“I’m still speaking,” Ilya interrupts. “And of course I’ve touched her. As of now, she’s my property. Get used to it.”
“Are you going to tell us what this about, Ilya?” asks Ash, holding up a finger to stop me from reacting.
Ilya’s silent for a moment. “I don’t normally share my thoughts with the opposition, but, well…” He sighs. “In your case I’m willing to make an exception. You see, Ash, I wanted to know your strengths, and it looks like you don’t have any,” he says with a sinister chuckle. “Where’s John McConkey when you need him?”
“This isn’t Irish mafia business.”
“Are you sure about that?” Ilya asks. “We built our stables on the ruins of one of his distribution hubs, but he isn’t seeking retribution. Between you and I, I think he’s lost his nerve. There’s no fight left in him, and it’s only right that he steps down with his pride still intact.”
“Underestimate him at your peril,” Ash warns.
“Fine words, but his absence doesn’t back up your threat. Even if he did have the guts to challenge my uncle, he wouldn’t win. I’m only one of the generals at his disposal, and I could crush the McConkeys on my own. Obviously, not as easily as I could crush you, but still.”
“Says someone who’s too scared to face me in person,” Ash replies.
Ilya’s tone is oily smooth when he says, “I was occupied with other matters. Procreation can be far more rewarding than destruction.”
The phone burns in my hand and I raise it, ready to smash it against the wall. “I’m going to fucking kill you!”
Ash steps forward and takes the phone. “The fact that you’re still talking Ilya, suggests you have more to say.”
“I do,” he replies, his voice brimming with excitement. “We’ve talked about strengths, now let’s turn to your weaknesses, although they were pretty obvious from the start. I must admit, I was disappointed not to add Maddison and Lily to mystable, but I can’t tell you how impressed I am with Quinn. She really is quite the prize.”
I’m shaking with so much anger and fear that my legs are ready to buckle. Ash puts an arm around me to keep me steady. He holds the phone at arm’s length as if the distance will make Ilya’s words less excruciating to hear.
“Oh, please, tell him not to sob,” Ilya says. “She hasn’t been violated if that’s your concern. Like I said, Quinn’s turned out to be quite special. I have a feeling she’s going to be the glue that binds our two organizations together. Your family have skills we could certainly exploit.”
“Not going to happen,” says Hunter.
“Hmm, I see the issue,” Ilya says. “Quinn clearly means a lot to Reid, but after her most recent betrayal, I’m guessing she doesn’t have the unconditional loyalty of the rest of you. The fact that Hunter and Mason are there at all is a testament to your brotherly love.”
“Fuck you, asshole,” says Mace.
“That’s no way to speak to a potential partner,” Ilya says. “Nor is it appropriate language for anuncleto be using.”
We all know how Ilya likes to play his mind games, but my brain must be glitching. There are similarly confused expressions on my brothers’ faces. I straighten up.
“You didn’t know she was pregnant, Reid?” Ilya asks. “Oh, dear, I hope I haven’t put my foot in it. I was assuming you were the father, but maybe that gardener got to tend her pretty little garden before you did.”
I ignore the suggestion that Quinn slept with Jason, but dismissing the possibility that she’s pregnant isn’t so easy. Or is it? “She would have told me if she were pregnant.”
“Maybe. Or perhaps she doesn’t know. According to the doctor, she’s in the very early stages,” he explains. “Ooh, does that mean I get to break the good news to her?”
“You fucking sick bastard,” says Hunter. “We’re going to enjoy tearing you limb from limb.”
“No, you’re going to treat me with the respect due to your future niece or nephew’s guardian,” Ilya replies. “Clearly, we all need a period of adjustment, and I’m a reasonable man. If you need nine months and a DNA test before you’re ready to commit, I can persuade my uncle to be patient. I promise, we’ll treat Quinn like a veritable princess. If we then discover the baby isn’t Reid’s, we’ll deal with mother and child as we see fit. No hard feelings.”
I sway on my feet. Quinn’s safe for now, and we have nine months to find her.
Assuming this isn’t some twisted game of Ilya’s.
How can Quinn be pregnant? We always used protection, except for that first time. And even then, I withdrew before…
Mace’s comment from the other day comes to mind about precum and sperm. Shit. I could have got Quinn pregnant. Under better circumstances, I’d be wrapping her in my arms and telling her we’d figure this out together. I’d promise her that we could make it work, that a new life is worth celebrating.
But celebrating is the last thing on my mind. “And when it’s confirmed that the baby’s mine?”
“It’s sweet that you have such faith in Quinn,” Ilya says. “If I do have a little Griffin baby in my possession, then all things are possible. I could be persuaded to return Quinn when she’s of no further use to me. Naturally, the baby would stay with us, and as long as we had your continued cooperation, we could provide little updates.”
