Page 47 of Misrule
Deciding to take her daughter’s advice, Roxy settled back into her seat, refusing to explore the merit of Bailey’s question.
“Mr. Harrington, a pleasure to see you, sir.”
Knox nodded to the maitre’d at J’s, the restaurant his mother owned. “Thank you, Geoff. I’ve reserved the Tea Room.”
“Very good, sir. Ms. Doucette,” Geoff greeted with a smile. “I’d like to offer my congratulations on your engagement to Mr. Harrington.”
Roxy grinned. “Thank you, sugar,” she said, her friendliness always on display. It didn’t matter if she spoke to a prince or a pauper, she was always herself. “This is my daughter, Bailey, and her husband, Mortician.” She indicated each of them with a nod.
Geoff took in Bailey, beautiful and elegant as usual, in a little black dress. The maitre’d focused on Mortician, glanced at him from head to heel, then stared at the patches on the front of his cut. “You’re acquainted with Mr. Outlaw, sir?”
“That’s my prez,” Mortician answered without shame.
Geoff nodded. “Please send my regards to him and his lovely wife.”
It still blew Knox’s mind that Outlaw and Megan were regulars at this elegant restaurant.
“If you’ll follow me, your private room is ready,” Geoff announced.
“Of course.” Knox placed his hand at the small of Roxanne’s back and started forward. Along the way, several acquaintances stopped their little party to greet and congratulate him and Roxanne on their engagement.
Although he wanted to pretend Mortician wasn’t one of his guests, Roxanne always included him when she introduced Bailey.
Her pride in her daughter came through in her every word. As put together as Bailey was, Knox didn’t think she had anything on Roxanne. His fiancée redefined the word gorgeous and gave it her own special flare.Herlittle black dress had cutouts on each side that showed her beautiful skin. She wore heels so high that Knox didn’t understand how she walked in them. “Red bottoms” she’d called them.
“What?”
“Louboutins,” she’d replied.
Those, he knew. They were designer shoes.Very expensivedesigner shoes. He’d had enough manners not to ask how she afforded them without asking him for money. She wore cubic zirconia earrings, necklace, and bracelet. The only authentic diamond—his engagement ring—outshone the other jewelry.
“Your mother has a beautiful restaurant, Knox,” Bailey said.
Mortician held her chair out, surprising Knox. The biker was the only one of their foursome who looked out of place with his thuggish clothes and diamond earrings.
“Thank you, Bailey,” Knox responded, holding Roxanne’s chair out, too. The already-short hem of her dress rode up her thigh a couple inches more. It took effort but he restrained his need to touch her.
Once she settled in her seat, Mortician settled next to Bailey. It almost seemed as if he knew one of the marks of a gentleman was waiting to sit until after all ladies were comfortable. Adjusting the lapels of his jacket, Knox scoffed at the idea, sitting between Roxanne and Bailey. He slid Roxanne’s chair closer to him and draped an arm around her.
“Please bring the champagne and caviar out,” Knox instructed.
“Yes, Mr. Harrington,” Geoff said and hastened to do his bidding.
“We aren’t getting menus?” Roxanne asked.
“No, sweetheart.” They would’ve gotten menus if they had been alone, but Knox didn’t want to hold up the evening while Mortician tried to navigate the offerings. “I called ahead and planned what we’d dine on.”
“You thought of everything to make me feel special.” Roxy leaned in and brushed her lips over his. “You’re a wonderful man, Knox. So romantic. I’m so lucky to have you." Another quick kiss. “I love you so much.”
He caressed her cheek and smiled at her. “I love you, too, Roxanne.”
“Roxanne, don’t tell me you turning into one ofthosewomen,” Mortician said with disapproval. “So blinded by dick, you don’t know when a motherfucker being a motherfucker.”
Knox glared at Mortician. He’d managed to avert suspicion away from Mortician’s motives by putting Bailey on the defensive. These bikers were so predictable, Knox knew what Mortician’s reaction would be. The man wouldn’t let go of his hostility over a few words Knox had said in anger. Mortician had to be as stupid as Outlaw, if he believed Knox had proposed to Roxanne for any other reason but love.
Mortician threw Roxanne an accusing look. “You always been so tough. Why you got to act like a starry-eyed bitch over him?”
Bailey elbowed Mortician. “Stop it, Lucas. All Knox wants to do is make Momma happy.”
