Chapter 19
Lucas
“Thanks for the ride,” Aro calls out, slamming the door of Jared’s car.
Quickly, I climb out and ask, “Did he hurt you?”
She stops, and I stare across the roof of the car at her. Drew loved women, and it took a long time to catch on that he liked them young.
Aro turns, and I avoid looking up the steps at Quinn. Wouldn’t Drew just love to see me now? Losing my mind over a girl twelve years younger than me.
“He hurt others,” Aro tells me.
She struggles to meet my eyes, and I know enough about her in the few interactions we’ve had to know that she doesn’t shy away from saying what needs to be said.
But she doesn’t divulge more. She doesn’t want to dredge it up, and to be honest, I’m grateful. I’d hate hearing it.
She comes up to the car and lowers her voice as Quinn lingers up at her door, probably wondering what we’re doing.
“I know why you left,” she says. “Everyone here does, so you better tell her before someone else explains it their way.”
I lift my eyes to Quinn. She turns away and starts to unlock her door.
“And I also know you hate what Green Street has become,” Aro continues, “so don’t even think about leaving again, because you have a responsibility.”
“I know.”
Green Street has expanded into Shelburne Falls—and into the Trent and Caruthers families—which I didn’t consider when I left. I need to get rid of Hugo Navarre and Drew Reeves. When those I love are safe, I’ll tell Madoc everything.
She spins back around and heads down the street, waving at Quinn. “See you tomorrow!”
Quinn waves and dives inside to get changed for the gym.
Looking up and down Knock Hill, I see the barber shop across the street that I noticed operating yesterday when I installed the cameras at Quinn’s house.
Samson Fletcher was working when I was hanging around town, one of the few businesses still operating.
Weston has two restaurants, a gas station, a school, and a few other odds and ends, but it doesn’t have much else. Not even its own police.
Which is how Drew got away with so much for so long. In fact, he kept the police from coming back here, probably convincing Shelburne Falls to pick up the slack so he could consolidate his vantage point.
I need to talk to Farrow again.
But first, I need a few minutes with Quinn to myself. I gaze up at her front door, warm light glowing from the windows.
She’s not going to want to hear an apology, and I never would’ve dreamed of giving her one last night. It’s amazing how differently things look in the light of day. As if guilt takes a back seat when the sun goes down.
I installed cameras at her house without her permission and repeatedly questioned her decisions, not to mention embarrassing her by crashing her party last night.
I could claim I was just worried about her, or how old habits are hard to break, but the truth is, I don’t want her with anyone else, and I won’t claim her for myself. It’s fucked up.
A car passes me, and I climb back into my seat, turning the radio up just a bit.
But then I stop, realizing what I just saw.
I spin around, sticking my head out the window and looking behind to where that car just drove. The headlights weren’t on.
It comes to the Stop sign, the brake lights flash—no taillights—and it slowly turns left. So slowly like it’s on the prowl.
Drew. Maybe it’s not, but it could be.
I grab the steering wheel, ready to follow, but the passenger door opens, and Quinn takes a seat next to me.
I pause, remembering we’re supposed to go to the gym. I can’t just drive off on her.
And I can’t trail someone with her in the car and put her in danger.
Instead, I shift into first, watching the vehicle disappear in my mirror as I pull away from the curb. I keep an eye on my surroundings as we leave Weston. Did it follow us here?
Maybe it was nothing. I’ll have to keep a lookout for it, though, in addition to the Traverse. Just to be safe.
We cruise across the bridge, and as my nerves calm, it occurs to me I haven’t heard Quinn so much as breathe since she got in the car.
I look over at her, the tendon in her neck taut as she faces the window.
I reach out to touch it—run the back of my finger down her nape—but she won’t look at me, and I’m afraid she’ll pull away. I drop my hand.
“Drive” plays on the radio, the soft, sultry tune filling the air as wind breezes through the flyaways around her face.
I’d texted her earlier to see if she wanted to exercise tonight, and thankfully, she said yes.
“Quinn—”
“I don’t want to talk,” she says calmly.
Her voice is gentle, steady.
But she couldn’t have been clearer.
I shift my gaze back to the road, a little more fucking tortured now. Does she feel like shit about last night? About me touching her? Fuck.
Why couldn’t I leave three days ago when I was supposed to? I’ve fucked it up now. Everything. She’s resorted to making assumptions because I won’t tell her anything. Who knows what she’s thinking?
Would I have fucked her last night if she were someone else? If she were just another young woman I’d met with her curious questions, contagious smiles, and little delights she takes in all the small things.
No. I wouldn’t have fucked her the first time. The first time I would’ve gone slow, swallowing every second as if it was food that I could taste, smell, and consume. I would’ve kissed everything, barely separating my mouth from her body long enough to breathe.
The next time, we would’ve fucked. On the kitchen counter. On the couch. Against the wall. In the car.
I press my cock down, toss a glare out the window, and shift into fourth. If she were anyone but Quinn, I might feel guilty about the age difference, but not enough to stop.
I pull up to the gym, park across the street, and we climb out of the car, heading to the entrance.
Just give her some space, I tell myself. We’ll get inside, blow off some steam on the track, and everything will relax. We’ll be back to being friends if I’m patient.
As soon as we walk in, though, I spot all three of her brothers carrying rackets past the front desk. Goddammit!
Madoc called me earlier, and I completely blew it off. He was probably inviting me to join them tonight. Shit.
I just want her to myself. I watch her check in and get a towel, about to follow myself.
But then Noah, Farrow, Dylan, and Hunter walk across the entryway, as well.
I grit my teeth.
Dylan grabs Quinn in a hug, rocking side to side playfully before releasing her. “Heading into spin class if you want to join us.”
Quinn addresses Farrow. “I thought you couldn’t do cardio.”
“My stamina is what dreams are made of,” he taunts, drifting past her with his stupid fucking swagger. “Tomorrow’s panties are already wet.”
Excuse me? I take a step.
“With sweat,” Farrow assures me, taking an extra step back. “That’s what I meant.”
Yeah, my ass.
He spins around and follows Dylan toward the room, Van der Berg griping at him, “Don’t you ever shut the fuck up?”
“When my mouth is full.”
Noah shakes his head, and I can imagine Farrow’s smirk as they both disappear inside.
Quinn turns to me, her chest rising with a breath. “Well…” She smiles small. “Thank you for the ride.”
She turns toward the stairs, probably heading for the track, and I take a step, but Jared is there.
He approaches her, his eyebrow cocked. “We trust your decisions.” He grins, Madoc and Jax behind him. “But it’s nice to know another adult is on the case.”
He tosses me a look, thinking Quinn is at the house with me, and it doesn’t even occur to him to worry. I rub the back of my neck.
Jax grabs his sister in a headlock. “You thought you were going to have fun this summer, didn’t you?”
Jared and Madoc chuckle as Quinn twists and turns for a second before finally dealing him a blow in the gut.
He growls, releasing her, and everyone laughs again.
She looks at me. “They think you’re a priest.” She pins me with a pointed stare. “Are you?”
My heart rate jacks up, knowing she’s referring to last night, and all that’s keeping her from making me the subject of her brothers’ attention rather than her is her choice of words.
I maintain a level tone. “As far as you’re concerned.”
“But you’re going to have fun this summer?”
My dick twitches, her brothers listening to every word.
They’re going to see it in my face. In my breathing.
I keep my tone steady. “That’s none of your business.”
I’m the adult.
Madoc tugs her close, kissing her head. “Boundaries, kiddo.”
She glares at me, and I smile just enough for her to see.
She can tell them what’s happened between us, but so can I. Her masturbating on my bed, getting her own apartment next to Farrow Kelly, and supplying drinks to her minor nephews and niece.
She yanks her towel off her shoulder and stomps up the stairs to the second level.
“We leave at nine!” I shout after her.
I want to follow, but it’ll look suspicious.
“Thank you for helping,” Madoc tells me. “Sorry I haven’t been around much. How are you doing?”
I glance up, watching her move out of sight. “I’m fine.”
He holds up his racket. “A game?”
“I think I’m gonna run instead.”
I start for the stairs, but he pulls me back. “Come on, we need four.”
And I actually roll my eyes because I still can’t tell this guy no. It’s like I’m scared he’ll cry or something.
Following the three of them into a court, Madoc and I take the back while Jared and Jax take the front. Madoc serves, the ball slamming against the wall and barreling back to us, echoing through the chamber.
“Is she doing okay?” Madoc asks me, grunting as he hits the ball. “Getting home at a decent hour and getting some sleep?”
“She has a lot of energy.” I run for the ball. “Always off somewhere.”
“She pissing you off?” Jax jokes.
We volley, Jared catching it, then Madoc slamming it again.
She’s definitely pissing me off. But in ways I can’t tell them about.
I dive for my shot. “She’s still…the same as she always was.”