“This is for the Steele Clan,” the woman screamed as she yanked the scissors free and stabbed at Quinn again.
Quinn threw her shoulder into Carly’s chest and shoved her back. The blonde staggered back under the force of the blow. She threw the scissors at Quinn but missed, and the heavy metal shears shattered the parlor window. A roar leaped from Quinn’s lips like nothing she’d ever heard come out of her in human form, and she charged the would-be assassin. She tackled Carly to the ground. The wardrobe wobbled at the force of both women rolling against it. Quinn scrambled to her feet after launching two-fisted blows into Carly’s pert nose.
Blood oozed from the blonde woman’s face. She gave Quinn a look a sheer hate. “The Orsino line will end,” she spouted, blood and saliva spraying from her lips.
Quinn put her hand on the top of the wardrobe and gave Carly a pitying look. “But not today.” She yanked the large oak piece over and jumped out of the way as it crashed down onto the would-be killer.
Quinn’s knees wobbled as shock set in. She heard her shouting, but it was as if someone had shoved cotton in her ears.
Warm, strong arms scooped Quinn up and cradled her body as if she were a fragile bird. “Are you okay, baby? You’re not hurt are you?”
She blinked and saw Luke’s gorgeous blue eyes narrowed in concern.
He smoothed her hair back from her face. “Quinn, talk to me, sweetheart. Say something.”
Quinn smiled, still feeling a little dazed from the fight. “You called me baby and sweetheart.”
“You gave me such a scare,” he said.
Quinn raised her hand to touch his furry cheek. “Mine,” she said softly and gave his beard a light tug.
Luke’s blue eyes turned amber. “You don’t know what you’re saying. You’re still in shock. We need to get your arm treated. It’s still bleeding.”
Quinn bit down on her lower lip to stop it from trembling and nodded. Her father had made her and her sisters take self-defense classes when they were teenagers, but it was the first time Quinn had found cause to use it.
Her mom rushed into the room, her face aghast at what she found. “What’s going on?”
Quinn stared at the older woman whose stern features were touched with genuine concern. She forced a smile. “Oh, hey, Mom. I’m going to need a new hairdresser.”
