AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Duncan left a few minutes later and as I rose from my chair to begin my daily workout routine, an alert sounded on Luc’s phone. Unbeknownst to any of us, my fool brother had installed cameras around Emory’s apartment. I smiled, knowing he was fucked when she found out, and not in a good way. But as we watched a man stumble toward the bottom of her staircase, my grin faded while fear took hold.
The man was the father of one of Emory’s students and had threatened her and the school when Child Protective Services removed the boy from his custody. He was also wanted by the police for slashing Emory’s tires a few days prior.
It took less than ten seconds for the four of us to grab our shit and hightail it out the front door. Knowing I was the only one physically strong enough to keep Luc in check should things get out of hand, I jumped in his car, leaving Rico and Gabe in the dust.
Terror, like I’d never known before, clawed at my insides until my skin felt like it was on fire. My mind swirled with every scary possible outcome the entire drive, knowing my Quin was right there in the mix.
My Quin.
Fuck my life.
She was wild and unpredictable on a normal day, so I couldn’t fathom what her reaction would be to danger. Quin was a protector, through and through, but she was no match for a drunken man with nothing to lose.
As we flew around the corner on two wheels, I couldn’t have predicted the scene before us.
“What in the actual fuck is going on?” I asked no one in particular.
Cop cars lined the streets, but instead of the chaos I assumed would greet us, several officers stood around watching as River, Emory, and Quin—who held a fucking bat firmly in her dainty little hands—reenacted some sort of fight scene.
“I have no idea, but I’m going to find out,” Luc replied.
Once he parked the car, Luc jogged over to where the chief of police was leaning against the side of the building. I followed more slowly, unable to take my eyes off the bat wielder. By the time I caught up to their conversation, I was pissed. She’d not only been in danger; she’d intentionallyplacedherself smack-dab in the middle of it without understanding the consequences of her actions. If she were mine, I’d tan her ass.
Luc took off like a shot toward Emory, yelling at some poor schmuck to get his eyes off her tits, whenithappened. Quin looked up from where she stood next to her best friends, her incredible green eyes laser-focused on my grays. My gaze never left hers as I took one step, then another until I reached their little group. I heard Emory ask Luc how he knew she had been in danger and in an attempt to distract myself from the rage building inside, I baited my brother.
“Go ahead, Luc. Tell her how you knew.”
While they argued back and forth, Quin smiled at me and the tether, which held my acclaimed control in check, snapped like a rubber band.
“Are you insane?” I barked. “You could’ve been killed.”
“I didn’t even break a nail, Hot Shot,” Quin chirped. “Calm the hell down.”
“I’ll calm down when you stop being so goddamn…”
“Don’t stop there del Toro. Say it.”
“Reckless,” I spat.
I was furious. At her. At myself. At the jackass who forced her into protective mode.
“Frattello.” Luc stepped between us. “Back off and take a beat.”
His voice brought me back from the brink of a meltdown, and it was then I saw how thoroughly I’d fucked up. The sassy, in-your-face woman from five seconds ago had vanished and I was left staring into eyes which had dulled to almost lifeless. My careless words had caused her to completely shut down.
“Firefly,” I whispered. “I’m sorry. I was worried.”
“Whatever.” She turned away from me, telling Emory she was exhausted and going home. But we all knew the truth.
I’d done that to her.
Quinlan
RECKLESS.
As much as I tried to stop it, I kept hearing Alec’s voice in my head, over and over again as I drove my car home. I mean,come on. That guy was unhinged and gunning—er, knifing—for my best friend. What the hell was I supposed to do? Stand there while he hurt her? Like that wouldeverhappen. I did what anyone in my position would have done; took control of my destiny and made it my bitch.
There wasn’t time to think, there was only time for action. When I saw the bat leaning up against the wall, I reacted. Okay, so maybe I went a little overboard with the couple of extra swings I took on him, but when I was fired up, the curse of my redheaded temper struck hard.
