“Why don’t you show your wife how much control you have by being gracious enough to see what Outlaw is giving Meggie? Remember, some of us are led by example,” Roxy said with meaning, eyeing Kendall and smiling at Johnnie.
Scowling, Johnnie snapped his mouth shut.
Christopher gave Johnnie the evil eye. “As I was fuckin’ sayin’, I got two last presents to give my girl. One of them is something some motherfuckers think you gotta have a certain lifestyle to own. Or wear only on special fuckin’ occasions. We ain’t those kinds of people. You a wholesome lil motherfucker and shit. We don’t do shit for show. We real—”
“Christopher!” Megan said, exasperated. “What are you talking about?”
“This, baby.” He held out the present wrapped in gold foil paper and an elaborate bow.
Grabbing it, Megan carefully opened her gift. When she lifted the lid of the jewelry case, she gasped and held up the bracelet studded with five ten-carat rows of diamonds. It gleamed from the reflection of the lights in the room.
“OMIGOD!” Megan screamed. “OMIGOD! CHRISTOPHER!”
Laughing at her joy, he took her hand and fastened the bracelet on her wrist.
“OMIGOD!” she screeched again, bouncing up and down.
“Remember the lil motherfucker in you,” Christopher snapped.
Tears slid down her cheeks and she stood on tiptoe. Christopher bent so she could rain kisses and tears all over his face.
“Oh, Christopher,” she said in a whisper-sob-laugh. “It’s so beautiful. I love it so much. I’m going to wear it every day on GP.”
“I don’t care when the fuck you wear it, baby. As long as it make you happy.” He gave her a long kiss, then pulled the smaller box from his pocket. “This the last one.”
“I don’t need anymore,” she said, swiping at her wet cheeks. She held up her arm. “This bracelet is more than enough.”
“Just open the fuckin’ present.”
When she opened it and pulled out the keyless entry fob attached to a keychain with the word ‘Lexus’ on it, her eyes rounded, then she screamed again and ran past him.
“I can’t fucking believe you.”
Johnnie’s voice grated on Christopher’s nerves. He was happy at the moment. He didn’t want an argument to ruin that.
“That bracelet was sold.”
“Yeah, motherfucker. Obviously, it fuckin’ was cuz I have it. Now, what the fuck else cuz I wanna see Megan in her new ride.”
“It looks like I can never best you.”
“Then why fuckin’ try? Especially where Megan concerned.”
Kendall walked up to them, her face tight. “Johnnie, I’m not feeling well. Can we collect our kids and leave, my love?”
“Yeah, gorgeous, I think we should.”
Before Johnnie walked out, Christopher laid a hand on his shoulder. “This ain’t a competition, Johnnie. Stop makin’ it out to be one, motherfucker. A new year comin’. Let’s leave old shit in the past.”
“I will if you will, but you never give Kendall a break. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to swallow. You could’ve let her have this, but you had to…” His voice trailed off and he shook his head. “I’m leaving.”
“Yeah, motherfucker, do that. Merry fuckin’ Christmas, assfuck.” As Johnnie walked away, Christopher motioned for CJ. “C’mon, boy, let’s take a spin in your ma new ride.”
One day, Johnnie would learn that Christopher wasn’t the enemy. Until that day came, fuck him.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Knox made a painful progression toward the clubhouse from the place Cam had parked his Explorer on the far side of the lot. If Cam hadn’t been at his side, Knox wasn’t sure he would’ve made it. As it was, he had to stop several times to lean heavily on his crutches and draw in deep breaths. He’d suffered a broken leg, cracked ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken nose, a concussion, and a few cracked teeth from Outlaw’s beating. He’d need plastic surgery and some teeth replaced, but, if nothing else came of it, the man had stomped away the last of Knox’s arrogance.
Armed bikers once again patrolled and eyed Knox with suspicion and dislike. However, the man named Stretch had allowed him entry so Knox supposed he and Cam went into the clubhouse without incident because of that.
A mixture of bikers and half-naked women packed the place. He wondered why Outlaw had called and demanded he come to the club, if the atmosphere resembled an orgy-in-the-making. This definitely wasn’t for children and, as far as Knox knew, Outlaw’s wife and kids were always around at these functions.
Knox might’ve spent ten days in the hospital, but the beating he’d received hadn’t damaged his memory. That meant, if the family wasn’t there, then neither would Roxy be in attendance, when Outlaw had claimed he was inviting Knox on her behalf.
“Roxanne miss you, motherfucker,” the biker had said during his earlier call. “Come and bring in the new fuckin’ year with her tonight.”
“There she is,” Cam announced, bringing Knox back to the present.
Straight ahead, Roxy sat at Outlaw’s table. Although her back was to him, he’d know her anywhere. She wasn’t wearing a wig, allowing her short, curly hair to show off the gracefulness of her neck and the smoothness of her exposed back in the cocktail dress she had on.
Mortician, the back of his head recognizable by his dreadlocks and the width of his shoulders, sat between Roxy and Bailey, whom he had one arm draped over. Before, Knox might not have noticed the enforcer’s muscles, but after the beating he’d gotten, he knew he was lucky the man hadn’t assisted Outlaw. Knox would’ve been dead.
Megan sat on Outlaw’s lap, whispering to him. Val and Zoann huddled next to each other, while Kendall leaned her head on Johnnie’s shoulders, the two of them laughing amongst themselves. He saw no sign of Digger and his wife, or Ghost and Ophelia. The most surprising sight, however, was Brooks and Charlotte.
Outlaw grinned, his face and body relaxed, such a different look then the devil that had come out and beat Knox to within an inch of his life.
A naked girl ran across Knox’s path, her tits jiggling. She halted for a moment and he recognized her as the girl he’d met the night he and Roxy went on their first date.
“Hey, Knox,” she greeted, thrusting her tits out at him.
He couldn’t remember if she’d given him her name or not. “Not interested, sweetheart.”
Her smile faltered, then she glanced at Cam, who was taking in the entire scene. “Who’s your friend?”
“I’m Cookie,” Cam introduced. “Although I have a lady.”
“You’re trying to get a lady, ass,” Knox said with a snort.
“Don’t hate me because I’m sexy, motherfucker. Just because Jordan and I have made strides, you can’t be jealous.”
“Screw you,” Knox grouched.
“Knox, motherfucker!” Outlaw yelled, catching sight of him and waving him over. “Get the fuck over here.”
Knox started toward them, the knowledge of being watched making his skin crawl. Roxy had gone still. Unlike everyone else at the table, she didn’t look his way and Knox’s heart sank.
“You must be Cam,” Johnnie said to Cameron when they finally reached the table.
“I am,” Cam said, “but you can call me Cookie.” He pointed to Knox. “That’s Wafer.”
“Damn, do we want to fucking know?” Val took a hit from a joint, then handed it to Mortician. “Cookie and Wafer, huh? Milk hiding somewhere?”
Zoann looked at her watch. “We have fifteen minutes until midnight.”
“I wonder what the new year will bring?” Bailey added. “Besides a bunch of new babies.”
“Fuck, Bailey. Don’t sound like that,” Mortician complained, handing the weed to Outlaw, who patted Megan’s hip so she could stand. “You want another kid, we can have another one.”
Roxy still hadn’t said anything, but Knox knew she was aware of his presence. She’d started to fidget.
“You have school to think o
f,” Kendall said. “Bunny’s labor will be induced in three days, so you’ll have an infant to care for since Bunny intends to go back to taking care of Meggie’s kids.”
“Don’t start, sugar,” Roxy warned, allowing Knox to finally hear her voice. “Don’t bring your bullshit into the new year. New beginnings are on the horizon.”
Were those words really for Kendall’s benefits or was she saying something to Knox, too?
It didn’t matter. Knox needed to set the record straight. “Outlaw, if you’ll allow me I’d like to say a few things.”
The biker finished off his pint of tequila, then whistled and pulled Megan back onto his lap. “Listen up, motherfuckers,” he called into the sudden silence. “Assfuck here gotta say something. Give him your un-fuckin-divided attention.” He nodded to Knox. “After you sit your broke ass down, start talking, assfuck.”
Those words made Roxy twist around. Shock crossed her face, quickly followed by horror. Knox gave her a sheepish smile as Cam got a stool from another biker and helped Knox onto it.
“Thank you for allowing me this time, Outlaw,” Knox started, adjusting his crutches to better support him. “And thank you for inviting me to this gathering.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve come to apologize.” He wanted to begin with Roxy, but he knew his words to her would be the most profound. If she rejected him, he’d see no point in hanging around and he owed several people an apology. “Megan, let be start with you. If you don’t accept it, I’ll understand. I regret all of my actions. I was insulting and superior and I’m sorry.” He sounded like a defendant in court before a judge waiting for sentencing.
Megan smiled. “You were all those things, Knox, but we all make mistakes. I accept your apology and welcome you back into my home whenever you’d like to visit.”
“Kendall…”
She narrowed her eyes and Knox flushed.
“You’re a formidable woman.” He started with the truth, although during his phone call, Outlaw told him if Knox showed up, he wanted Knox to find a way to credit Kendall for that recording and mention that Johnnie should be proud of her because she was an asset to the club. Why, he wasn’t sure, but it didn’t matter. Outlaw had a reason for everything he did. “Your husband’s a lucky man. I’m sure he and Outlaw knows how invaluable your assistance was in the happenings of the last few weeks.”
Outlaw scowled and Knox feared he’d done something wrong. “Yeah, that bitch showed how fuckin’ loyal she is to the fuckin’ club. So fuckin’ what? I fuckin’ appreciate her fuckin’ help, but I ain’t givin’ a fuck about you thankin’ her. Me and Roxanne did the work, so fuck Kendall. The bitches around here gonna look up to her enough cuz of her schemin’ ass, goin’ to her when Megan ain’t available just cuz she fuckin’ risked her fuckin’ self to help the brothers. So fuckin’ what?”
Uncertainty entered Kendall’s eyes, while anger blanketed Johnnie’s face.
“Fuck you, Christopher. You can’t ever give my wife credit for doing something good. You always want the club against her.”
Outlaw growled, but Megan pushed against his shoulders and beamed in Kendall’s direction. “Thank you so much, Kendall. You’re so valuable to us. To me and Christopher. Thank you.”
Tears rushing to her eyes, Kendall swallowed and nodded. “You’re welcome, Meggie,” she whispered, turning into Johnnie and sobbing.
They were so wrapped up in each other, the two of them didn’t notice the looks that passed between everyone else at the table. Roxy blew Outlaw a kiss and he winked at her.
Megan whispered in his ear.
“Wicked little bitch,” he said with a chuckle. “I can take you in my office now so you can suck my cock, instead of waitin’ til we get home.”
She poked his chest.
“I need the bathroom,” Kendall said tearfully, jumping up and rushing away.
“I’ll come with you, gorgeous,” Johnnie told her, following behind her as she went toward the hallway.
“Roxy?” Knox continued, now that he’d gotten Outlaw’s request out of the way. “May I have a word with you?”
She lifted her chin. “Anything you have to say, tell me in front of my friends and family.
“Hurry the fuck up,” Outlaw demanded. “We got five minutes before we gotta get outside for the fireworks.”
Knox nodded. “Roxy, sweetheart, I’ve been an arrogant fool.”
“You’ve been a plain dickhead,” Val volunteered.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he went on as if Val hadn’t spoken. “I’ve gotten every message you left for me and saved them. I couldn’t call you back the first few times because I was in ICU.”
“Prez whipped a fucking fit on your ass, huh, motherfucker?” Mortician called.
Roxy glared at Outlaw. “He could’ve died. You promised me you’d let him live.”
“The motherfucker hoppin’ the fuck around, ain’t he?” Outlaw growled. “He look alive to my fuckin’ ass.”
“It’s okay,” Knox said quickly. “I was judgmental, self-righteous, and I disrespected Outlaw where his wife was concerned. I got what I deserved. If not for that, then for my uncle. He hid the beast inside of him well.” He scrubbed a shaky hand over his face. “Roxy, baby, I’m so sorry. I almost got you killed.”
“No, Knox,” she said quietly, coming a little closer to him, although she still wasn’t right beside him.
“It was me. I thought…it doesn’t matter. He believed you influenced my decision to end the investigation into the club.”
She took another step. “How’s your father?”
“On the mend.”
“I owe your parents an apology. No matter how they treated me, I was in their house and I was out of line. My reaction was disgraceful.”
“That doesn’t matter. They know how I feel about you, Roxanne. If you take me back, they want us over for dinner again to give it another try. They’re good people and they want to make amends.”
She didn’t respond.
“I know you’re angry with me. For so many reasons. As you should be. But I wish you’d give me a chance to prove to you that I’m not the man I showed myself to be. In spite of my stupidity, I’ve grown…I’m in…” He was afraid she’d reject him. Love came without rhyme or reason, but men just didn’t fall so hard so quick.
“May I say something?” Charlotte Redding interrupted, getting to her feet.
“Do you gotta?” Outlaw grumbled.
“Now, Prez, you told us to go along with crediting Red without thinking something conked you on your fucking head and gave you amnesia,” Mort reminded him. “You said to let Brooks and Charlotte come tonight in a show of goodwill since Red was talking about leaving Johnnie. I’m not mad that you got Knox to compliment Red. You found a way around during it yourself while still getting the job done. But since you got all this good will flowing, let Charlotte talk.”
Charlotte lifted her chin and sniffed. “Thank you, Mr. Mortician,” she said with as much dignity as possible.
“No problem, Kojakette.”
“Lucas!” Bailey cried. “Charlotte isn’t bald.”
“Bitch just missed it,” Mortician shot back.
“I must add my apologies to Knox’s,” Charlotte said stiffly. “Avalon called me over to his house to discuss an important matter.” She shivered. “He told me it was in one of his outbuildings. The next thing I knew, Roxanne was being marched in and…and I was being told Brooks was dead and Avalon wanted to run away with me. I’ve been horrible to all of you.” Tears filled her eyes. “Roxanne, I owe you my life. After the way I treated you, you could’ve left me to die, but you fought for me. Megan, dear, I…I’m so sorry for all of my actions. Your husband saved my Brooks. I’ll never forget that kindness.”
“Yeah, well, speakin’ of that,” Outlaw began, annoying Knox. “We gotta hurry this the fuck up. Fireworks gonna be goin’ off soon. But Brooks helped Johnnie find where the fuck my money went. He got Avalon widow to turn the properties he bought
with club fuckin’ money over to me. There-fuckin-fore…I’ma set you up in your own fuckin’ office, motherfucker. When you fucked over me, I fucked you up. You helped me, I’ma reward you. You still workin’ for the club exclusively, but I’ma give you e-fuckin-nuff of a bonus to get you a nicer house. We have a few shipments of guns to run North and South, so that’s gonna bring in some bills. Fuck over me again, Brooks, and you die. Hear me?”
“Y-yes, Outlaw.”
The man stood. “Let’s get the fuck outside.”
Almost everyone except Knox, Cam, Roxy, Mortician, and Bailey cleared out.
Mortician opened a bottle of champagne that Knox noticed on the table. He poured five glasses and handed them out.
“Thirty seconds til midnight, Roxanne,” Mortician announced.
“Momma, Knox came for you. What do you say?”
“Yes, Roxanne,” Knox added. “What do you say?”
She smiled at him, lighting up her beautiful face. “I love you, Knox, so I’ll let you spend the next fifty years making up your stupidity to me.” She hugged Knox and placed a kiss on his lips before raising her glass just as burst of firework resounded.
“It’s the new year!” Bailey cried.
“A time for new beginnings,” Roxy added.
“I love you, Roxy,” Knox whispered.
“I love you, too, Knox,” she responded, as the five of them lifted their glasses and toasted.
“Happy New Year,” they chorused.
Thank you for reading Mistrust.
If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review at your point of purchase and on Goodreads. It means a lot to me to hear what you think.
By
Kathryn C. Kelly
Misgivings
A Death Dwellers MC Novella
By Kathryn Kelly
Copyright 2017 Kathryn Kelly
This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 414