Page 248 of Misrule
“What is the meaning of this, officer?” Hal demanded. “I’m Hal Harrington and this is my home where we are hosting a private event!”
“I’m Lieutenant Mitchell, sir,” one of the officers said. “We’re here to arrest Knox Harrington on charges of gun smuggling.”
Chapter Sixty
With Outlaw not wanting to leave either Megan or Axel, and Amfinger pressuring Knox to step in to see the deal through, Knox had talked Outlaw into giving into Amfinger’s demands. He’d pointed out that Bailey was pregnant, so Mortician wouldn’t want to leave and Johnnie was busy helping Kendall, getting counseling of his own, and working on his marriage. Although Outlaw could’ve chosen any of the club members to go in his place, Amfinger said he’d be more comfortable negotiating with someone familiar to him. Outlaw, wrapped up in his family’s crisis, had agreed.
After weeks of exchanges in the midst of riding lessons, completing his tattoos, and fittings, they’d reached a conclusion two weeks ago when Knox traveled to California to deliver suitcases filled with cash, in exchange for a truckload of light arms. Knox didn’t know how to drive a semi, so Cash had ridden into town to save the day.
While Cash drove the truck back to Hortensia, Knox had to ride the motorcycle.
“If you fuck up my ride, I’m going to fuck you up,” Cash had warned.
Knox’s prevailing thought had been,in for a pound, in for a penny, so he’d snatched Cash’s helmet and told the man not to worry. At the time, he never would’ve admitted how nervous he’d been. His motorcycle skills had progressed tremendously since the first lesson, but he wasn’t sure how he’d fare riding hundreds of miles.
As it turned out, he’d been just fine. It took three, grueling days to get back to the club. At night, Cash insisted they find a place to sleep. He hadn’t expected to rough it outside, but that’s what they’d done.
Once they arrived back at the club, Knox wasn’t sure what had become of the guns, so how he’d ended up arrested for smuggling, while everyone else was released, he had no idea. It had been doubly humiliating because of the news crews and, then, seeing a few friends from the force when he’d arrived at the police station to be booked in.
Sitting in the holding cell, burning with anger and embarrassment, Knox decided he needed to rethink the ceremony to Roxanne, due to take place, in less than twenty hours.
Out of her mind with worry, Roxy directed the limousine driver to go to the police station where Knox was being held. The boys wanted her to pile into one of the limousines with all of them and head back to the club, but Roxy wouldn’t have been able to rest, so she declined. The guys were going exchange limousines for bikes, while the women would stay behind at the club.
She couldn’t imagine what was happening. Knox had left for a business trip a couple of weeks ago. She hadn’t questioned him, but now, she wondered if he’d gone on behalf of the club.
Knox knew how to stick his nose into biker business if it suited him. When she’d discovered his role in Kendall’s downward spiral, she’d been mad as hell. She’d stopped talking to him for two days, until Outlaw told her Knox wouldn’t have participated if he hadn’t threatened him if he didn’t assist.
“Why the fuck didn’t Knox tell me that?”
“Cuz I told the motherfucker I’d rip his fuckin’ tongue out if he opened his fuckin’ mouth.”
She wasn’t sure if Outlaw’s explanation made sense. The man had too many resources to demand Knox’s help, but she hadn’t pointed that out. Instead, she and Knox had had a nice, long talk, where he promised he’d never fuck over one of her babies again.
Gunfire shattered the limo’s windshield, striking the driver in the head. Blood splashed onto her and the car veered off the road.
Roxy screamed, terrified, slamming into the seat in front of her and then crashing backwards as the loud noise of the car running into a tree filled the air.
Immediately, smoke poured from under the ruined hood, flooding the air vents. Ignoring her dizziness and how banged up she felt, Roxy tried to open the doors on either side of her, but neither would budge.
The first lick of flame rose in the night. Knowing she needed to keep calm, Roxy decided not to bother with kicking the doors in. She held her breath to block out the horrendous fumes, then braced herself on her elbows, using both feet and all her might to break the window glass. She’d expended almost all of her energy by the time the glass finally shattered. The flames were crawling from under the hood, beginning to consume the dashboard.
Choking and knowing she had to launch herself out as soon as she broke the glass completely, since oxygen would only feed the fire, Roxy used her shoulder to finish the glass. Shards of glass stabbed into her, but she didn’t care. She knew she was alive. Face-first, Roxy shoved herself through the broken glass, landing hard on the ground. Refusing to give in, Roxy crawled as far away as she could from the burning car, seeking refuge in foliage as the first explosion rocked the ground.
A moment later, she managed to get to her feet and limp forward. One of her heels had broken, so she took both shoes off and tossed them away, wishing her phone hadn’t gotten blown up. But the fire behind her was growing and before the entire forest started to burn, she needed to get help.
The rustle of leaves alerted her to movement. Fuck, she hoped that wasn’t a goddamn wild animal.
The bright fire illuminated the area, so when a man she hadn’t seen in years stepped in front of her and raised a rifle, she knew who it was immediately.
Joyner Amfinger.
Arriving back at the club at five o’clock in the morning, Knox followed Brooks into the main room, finding a beehive of activity. Although Megan and Pearllene sat at Outlaw’s table, Zoann, Ophelia, Bailey, Carissa, Alexia and Bunny were serving food.
Knox wanted to go to his room and sleep. He wanted to talk to Roxanne, see her face, and hug her. As embarrassed as he was, he decided not to make the mistake of calling off their wedding. He’d lose her forever this time and he’d never forgive himself.
“You did what I’m payin’ your ass for, huh, Brooks?” Outlaw called.
“Yes,” Brooks answered, not smiling. He’d been quiet during the entire ride back to the clubhouse, for which Knox was grateful. He hadn’t felt like talking.
