Knox, Mr. Fuckhead Sadity Mitty, wanted a Pegu Club, a drink first created a hundred goddamn years ago at the club it was named for. “Gin, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, heavy cream, orange flower water, egg white, and soda water.”
Christopher didn’t blame Diesel’s aggravation and look of death as Knox listed the ingredients.
CJ dragged on his cigarette and leaned against the pool table. “Does Mom even have orange flower water, Pop?”
Ransom and Ryder joined JJ, Lou, Kaleb, Mark JB, and all the other assorted little motherfuckers on the sectional that sat right in front of the rarely used, big-screened TV.
“We helped her save some of her deliveries.” Ryder looked up from his cellphone long enough to impart that. “We didn’t see any of that stuff, Pop.”
“She doesn’t,” Ransom said with certainty, leaning over to see what was on Ryder’s screen and smiling at whatever he saw.
“She should. I sent her a list of what I needed for the drinks I’d like to try.” Knox took his phone from his jacket pocket and tapped the screen. Windchimes filled the air a moment later. “Ah, yes. She said everything except the egg, cream, and gin are in the cabinet under the bar.” Another text came through and he grinned broadly. “The coupe glasses the drink must be served in are in the dish room.”
Axel glared at Knox, then looked at Christopher. “Should I or should you, Dad?”
Taking a drag of his cigarette and releasing the smoke, Christopher pretended to think, then nodded. “Go ahead, boy.”
Saluting Christopher, Axel marched to Knox and tapped his back, interrupting the motherfucker’s speculation onwhereeggs and cream might be. As if those motherfuckers could be anywhere except a goddamn refrigerator.
That’s why Christopher allowed Axel to fuck with Knox.Hecouldn’t be fucking bothered.
“Uncle Knox?” Axel called because Knox ignored his first attempt to catch his attention.
“One second, please.”
“That’s a no,” Axel said. “First, you’re implying the Blonde Warrior is a stupid motherfucker by not knowing she wouldn’t put dairy and poultry in a refrigerator.”
“I’m busy, mister,” Knox snapped.
All eyes turned to Christopher. He continued smoking. It annoyed the fuck out of him that Knox always sent Megan long fucking lists for shit he didn’t fucking need if he didn’t fucking buy it. She might get mad at Christopher if he fucked that motherfucker uportold him to fuck off. She’d give Axel a pass, though.
“I said to give me a minute.”
“You can say whatever you want,” Axel declared. “That don’t mean I got to agreeorlisten.”
“I’m the adultandthe authority figure,” Knox argued because theyalltended to argue with a goddamn ten-year-old. “You will listen to me.”
“Unless your fucking name is suddenly Christopher Caldwell, I don’t got to listen to you or no motherfucker excepthim.”
“I resent you calling me a motherfucker,” Knox sneered.
“At least I don’t got to explain context clues to you,” Axel said darkly.
“Outlaw, do you hear this child?”
“Dad’s not deaf, just fucking senile, so of course he hears me,” Axel said.
Knox’s floundering made Axel’s confrontation worth it. Even better the appalled expression that wiped away his dumb fuckheadedness.
“You’re not going to win, Knox,” Cash said. “Just listen to him and make your life easier.”
Cash was right, but Christopher refused to agree with that motherfucker. He’d only been allowed to join them because of Ophelia and Stretch.
“He’s a kid! What the fuck does he know, Cash?” Knox transferred his glare from Cash to Axel. “I’d ground my own son—”
“Don’t,” Johnnie and Cash chorused.
“Tried that, too,” Cash added. “It doesnotfucking work.”
