“To go home.”
“Already on it,” Knox murmured, pulling her close once again and brushing his lips over her hair.“We’re arranging a ride out, assuming the vehicles we had to abandon are long gone.When Qureshi exited the vehicle with you, moving through the crowd, we were forced to do the same.We didn’t want to lose you.”
Quinn sucked in a breath, and Knox palmed the back of her head, trying to soothe her.It had been too fucking close for his liking.When shit went sideways, they adapted—and that was exactly what they’d had to do earlier.
“We just have to lie low until dawn,” he said.“It’s safer that way.”
“Until it settles down outside,” she agreed, a shudder running through her once more.
Knox brushed his lips over her hair again, unable to stop touching her.Soothing her.She was clinging to him like he was the only thing holding her together, her hands fisting the front of his shirt.Their time together in the office felt like a million years ago, in another place, another lifetime.
With surprise, Knox realized he wanted to be wherever Quinn was.It felt right.His world had been off-kilter when she went missing, and now that he had her, Knox knew he couldn’t let her go.
“You’re safe,” he reminded her.“We’ll get you settled in tonight, get you some food, meds if you’re in any pain, and then we’ll be on our way before you know it.”
She looked down at her clothing.“Do you have anything I can wear?This dress is hideous.”
“I’ve got a change of clothes,” he assured her.“They’ll be large on you, but—”
“Can I borrow them anyway?”she asked hopefully.
“Of course,” he said, noticing the immediate look of relief that crossed her face.
Something flickered inside his chest—the idea of Quinn in his clothing.Maybe it was a caveman mentality, but shit.He didn’t hate the idea.No, he fucking loved it.He’d protect her in any and every way he could, and if getting her out of those rags was the first step, then so be it.Knox had no issue with providing anything she needed.
“He made me bathe this morning,” Quinn muttered as she stood.“A bucket and a rag.That’s all I had to use.And I had to do it in front of him,” she said, her voice shaking again.
“Did he touch you?”Knox asked sharply.
Quinn shook her head.“No.He was in a hurry.He tried to attack me the other day, but some of the other men intervened.We were to be ‘married’ tonight,” she said, using air quotes, and Knox felt a fresh twist of anger deep inside him.“I’m sure he thought once I was his wife, he could rape me all he wanted.He’s sick,” she said, fresh tears falling.
Knox pulled her into his embrace again, feeling Quinn wrap her arms around him.He was so much bigger than her.Stronger.He felt guilty as hell he didn’t get to her sooner.She buried her face in his chest, crying.“I’m right here,” he soothed, running a hand down her soft hair.“I’m right here.You’ll always be safe with me.”
She sniffled, then turned, resting her cheek on his pec as she tried to regain her composure.Male pride washed over him.It fucking sucked that she’d been through any of this, but he loved that she trusted him to keep her safe.He’d hold her for as long as she needed.Forever, if that was what she wanted.
“I’ll grab you some clothes,” he said after a few minutes when she finally pulled back.“There’s a shower here,” he added quietly.“You can use that if you’d like.And although the guys are going to get us food, I’ve got some protein bars and MREs with me if you want that first.”
“A protein bar sounds amazing,” she admitted.
“I’ll get one,” he said, crossing the room to rummage through his rucksack.Shit.He wanted to give Quinn the world, and she was thrilled about a damn tasteless protein bar and his clean but basic clothing.
Quinn took the clothes and protein bar from him, hesitating before she went in the bathroom.“I’ll be right here,” he assured her.“No one else is coming in this room.The guys will hold down the fort out front.Take however long you need.”
“Do my parents know I was kidnapped?”she asked.
Regret washed over him at not immediately filling her in.“Yes, of course.I should’ve told you right away that Holt’s been updating them.They know you’re with us now.We can arrange a call later if you’d like or wait until we’re out of Afghanistan.”
Her lower lip wobbled as she looked at him, and Knox stilled.Knox knew in that moment he’d do whatever it took to make this woman happy.
“Let’s wait until we’re completely in the clear.And Knox?Thank you.For everything.I just—” She cut off, shaking her head and trying not to cry.“There’s a lot to say.”
“And we have plenty of time to say it.Go on,” he urged.“You’ll feel better when you get changed into some different clothes.”
“I’ll feel better if I can burn this thing,” she joked, her lips quirking.
“Tell you what, I’ll see what I can arrange,” Knox said, giving her a lopsided grin.The smile she shot his way was like a lightning bolt to his chest.He’d do anything it took to keep that smile on her face.Quinn finally turned away, disappearing into the attached bathroom, and Knox swore the woman took a piece of his heart right along with her.
