Murphy's Law by Lori Foster Page A

and muscled all over. “How’s that promotion go? Jude Jamison is the most fearless man in the SBC?”
    Jude dismissed that claim with a shrug. “Everyone has to have a slant.”
    â€œIn your case, I believe it.” He braced his feet apart and crossed his arms over his chest. “I was there in Colorado for your title fight with Sanchez. Biggest night the SBC ever saw. Those tickets were sold out months in advance.”
    Grinning, Jude propped one arm through the open window. “That was a hell of a night, wasn’t it?”
    â€œI got my money’s worth. No one had ever beaten Sanchez, but you dominated the fight from jump. Sanchez spent all his time backing up, trying to avoid you.”
    â€œI like to push the fight.”
    â€œThat’s obvious. You always have the other fighter on the rebound. Ducking you did Sanchez no good. You knocked him out in the third round. Everyone was screaming so loud, my ears rang for days afterward.”
    Again, Jude shrugged. “Anyone who stays in it long enough is bound to lose.”
    â€œYou’ve never been knocked out.”
    â€œI’ve been lucky. Hell, that night with Sanchez, he damn near had me a few times. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t follow through on his submissions. He relied on a stand-up fight.”
    â€œAnd he ran out of gas.”
    â€œWhile my tank was still full.” Jude grinned in pleasure. “Lack of preparation has brought down more than a few fighters.”
    â€œSpeaking of lack of preparation…” Quinton walked around to the passenger side and got in. “Do you have a few minutes?”
    â€œA couple of hours, actually. The ladies will be a while getting ready.”
    â€œPerfect.” He patted the car’s console. “Why don’t you drive her to wherever you want her parked, and we can talk.”
    â€œI take it this has to do with Elton Pascal?”
    â€œDenny told me some of it, and Ashley filled me in on the rest. I don’t want to put a damper on your big day—”
    â€œAnything that threatens May or Ashley takes precedence.”
    â€œI assumed as much.” Quinton accepted that any man with honor would want all the facts. “I have some news to contribute.”
    Jude put the Bentley in gear and drove around to the back of the garage, toward a large tent erected specifically for parking. “Between my cars, Denny’s, and May’s, the garage is full.”
    â€œBut you still want additional cars out of sight,” Quinton guessed, seeing other vehicles had already taken residence inside the tent.
    â€œSo far, the press hasn’t caught on to anything unusual. I snuck my family in during the middle of the night. May’s family comes and goes so that’s not news to anyone. I don’t want my wedding to become front-page fodder for more speculation.”
    â€œI imagine the press can be a real pain in the ass for someone with your public profile.”
    â€œAnd my history.” He squeezed the steering wheel. “Elton’s done his best to make my life hell with his fucking accusations. I’ll be so glad to put this business behind me.” He visibly relaxed his shoulders. “But in the meantime, I promised Ed Burton an exclusive on the wedding. He’s a reporter and photographer for the local papers, but he’s also become a friend. He’ll take our wedding photos.”
    Jude pulled into an empty space and turned the car off. When he handed the keys to Quinton, his face showed the strain he was under. “Every second I have to guard against paparazzi and intruders and now Elton. I’ll be leaving with May tonight, as soon as I can get her away from the reception.”
    â€œThat’ll be here also?”
    â€œYeah. With Elton still lurking around, I wasn’t about to risk taking May anywhere else. I want her out of the country where I know she’ll be