The Long Road Home

Chapter Thirteen

“Un-fuckin’-believable,” Gus massaged his temples. “Did you even do a cost analysis? Ask any questions before you blindly said yes?”

Fin shrugged, “Isn’t it my job to approve things?”

“No. Your job is to balance risk versus reward and make sure you don’t spread the company’s assets too thin. Your job is to say no.”

“I’m not good at that.”

“No fuckin’ s**t,” Gus scoffed. “So, how much did you lose?”

“…Well…”

“It’s not a hard question, Fin. It’s simple numbers.”

“Well, that’s the thing. I don’t know the exact numbers.”

Gus stared at his brother in disgust, saying, “How can you not know the numbers?”

“I never had anyone run them?” Fin hesitated to admit it.

Gus scrubbed his hands down his face. Leave it to his brother to blindly approve projects without checking the budget. Fin had lived his entire life being sheltered and never needing to worry about money. It stood to reason; therefore, he would never worry about money running out.

Just how much had Fin spent that he finally realized the company was in trouble? Gus wasn’t sure he wanted to know, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t hear the end of it. This was the reason Fin had invested so many hours into finding him.

Finally, he said, “So, what tipped you off that something was wrong?”

Someone from financing came to tell me we’d have to sell off some equity if I still wanted our people to get paid. He suggested selling off our parents’ home as the most viable solution.”

“And you didn’t like that idea?”

“It’s our parents’ home. It’s where we grew up,” Fin looked at him in surprise.

“And your point?”

“It’s our childhood home. We can’t sell it.”

“That place wasn’t a home,” Gus said. “It’s a museum celebrating the opulence of degradation.”

“I—I’m not sure I understand,” Fin frowned.

“It is only as valuable as what you can sell it for,” Gus said. “Maybe someone else can put it to good use. Like a halfway home for runaways and foster kids.”

“You really don’t care, do you?”

“I have no memories of that place worth saving. But since you are here, you obviously didn’t follow that advice.”

“No. I sold off some other properties to cover, but that won’t work next time.”

A knock interrupted them, and they looked up as the door opened. Caine stuck his head in, asking, “Everyone still breathing?”

“What do you want, Caine?” Gus sighed as the younger biker stepped in.

“Just making sure I don’t need to unpack the tarp in the back of the truck,” Caine closed the door behind him. “Food is ready, and the kids want to eat so they can play.”

“Then let’s go,” Gus stood. “We’re done here anyway.”

“Done?” Fin asked. “But we haven’t talked…”

“I said we’re done,” Gus snapped. “It’s the weekend. I don’t work on the weekends.”

“Since when?”

Gus froze, glaring at his brother for a long moment before saying, “Since I decided I didn’t have to work myself to the bone in the hopes of getting the barest acknowledgment from our parents. Now, I have time to enjoy life. You should try it sometime.”

Fin could only blink as his brother headed out the door. Caine looked back at him with a smirk. For some reason, it irritated Fin. He didn’t know why the biker was so cocky. How did his brother put up with such a person?

Not waiting for their guest, Caine followed Gus back to the kitchen, forcing Fin to catch up. When he got there, he saw the friendly blonde, Eleanor, helping Nailah prepare the food and set out the dishes on the patio in the backyard. Fin paused in the doorway, watching as she set the table, admiring her long, lean legs. She wore jeans and a T-shirt. He appreciated how they hugged her form. How long had it been since he was able to enjoy the sight and company of a woman?

A hand landed heavily on his shoulder. Fin jerked to attention and looked to see the young biker eyeing him with a frown. The playful smirk was gone, and he was suddenly very serious.

“If I were you, I’d be careful whose wife you ogle,” Caine warned before stepping outside.

Fin watched as the biker walked up directly behind the blonde and pulled her hips against his, burying his face in her neck as she straightened. She laughed, tilting her head to give him better access. Caine’s hand slid between her thighs, pressing her most sensitive area. There didn’t seem to be any shame in either of them as they enjoyed their bodies pressing against each other.

Once again, Fin found himself amazed at how different the bikers seemed to act when it came to PDA. They were practically on each other in broad daylight. Fin found himself equal parts disgusted and jealous at the same time. Surely, his brother would have something to say since they were in his house.

Looking into the yard beyond, he saw a Rottweiler had joined the Golden Retriever in patrolling along the fence line. Fin spotted Gus on the stone patio, helping Jake balance on his new bike while a little girl pedaled her trike in circles. He held the back of the seat while Jake coordinated pedaling and steering. Once the little boy found his rhythm, Gus let go and watched him. Nailah joined him after a moment, sliding her arms around his waist. Holding her close, he kissed the top of her head. Fin couldn’t remember a time his brother ever looked so relaxed.

The adults settled around the table with the dogs finally settling down in the shade. Nailah waved Fin over to take a seat while Gus and Caine took seats closest to the kids so they could reach them in a moment. Caine leaned back in his chair, throwing an arm around Eleanor as he studied Fin. She didn’t seem to notice the subtle tension as she poured lemonade.

“Oh Fin, I don’t know if you have been introduced,” Nailah said. “This is Caine and Elle.”

“We met at the party last night,” Eleanor smiled.

Caine gave him a nod.

“Yes, it’s good to see you again,” Fin agreed. “And thank you for what you did last night. Let me know how much the gift cost and I’ll pay you back.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Eleanor waved off his offer. “It was mostly Nailah’s idea, and we got a Prospect to run to Wal-Mart quick.”

“Well, thank you both,” Fin looked to Nailah.

“We know you came here unprepared,” Nailah explained.

“Yeah, it was pretty surprising. I certainly wasn’t expecting a nephew.”

“Why?” Caine asked. “Did you assume Gus was impotent?”

Gus grunted, glaring at him, “Watch it, Caine.”

Caine didn’t seem the least bit intimidated as he sipped his lemonade. He had great respect for his MC President. He would never make such jabs in front of an audience. If there were people in the Club who thought of making light of Gus, Caine would be the one to knock their lights out.

“Sorry I’m late,” Rubble said as he stepped out to join them.

“You’re just in time,” Gus said. “I’m about ready to knock Caine’s head off.”

“What did he do this time?” Rubble didn’t seem surprised.

“Why do you assume I did anything?” Caine asked. “Maybe Gus is just being a cranky old man.”

“Because I know you,” Rubble said with no trace of amusement, taking a seat.

Caine suddenly broke out in a fit of laughter, looking at Eleanor, “Did you hear that, babe? Are you not going to rush to your man’s defense?”

“Well, they aren’t wrong,” Eleanor patted his knee.

“Ouch,” Caine sighed. “Can’t a guy catch a break?”

“Poor baby. I guess I’ll have to give you some extra attention tonight,” Eleanor said as she caressed his thigh, making him suck in a sharp breath. Smirking at his reaction, she withdrew her hand.

“Damn woman,” Caine practically growled. “Don’t start something you don’t intend to finish.”

“Oh, we’ll finish,” Eleanor smiled. “Tonight.”

She took a sip of her lemonade, pretending not to notice the dangerous look he was giving her. They absolutely would pick up right where they left off tonight. Gus and Rubble chuckled as Caine’s face flushed with anticipation. Only Fin seemed uncomfortable with the simmering desires flowing between the pair.

“Daddy, I’m stuck!” a little voice called out, breaking the tension.

Emily had circled a little too wide. One of the back wheels of her trike had slipped off the patio and was stuck in the grass. Caine immediately stood and hurried to his little girl’s aid, but not without a final, hungry glance at Eleanor.