Page 13 of Roxy’s Independence (Mayhem Makers – MMM: Deviant Knights MC #3)

CHAPTER

TWELVE

Roxy

I may have gone slightly overboard in my ordering spree.

I made sure each structure on the property has equipment stored for Easton.

I’ve even purchased a carry-on breathing machine for his diaper bag.

I’d rather be fully stocked than us running around like a chicken with its head cut off if an emergency were to strike.

“Babe,” Weston chuckles. “Do you seriously think that we need breathing machines for the bathrooms?”

“Yes,” I state. “What if he’s in with one of his parents and starts struggling to breathe? I’d rather us be safe than sorry.”

“But you got them one for the diaper bag, Roxy. If he’s with one of them while they take care of business, don’t you think they’ll have it with them?”

“Not unless they’re in the bathroom to change him, no I don’t.” I shake my head, trying to think up any and all scenarios that could have them needing help.

“Roxy! Wanna tell me why I have an oxygenator or whatever the hell that contraption is in my office?” Dragon bellows, sounding like his namesake.

Weston looks at me with amusement dancing in his eyes. “You didn’t.”

“I did,” I confirm, not feeling bad about doing so. I tap my temple with the tip of my finger and say, “Any and all scenarios.”

“Roxy, answer me woman,” Dragon snaps as he marches up to us. “You took my bourbon off the shelf, stacked the bottles on the ground and put that machine there in my stock’s place? Why?”

“Because Easton is more important than kicking back with a tumbler,” I reason. “Wouldn’t you say?” I tilt my head to the side, daring him to come up with an argument for my logic.

“Kids aren’t in my office, Roxy. Ever,” he counters. “Therefore, I see no reason for me needing to put it in a place of sanctity, do you?”

“You have a shrine… to your bourbon? You’re joking, right?

” I ask, wanting to make sure my ears aren’t deceiving me because I’m obviously misunderstanding what he’s saying—even knowing they’re overgrown boys in men’s bodies, it makes no intellectual sense.

I’m going to need a further explanation if I’m to understand why alcohol is more important than a machine that could save a life.

“I wouldn’t say a shrine necessarily,” Dragon says, looking down at his feet which are now shuffling.

“Then what does it matter?” I ask, my hands now planted on my hips.

“Let’s break down the situation… what if Python is watching Easton but needs to talk to you about something and left the diaper bag in another room because it’s meant to be a quick chat, and out of nowhere, Easton has an attack, what are you going to do if a machine isn’t readily available and you have to run to find said bag while Python settles Easton?

What if you can’t find his bag because it’s not in the spot where Python told you it was? What do you do, Dragon?”

“I go to the men’s bathroom, obviously,” he sarcastically answers.

“Wrong answer, brother,” Weston faintly says, treading lightly because he knows how I can get when I’m passionate about something—and this is something I take seriously. You don’t mess around with a kid’s life. I will fight Hell itself to save one of mine.

“You can have your damn shrine back, Dragon,” I say through gritted teeth. “But… I’m putting one in the hallway instead. I don’t give a shit if you like it or not.”

“Roxy!” Weston says my name with wide eyes before placing himself between me and his president. “It’s a good idea, Dragon. Wouldn’t you agree?” I fight off the laughter bubbling up in my chest at the way my husband is nodding his head at Dragon.

“I’m waiting to hear the word yes come from your lips, husband of mine,” Laney says from the background, one of her kids in a carrier on her chest, kicking his feet, and the other two nestled on her hips, clutching her shirt.

“And I have to say, I’m disappointed that you’re throwing a child-like fit over having one in your office.

In place of your liquor. If it was one of ours, wouldn’t you want everyone to be stocked with lifesaving equipment? ”

“Be the president they said, it’ll be fun they said,” Dragon mumbles, his face drawn in. “Newsflash, they were wrong. It isn’t fun. Y’all are all a pain in my damn ass.”

“You’re so damn dramatic,” Laney sighs, shaking her head as she untangles one of the triplets’ hands from her hair. “I can’t even with you sometimes.”

“I thought today you were scheduled to volunteer at the community center. What are you doing here, woman?” Dragon asks his old lady.

“It is, which is why we’re here. You said you’d keep an eye on the kiddos while I worked, remember?” Laney reminds him, winking at me and it clicks in place why she’s given me this opening.

“Oh, in your office? I didn’t think kids went in there… ever.” A sly smile spreads across my face at the satisfaction of gaining the upper hand.

“Whatever,” Dragon rumbles.

“He acts as if it’s an all-boys club,” Laney snickers. “No girls or babies allowed.”

“Shut it, you,” Dragon commands, sounding grouchy. “Fine, you can have a machine in every room.”

“And the man cave has been invaded,” Weston snorts. “Good job, baby.”

“Thank you,” I say, taking a bow. When I lift up, I see a smile on Dragon’s face and realize he played me. “You weren’t upset about having a machine in your office, were you?”

“Nope,” he says, smirking. “Just wanted everyone to hear the importance behind having them randomly placed around the compound. I’m proud of you, Roxy.

For not only standing up to me, but for the way you care for and love our children.

In fact, once he’s home, I want the two of you to teach every single adult on this compound how to handle an attack in case they’re watching Easton. ”

“I like that idea a lot. I mean, we have a lot of kids running around here right now and it’s always possible that another one could experience a heat-induced attack.

The protocols are the same, but if we can help them here until we get to the hospital, it’ll definitely make a difference,” I reply. “Both chapters, I presume?”

Dragon rolls his eyes, which cracks me up because he’s normally so taciturn, it’s sometimes hard to get a read on him. “Of course. Brick’s crew is growing almost as fast as ours.”

I nod, already mentally preparing the display items I’ll need so all the adults are prepared. We’ll definitely use the machines that are already coming, and I realize I need to order more albuterol so nobody has to search for that. “Gotta add some more things, Weston,” I tease.

“Of course, you do,” he murmurs. Looking at Dragon he says, “I think we should see if there’s a big enough room in the main clubhouse to completely outfit it for the minor things that are bound to happen. I know that there are quite a few things in the room already, but we need to improve it.”

“Good idea, I’ll mention it to Brick. While we’re a clean club, there’s always someone doing something stupid that requires stitches.”

“If nothing else, we’ll be able to get whoever’s injured stabilized enough until we get them to the hospital,” I state.

“Used to be about bikes, booze, and babes,” Dragon grumbles with a smirk on his face. “Now it’s bikes, booze, and babies.”