“We weren’t expecting you, Quinn,” Ash says diplomatically.
“Yeah, Mace has relayed that message loud and clear,” I say to save Quinn the humiliation of being told she isn’t welcome a second time.
“I didn’t think there’d be any harm in saying hello, but I can see it’s making you all uncomfortable.”
“It’s not that,” Ash says. “It’s simply a matter of managing risks that protect you as well as us. Once Ilya gets the message that you’re not able to gain access to us, or our premises, it limits his ability to use you for whatever nefarious scheme he’s dreaming up.”
“That makes sense,” Quinn agrees. She turns to me. “I’ll go.”
“Go?” comes a woman’s voice. “Where are you going?”
Maddie has appeared from the corridor, and she’s quickly followed by Lily.
“I knew something was going on when Mace raced out of the office,” says Lily. She looks to Quinn and smiles. “Usually, his only exercise is wheeling his chair from one side of his desk to the other.”
“That’s a bit harsh,” Maddie says. “He must hit his ten thousand steps a day just from stalking you.”
“Have you two finished?” Mace asked.
Maddie and Lily do a synchronized eye roll and step in front of their husbands. Even Ash is forced to take a back seat as the two women zero in on Quinn.
“Since no one’s going to introduce us,” says Maddie. “Lily is married to Mace, and I’m Hunter’s wife, Maddie. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The sound of Quinn swallowing a lump in her throat is loud enough for us all to hear. “It’s lovely to meet you too. Even if it’s only a brief hello and goodbye.”
“Do you have to go?” asks Lily. “If you want to hang around until these guys finish their meeting, you could come into our office.”
“Sorry, Lily,” says Hunter. “I think we’ve already established that’s not a good idea.”
“And they made a very good argument,” Quinn adds. “It’s fine, I have other things to do anyway.” She looks to me. “There was thatotherissue I needed to sort out.”
I have no clue what she’s talking about, but then she looks pointedly down at my groin. Finally, I get it. Family planning.
“Yeah, that’s a thought,” I say. I like that, amongst the chaos, we have every-day shit to deal with.
“Actually, I wonder…” Quinn says, turning to Maddie and Lily. “You might be able to help.”
There’s a sudden shift in the atmosphere, and Mace inches closer to his wife. Hunter does the same withMaddie. One comment from Quinn and they’re acting like it’s an immediate threat. I don’t know how I’m ever going to have a rational conversation with them if they’re this paranoid.
Quinn notices the intense scrutiny from my brothers, and blushes. “Sorry, maybe another time. It’s a bit…” Her free hand flutters in front of her. “Personal.”
“Ooh, that sounds intriguing,” Maddie says, eyes sparkling. She turns to Hunter. “If Quinn can’t stay here and chat, we’ll take her out for coffee and cake.”
“And gossip,” Lily adds.
Mace’s face is like thunder. “Nota good idea.”
Lily nudges him. “You’re right, it isn’t. It’s agreatidea,” she says. “Have you forgotten how your family welcomed me straightaway when you dragged me into your craziness? Quinn deserves more than all your scowls.” When Mace doesn’t soften, she huffs out a breath. “We’ll only go across the road to Ruby’s, and we’ll take Simon with us.”
Simon is the man-mountain Mace recruited as Lily’s private bodyguard. His job is to shadow her on the rare occasions that Mace lets her out of his sight.
“Levi’s downstairs. He can go too,” I add, longing to make this happen for Quinn. I won’t let my brothers isolate her.
“I’m only going to agree if we put a team outside the door,” Hunter says. He’s just as unhappy as Mace, but he’s not brave enough to revoke the invitation his own wife made.
We all look to Ash for the final verdict. His eyes are firmly on Quinn, and she’s holding his gaze. “You have an hour to be interrogated by my sisters-in-law. We’re too busy to spare our men for any longer.”
“Thank you,” she says. “I don’t want to put anyone else at risk. And I truly mean that.”
