Page 76 of Misrule
Roxy peeped in the mirror on the visor and met Bunny’s gaze. “And?”
“He seems to think we are all going to band together and arrange a secret rendezvous between you and Knox.” Bunny sighed. “For a minute, I thought he’d found out about the secret meeting we arranged between you and Knox. When I realized he hadn’t, I still felt guilty and I told him even if we did, Bailey would never go along with it. She’s like Switzerland in this situation. Neutral. That started the whole ‘no-room for neutrality’ conversation. Mark said Bailey’s allegiance should be to her husband, first and foremost. The conversation still bothers me, especially in light of what we did. I want to know, when youhaveto choose a side between your mother and your husband should you just ignore what might be best for your mother, even if her side is right?”
Roxy drew her brows together, still observing in the visor mirror. “Somewhere in the bible it saysa man shall cleave unto his wife. I don’t know exactly where. Last time I read the Good Book all I remember is this one begetting with that one, and that one begetting with this one. They did a lot of begetting in those days.”
“Mama, move closer to the door. When lightning strikes you, I don’t want to be in the line of fire,” Bailey grumped.
Roxy laughed. “Don’t worry, sugar. If I haven’t been struck by lightning yet, I think we’re safe.”
“Does it say anywhere that a wife should cleave unto her husband?” Bailey asked, staring at the road ahead as she deftly moved through traffic.
“Not that I recall,” Roxy answered. “There is something about how a wife shouldn’t separate from her husband. If she does, she has to remain unmarried the rest of her life or reconcile with her man.”
“I wish I knew the bible like you,” Bunny said wistfully.
“Chile, please,” Roxy responded. “I know bits and pieces. Most of what I remember is just brought out for situations like these. Not because I’m religious. I quote the bible to make a point, so what good does it do me to know scripture if I don’t really apply it to my every day life?” She shrugged, her question rhetorical. “Don’t do me one damn bit of good. This is a conversation for another day. Besides, religion and politics…remember the rules. Those topics shouldn’t be discussed in polite society.”
The four of them gazed at each and roared with laughter.
“We’re so fucking far from polite, ‘til the shit not even funny,” Roxy hooted.
Even Meggie felt brief peace at the light moment. Covertly, she speed-dialed Christopher’s number again. Once again—straight to voicemail.
“Let me answer,” Bailey piped up as Meggie refocused on the conversation, pretending, for the moment, she wasn’t almost crazy with worry.
Christopher was the club president. He had many, many enemies, and he’d already been kidnapped once. Twice, if she counted the time Snake had gotten him.
Meggie drew in a shaky breath and swallowed.
“So you would always side with Mortician?” Bunny asked.
Lost in her thoughts, Meggie missed whatever Bailey said.
“Yes,” Bailey told Bunny.
“I disagree, baby,” Roxy said. “You helped me and Knox because you know, in this situation, you husband is being totally unreasonable. Knox has given him no reason for Mortician to lay down the law like he has and not allow us to live together.”
Meggie cringed. Yes, he had given Mortician a reason. Christopher had told Meggie all about the conversation the guys had, where Knox said he could always propose to Roxy, eff her, and then leave if they cornered him into proposing. Knox had a way of talking out-of-hand, especially when he was annoyed. Meggie felt those words came from one of those times. But the guys didn’t want to take the chance that he’d follow through on his threat. His proposal had taken them all by surprise. A few weeks before, he’d sworn to the guys he had no intentions of proposing. They were beyond suspicious of him.
More recently, Bailey had called her, Bunny, Zoann, and Fee on a conference call and told them all about Knox’s behavior at the dinner. The man was being a complete moron. But they had to protect Roxy at all costs. They believed Knox loved her. He was just an idiot and used to having things his way. But there would be no more help from any of them to arrange secret hook-ups between him and Roxy.
“It’s all about Girl Power,” Roxy inserted.
Even glummer, Meggie leaned her elbow against the arm rest on the door and cradled her head in her palm.
“Especially now,” Roxy went on. “We should totally plan another secret rendezvous between me and Knox. Mortician is being so goddamn unreasonable.”
Deciding she’d let Bailey handle that, Meggie speed dialed Christopher’s number yet again, just in case she’d caught him between calls. Same thing, though. Straight to voicemail.
“Are you okay, Meggie?” Bunny asked. “You’ve been awfully quiet.
“I haven’t heard from Christopher since early this morning. The last time I talked to him was when he was walking out of the door to head to the club. This isn’t like him at all.”
Roxy twisted in her front passenger seat to look back at Meggie. She hadn’t felt like driving, so Bailey had offered to do so before anyone else could. “Don’t worry, sugar. I’m sure he’s fine. Something must’ve come up.”
“But what? He would’ve let me know if he had to go on a run. Oranywhere.”
“Lucas isn’t with him,” Bailey said with assurance. “We’ve been texting back and forth, and he said he was taking care of club business. A lost shipment or something.”
