendall feel like a failure for not living up to Charlotte’s standards after she’d been like a mother to her. “Oh, please. There’s no reason to question his gifts. He considers me family. In effect that ties his hands. He has to do this for me. It’s a requirement because I’m his brother’s wife.”
“My darling Kendall, you’re still so trusting. Remember Emily Riser. She was unworthy of you as a child and from what you said of your recent meeting, she’s unworthy of you as a woman.”
“The perfect, little blue-eyed blonde,” Kendall sneered, anger rising in spite of meeting with Emily and closing the door on that chapter in her life. “Meggie reminds me of her.” Her distasteful tone registered in her brain, but she needed to vent. She’d confess her regression to Doctor Briscow during her next appointment. Right now, she wanted a familiar shoulder to cry on. “Emily pretended she wanted to be my friend, then humiliated me and made me bite off the head of a butterfly.”
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