Page 25 of The Pursuit of Her Happiness

“I’m a few minutes out, what’s up?”

“Oh, yeah, nothing major, justBently and Quinny sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g—”

“There was plenty more than kissing,” I admit proudly.

“And you’re lucky AudreyandQuinn didn’t hear that.”

I nod in agreement. “Yes, yes I am.”

“You good?” he asks seriously, my best friend concerned for the welfare of my tender heart.

“Fucking phenomenal.” I realize why he’s called, “Quinn call Audrey?”

“I won’t divulge the secrets of a lady…but you’re golden, brother.”

“She’s it for me. I’m claiming her as soon as I can, officially. But as far as the club is concerned, she’s fucking mine.”

“About time. Happy for you, Polk. Real fucking happy.” He sighs over the line, “Ford ain’t gonna be happy.”

“Ask me if I give a fuck.” I get up to speed on the bike, letting him know, “And he opens his mouth, I’ll gladly shut it with my fist.”

“He’s not alright.” Lincoln voices an observation most of us have experienced in the last several months. “I think…I think Quinn was right, there’s something wrong with him.”

“Besides being a fucking asshole?”

“The assholery has significantly increased.”

I pull through the gates, nodding at Wheat, then park my ride in my designated spot. “I’m here.” I chuckle when the line clicks dead. Fucking Lincoln didn’t even say goodbye. Such poor manners.

Inside the clubhouse, most of the brothers are missing, probably in Church already. I’m not late, but I’m skirting awfully close. I grin again when I remember why. Quinn is incredible. And I’ve finally got her where I’ve dreamt of for longer than I care to remember.

Ford is walking across the clubroom, his permanent scowl firmly in place. I start walking toward the hallway that leads to theconference room we use for Church. There is plenty of fucking room. Yet, Ford shoulder checks me on purpose.

“Prospect!” His eyes narrow, but he quickly recovers with an irritating smirk.

“Sorry, brother.” Fucking insincere asshole.

“We aren’t brothers,prospect.”

Ford steps to me, getting in my face, “I’m still a member of this club. I’m a Congressional.”

“You wanna stay a member of this club? I suggest you adjust your attitude before Madison gives us the green light to adjust it for you.”

“She’s not a brother! Fucking cheap used puss—” I cut him off with my fist in his gut. When he bends over, I grab his ears to hold him in place and bring my knee to his face.

I bend low to speak in his ear, as he gasps for breath. “Quinn is off-fucking-limits. You don’t talk to her, you don’t look at her, you don’t think about her. She belongs to me. And at this fucking moment, she’s more a part of the Congressionals MC than you can ever hope to be. You wanna fuck around? Be my guest, but don’t come crying to us when you find out what it’s like to lose the only fucking family you’ve ever known because you can’t keep your fucking mouth shut.”

I leave him wheezing and stride out of the clubroom. Inside Church, my brothers sit around the table and I’m the last to arrive. “My apologies, Pres. Our prospect Ford required a little hands-on attention.”

Madison sighs, long and weary. I do not envy the man who leads us. It is a heavy burden and worse than wrangling cats higher than Snoop Dog on catnip. “Well, I guess that changes our agenda slightly.” Mad nods to Wilson. “Go ahead with theminutes.” Wilson reads through our last Church. When he’s finished, Madison leans back in his chair, steepling his hands, his elbows on the arm rests. “Hayes, you had an idea?”

Our treasurer rests his arms on the wooden table, our emblem emblazoned in the center. His expression is equal parts amusement and hesitation. “Ford’s behavior is deteriorating rapidly. He is quickly becoming something that we actively fight against, his treatment of the females in the club is abysmal.” Several of the brothers nod or smack their hands on the table in agreement.

Langley, however, slams his fist on the table and stands, “Abysmal?Abysmal? He tried to force Chastity to her knees to suck his cock after she repeatedly told him no. I propose we string him up by his tiny balls and use him as a human pinata!”

McKinley giggles, and it’s disturbing how much it sounds like a teenage girl. “We could take a few pages out ofCarnicera’svengeful playbook!”

Madison points at McKinley, “We’ll discuss Audrey’s sister shortly.” Then he points at Langley. “I’ve heard your ideas of retribution. And ‘abysmal’ means appalling, or extremely bad. It was an appropriate word choice.”

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