Page 216 of Misrule
Leaning forward in her dining chair, Roxy laid her hand on Grant’s arm. His muscles were taut, seeming to shake with the grief he felt. “You’ll always miss her, Grant, and yes, I believe you’ll see her again. I don’t know who hurt her, but I’m sure your dad will leave no stone unturned until he gets justice for her.”
“Mom didn’t want Dad to marry you. Am I mean for liking you anyway? I tried to tell Mom that you were really nice, but she wouldn’t listen. That’s why I was at Grandma’s. Mom was mad at me because I was talking about the wedding. We thought she was pouting when she didn’t answer. Do you think Mom still loved me?”
“You were the apple of Callie’s eyes.” Roxy had never talked to the woman personally, but whenever Grant visited, he was happy, well-adjusted, and boisterous. He spoke of the adventures he and his mom went on and of the places they visited. “You aren’t mean for liking me, Grant, although you’re young, so the situation is complicated. That just means your Mom still loved your Dad.” She squeezed his arm, then withdrew her hand. “He’s lovable like that.”
“Dad didn’t love Mom,” Grant guessed.
Roxy kept her wince to herself. This child was too young to have to go through this torment. Whoever the fuck had killed Callie needed to be dealt with by the bikers, instead of the law. “Yes, your father loved Callie,” she promised. “She was your mother, so she’d always be special to him. They just…they just couldn’t live together because they didn’t get along, so to keep liking one another, they separated. That way, they could be the best for themselves and as your mom and dad.”
Tears slipped down Grant’s cheeks. Her heart breaking for him, Roxy moved to the sofa and opened her arms. Without hesitation, he flew into them, settling on her lap and crying against her. When K-P had been killed, Bailey was already grown, and Roxy had been hundreds of miles away in New Orleans. However, she remembered the day her own father had died of cancer. As broken up as her mother had been, she’d still sang a couple of hymns to her, in an attempt to offer solace in an unimaginable time. Not knowing what else to do, Roxy rested her chin on Grant’s head, and rocked him, singing the words toAmazing Grace. It was one of the few Christian songs she knew.
After he cried himself to sleep, Roxy laid Grant on the sofa. Exhausted herself, she decided a nap would do her good. Stretching out on the chaise lounge, she closed her eyes and allowed sleep to claim her.
“Roxanne?”
Knox’s voice invaded her slumber and she stirred. Not satisfied, he shook her.
“Stop, fuck, Knox. Let me sleep.”
“Let’s go to the bedroom, sweetheart.”
“I’m fine where I’m at.”
“Grant is already settled in the guestroom. You need to be comfortable, too.”
Grumbling, she forced herself to awareness and sat up. “What time is it?” she asked around a yawn, allowing Knox to pull her to her feet and lead her to her bedroom.
“After one in the morning.”
“Fuck, how long have I been asleep?”
“What time did you go to sleep?”
“Fuck, I’m not sure. A couple of hours after we got back to the hotel.”
In the bedroom, Roxy plopped down and laid her head on the soft pillow.
“I’m ready to crash, too,” Knox said.
Rustling clothes told Roxy he was undressing.
“I’m bone-tired.”
He climbed into the other end of the bed and drew her into his arms, spooning her. “Thank you, Roxanne. Thank you for being so understanding. I was no longer in love with—”
“Stop, Knox.” Roxy changed positions, turning to face him. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. You still communicated with her because of Grant. She’s been a part of your life for many years.”
“I don’t want you to doubt my feelings for you. I don’t want you to think I’m putting her family’s feelings before yours.”
“Your interactions with other women have never made me question your regard for me.Yourwords have.”
“My actions never backed up my words, though.”
“We can discuss this at length at a later time. Right now, I want to set you straight. This isn’t about my feelings or your in-laws’ feelings. It’s about Grant. He needs to know who hurt his mother. I would expect no less from you. If I had a problem with it, I hope you would tell me to go fuck myself because that child is crushed. As his father, you do what you have to do.”
Knox’s nose reddened. His eyes looked suspiciously watery.
“Aww, sugar,” Roxy whispered, drawing close to him, “I know you’re hurt, too. It’s okay. We’re together, so I’m here for you. That means I’m all in. Grieve for her. Talk about her. Do what you need to do, Knox.”
