Page 78 of Fool's Errand

“But there has to be somethin’ I can do to help,” I murmured. “I can find you a buildin’? I did a seasonal job in construction, and I’ve got some old mates who know the good locations. Most of your team would go with you. They like workin’ for you, Jude. And if you need some startup money, maybe you could get yourself a partner? I mean.... The Kings might be interested? The last time I chatted with him, you know, before he punched you, Shep was talkin’ about how King, the president of his club, was lookin’ into legal business opportunities.”

“They’re a motorcycle club, Tav.” He snorted and smoothed his thumb over my arm, drawing imaginary lines with it. “Get real.”

“So? As long as they didn’t want to launder money through the business, does it matter? If he’s got the money....” I shrugged. “And they can be silent partners. All King cares about is gettin’ some legal ways to make cash. Shep asked me a few weeks ago if I knew anyone lookin’ for business partners.”

“Why would a president tell an underling that?” He frowned, his eyebrows diving low. “It sounds suspicious.”

“Or, he’s puttin’ feelers out with all his members. It’s not like he’s sharin’ illegal details, is he? He’s lookin’ for a legitimate opportunity.”

I didn’t exactly trust the Kings, but I did trust Shep. He was young, but he had a good head on his shoulders, and the Kings had taken him in and given him a family. They didn’t only protect him, but they went out of their way to save a bunch of LGBTQ people who’d been sent away by their parents to a homophobic pray the gay away camp. They’d done good, too. And from what Shep had told me, the Kings, as well as a couple of other clubs, were currently protecting the young people and making sure they were getting a decent education. They’d changed the victims’ identities and were making sure their horrible parents couldn’t find them.

I told Judah all about what they’d done, and he listened intently, eyes wide in surprise.

“I think you should give them a chance, so you have your own power, Judah. Even if your mum begs you to come back, she still did that to you. Your board voted you out. They don’t deserve you.” I snuggled in closer to him.

He smiled. “You’re right.” He placed a soft kiss on my mouth. “God, why are you so right?”

“Because I’ve failed all my life, but I won’t fail at this. I won’t fail you because you deserve the world. I’ll do everythin’ in my power to make you fly as high as you can go for choosin’ me.” I grabbed his face, smooching him fiercely. “I choose you, too, Jude.”

He sighed happily. “That’s all I ever wanted.”

25

JUDAH

“Are you sure this is safe?” Eric asked, and I smothered a laugh as he tugged at the collar of his tan suit.

The moon was covered by clouds and a cold wind ruffled my hair. The scent of rain was pushed into my face, but it didn’t land on me yet. This weather was fairly typical, since we were only a week out from Thanksgiving. It had taken us a bit to put together a business plan, but now that I had one, I was ready to charge forward.

I had to restart my life.

Tav squeezed my hand and his lips twisted in a small smile as we surveyed the Kings of Men clubhouse. The rambling two-story building wasn’t quite what I’d expected. The navy blue siding was sleek and modern. In my head I’d imagined an Old West saloon, and I wasn’t sure if this was a letdown or not. I guess I wanted the bikers to be together enough to make a business deal, so this was probably good. The only weird thing was that the windows on the first floor were covered with a film that made them completely opaque. Wouldn’t that make things weirdly dark inside? Why did they do that?

With another squeeze of my hand, Tav huffed out a nervous little sound.

“You didn’t have to come, Puffin.” I kissed his knuckles.

“Well, the last time you met up with some bikers, you did get your arse kicked, so you know, I thought it might be wise to lend a hand.” His eyes twinkled with amusement even though I knew he was at least partially serious.

Eric snorted but was polite enough to turn his reaction into a cough. “That’s one thing I can say I’ve never done.”

“What?” I asked, already shaking my head at him.

“Get my ass handed to me by bikers.” He grinned.

“That’s because this will be the first time you’ve ever talked to any,” I pointed out snidely.

In the outdoor lights I could see his blush as he chuckled and massaged the back of his neck, clearly no less on edge than me.

“There was no last time.” I leaned over and plopped a kiss on Tav’s cheek. “What happened at the farmers’ market was a misunderstanding.” I rolled my eyes as we approached the entrance. There was loud music pouring out into the night air, which I guess was to be expected, and the red solid metal door was ajar and slightly off its hinges. Someone had spray-painted a detailed hand flipping the middle finger onto it.

We slowed and stopped, glancing back and forth at each other.

Tav cleared his throat. “Shep said to come over. He talked you up to his president, King. I’m pretty sure he felt some guilt at havin’ hit you, since you’re with me.”

“King. That sounds like a humble man,” Eric said, adjusting his tie.

“His given name’s Aaron Arthur, but I’d stick with Mr. Arthur. Hear he’s tetchy at times,” Tav murmured.

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