Something about the quality of his voice had Quinn angling her head towards the sound. One bloodshot eye cleared the edge of the pinstriped charcoal and took in the state of him. Mouth a battered, mangled smear of red on a jaw already swelling, gouges lined his cheeks. Two black eyes and a smattering of more purple-toned bruises scattered across what she could see of his chest through ripped clothing.
The bastard had likely joined the melee to get his cock wet.
“Shut up.” Hissed under a rough breath, she assumed it was Andrés. No one else would care if Alton pissed off the boss.
It was then she realized that was who cuddled her. His purr had softened as he listened to his man, just loud enough for her to hear, but strong enough to feel it vibrating through his chest. Meant for comfort, to keep her somewhat calm as he sorted this out.
“I do not allow unattended Omegas in this house,” he was saying, the smallest shift in his hands baring the mottled agony of her thigh. “And for good reason.”
“Fine, I’ll take her somewhere else.”
Andrés snorted, and the derisive sound was joined by some of the others.
“Oh, I think not. You’ve proven you cannot protect her as she should be. If not for my interference, think of what could have happened here,” the male holding her said.
As if the part had been written just for her, the cue given at the perfect moment, the sob that had clung thick and hard in her throat burst forth. It was desperation and anguish, the sound of something skimming the last dregs of life from a well gone dry.
The sound of something broken.
“You can’t just—”
“I can and I have. I’m done here.” With that the male was turning, his long strides bringing them to the stairs and climbing up to the top before Alton could get much more than a snarled curse in.
The ruckus of Alton being shoved towards the door, the hurried sounds of fists making contact, an outright brawl beginning, all faded to a low murmur as the man carrying Quinn renewed the glorious sound of a dominant Alpha in his prime. It drowned out everything but the tempered rhythm of Quinn’s heartbeat as it calmed, and the rich rumble that vibrated through her bones pulled her eyes half-mast.
She was so very tired.
Sleep wasn’t to be had though. Deposited in a too large bed, surrounded by too strange scents, she was swaddled tight in sinfully plush cotton and lofty wool. Tucked in up to her nose, wary gray eyes narrowed at the Beta male approaching.
“I’m Doctor James Hadler,” the Beta said as he began unpacking a small duffel onto a table that had been brought beside the bed. An array of bandages, salves, and syringes were lined up with meticulous precision beside the food that had long gone cold.
She hadn’t tasted the food. Hadn’t drunk the water, tea, or coffee Lee, her Alpha rescuer, had served her with his own hands. Even with her insides clawing itself to shredded gore amid howls of agony, head a discordant mess of shrieks and wails, Quinn realized the stupidity of refusing. She also understood the danger of accepting. She didn’t dare open her mouth even a fraction, afraid it all would come pouring out.
“Come on, pet, crawl out of there so he can take a look.” Lee. Such a simple name for a man who wielded power like it was a child’s game. A deceptive mild manner, crowned with thick russet waves that were brushed back from his face, a hint of silver at his temples and sprinkled in the short reddish beard along his jaw. Eyes a deep chestnut were warm and inviting and full of calming lies.
The Russian, Ilya, who had terrified her so, had bowed his head to Lee when he came to report that Alton wouldn’t be returning. Quinn hadn’t bothered to examine the surge of vindictive glee the phrase had given her, the finality of it twisting something deep in her guts.
“What do you want?” Quinn wasn’t stupid, knew better than to argue when there were no cards hidden up her sleeve. There was no escaping this house that was grander and larger than even Kahler’s fine home. It didn’t mean she had to go belly up just because thisLeetold her to though. She’d know exactly what was in store and what was expected of her.
“I want you to let the good doctor examine you and your little one. Given your… situation, it’s important he knows of any issues that may arise. With what’s transpired this evening alone, I want to make sure you and the child are well.”
Delivered in a smooth, reassuring baritone, Quinn didn’t trust it for a second. Leery gaze narrowing further, she pulled the blankets below her chin to give the Alpha her full regard.
“What do you want in return?”
Lee canted his head as he came forward and sat on the bed. Digging under the great drifts of blankets, palms curling under her arms, he hauled her out from the burrow he had piled her in. The studied gentleness of his fingers as they cradled her chin spoke of a patience nearing extinction. The rich brown of his gaze skimmed over her features before they met her suspicion without qualm.
“In return I want you to accept my most gracious hospitality. You will accept the generosity I’m offering with the respect and gratitude it deserves.”
Eyes wide, Quinn felt a searing chill slip through her veins as she was forced to hold his gaze. The tone was almost light, but the steely core of it battered through her senses, promising a wealth of unwanted things should she refuse outright.
She could do nothing but bob her head in a frantic nod.
Lee smiled, warm and endearing, as if to say all was forgiven. Standing, he made way for the doctor but went no further than the foot of the bed. The first tickle of fear threaded through her veins, drawing muscles tight as the instinct to run flared to life. The sour stench of it flooded the space.
“I’m not the male who brought you here, pet. I’ll not leave a weakened Omega alone with anyone,” Lee said, putting a purr into his words as if they both didn’t know why she was afraid. “Even the good doctor is a man, is he not? Best not to drown him in temptation. I’ll remain, but I promise to give you some measure of privacy.”
Unable to argue the point, Quinn succumbed to the doctor’s gentle prodding. Bruises were inspected, the worst of the cuts and gashes stitched closed, the others cleaned and bandaged. And as Hadler eased her legs apart, gloved hands inspecting her, the privacy afforded was laughable.
