Buy a bag of frozen corn. Not corn on the cob unless you want to cut the motherfuckers up, in which case just buy fresh corn. I’m trying to save you fucking work, so trust me. Buy frozen corn. Pour into a saucepan. (Refer to my fucking pictures). Add in a quart of heavy whipping cream, a pint of half-and-half, a stick of butter, and salt. How ever the fuck much you like, so don’t fucking ask. Some motherfuckers like shit so salty, it’s like you plucked it from the Red Sea. Other motherfuckers don’t like salt at all. The mixture has to cook down. This is time-consuming and work intensive. You don’t want to scorch the cream or the half-and-half because then it’ll taste like soured milk. Basically, it’ll taste like shit. You need to have it on a high fire to bring it to boil. Don’t cover it. Have the pot big enough that your mixture won’t boil over. Otherwise, you’ll have a big ass mess that’ll fuck up your stove and require a lot of fucking cleaning. Once your cream and half and half boils down, it’ll start to thicken. Lower the fucking fire. You have to stir it constantly. One, to keep it from burning and, two, to check the consistency…Okay, baby, on second thought, maybe you want to try this one another fucking time. This is an eyeball recipe where the cooking is concerned. There’s a high chance you’ll fuck it up, but I’ll leave it in here just in case you want to try it.
Candied Yams:
Take some Louisiana sweet potatoes, (that’s what the fuck a yam is, baby), and add in nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, sugar, butter, and cream. Mix it all together in a baking dish. Cover and bake for an hour.
Sweet peas and pearl onions:
This is a fuck-up proof recipe. Buy the shit in a can and warm on a low fire in a pot on the stove. If you burn this, just quit fucking cooking. I’m wasting my fucking time and so are you.
Roxy wrinkled her nose at the last line, wondering if that was too harsh. She rubbed her eyes, tired and weary. Maybe, she did need a break. New Orleans might lift her spirits up. She’d be away from all the probing eyes, especially Bailey’s. If she didn’t feel like such a fucking fool, she might talk to her baby girl. However, Bailey would tell Mortician, and then that was Knox’s ass.
So fucking what? Why she continued to protect his ass, she didn’t know. He deserved to be fucked up. Only, she wanted it to be her brand of fucking up, not her son-in-law’s.
In a few hours, Knox would be on a plane headed to Boston to see his son. He had a half day with Brooks to get through, then he’d head to PDX. In all honesty, the attorney had told Knox he didn’t have to come in at all. Knox declining the generous offer had nothing to do with his supposed work ethic or the case. He’d wanted a glimpse of Roxy, a last chance to talk to her. He’d give anything to take back his cruel words.
Perhaps, because it was Thanksgiving week, the club had an afternoon crowd. Outlaw and the other men sat at his table, drinking and talking. It seemed to be a favorite pastime of theirs. It also explained their camaraderie. For a moment, Knox had been welcomed into their group. They’d seemed so regular. Not at all the men Charlotte painted them as.
As the thought crossed his mind, the kitchen door opened and Megan walked out, using dish towels to carry a large pan. Curlicues of steam rose up from whatever food she’d cooked.
Charlotte had called her a slut and put in Knox’s head that the girl had a fling with Johnnie. She’d insisted that Outlaw and Kendall’s animosity stemmed from the woman spurning the club president’s advances.
Yet, there’d been no evidence of any of the above. The man had an odd reverence for women and he simply adored his wife. He worshipped the ground Megan walked on.
Knox sat at a table alone, waiting for Brooks to collect his belongings. No one paid the least bit of attention to him. If not for the fact that no one wanted him around, this would’ve been the perfect opportunity to snoop.
Roxy breezed by his table. She offered him a glare before continuing on.
Swallowing, Knox got to his feet and rushed behind her, catching up to her just as she reached the table.
He grabbed her arm, but quickly dropped it and raised his hands at Mortician’s narrowing eyes. “Roxy, wait, please,” he rushed out, wanting to touch her but fearing her retribution. She’d verbally cut him before physically punching him. Not to mention whatever Mortician might do. The man had every right to kick his ass after the way Knox treated his mother-in-law. “I want to talk to you.”
She whirled to face him, the long, straight hair of her wig flying with her. “I have nothing to say to you. I heard all the fuck I need to hear from your ass, motherfucker.”
“I’m sorry,” he told her, desperate for her forgiveness. All the other times he’d apologized and she’d accepted led him to believe it would always be that way. “If you just talk to me for a few minutes, I’ll do anything.”
She stepped closer to him and he breathed in her scent, his heart picking up speed at her nearness. “Are you still staying with your ex?”
“Yes, but it isn’t what you think.”
“It’s exactly what I think,” she snarled. “Otherwise, you would stay at a hotel. I’d even give you a pass if you were flying there to bring your son here. There’s absolutely no reason for you to stay under the same roof with your ex.”
“My son asked me to,” he snapped, frustrated. “I’ve never taken you for the jealous type. Just because you can’t be friends with your exes, doesn’t mean everybody is like that. Haven’t you heard of co-parenting?”
“Did you decide to talk to me just to tell me that? If that’s the case, fuck off. I have no problem with you co-parenting. My problem is you staying under the same roof with another woman.”
That had to mean she felt something for him beyond a fling. Perhaps, he had a chance with her for something more. Or had had a chance. Why hadn’t he seen that before? As much as she loved her family, she’d been willing to stand at his side. She hadn’t blown his cover, even when she’d been furious with him. That meant something. He needed to rein in his temper to talk some sense into her.
“Roxy, sweetheart, listen to me. We have so much against us. Your dislike of my parents.”
“Their dislike of me. Remember, they didn’t come to my fucking house so I could insult the fuck out of them. I went to theirs.”
Knox gritted his teeth. “The secrecy of the case and your betraying your family on my behalf.”
“Boy, bye.” She started to turn then stopped. “A word of advice. Buy a damn cane and some dark glasses, because you’re one blind motherfucker. A seeing eye dog wouldn’t help your dumb ass.”
“I take umbrage at that,” he said stiffly. “Especially since I don’t know what you’re talking about. The facts support my statements, not your insults.”
“The facts, huh? Let me explain the facts, motherfucker. Family is everything to me. You betray them, you betray me. I’d never let one motherfucker harm them and I’d do whatever I need to see them safe.”
“What does that mean?” Her riddles confused him.
“It means you need to go back to fucking school to become a better investigator. It means you can’t see what’s right in front of you. You’re blind to everything except you. You have a tunnel-vision that makes you narrow-minded and unfair. With everything. Not only with your son but with the case. Your life. Grow the fuck up.”
“You can say whatever you’d like, but your actions prove me right.” He wanted her to admit he wasn’t the only one feeling lost.
She gave him a hard stare. “Leave, Knox. I have nothing more to say to you.”
Before he responded, she fled to the kitchen. She couldn’t accept the fact that he was right about her. About them.
With every eye on him, Knox thought it prudent to wait outside for Brooks, so he nodded to the bikers, turned and strolled away.
Once again, Roxy had retreated to the kitchen to escape Knox. This time, at least, chores had to be done. Meggie came in to put out more food, casually mentioning Knox’s departure. They worked side-by-side in silence, placing the food, seeing to the bikers as th
ey ate and requested a variety of things. Drinks. Napkins. More food.
Roxy had never worked as hard to pay attention to Meggie’s tasks. Cooking dinner was just the beginning. She also talked to the brothers and their families. Roxy noted Outlaw kept a close eye on everyone Meggie came into contact with and he absolutely forbid her to go behind the bar. She always signaled one of the Probates. What Roxy noticed most of all, however, was the girl’s extreme enjoyment of her duties. She truly enjoyed cooking and taking care of her family and everyone else.
If only Kendall understood that happiness came from the inside. What Meggie did was ten times better than Kendall’s law degree because she was doing what she liked best, not worrying about anyone else’s life. Just living her own.
She’d found her place early in life.
Sighing, Roxy leaned against the table and thought of Knox’s words. Of course she knew exes could be friends. She was an advocate of co-parenting. For years, she and K-P had enjoyed a deep and beautiful friendship. At first, their bond had been Bailey before morphing into remembering why they’d fallen in love, even as they understood they weren’t meant to be together as a couple.
Knox and his ex-wife…that was it, though. She didn’t trust him. From the beginning, he’d played her for a fool, thinking he was getting over on her. That was the crux of the matter. His reliability. The fact that he’d started their relationship under the same false pretenses that she had.
His parents didn’t like her but seemed to have admired his ex. Shit. She needed to be real. Had they met under different circumstances, Roxy still would’ve felt the same way. She couldn’t understand why he needed to stay under the same roof as his former wife.
“Gypsy is going to come later to clean up,” Meggie announced, from behind her. “I need to get home. CJ is asking for me.”
Roxy turned and smiled at Meggie. “Okay, sugar. I might stay and help out. I need to grab Outlaw for a minute and talk to him.” The reason she’d come in the first place.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Meggie shifted her weight. “No one’s sure what Knox did but if you need to talk I’m here.”
“We weren’t meant to last, Meggie. I was just having a little fun while I helped out Outlaw.”
Meggie came to her and turned to the side so her pregnant belly wouldn’t stop the hug she gave to Roxy. “Men can be morons.”
Roxy returned Meggie’s hug. “I’m stronger than that, baby,” she said, not feeling strong at all and releasing the young woman. “I’m not going to fall apart because of a dumb ass man. I’m leaving tomorrow for New Orleans. Knox will be the furthest thing from my mind.”
“Sometimes, when the heart gets involved, we soften.”
“Weaken,” she said with a short laugh. “I’ve never been good at relationships. My emotions…” Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep breath. “I’ve never in my life slept with someone I didn’t feel something for. I’ve never lied to myself as much as I did in this instance. Because I knew why Knox was here, I insisted I was only having fun with him.” She shifted her weight and twisted her hands together. “He was a boy toy.” She averted her glance. “But he hurt me, so I know it’s more than just fun. I know I feel more for his stupid, ratchet ass.”
“Is there any chance that whatever’s broken between you two can be fixed? Do you want it to be?”
Those were really good questions, neither of which Roxy had an answer to. “I don’t know, baby.”
Meggie nodded. “Whatever you decide, we are all behind you one hundred percent. We want you to be happy, more than anything. If Knox is that person, then…”
“Then I’m fucked. Outlaw can’t stand his ass.”
“Neither can Mort, Val, Digger, or Johnnie. But if he backs off and stop thinking he’s better than us, they’ll come around.”
“They won’t soon forget the stunt he pulled with Charlotte.”
“That was pretty low,” Meggie agreed.
“I’m so fucking confused, sugar. I hate feeling like this. Once I involve my pussy in situations, I endanger my heart. With my new outlook on life, I thought I’d be able to pitch a little pussy around and be done with it.”
“So you’ve said,” Meggie said with a giggle. “What do they say about the best laid plans?”
“That they’re always fucked in some way, shape, or form.”
They grinned at each other.
“Go take care of your kids, Meggie. Don’t worry about me. It’s a process I go through. I think I need to sit my ass down and forget about love and sex.” Besides, she’d already talked to Bailey about it.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Just fine.”
With one last hug, Meggie headed to the door. “I’ll call you later to check on you.”
“I appreciate that.”
The moment Meggie left, Roxy decided to go to Outlaw before he left. Once Meggie departed the clubhouse in the evenings, her man wasn’t far behind.
When she reached the table, Outlaw was standing up.
“I need to have a word with you,” Roxy said, grabbing her purse.
“Roxanne,” Johnnie called. “Before you leave, I want to show you the diamonds I got for Kendall. She’s going to be so happy.”
“I’m about sick of hearing about those fucking rocks, John Boy,” Val snapped. “You got your bitch jewels. Good for you. Now, shut the fuck up.”
Johnnie glared at him. “Don’t be jealous. You can always buy diamonds for Zoann.”
“What the fuck?” Outlaw snapped. “You sayin’ Bitsy can wear diamonds but Megan ain’t able to?”
“I stand by what I said, Christopher,” Johnnie said tightly. “Diamonds are above Megan. What will she do? Wear them to cook and serve? Besides, Zoann having diamonds won’t affect Kendall the same as Megan having them. I’m glad you couldn’t afford them. That just shows she isn’t meant to have them.”
“You some motherfucker,” Mortician snarled before Outlaw or Roxy said anything. “You don’t want Meggie girl with diamonds or you don’t want Prez giving her any? As I remember, you gave her a pair of earrings that was ten Gs.”
Johnnie got to his feet. “Just what are you implying?”
“I’m not implying a goddamn thing, motherfucker.” Mortician stood, too. “I’m telling your ass.”
Digger rose and positioned himself near Outlaw, his job as SAA always to protect the president first and foremost. “You so damn uptight, Johnnie. You need to back off about the diamonds.”
“I want Kendall happy. Sue me.”
“No, assfuck, you want Kendall to be above my girl,” Outlaw told him, his green eyes coldly angry.
“Buying Megan expensive jewelry would put her above my wife,” Johnnie argued. “Furthermore, Kendall would feel as if everything she gets Meggie has.”
Growling, Outlaw started around Digger, but Roxy caught his arm. “I need to talk to you,” she hurried out.
“What?” Outlaw spat, so angry he shook.
“In your office.” He looked as if he would argue. “Please.”
“Just know when my ass get the fuck back, I’m beatin’ the fuck outta you, Johnnie. I ain’t knowin’ what has got into your dumb ass, but I’ma get it the fuck outta you.” He started for the hallway. “Come on, Roxanne.”
Roxy rushed behind the man as he stormed toward his office.
“What?” he said the moment they walked in and he faced her.
Roxy closed the door, then sat her purse on the desk and opened it, pulling out a velvet pouch. She held it out to Outlaw.
He frowned.
“Take it, sugar.”
Doing as instructed, he grabbed the bag and opened it. It wasn’t often something shocked him but his widened eyes and short sucking in of his breath told Roxy she’d succeeded.
He held the bracelet up. It sparkled and gleamed in the light.
“Megan bracelet. I…the fuckin’ bracelet I wanted for her.”
“I told Jordan about it,” Rox
y confessed. “She really is grateful that you saved her life. I know it was all in a day’s work for you but to her it meant her life and that of her baby’s.”
Indecision tore across his face. He was a proud man, but Roxy also knew he wanted the piece of jewelry for his wife. Hearing Johnnie gave her better understanding of what motivated Outlaw.
“I ain’t did that shit for no payment, Roxanne. Besides, if I give this to Megan, it’ll be from Doc Will not my ass.”
“Of course it’ll be from you. Jordan is giving it to you as payment. You’re free to do what you please with it.”
“Only way I take it is if she let me give her the fuckin’ bills I already fuckin’ had for the fuckin’ purchase.”
“We figured you’d probably say that.” Jordan wanted Roxy to try and talk Outlaw into accepting the gift outright, but that wouldn’t happen. “I’ll let her know. Since I’m leaving tomorrow, you’re going to have to deal with her yourself.”
Outlaw continued to stare at the bracelet. “You think Megan gonna like it?” he whispered, as if he hadn’t heard any of Roxy’s previous words. “The diamonds so fuckin’ clear. It’s a sparklin’, gleamin’ jewel, just like my Megan.” He seemed to remember he wasn’t alone and looked up. “Thank you, Roxanne. I ain’t too sure what to say to you.”
“There’s nothing to say,” she said softly, wondering if a greater love existed than the one Outlaw and Meggie shared.
He walked to her and kissed her cheek. “We lucky motherfuckers to have you lookin’ out for us.” He bagged the bracelet and then pocketed it. “You okay, huh, babe? I can kill Knox if he hurt you too bad.”
“Fuck, Outlaw! How the fuck do you go from being a romantic motherfucker to a fucking psycho?”
He shrugged.
“Please don’t kill him. Let him be. Fuck him,” she added for good measure. “Speaking of that, you got the bracelet for your wife’s Christmas present. Leave Johnnie alone. Don’t fuck him up. As soon as I get back, me and him sitting down and talking. Let his dumb ass continue to think whatever the hell he wants.”
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 401