“The hell there isn’t!” I snap. “You won’t look at me. You won’t answer my questions. And you look fucking haunted.” My voice cracks. “Whatever he’s said, whatever he wants from you, it isn’t worth it. I can’t let him break you. And he will break you, Quinn.”
Her touch is gentle as she places her hand over mine where I’m restraining her. “He won’t,” she whispers.
“It looks to me like he’s already tried. You’re fucking trembling.”
“I’m tired, that’s all.”
My heart pounds. “You’re lying. Tell me what’s happening, Quinn. Please,” I beg. “Trust me.”
She rests her head on my chest, and as I wrap my arms around her, Quinn snakes her arms around my waist. “I do trust you,” she says. “But you need to trust me. I know my limits, and I’m not there yet.”
I kiss the top of her head. “I’m so sorry, baby, but I have limits too. I can’t let you go this time,” I say, reaching the decision I should have made days ago. “You’re coming back to the cabin with me, and we’ll work out what to do from there. You don’t have to go back to Ilya. We’ll find another way.”
When she raises her head, a tear trickles down her cheek. “Don’t make this harder than it already is. Please.”
“We’ll work together to find Blake. I could introduce Strider to Mace,” I say with a tight smile. “Between them, they might be able to figure out a way of tracking her down.”
“I already know how to find Blake. I don’t need help,” she says, pulling away from me. “Not from you. Not from anyone.”
The frown forming on my brow freezes when I see the Glock. “For fuck’s sake. Again?”
She’s aiming at my cock. Given my Kevlar vest, it was either that or my head. “Give me your car keys.”
“No.”
Quinn releases the safety and fires a shot at the ground inches from my left boot.
“Fuck, Quinn!” I yell. “What the hell?”
“Give me your keys,” she repeats, far colder and calmer than I am.
“No!”
Quinn’s aim pivots to the side and she shoots one of the front tires on my SUV. “Then keep your keys.”
When Quinn backs away, I go to follow her. I don’t think for a second that she’ll shoot me, but there’s a look of pain and desperation in her eyes that stops me in my tracks. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but if I push this, it might be me who breaks her.
“Don’t leave me, Quinn.”
Her lip trembles. “I’m sorry.”
She reaches her Jeep and climbs behind the wheel while keeping her aim fixed on me. I stay close, but once the engine starts, I know the battle is over. She spins the car around and as she speeds off, I hear the clatter of my gun hitting the road.
I don’t take my eyes off the Jeep until it disappears from view, and even then, my ears strain as I listen to the engine receding into the distance. I take out my cell and dial Ash’s number.
“Something’s fucking wrong.”
Chapter 18
Quinn
My fingers dig into my upper arms as I pace the kitchen. One of the guards on the gate has called to let me know that I have a visitor. I could have refused entry, but I should be punished for my sins. It’s only fair.
I’d felt bereft after Blake disappeared, but now my isolation is almost complete. I don’t have Reid. And after dismantling and burying my burner phone in the woods for fear of it being discovered, I don’t have Strider either.
I’d called him on my way back to the estate this morning and told him everything. I needed someone to have the complete picture before I lost all communication. Strider told me to get the hell out of Poulton Springs, but how can I when there’s a chance Ilya’s telling the truth? I have to do this. And if it’s the wrong decision, it’s all on me. And damn, the burden is getting heavier.
My eyes feel gritty after sobbing beneath the shower earlier. I’d changed out of the dress I’d worn to meet Reid, and opted for jeans and sweater. There’s little point indonning another suit for Ilya’s benefit. He knows who I am, and how far I’m willing to go for my sister. Reid doesn’t. Nor do the friends I’d made here.
