Page 67 of Misrule
Although he’d watched Kendall leave her house, ten minutes ago, Knox still carefully opened her entrance door, using Outlaw’s spare keys. The ones Kendall knew nothing about.
The alarm beeped, so Knox set his suitcase of equipment down and hurried to where Kendall’s security system was located. It deactivated without a hitch.
Knox grimaced, unimpressed by Outlaw’s high-handedness, but wanting Kendall gone more so. It also didn’t help that Mortician babysat him, night after night, giving him or Roxanne no chance to see each other alone again.
He thought a similar scheme would’ve taken place after this week’s family dinner. It had been at Zoann and Val’s house, which, in Knox’s mind, made logistics for a secret rendezvous so much easier. But, no. Not a damn thing!
Roxanne had just offered sultry smiles and stole teasing kisses after Bailey momentarily distracted her stupid husband and Roxanne asked for Knox’s help with Harley and Lou. Except they’d gone nowhere near the children. She’d led him to an alcove in the log cabin styled house and kissed him senseless. Until Mortician found them and yanked Knox away from Roxanne as if they were horny teenagers instead of sex-starved adults.
It still irked Knox that Roxanne had allowed Mortician’s actions to pass without complaint.
Frustration had become Knox’s daily companion. He missed Roxanne so much. He missed sleeping next to her. He missed her scent. Her laughter. He couldn’t believeshehadn’t rebelled, but, no, she seemed perfectly happy with the arrangement as it was.
He wasn’t. He wanted his sweet Roxanne, who gave his life meaning, made him laugh and see things from a different perspective.
Not only was Mortician shutting him out of Roxanne’s house and company in private, but Outlaw had been on his ass to wire Kendall’s house for observation. Knox should’ve known the maniac had little understanding about logistics. He couldn’t very well storm the house and do what needed doing while the redhead was home. Besides, he’d needed to prepare for the job. He’d needed to purchase the equipment.
Tired of the constant belligerence from Outlaw, Knox had finallysuggestedto Roxanne that she and Bailey needed to set up the first wedding committee meeting with all the women. That would get Kendall out of the house. Besides, he wanted to order his wedding attire as Mortician and Grant had. After avoiding Roxanne’s wrathandwinning brownie points by pushing for the wedding planning, she took his suggestion and scheduled the meeting for today. That had given him three days to acquire the tools he’d use to rig Kendall’s house. Knox spent hours upon hours making sure he had everything he’d need.
This needed to be a one-and-done. He didn’t relish breaking and entering even with a secret key.
Except it was Kendall, who deserved every retribution Outlaw planned. Except Kendall was one of Roxanne’s babies.
Was he really as hypocritical as Outlaw? The man smiled in everyone’s face while planning Kendall’s destruction. Herdeath.Just because he wouldn’t pull the trigger, if Kendall killed herself, he’d still be responsible.
One more example of how little logic Outlaw had. It was obvious the biker thought he couldn’t be accused of her demise.
Stupidity was Outlaw’s problem. Knox had a job to do.
First, he’d get a feel for the place, and then he’d get to work. Luckily for him, knowing how the women liked each other’s company, leaving Knox with hours to do his job. Besides, his mother had begged him to have the meeting moved to her house. Something Knox was glad to do. He hadn’t relished his gentle mother going to a biker club. She was a well-respected society matron and a premier restaurateur, unused to such rough surroundings.
Andin her capable hands, she’d see to it that Roxanne and the others were entertained for hours.
“I know Joan Harrington,” Charlotte Redding said with dismay as Kendall almost missed the turn that led to the entrance door of the Harrington estate. “I was so happy to hear that her dear boy is marrying. I must admit I was shocked to hearwhothe bride is.”
Kendall gave Charlotte the side-eye.
“Thank you for letting me be on the planning committee,” Charlotte continued, ignoring Kendall’s disapproval.
“Only if Roxy agrees,” Kendall reminded her friend and mentor. “I shouldn’t have listened to you. I should’ve asked her before I allow you to crash the meeting.”
“That woman needs all the guidance she can get to have the type of wedding a Harrington deserves.”
“Come on, Charlotte,” Kendall chided. “Don’t be like…like Knox. He pretended to accept our lifestyle just to get Roxy, then reverted back to being an asshole. It was all just a façade.”
Look who’s talking. Regret and guilt hit Kendall hard as the thought drummed through her head.
Charlotte lifted her chin and drew herself up. “What do you meanour lifestyle? It istheirlifestyle. You’re not one of them. Don’t ever debase yourself in my presence in such a way.”
“But I am one of them,” Kendall protested, her sadness almost overwhelming. “If only they’ll have me.”
“Bah!” Charlotte waved a hand, the gesture as dismissive as the tone of her voice.
“Charlotte! Stop this. If it wasn’t for Roxy, Knox’s uncle would’ve killed you.”
“I know the woman saved my life when Avalon took a dark turn. For that, I’m grateful to her. However, her deed didn’t change her overall character. She was trash before she saved me and she’s still trash. She’s classless. I just cannot abide her.”
“Give her a chance. Please. For me. I invited you without her knowledge. Please behave as you taught me to do. With calm decorum.”
