Page 233 of Misrule
“I can’t talk right now,” Knox growled, not in the mood to be polite. “Thanks for your condolences.” Such as they were.
“I need a favor from you.”
“What the fuck don’t you understand, asshole?” Knox snapped. “I’m busy, so fuck off.”
“We have to move up the date of the transaction,” Amfinger blurted. “Outlaw wants to wait until after August 6th. Your wedding date to Roxanne.”
Huffing out a breath, Knox ignored his uneasiness at how familiar Amfinger seemed about the goings-on in his life. “My hands are tied with whatever agreement you’ve reached with Outlaw about those weapons. Talk to him.”
“I’m talking toyou. I’d like you to go to him and ask if you could deliver the funds and handle transport.”
“I’m not a member of the club.” Somehow, Knox found himself unable to get rid of the man. “If Outlaw isn’t the man to see the deal through, then another member of the club will.”
“Acontingentof club members,” Amfinger corrected. “Well, that won’t be necessary. It seems I was unfamiliar with the workings of a motorcycle club. I thought you would be my point of contact throughout the deal.”
“You didn’t make that a stipulation,” Knox snapped, straightening when Johnnie walked out of the waiting room and halted at seeing him.
“Knox?” Johnnie said as if he’d never seen him before.
“I have to go,” Knox declared to Amfinger.
“At least inquire if Outlaw would allow you to be his proxy. If you do that, I’ll have a special surprised for you. To thank you, of course.”
“Of course. I’ll talk to Outlaw.” Not waiting for Amfinger’s response, he disconnected the call, then rushed to Johnnie and placed a hand on his shoulder. “How’s Kendall?”
“Her stomach has been pumped and she’s in ICU. It was a close call, but they think she will survive.”
Relief hit Knox so hard he almost staggered back. Instead, he tightened his hand on Johnnie’s shoulder. “Oh, thank God!”
“I thought I’d lost her.” Johnnie shuddered. “I didn’t know…a text message came through and I ignored it. She hasn’t invited me to a session with her psychiatrist. I don’t know what medicines she’s taking. I didn’t want to fall into her trap again.” Tears rushed to his eyes. “She left a suicide note. She said she was tired of being alone and frightened. She told me she wanted me to be happy with Emily…Emily! How did she even find out I’d been contemplating a relationship with her? Our relationship will never be the same. It will be forever compromised by my transgression.”
“Don’t think of that right now,” Knox told him, feeling such overwhelming guilt,hefelt like sobbing. “She’s alive. That’s the most important thing.”
Johnnie nodded.
“I need to go see about Roxanne.”
“Yes, Knox, you do.” Johnnie glanced away, then met Knox’s gaze. “I’ll be forever indebted to her. She…Her mother’s instinct guided her to my wife. She truly loves and cares about Kendall. I’ll never question her advice or get annoyed over her interference. If not for her, Kendall would be dead.”
“Knox?” Roxanne called at the exact moment Charlotte’s voice cried, “Where’s Kendall? What have you filthy animals done to her?”
“Charlotte, please!” Brooks cried, haggard as always when he dealt with his wife.
“Get the fuck gone, Charlotte,” Roxanne demanded, her eyes fierce. “We don’t want your ass here.”
Charlotte drew herself up. “You can’t stop me. This is Portland,Ms.Doucette. Not Hortensia, where you people have the staff and board of Hortensia General on your payroll.Iknow board members here at Willow Bend.”
Johnnie inserted himself between Charlotte and Roxanne. “Leave, Charlotte,” he ordered. “The only thing you’ve ever done is confused Kendall. You’re no good for her. I don’t give a fuck who you know. Cross me and you’ll forfeit your right to breathe. I’ll show you a fucking filthy animal.”
Her hand flying to her chest, Charlotte gasped. “Are you threatening me?”
“No,” Johnnie said, his voice dripping ice. “I’m promising you. If I were you, I’d turn around, go back to your fucking house, and mind your own goddamn business.”
“But I love Kendall!” Charlotte wailed.
“Charlotte, dear, come on,” Brooks encouraged, clutching her shoulders and turning her away. “Johnnie is overwhelmed. Let’s leave him.”
“I just want to know if she’ll be okay,” Charlotte said in a pleading tone.
