Killer settled down once he realized all the excitement had passed. We drove straight through, only stopping occasionally to get gas and use the bathroom. The guys took turns driving and sleeping. I only managed to close my eyes for a few hours, my thoughts spinning in my head, preventing me from getting much rest.
When we were getting close to Ferguson, I ordered us pizza.
We pulled into the busy parking lot of Deliziosa an hour later.
Gunner opened my door and stayed close. His hand brushed against mine a few times, but he made no move to link our fingers like he had before.
I wondered if it was because his job was essentially done since my brothers were now here or if he just didn’t want to rub it in their faces that we had a thing.
Quinn spotted me as soon as I came inside. “What in the world happened to you? Did you fall asleep under a bridge?”
Guess I should have done a better job of cleaning up.I’d dragged myself across a dirty floor, after all. And getting covered in all sorts of crap from the bullets making it inside the cabin meant I didn’t look so fresh anymore.
I was also scraped and bruised and had a cut on my eyebrow.
Quinn came to a stop in front of me, lifting her arms as if to embrace me but thinking better of it. Her face was drawn tight, concern etching her features. “I was really worried when you didn’t answer your phone. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just had a long night.” I shrugged, not able to even put half a smile on my face. I was tired, cranky, and hungry.
She didn’t buy my piss-poor excuse, as evidenced by her raised eyebrows. I put up my hands before she started her cross-examination. “I’ll tell you later. Promise. But for now, I just need pizza or I might murder one of my brothers.”
Quinn seemed to remember that I had ordered more pizzas than I could eat in a week, and her gaze snapped to my brothers standing at my back. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. I almost chuckled at her startled expression, but I was too tired to do much more than put my hand under her chin and close her mouth.
“Guys, this is my friend Quinn,” I said, pointing behind me, my eyes on Quinn. “Quinn, meet my brothers.”
“Since when do you have brothers?” she squeaked. “I’m seriously questioning our friendship right now.”
“I promise I’ll explain later.”
She narrowed her eyes at me but grabbed eight pizzas off the counter. I moved to pull out my wallet and four voices protested. In the end I had to get them to fight it out with rock, paper, scissors on who would pay or risk bloodshed.
Quinn’s stare followed us all the way out the door. I noticed Liam’s eyes didn’t leave her for even a second. He was the oldest of my brothers and had been groomed to take over the family business. He was also the most damaged, and I’d never seen him so much as look at a girl. At least not in my presence.
Him showing interest like that was unusual. But if his stare was anything to judge by, he was very interested. I prayed it wouldn’t go past heated looks, because Quinn’s eyes were glued to him just as much if not more. She wasn’t part of our world, and I hoped she never would be. She was too innocent. Too good.
And my family had a talent for bringing out the worst in people.
I made sure everyone was out the door before getting in the car. Gunner drove us back to the apartment, Jude in the passenger seat again.
I had a feeling one of my brothers would be close at all times from now on. Guess I should get used to having eyes on me again. Not that it had ever really changed. I just didn’t know someone was watching me for the past two years.
10
“Getyour shoes off my coffee table,” I ground out, glaring at Jude.
He didn’t move or look at me, his eyes on the game he was playing with Gabriel. My brothers had somehow not only found a PlayStation but also a selection of games in the few hours they’d been here.
They were camped out in my living room, dwarfing the small space. I wondered if it was too soon to kick them out.
Liam was sitting at my kitchen table, computer in front of him. Gunner left shortly after we’d gotten to my apartment. But not before pulling me out into the hallway and kissing me senseless against the closed door. While I was still trying to catch my breath, he left for parts unknown.
I wondered if it was a goodbye kiss. The thought hurt since I already knew I was falling for the grumpy giant.
But we hadn’t talked about anything since the Irish found us and interrupted our cabin getaway.
And, of course, there was my family. They would never be okay with me dating anyone, let alone Gunner.
“How do you not have any beer?” Jude complained, his head now stuck in the fridge.
