Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books

by Kathryn C. Kelly

  “Didn’t you hear Bailey?” Knox asked as Stretch said, “on it,” and pulled out his cell phone.

  “I’m sure there’s an explanation for Roxy not answering, girl,” Digger said with the same aggravating calmness.

  “But Knox is right,” Bailey said in a shaky voice, earning him a warning glower from her husband. “She’d never ignore my call.”

  Mortician lifted a brow at Knox, as if he wanted him to say something.

  “The Escalade is in a downtown parking lot,” Stretch answered.

  “Don’t mean a fuckin’ thing,” Outlaw responded. “Where the fuck she at?”

  Silence fell as Stretch worked on his phone. It dawned on Knox that they were picking up Roxy’s movements.

  “You have her tracked?” he asked incredulously.

  “Not only her,” Johnnie said offhandedly. “All the women.”

  So Roxy really hadn’t told Outlaw his whereabouts the night the man broke into Knox’s house and beat his ass? Shit. He owed her so many apologies.

  “Her phone’s showing up at a house in Tinsdale.”

  What?

  “What the fuck she doin’ there?” Outlaw asked in confusion.

  Uncle Avalon lived in Tinsdale. Knox’s mind raced and he remembered that last conversation he’d had with his uncle, when the man had shared some type of strange communication with his father. If Avalon had taken Roxy…the man had completely lost his mind.

  As the bikers talked back and forth and Stretch announced his uncle’s address, Knox had a quick decision to make. He could get to the house and attempt to find her. His uncle might listen to him and release her. He could also call 911.

  Or he could alert Outlaw to the matter and leave Avalon to his fate. Roxy was in danger. If his uncle had taken her, he intended to harm her. The decision was easy.

  “That’s my uncle’s address,” Knox blurted. “I think he’s taken her.”

  Roxy opened her eyes, groaning at the pain shooting through her head. For a moment, she wondered her whereabouts, then it all came back to her. She’d been kidnapped. She wasn’t some rich woman who they could ransom. The club came to mind and she shivered.

  If it was an enemy of Outlaw or Mortician, she was well and truly fucked. Not because they wouldn’t work to get her back, but because before they knew she was gone, she’d be dead.

  Cold air brushed over her. God! She was naked and wig-less. Clouds hung overhead, noticeable through the chain link above her. Cursing, she attempted to sit up. Restraints kept her in place, metal grating on metal. More awareness seeped into her. Something scratched her back and she blinked, attempting to center herself, instead of feeling so off-balance.

  She groaned again and a loud whistle resounded, hurting her head. A moment later, something creaked open.

  “You’re awake.”

  Even before the motherfucker stood over her, Roxy knew Avalon Harrington’s voice. He offered her an evil grin.

  “Bring her to me,” he instructed someone, then walked away.

  Roxy waited for an opportunity to strike and attempt to get away. She couldn’t even think about why Avalon had her. It didn’t matter. Surviving did. However, she was given no opening as one of the men who’d taken her, hustled her to her feet.

  “Bald-headed bitch,” he spat at her.

  Fuck her hair! “Fuck you.”

  Grabbing her arm, he jerked her forward and shoved her. With her hands cuffed behind her back, she lost her balance and fell on her knees, hitting the metal bar of the enclosure she’d been in. They’d held her in some type of cage, tall enough for a man to walk in, but still a contained enclosure.

  Breathing in deep, Roxy ignored the pain going through her knees at the hard fall. The asshole grabbed her by the little hair she had on her head and dragged her to her feet, then gave her naked body the once over.

  Humiliation roared through her but she refused to allow twat-face the satisfaction of showing it. She lifted her chin. Balling his fist, he punched her stomach, sending her flying back and knocking the wind from her for a moment.

  She stared at the sky, hot tears leaking from the side of her eyes.

  “Get up,” he demanded, the barrel of a gun pressing against her temple. “Or I’ll shoot you here and now.”

  She hadn’t survived cancer, everything, to be shot down like a damn dog. Gritting her teeth, she stumbled to her feet, pretending she was on a beach in Jamaica. She had her clothes off for Knox, to make love under the hot sun.

  Her lower lip trembled, but she was determined to hold onto her dream and ignore the harsh reality. She stood straight, pretending she wasn’t hurting from the hits to her head and stomach, and the fall to her knees.

  “Good, bitch. You get to live a few minutes longer.”

  Roxy refused to answer or show her fear. Fuck him.

  Placing the gun at the back of her head, the man said, “walk.”

  She couldn’t do much at the moment. A pull of the trigger and her brain was gone. She had to follow instructions, bide her time, and look for an opening.

  Straight ahead, a large house loomed in front of her, but he ordered her to go right into a stand of trees. The twigs beneath her feet cut into the tender skin and the cold chilled her. She forced the images of Jamaica and Knox and well-being back into her head.

  “Stop,” he captor said as they approached a small cabin. “Get inside.”

  Not that he gave her a choice. He shoved her through the door and sent her sprawling onto the hard floor. The side of her face, her shoulders, and breasts slapped the uneven wood.

  A gasp met her ears.

  “Thanks, Joe,” Avalon said. “Get her to her feet.”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Harrington.”

  The asshole once again used her hair to yank her to her feet. Roxy swayed and prayed she didn’t fall, not trusting he wouldn’t shoot her. As she focused, she met the horrified gaze of Charlotte Redding. Bad enough. Even worse was seeing Knox’s father, Hal, bound, gagged, and beaten.

  “Avalon, have you lost your mind?” Charlotte cried.

  “My faculties are working fine, woman,” Avalon said sharply. “I brought you here to show you how dedicated I am to your cause. Brooks is no longer worthy of a woman like you.” He looked at his watch. “He should be dead, as of five minutes ago.”

  Charlotte’s loud sob drowned out Roxy’s gasp.

  “You killed my Brooks?” Charlotte gulped around tears, stumbling back. “My God, no!” Breathing heavily and looking around wildly, she dug into her jacket and pulled out her cellphone. “I’m calling the police.”

  “What do you mean? The police?” Avalon asked, as if he were truly shocked. “I thought you’d be happy. I can let you live the life you’re accustomed to.” He nodded to Roxy. “Doesn’t seeing this low-classed bitch naked and humiliated please you?”

  Roxy pretended Avalon’s words didn’t affect her. If she let her feelings show, then he’d win. Charlotte would win.

  “Didn’t you wish she’d died of her cancer? One less classless lowlife in the world.”

  “Bitch!” Roxy snarled.

  Joe punched Roxy in the stomach and she doubled over, falling to her knees and gasping for breath.

  “You’re a vile creature, Avalon,” Charlotte spat around tears, the words dancing through the fog in Roxy’s head, brought on by severe pain.

  “I’m giving you one more chance to leave with me,” Avalon told her.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you. I love Brooks.”

  Getting control of her pain, Roxy wrestled herself back on her haunches in time to see Avalon punch Charlotte to the ground.

  The vicious hit and Charlotte’s scream made Roxy flinch. Despite her history with the snobby woman, it was hard to watch Avalon rip her clothes from her body until she was as naked as Roxy and just as beat up.

  Turning to Roxy, Charlotte sent her a pleading gaze as Avalon’s henchman snatched her phone away and pocketed it.

  “Help me, please,
Roxanne!” Charlotte begged.

  Roxy rolled her eyes. “In case you don’t realize it, I’m naked as fuck and tied the hell up. What can I do?”

  Hal drew in a painful gasp. He was pale, with blood dripping from his nose, mouth, and the side of his head. Roxy feared he wouldn’t last much longer. Other than a beating, she had no idea what kind of injuries he had, only knowing they were severe.

  Shielding her breasts and pussy with her hands, Charlotte cried out as Avalon shoved her to her knees.

  “You’re not coming with me, so why do you need your hair?” Avalon sneered.

  In horror, Roxy watched as Avalon used a knife to chop Charlotte’s hair off, until her scalp showed in several places. He kicked her to Joe. “Beat her.”

  Charlotte hadn’t been nice to Roxy at all. She’d helped to mess up Kendall and hated Meggie. She probably didn’t hold Bailey in the highest regard either, but Roxy thought of something, anything, to divert the abuse the woman was currently receiving. The hits that made her sob in misery and Avalon laugh with glee.

  “Please!” Charlotte screamed, her lips and nose bleeding.

  “My turn, Joe,” Avalon called, walking to Charlotte and grabbing her throat to lift her to her knees. He pulled his knife out of his jacket pocket. “You’re not as smart as I believed you to be, so why do you need your brain?” Using the tip of his knife, Avalon began to pierce Charlotte’s head. “I have to remove your scalp to get to your brain.”

  Roxy couldn’t take it anymore. She wouldn’t sit there and let Avalon scalp Charlotte Redding. Bitchy or not, she was still a human being and a woman. Women had to stick together.

  Gritting her teeth against the pain, Roxy sprung on Avalon, shouldering herself into him. The move surprised him and he lost his grip on the knife.

  “Run, Charlotte!” Roxy screamed as Joe grabbed her arms, then slammed her to the ground.

  Dizziness slid into her and her vision blurred. Around her, sounds of a woman’s pleas and a man’s curses infiltrated Roxy’s brain.

  Dragging her to her feet, Joe punched Roxy. She sprawled out next to Charlotte, who lay on the ground bloodied, broken, and weeping.

  Roxy wasn’t sure where she was, but she had to get away. Find help. Her hands were bound but not her feet. Her lack of clothes…well. Fuck. In the scheme of things, her naked ass was the least of her worries.

  As her survival instincts kicked in, she searched for Joe’s gun. It was on the table near Charlotte. Either Roxy would get them all killed or she’d rescue them. On the other hand, she was sure they were meant to die today, anyway, so she’d take her chances. At least, she’d die trying to save herself.

  Swallowing back her fear, she barreled into Joe, banging her head against his and nearly knocking herself the fuck out. She tripped against the wall, dizziness interrupting her plan to run.

  Even if she didn’t get away, Charlotte could.

  Roxy turned. “Run, Charlotte,” she screamed, as Joe fell to his knees, still conscious.

  Avalon came toward Charlotte, who remained on the floor, sobbing.

  The stars swirling through her head receded, but now, Roxy was behind Joe thanks to the hit she’d given him. Charlotte was unbound. She could get away, if she had it in her to fight for her life. Roxy couldn’t help her with her tied up hands.

  Rushing into Avalon’s pathway, Roxy halted his advance. “Charlotte, get the fuck up and move your ass. I didn’t almost knock myself the fuck out to—”

  Avalon grabbed Roxy by the throat and began to squeeze.

  “Shut up,” he snarled. “My nephew was onboard with my plans until he came across you. Once I get you out of the way, he’ll come to his senses.”

  Roxy fought to retain consciousness. She had to get away or else she’d die. The presence of Hal was a mystery she might never have an answer to. The man was now silent and unmoving, and she didn’t know if he was dead or alive.

  Kneeing Avalon in the dick, Roxy’s efforts paid off and he released her. She saw Charlotte still on the floor, in tears. Her hands were still bound, so she couldn’t help her to her feet. She did the only thing she could.

  “Run with me, Charlotte,” she demanded.

  Joe started for her.

  “Let her run, Joe,” Avalon instructed. “She won’t get far and she’ll be good for target practice.”

  True to his word, Roxy must’ve run five feet before the first bullet hit her in the shoulder. The next two bullets missed her. The fourth lodged into her thigh. But it was the fifth one that hit her side and dropped her.

  She attempted to crawl ahead. She was fast losing blood, however, and couldn’t go anymore.

  “Give up, Roxanne,” Avalon taunted. “You’re dead.”

  She raised her head as he aimed the gun and started to pull the trigger.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  “NO!” Knox screamed, seeing his uncle standing over Roxy with a gun pointed in her face.

  As Avalon pulled the trigger, he fell back and the shot missed its mark. Outlaw rushed by him, still holding his 9mm, while Mortician ran behind him. The loud sobs of a woman emanated from the small outbuilding and Johnnie, Val, and Digger headed that way.

  His heart in his throat, Knox went to where Roxy lay.

  “Roxanne, fuck, man, don’t die on me,” Mortician said, his voice shaking as he removed his jacket to cover her.

  “Let me,” Knox said, his own tone as trembling as his insides. “Please.”

  Outlaw was leaning over Avalon, checking his pockets, unconcerned about the hole in his head. Mortician hesitated but finally nodded to Knox and held out his jacket. Carefully, Knox wrapped Roxy in it then lifted her up. He needed to get her to a doctor.

  “Christopher!” Johnnie called, walking out, carrying a woman.

  When they came closer, Knox saw a severely beaten and unconscious Charlotte Redding with her hair cut off. Johnnie’s jacket covered her.

  “There’s another man in there, clinging to life. Not Brooks,” he explained.

  “I think he’s related to you and Avalon,” Val told Knox, holding out an ID. “A Hal Harrington.”

  Seeing his father’s face and name, Knox almost dropped Roxy. “That’s my father,” he managed.

  “Hey, Outlaw,” Digger said, holding a gun on a stranger and marching him to where they all stood.

  Outlaw glanced up, then raised his gun and fired, hitting the man between the eyes. As the guy crumpled to the ground, Outlaw looked at Roxy before frowning at Charlotte. “Somebody find Brooks. His bitch injured, so he might be fucked up some-fuckin-where.”

  “I have to call 911,” Knox said. “Get my father, Charlotte and Roxy to a hospital.”

  “Get your old man the fuck where you wanna,” Outlaw said. “Roxanne comin’ with us. We ain’t leavin’ her where we don’t have no control.”

  “I wasn’t asking you,” Knox said tightly. “I’m telling you.”

  Outlaw raised his gun and aimed it at Knox. “Put Roxanne down. Come with us. Bring your old man with us. I ain’t givin’ much of a fuck. But I’ma shoot the fuck outta you if you don’t give us Roxanne.”

  The man was serious. Mortician looked on the verge of unhinging, too, so Knox knew if Outlaw fired at him, the enforcer would likely follow suit.

  “She losing a lot of blood, Prez,” Mortician whispered as he took her from Knox.

  Looking down at himself, he realized her blood covered him.

  “I know, Mort,” Outlaw said and, for the first time, Knox heard the man’s fear. “She ain’t gonna die. Call Bitsy. Tell her to put Hortensia General on alert. Have a fuckin’ team waitin’ for Roxanne. They better fuckin’ save her or we blowin’ that motherfucker up.” He turned to Johnnie. “Bring Brooks’ bitch, too.” He looked at Knox. “Bring your old man or not. But we rollin’.”

  As far as Knox knew, his was the only vehicle they had. Before he questioned how they expected to transfer her, Outlaw spoke again.

  “Give Mort your keys. We need a fu
ckin’ cage to get Roxanne and Charlotte to the hospital.”

  “What about my father?”

  “Call 911, motherfucker,” Digger said.

  “Val, Digger, stay with Knox to tell him what the fuck to do. We hittin’ the road.”

  Knowing he didn’t want to be away from Roxy and he’d have to serve as support for his mother, Knox decided he’d stand with them.

  “Can I get my father and we transport them all to the same place?”

  “Hurry the fuck up,” Outlaw said. “Time wastin’.”

  Knox hurried off and found his unconscious father. His uncle had lost his mind. Knox had misconstrued whatever he’d seen pass between the two men on Thanksgiving Day. Whatever Avalon had planned, his father had been against and paid the price for it.

  “Stay with me, Dad,” Knox begged, untying his father and carrying him to the car. “I’ll drive,” he said, knowing Mortician would’ve had to leave his bike behind if Knox hadn’t decided to leave with them.

  No one argued. Once Roxy, Charlotte, and his father were loaded in, Knox jumped behind the wheel and allowed the bikers to escort him to where he needed to be.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  “Stop pacing, son. Come. Sit down.”

  At the sound of his mother’s directive, Knox turned from where he stood looking out of the window of his father’s hospital room and offered her a sad smile.

  “He’ll be moved tomorrow and our physicians will take over. He’ll come through this alive.”

  “Yes, I know, Mom,” Knox responded as he went to stand by his father’s bedside, wondering if he would survive. His arrogance had caused Roxy great harm and Outlaw great anger.

  Sighing, he drew in a tired breath. They were admitted to the same hospital—his father, Roxy, Brooks and Charlotte. The place resembled a mini clubhouse with all the bikers outside of Roxy’s door. Outlaw had her door guarded more securely than POTUS.

  In the twenty-four hours since Knox had gone to his uncle’s house, his father had been in and out of sleep. He was cognizant, which was a good thing. However, Roxy still hadn’t woken up. Knox didn’t know the status of either Brooks or Charlotte, but he knew they were in good hands.