Page 4 of The Pursuit of Her Happiness

“Holy shit.” I sat back, wide-eyed and surprised. I really thought they’d close ranks around him, I didn’t think he would be punished. At least not for me. “What he said about Adams was out of line.”

“Uh…” Polk sits up, leaning toward me until we’re inches apart. “Yeah. But what he said about you was worse.”

I wave his words off, “I’m not a member—”

“No, you’re not. But you are an important part of the Congressionals MC family. And regardless of how we feel about you, none of us tolerate speaking to a woman like that. Nor disrespecting the lobbyists like he did Chastity. Fuck, I pulled Langley off Ford, so I could get my own hits in.”

I whisper, “I don’t know what to say,” slumping in my seat. “I never meant to cause dissension in the ranks, or chaos.”

“Quinn,” he sighs, resting his forearms on his thighs. “You didn’t do this. Ford did. He is the only one responsible for whathappened tonight. It’s not the first time we’ve taken exception to the shit he spews. He isn’t someone…I don’t respect him anymore. And that’s why Madison issued sanctions.”

“But he’s been a member for more than a decade.”

“And that’s why he hasn’t been kicked out and stripped of his cut completely. Madison is giving him a chance to earn our trust back.”

“By cleaning toilets?” Polk laughs, his face lighting up with the sound.

“By cleaning a hell of a lot more than toilets.”

“Thank you.” My voice is broken with emotion. I never expected this outcome. “Thank you for coming here, checking out my hand.”

“You are important to us, Quinn. Hell, Adams was pushing for you to be patched in and Ford kicked to the curb.”

Warmth floods my veins. “That’s not necessary. I love riding on the back of the bikes, but I don’t want to operate one on my own.”

The lightness in Polk’s features hardens slightly. “You’ve ridden on someone’s bike? Ford?”

“No. Adams.” That doesn’t seem to appease him, but I’m not sure why it would bother him. “He first took me out when I…uh, I was having a rough night.” I’m not about to tell him all the gory details of Ford’s rejection. “And he’s taken me a few more times since then. It’s fun. But I don’t trust myself controlling something without doors and airbags.”

“Hmm.”

“And…thank you for not giving up on Ford. It would devastate him irreparably to lose his place in the club.”

“You care about him? Still?”

“I care about him as a person, as someone I once called my friend. I don’t know if that is something he and I will be able to mend in this lifetime, but I don’t wish him harm. More than a broken nose, anyway.”

His eyes scrutinize me as his head tilts to the side, a smirk pulling at his lips. “You are an incredible woman, Quinn Palomeni.” I throw my head back and laugh, feeling lighter than I have in hours.

“That’s what I keep trying to tell people!”

He stands, straightens his cut, and grabs his bag. When he meets my eyes, his smile is gorgeous. He’s an all-American kind of guy; light brown hair buzzed short, a little stubble, bright blue eyes, a little over 6 feet tall and built well. The fact that he cares for animals for a living is just an adorable bonus. “They know, Quinn. It’s hard to miss.” It takes me a second to remember what we were talking about.

“Aren’t you sweet?” I chuckle, rising to my feet and walking him to the door. “Thanks again for checking in on me.”

“I started to tell you earlier. Next Sunday, we’re having a cookout at the clubhouse. You’ll be there.”

“I don’t know…” I’m not sure I want to face everyone after tonight. Plus…my epic departure would be ruined.

“President’s orders.”

A genuine grin stretches my lips obnoxiously, “Well, if Madison insists—”

“We all do. See you then.” He pushes open the screen door and walks down the sidewalk to his bike. I stand in the doorway until he pulls away from the curb, his hand waving over his head as he rides off.

I close the door, lock up, and shut down my house for the night as I make my way to my bedroom. Tonight was weird. And painful. And kind of wonderful.

Quinn 3.

---