Page 29 of Rox

Fifteen

Mimic

Iplanned on taking Rox back to her house and devouring her. Seeing her in public with my chain on did something to me. I could see it in Angel’s eyes the moment my hand rested on the key under my shirt. He didn’t even need to see the key to know the necklace was from me and what it symbolized.

His punch was expected, but it still hurt like a motherfucker. I didn’t react. Neither of us said anything, and I was ready to move on. When he answered Rox, I believed him. We were done with whatever this shit was.

I sat down with her so she could finish eating, my plans of eating her out and fucking her senseless still on my mind when the text came in.

“Shit.”

“What is it?”

I turn my phone toward her and let her see for herself.

Dizz: Get your ass to the clubhouse and bring my kid with you.

“Did Angel seriously go and tattle on us?” Rox seethes. “That mother fucker.” She shoves up from her seat and marches toward the door. I throw down a few bills and follow her. She marches right up to my bike and hops on the back.Fuck, that is a sight.I pull my phone up and take a quick picture of her.

“Did you seriously take a picture of me?”

“I won’t apologize for it.” She shakes her head and laughs at me as I get myself on my bike. Her arms immediately wrap around my middle, and she slides herself up so she’s as close as she can possibly be.

As much as I want to draw this out, I don’t. I head straight to the clubhouse from Mary’s. It’s not the shortest ride in the world, but I’d have loved it if it were longer. The feel of Rox on my bike makes something deep in me feel complete. Parking and heading in, we head straight for the room where we hold church. I’d make her wait outside if Dizz hadn’t included her in the text, too. I open the door and let her walk in before me. The room goes quiet, and when I come up behind her, everyone is here, looking right at us.

Duck and Mammoth are smiling like something amazing is happening. Angel and Dizz are fuming, and Omen looks like he doesn’t give a shit, which he most likely doesn’t. He’s always been a supporter of people finding their person. Even more so after he found Mama Judy. I can’t tell if the others care about what’s going to happen or if they’re just here because they have to be.

“You wanted to see me, Daddy?” Rox asks, taking me out of my perusal of my brothers. But the way she says it shocks all of us, and they all, including me, start to chuckle.

“Now is not the time to act like a shit, Roxanne. What the fuck do you two think you’re doing?” Dizz asks. He’s standing at the head of the table, leaning his weight on his hands. Angel is off to his side and closest to Rox and me.

“Oh, right,” she responds. “First, though…”

She walks up to Angel, and before he, or anyone else, can do a thing, she punches him in the face. The same way he did to me. I lunge forward and pull her back into me. “Rox. What the fuck?”

She turns at me so quickly I’m surprised she doesn’t get whiplash. “Don’t you fucking dare, Mimic.” Spinning, she faces Angel and her father once again. Angel hasn’t moved. His face hasn’t changed. And Prez? I think he’s the same amount of stunned as the rest of the guys. I’ve known they’ve all taught her to fight, but she’s never used it against any of them outside of learning.

“Rox?” I say her name quietly, hoping she can hear the pleading in my tone.

“You deserved it, Angel. You came to me. You wanted to put this shit behind us. In fact, you even said whatever shit was going on was doneafteryou punched Mimic in the face. Then you have the audacity to come here and tattle-tale like a fucking child? What the fuck is wrong with you? With all of you?”

“Roxanne, if you think you can come in here and hit—”

“—Stop, Dad. All I did was the exact same thing you assholes do to each other when you don’t like something. Case in point: Angel punching Mimic in the face not even half an hour ago.”

“Because Mimic thinks he can—”

“—HE CAN!” she yells. She takes a deep breath before she continues, “He can. Despite what you think, youdo notown me. I am not yours or the club’s property. I am my own fucking person. I chose who I give any part of myself to, not you. It was never, and will never, be up to any of you.”

“He should have asked me, Roxanne. It’s a respect thing.”

“Did you not listen to a single damn word I just said? You claim it’s a respect thing for you? What about for me? Do you think it’s a form of respect to claim you own the rights to my body? The right to my mind? They’re mine. He will not askyou for permission. You’re not selling me off. Or did you forget someone tried that already?”

Dizz rears his head back, and for the first time since I’ve known him, his eyes fill with tears. Surprisingly, it’s Omen who jumps up.

“That was a low fucking blow, Roxie.”

“Was it, though? You’re all sitting here, acting like I need your permission to do anything in my life because I’m a girl, and he’s my dad. Newsflash: I don’t care who you think y’all are; you don’t own me. I am not yours. I’m mine.”

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