Knox nodded, taking that in.While his gut told him they could trust Sloane, they all knew she wasn’t telling them everything.Far from it.She’d gotten them out of the mob, though, and brought them back to her home.That counted for a hell of a lot.
The water turned off in the bathroom, and Xaden eyed the door.“That’s my cue to leave.Just holler if you need anything.And Knox?”he added before he left.
“What?”
“You’re good for her.Don’t fuck this up.”
Knox looked at his teammate in surprise.They were practically in the middle of a war zone.Quinn had been missing for days.They had jihadists chasing after them.And his buddy was giving him advice about women.“Thanks for the pep talk,” he muttered.
Xaden smirked and walked back down the hall.
Knox went about rearranging his gear, quietly cursing to himself.Quinn had nothing.Absolutely nothing.He had his teammates at his back, supplies and weapons, food.The fact that she was holding up so well was a damn miracle.
A few minutes later, the door to the bathroom opened, and Quinn stepped out, wearing one of his tee shirts and a pair of sweatpants.Both were too big, dwarfing her small frame, but Knox felt his heartbeat speed up.Seeing her in his clothing stirred something primal and base inside him.He’d be a perfect gentleman, but shit.His cock swelled at just the sight of her in his things.She was his, whether she realized it yet or not.
***
QUINN OPENED THE DOOR, feeling slightly nervous.She was being silly.This was Knox.She trusted him with her life.And after being kidnapped and flown halfway around the globe, she was more thankful to see him than he’d ever know.
She’d rolled up the waistband of his sweatpants, but they were still too large and long.His tee shirt hung on her as well, but she didn’t mind.She was clean.Safe.Free.Quinn had balled up the ugly dress and shoved it into a trashcan.She’d washed her bra and panties in the shower, which now hung drying over the towel bar.She’d shampooed her hair and scrubbed her body clean as well, using the things Knox had provided.It made her belly do a funny little flip to be using his body wash—to be wearing his clothes.Even the scent of him soothed her, as crazy as that sounded.They could be in danger here in this home.They still weren’t out of Afghanistan, but the man who’d come for her made her feel safe in a way no one else could.
Knox was sitting on the bed and looked up as she stepped into the bedroom.It was a weirdly domestic scene, despite all the chaos surrounding them.Who ever thought she’d be playing house with Knox in the middle of Kabul?She let out a small huff of laughter.
“What’s so funny?”Knox asked, seeming relieved that she was smiling.
His gaze raked over her, taking in her damp hair and the sight of Quinn in his clothes.His gaze briefly caught on her chest, and she realized her nipples were pressing against the soft cotton.She’d put on her undergarments later.He didn’t stare and make her uncomfortable, however, just continued his perusal, clearly intent on making sure that she was alright.
Quinn padded across the room, the uneaten protein bar in her hand.She sank down onto the bed beside him, tearing the wrapper, and taking a small bite.“I just thought it was funny that we were here in the Middle East playing house.I’ve never seen your place in Seattle,” she pointed out.“You’ve never been to my apartment.Now we’re in some random bedroom together, with me wearing your clothes.”
His lips quirked.
Quinn shrugged.“It’s just funny is all.Ignore me.”
“Never,” he said, causing her to smile again.
She looked up into his dark eyes, a flicker of something passing between them.They were close enough to one another that she could feel the heat from his muscled frame, but she didn’t feel uncomfortable.Far from it.It was nothing like being alone with Adam in that damn wooden shack.Knox was brave and good, an actual hero.And Adam?Nothing but twisted and pure evil.
“Trust me, I’m glad to be here,” Quinn told him, trying to ignore the electricity she suddenly felt arcing between them.“It felt so good to shower and change.I left your toiletries in the bathroom, but I’ll pack them up.I was starving and wanted to eat.”
“I’ll gather everything.And don’t worry—we’ve got time to kill before we move out.”
They looked at each other for another moment, Knox’s eyes soft.The world was a crazy place, and she still couldn’t believe he’d found her.Quinn spoke up and told him exactly that.“You were my only priority,” he assured her.“Once we realized you were gone, it was all hands on deck until we pinpointed your exact location.”
“When did you realize I’d been kidnapped?”she questioned.
“Not until Sunday,” he said, his voice filled with regret.“You texted us—well, we thought it was you.Everyone assumed you were sick, like the text said.That memory will burn me up forever,” he admitted.“I should’ve called you—followed up somehow.Checked on you.I’m sorry,” he said, his voice husky.
Quinn studied him, noticing the guilt in his eyes.“It’s not your fault,” she assured him.“None of this happened because of you.”
Knox ran a hand over his face, frustrated.“Maybe not, but I feel protective of you,” he admitted.“I debated checking in but figured you just wanted to rest.Maybe we could’ve gotten to you sooner if I’d stuck with my gut instinct to check up on you.”
Quinn let out a sigh.“You did what you thought was right.Honestly?If someone texted me to say they were sick, I probably would’ve believed them, too.I mean, why wouldn’t I?Adam was able to access my phone after he kidnapped me from the alley.I had it set to unlock using biometrics, but I guess he held it up to my face to use the facial recognition.I’ll be enabling a password on it now to make it more secure—whenever I get a new phone, that is.I’ve got no idea what he did with mine.Adam showed me the phone right before they shoved me into an oversized suitcase and drugged me.”She shuddered at the memory, and Knox reached out, his big hand landing on her thigh.
“I’m okay,” she assured him.“I’m alive.I’m free.”She swiped away a stray tear, amused as Knox let out a low growl.He was pissed on her behalf, and she had to admit, it made her feel good.Quinn took another bite of the protein bar, noting Knox left his hand on her leg.It made her feel closer to him.Safer.Quinn knew without a doubt that he’d never let anyone harm her.“I hated that Adam had my phone,” she continued.“I was so close to being able to call for help.It was right there, only feet away, and it’s like he stole my life right before my eyes.”
Knox cursed, bristling beside her.Quinn placed her hand over his, trying to calm him.“It could have been worse.So much worse.He could’ve raped me.I could’ve been attacked or gang-raped by all those sick bastards.Their weird, twisted beliefs made him decide to marry me first.”
“What the hell?”Knox asked.
