Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books

by Kathryn C. Kelly

  “My Hal will make it. Your father will survive, Knox,” his mother assured him. “Don’t fret.”

  “I know he’ll come through, Mom, but it’s not only that.” He reflected a moment, remembering everything Uncle Avalon had ever said about the club and Outlaw in particular. Even after Thanksgiving, when his uncle bragged about stealing club money, Knox realized he still felt superior to Outlaw. He still thought his uncle deserved a pass. How could one criminal pass judgment on another? Now, the thought was shameful. “Am I that arrogant? How could I have not known?”

  “Known what? What are you talking about?”

  “This, Mom.” He made a circular arm sweep. “Dad and the others. They’re here because of me. I was so busy focusing on proving rumors of that club to be true, I missed the red flag right in front of me.”

  “You couldn’t have known, Knox.” His father’s voice came out in a whisper. “Avalon had us all fooled.”

  “Oh, Hal!” Joan cried, getting to her feet and rushing to the bedside. She ran her fingers through his salt-and-pepper hair. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

  “I’m fine,” his father got out.

  Knox grabbed his father’s hand, standing on the opposite side of the bed that his mother was on. “Don’t talk, Dad. And don’t sugar coat my mistake. I’m supposed to be a PI. My first important case, and I almost got the people I love and care about murdered by someone other than the ones I was investigating.”

  “Stop it this minute,” Joan demanded. “You had no way of knowing the extent of Avalon’s vices.”

  “No, but I should have known what he was capable of. He said what he was doing.”

  “Listen to me, son,” his father started. “This case was quite unique. Mostly rumor driven. You did your research and found not even law enforcement could make anything stick to that club. So, in your effort to do so, you wired yourself to gather incriminating evidence.”

  “Yeah, brilliant idea,” Knox spat, angry with himself.

  “Let me finish,” Hal ordered. “Avalon came to me with his plan to run away with Charlotte Redding and kill Roxanne whatever her name is to get you back on his side while he used the club’s money to enjoy life and fund your investigation. I refused to go along with that once he told me about all the lies he planted in your head. You probably were arrogant, a little self-righteous, and even judgmental, which blinded you to many facts. It blinded me, too.”

  “What’s your point?” Knox asked stiffly. If his father was trying to comfort him, that was quite a poor effort.

  “My point is you, Knox. You didn’t fail because of your…uh…biased opinion against that club. You failed because of family loyalty. Your uncle. My brother. You were blindsided by a person you perceived as a good and honorable man. You, as well as I, took for granted that, because he was family and an upstanding citizen in the community, he only wanted to bring down a den of thieves and killers.”

  Perception was everything, but the character he perceived his uncle to have was so far from the truth, Avalon might as well have been a Martian. “Along with the Reddings, he nearly killed you and Roxy.” He hung his head, miserable. No one was allowing him access to her.

  He just wanted to see for himself that she’d be okay.

  “Do you know what the woman’s condition is?” Joan asked.

  Shaking his head, Knox shoved his hands in his pockets. “I know she’s still alive. That’s all I know.”

  “I see.” Joan cleared her throat. “To use your father’s words, she seems quite unique.”

  “She is,” Knox said, unable to stop memories of their time together from flooding him. “She is. She’s truly one-of-a-kind. Honest to a fault. She’s real, Mom. What you see is what you get. Her only negative is her unfiltered swearing.”

  Joan nodded. “That is quite a turn-off. However, you talk about her in such glowing terms, it sounds to me like you have special feelings for her.”

  Did he? Each day without her seemed a little more painful than the next. He hadn’t known her that long and, yet, her effect on him had been profound, touching a place deep down inside of himself that even he hadn’t been aware of.

  “I think…I think I might be in love with her.”

  His mother’s lips pursed. “You don’t know that. You’ve only known her a short time. What about Callie?”

  “Callie and I are over,” he said sharply. “The sooner you realize that, the better. Speaking of Callie, it didn’t take me long to know I was in love with her.”

  Joan studied her manicured nails. “Yes, and look how that turned out.”

  “Look, Mother, I know you don’t like Roxy because of our different cultures, but—”

  Using the remote to raise the hospital bed so he could be in a sitting position, his father interrupted.

  “Hold on, son,” Hal started. “You know us better than that. It doesn’t matter your creed, color, culture, religion, or whatever. Live and let live.”

  “Knox, honey,” Joan said, remorse in her tone. “Roxy is a beautiful woman and I don’t really object to the age difference between you.”

  “If it’s not her color and it’s not her age, then what is it?” Knox demanded, the sound of Roxy cussing at the dinner rising in his head. He suddenly knew the answer before his prudish mother responded. Like she’d never heard ‘fuck’ before.

  “It’s her mouth,” Joan complained. “It needs a thorough washing with bleach.”

  “I know, Mom. So does she. She once said she owed you and Dad an apology. But you two treated her less than civil when she came to dinner. Why?”

  “Her conduct at the restaurant influenced our behavior at dinner that night,” his father said around a cough. “I think apologies are due all around,” he added, once he’d settled again.

  Joan adjusted the cover to make his father more comfortable. “No more talking, dear.”

  “Mom, I—”

  “If you can, straighten this mess out between you two. If you love her, fight for her.”

  He’d already apologized to her, but Roxy didn’t want to hear it. He’d tried to get over on her once too many times. Once again, she’d been right. He’d slept with her to seduce her into accepting the time he’d spend with Callie and Grant, instead of presenting it to her like a man.

  In essence, he’d used her. Just as she’d said.

  “I don’t know how to, Mom. I’ve done some horrible things to her.”

  “Beg her forgiveness,” Joan advised. “If she loves you, she’ll relent.”

  Did she love him? Very few people knew they’d found the person they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with, so early in the game. Maybe, that’s why she wouldn’t accept his apology. She’d gotten her job done for the club and now was moving on. Maybe, she’d used him a little more than he’d used her.

  Despite that, he’d never forget the morning they’d met when she’d didn’t know who he was or why he was there and she hadn’t given a damn. She’d spoken her mind and did her thing. That part of her hadn’t changed. That part, that honesty, was what he loved the most.

  Somehow, he had to convince Roxy that his feelings were true and honest.

  Knox walked into the clubhouse, later that evening, deciding he needed to start with Outlaw and Mortician. Roxy held them in high esteem. If he apologized to them, she might find it in her to give Knox a second chance.

  It was crowded but the mood was grim. He knew the bikers were watching him as he headed to Outlaw’s table and the hairs on Knox’s nape stood on edge.

  Once again, Ghost and Stretch joined the original five men he’d met. He nodded to all of them, noting no one greeted him in return. Not even Johnnie, the one friend he’d always had in the club. When he’d left the hospital Megan, Zoann, and Bailey had been with Roxy. He’d glimpsed them when the door to Roxy’s room opened briefly. The bikers on guard still wouldn’t allow Knox in.

  Focusing on Outlaw, Knox held out his hand. “I’ve come to formally apologize to yo
u, Outlaw…May I call you Christopher?”

  Outlaw stared at his hand, then narrowed his eyes as he looked up, the wild glint in his gaze disturbing to Knox. “No the fuck you can’t. I ain’t Christopher to you.”

  Knox dropped his hand. “I’d like to be your friend.” He looked at Mortician. “Yours, too. All of you,” he added when Johnnie lifted a brow. “I love Roxanne and I want to fight for her. She loves all of you. I know I’ll get nowhere with her if I’m at odds with you.”

  “You love Roxanne?” Digger asked, appalled. “You can’t love her. She Bailey momma. She not supposed to get a dick in her pussy like a girl.”

  All the guys frowned at him.

  Unsure how to respond, Knox laughed nervously.

  Kendall waddled into view and halted. “Hello, asshole,” she greeted.

  He knew better than to respond to her.

  “Kendall, don’t get fuckin’ used to my ass talkin’ to you, but for once you fuckin’ used your schemin’ psycho cuntness for good,” Outlaw started.

  “Fuck off,” she growled.

  “With fuckin’ pleasure.” Outlaw looked at Knox. “Johnnie bitch turned over a interestin’ recordin’.”

  Shit. A shiver passed through Knox. “I can explain.”

  “No the fuck you can’t,” Outlaw barked. “It don’t fuckin’ matter any-fuckin-way.”

  “It doesn’t?” Knox asked hopefully.

  Outlaw got to his feet. Knox noticed the anticipation in Kendall’s eyes. He didn’t see Outlaw’s fist coming but he felt it as it landed squarely on his jaw. He hadn’t recovered when the second, third, and fourth punches came in quick succession, all in his face. The fifth hit broke his nose. The sixth one stunned him. He dropped to the ground. That was the biggest mistake of his life. When Outlaw started kicking him and wouldn’t stop, Knox feared he’d be stomped to death. He prayed for unconsciousness.

  Instead, he was dragged to his feet again.

  “I started beatin’ your fuckin’ ass cuz you came into my fuckin’ club to bring it and me the fuck down. Snitches fuckin’ die, motherfucker, but we a civilized fuckin’ club. Since you pulled the fuck back and went got feelins for Roxanne, you gonna live. However, not only did you fuckin’ flirt with Megan you had the fuckin’ big balls to call her and ask her out to lunch after I told your motherfuckin’ ass to leave my girl the fuck alone. This for disrespectin’ me.”

  Holding Knox by the collar, he punched him in the mouth.

  “But, this, motherfucker, for disobeyin’ me.”

  Outlaw kneed him so hard in the dick, Knox howled like a wolf beneath a full moon. The biker pummeled his stomach, until Knox was sure every rib was broken.

  “Now, motherfucker, welcome to the fuckin’ family. If Roxanne take your fuckin’ ass back.”

  With that, Outlaw released Knox and allowed him to slide to the ground, where he sank into blessed unconsciousness.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  The falling snow blanketed the ground, trees, and decorations, creating a picture-perfect scene, one Christopher knew Megan would’ve enjoyed frolicking in had it not been for her pregnancy. A week had passed since he’d fucked-up Knox. Johnnie went through the motherfucker’s phone and found the name Cameron. Since assfuck had mentioned a Cam to Megan, they’d dialed the number and explained the situation, then dumped Knox just outside the club’s gates, so Cam could pick Knox the fuck up. Apparently, they’d interrupted him just as he was leaving for the airport. Not that Christopher needed to know that because he really didn’t give a fuck.

  Today was Christmas Eve and Christopher had to get to the dealership for Megan’s SUV. He’d left Megan, Bailey, and Zoann inside cooking. Kendall decided she was too pregnant to help out, so she was in one of the guestrooms with Roxanne, who hadn’t wanted to stay at Mort’s house alone. Bunny wasn’t able to do much, with her due date…well, fuck, Christopher thought the little motherfucker was overdue. Gypsy was watching over most of the kids, allowing them to fuck up anything they pleased, while Kendall’s pinched-face nanny took care of Ryder, Matilda, and Lou.

  “I really don’t appreciate leaving Kendall for a fucking errand that can wait a couple of days,” Johnnie grouched, using his key fob to unlock the doors on his Navigator.

  “At least you get to drive,” Mortician complained, hunching into his leather jacket. “We got to go on our bikes.”

  “You getting soft in your old age, Mortician,” Digger crowed. “There was a time when we rode in any kind of weather. Now, you bitching about a little snow.”

  “Can this wait, Outlaw?” Val asked with hope in his eyes. “That food was smelling so good.”

  “Where are we going anyway?” Johnnie asked before Christopher answered Val. “Why am I driving you?”

  “Be-fuckin-cause my ass told you to, motherfucker,” Christopher growled. “As to where the fuck we goin’…it’s the fuckin’ Lexus dealership to get Megan ride.”

  Johnnie narrowed his eyes. “You bought Megan another car?”

  Christopher opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. “Nope.” He slammed the door shut.

  Thanks to the fucking snow and last-minute motherfuckers, it took longer than expected to reach their destination. For whatever fucking reason, Johnnie had his ass on his shoulders and wasn’t talking. Christopher suspected it had to do with Megan’s present and Johnnie’s concern that it would overshadow Kendall’s diamonds. He wondered what the fuck John Boy would do when Christopher presented Megan with her bracelet.

  At the dealership, the manager, salesman, and owner greeted him, not batting a fucking eyelash when Johnnie, Mort, Val and Digger joined him. Megan’s SUV sat inside the building with a big red bow on it, just as Christopher requested. He hoped the motherfucker stayed in place on the way home.

  “Mr. Caldwell, it’s a pleasure to see you again, sir,” the owner said, shaking his hand. “Where’s that precocious son of yours?”

  “At home with his ma,” Christopher answered, shaking the hands of the manager and salesman.

  “Damn, Prez, you got the fuckin’ big wigs out,” Mortician said. “What the fuck you bought?”

  Johnnie choked. “Don’t tell me…” His voice trailed off and he thrust his chin in the direction of the SUV. “That’s Megan’s, isn’t it?”

  “I learned some new shit, John Boy. That color called Nightfall Mica. Inside black leather seats and dark walnut trim.”

  “Fuck,” Val breathed. “How much did this cost?”

  “A lil over 100Gs,” Christopher said proudly.

  “In cash,” the salesman said around a cough, grinning from ear-to-ear.

  “With a lil extra to have a motherfucker here when I was fuckin’ ready to pick it the fuck up,” Christopher added. “I ain’t expected three motherfuckers.”

  “We wanted to meet the man who purchased two beautiful vehicles.”

  “Fuck, Prez, you didn’t,” Mort said, shaking his head.

  “Roxanne not gettin’ hers for a couple weeks. It’s a special order purple, but she deserve it.” And he could afford it, now that the club wouldn’t bleed money anymore thanks to fucking Avalon. Christopher still hadn’t discovered what happened to the money he’d stolen. Discovering that was a top priority for the new year. “Megan LX was special order, too.”

  “It’s still not diamonds,” Johnnie told him. “And it’s still not a half million dollars. Kendall’s worth every bit. Remember what she did on your behalf with Knox, Christopher.”

  “Motherfucker, you got shade for days,” Mort said with a snort.

  “Hold the fuck on, John Boy.” Christopher wasn’t about to respond in front of three strange motherfuckers. “Get my girl LX out this motherfucker so I can drive it home.”

  “Yes, sir,” the manager said.

  Once the three men walked off to do what needed to be done to roll out the vehicle, Christopher turned to Johnnie.

  “Kendall ain’t did fuck-all for me, assfuck. She did what the fuck she was suppo
sed to do as your fuckin’ old lady. You over there with your ass on your shoulders cuz your bitch actin’ like she got fuckin’ sense. With that cunt, it’s a crap fuckin’ shoot, so shut the fuck up. One right thing ain’t takin’ a-fuckin-way the million goddamn fucked-up things that bitch did. And it ain’t takin’ the fuck away that you finally lost your motherfuckin’ mind. You keep fuckin’ with me over Megan and I’ma stomp the fuck outta you like I did Knox.”

  “Yeah, Johnnie. What the fuck your problem?” Val asked. “You been throwing these fucking diamonds in Outlaw’s face for weeks.”

  “I want this to be a special Christmas for Kendall. She deserves it. Everything Kendall gets, Megan ends up with and overshadows my wife. It isn’t right.” Johnnie gave Christopher a hard stare. “That’s why I’m ecstatic you couldn’t buy fucking diamonds for Megan. They’d all ‘ooo’ and ‘ahh’ over her shit and forget all about my wife’s.”

  “Newsflash, motherfucker,” Christopher growled. “That ain’t Megan fault. Blame the bitch you married.”

  “The fuck I will!” Johnnie fumed.

  “Prez, right, John Boy,” Mortician said. “None of the girls want to hear Red say why she got what the fuck she have. She start bragging the minute somebody compliment her. Meggie girl just say thank you and move the fuck on.”

  “That shit not Red fault, Mort,” Digger said, chewing on something.

  Christopher didn’t see food around so the motherfucker might’ve been gnawing on fucking wood. As long as he was feeding his goddamn face, he was happy. Since Bunny’s pregnancy, Digger must’ve gained twenty fucking pounds.

  “I know Red not to blame,” Mortician agreed. “It’s your fault, Johnnie. You the stupid motherfucker who making Red think she better than our bitches.”

  “Fuck off all of you. This is going over your heads, so I’m shutting the fuck up. No one wants to understand my meaning.”

  “You right,” Christopher said. “Cuz no one give a fuck.”

  “Megan hasn’t been through what Kendall has, what she’s still going through and surviving, so Megan doesn’t deserve what Kendall gets.”