AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His heart clenched. He pulled her close, murmuring nonsense in her ear. Over her head, he shot Quinn a questioning look.
“She got another picture this afternoon,” Quinn said.
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” Roxie mumbled into his chest.
“Okay, baby. You don’t have to.” He rubbed her back. If only he could get her to stop shaking. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“Here, sweetie.” Alex held out a mug of hot chocolate. “Let’s go sit on the couch. Quinn needs to fill Joe in on what’s going on. Come on.”
“Rox, everything’s going to be fine,” Joe said, cradling her face. “I promise.” He brought his lips to her cheek, a hair’s breadth away from where he truly wanted to kiss her.
Her breath caught as he leaned back and held her gaze. The rest of the room faded away. But dammit, this wasn’t the time or place. She needed comfort, not him mauling her.
He dropped another kiss on her forehead. “Let me talk with Quinn. We’ll join you guys in a sec.”
Eyes wide, Roxie nodded and moved out of his embrace. Already, he missed her heat, missed having his arms around her.
Once the women had linked arms and moved to the living room, he turned to Quinn. Keeping his voice low, he asked, “What the hell happened?”
Quinn told him about the photo and the message scrawled on it. His hands clenched into fists, and he forced himself to take in a couple of deep breaths.
When they found out who this bastard was...
“What have you got?”
Quinn remained silent. His gray eyes were clouded with worry.
Dammit. “Nothing?”
“Nothing at all,” he confirmed, frowning.
Joe exhaled.Fuck. He’d figured Quinn didn’t have much, but that didn’t make the news any less maddening. “What do we do now?”
“I remember when the shit with Alex’s ex-husband was going down and I asked you the same damn question.” Quinn scrubbed a hand over his face, his frustration evident. “The answer’s the same now as it was then: we keep her safe. I know we can’t have Roxie in sight twenty-four seven, but—”
“But I’m going to do my best to try. When I can’t, I’ll make sure someone else can. You don’t need to worry about that, O’Conner.” He locked eyes with Quinn, and the two men traded solemn nods.
For a few minutes, they stayed quiet, thinking, listening to Annie’s babbles and coos coming from the living room. Roxie’s and Alex’s voices were a soft, indiscernible hum in the background.
“Look,” Quinn said at last, breaking the silence, “I don’t know what’s going on with you and Roxie.” He grimaced. “Well, actually, yeah, I do. But... sorry, it’s weird for me. Alex says it’s a long time coming, and I know she’s right, but still... it’s weird.”
Joe patted his friend on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about that. Nothing’s happened on that front—”
Quinn scoffed. “Bullshit. I have eyes, Buchanan.”
He chuckled. “Well, nothinglike thathas happened yet—”
“Ugh. Dude, come on. She’s like my sister, for Christ’s sake.”
“Yeah. And I’m like your brother.”
“Exactly. Do you see why this is all kinds of fucked up for me?”
“Yeah.” Joe grinned. “I can see that. But don’t worry, man. We’re not there. We’re just getting to know each other again. That’s it.”
“That’s not all of it, but whatever.” Quinn hesitated, then added, “I know you already know this, but she’s really special.”
In an instant, Joe sobered. He heard the unspoken threat. “I know, Quinn. Believe me, I know.”
