Chapter 27
Quinnly
After wrapping up at the apartment building, Lincoln drives us to New York, not stopping until we’re pulling into the driveway of the home I share with my sister. Naomi texted me a dozen times asking if I’m going to be home for Paps’s anniversary.
I don’t know why, it’s not like he’s going to be there. I still have some of his ashes in my bag waiting to finish out my kill board. A break sounds… counterproductive, but I’ll allow it since I haven’t seen Naomi in nearly a year, and she knows I can’t tell her no.
Plus, it will be nice to grab a few things from home before finishing out my list.
Naomi meets us at the door, eyes scouring every inch of me like a mother would a child. “I’m fine,” I mutter.
Her arms wrap around me and I can practically hear Lincoln’s thoughts behind me.
She’s not alone, there’s a man here, the one from the little pit stop I made a while back to handle the man who killed Naomi’s biological mother. I prefer the other bloke over this one… Ancel or something, but hey, Naomi seems happy.
His dark hair is combed back in a slick way, long sleeved shirt rolled to his elbows and the top few buttons at his collar are undone.
He keeps his eyes on Naomi, I assume sensing the danger Lincoln and I are, though I doubt he fully understands that’s what it is. As if I’d hurt her, she’s my family.
Her curly hair’s perfect, as per usual, but I notice a distinctly odd scent and push away from her to look her over more closely. “You smell funny.”
“Thanks,” she laughs and pulls me back in for another quick hug. Her eyes scan past me toward Lincoln, and narrow. I’ve only talked about him once or twice, but she recognizes him. “You must be Lincoln.”
He nods as she steps aside, and we walk into the house. He’s got my bags and his in his hands, but even then, I don’t think he would have offered her his hand. Her eyes catch on his neck as he walks past her heading for the stairs knowing exactly where he’s going.
When she looks back at me, her brows rise and I smile. There’s a lot to unpack there.
“Let’s go to lunch, I’d love for you to get to know Killian,” she says, gripping my hand and pulling me toward the couch. This Killian takes a seat at the kitchen island, but doesn’t say anything, only observes.
His hesitance, and obvious nerves make me want to stare at him.
I guess he’s attractive, and Naomi clearly gets along with him, but I can’t help wanting to make him uncomfortable. It’s kinda my thing. Killian’s eyes shift, but again he remains silent as Lincoln descends the stairs.
My big shadow’s eyes move around the room, always on alert, even in my home.
I guess that’s fair considering the things I’ve put him through in a years’ time.
“I’m still not done,” I tell Naomi as Lincoln sits with his leg pressed against mine. “I haven’t finished my board, I mean.”
Naomi laughs, her curly hair shakes with it. “Fifty states did seem like a big project, time consuming.”
“Time is something I have in epic quantities,” I joke. Lincoln’s hand comes to rest on my thigh and instinctively I cover it with mine. “Maybe we can order take-out and stay in? I’ve got a lot to tell you, and I don’t think the average population would be eager to hear it.”
That gets a small laugh out of Killian and he nods to Naomi in a silent exchange of words.
“Killian will have Axel drop something off for us.”
“Ah, the one I prefer,” the words fall out of my mouth, and Naomi giggles and knocks her leg into mine.
“Don’t be mean, Q,” she warns, but it’s not really backed with anything. I’m not being mean and she knows it.
“What Quinnly meant to say–”
“Was exactly what I said,” I stop Lincoln, “there’s no need for band-aids for words. Killian’s a big boy, and he isn’t upset. Right?”
“With you? Never,” he says, stepping into the kitchen and making the call for food. “Somtimes I think I prefer him over me too.”
Giving Lincoln a look over my shoulder, Naomi and I catch up on all the things I’ve missed here at home, and all the things she’s missed out of my adventures. We’ve talked, but being focused on my tasks makes it hard to really hold any conversation because I dislike being distracted.
She understands, it’s always been this way.
Take-out is delivered and eaten with one of our favorite romance movies playing in the background. A normal night, spent in my house. Killian and Lincoln sitting at the island counter having small conversations as Naomi and I carry on.
It’s nearing dinner by the time Naomi and I finally fall into silence.
“I’ve still got the rest of my board to get through…” I start, knowing this will end up in a fight or tears. “I’m gonna get some stuff from my room and then–”
“He died almost a year ago…” Naomi whispers, interrupting my attempt at removal from the conversation. “I haven’t seen you in nearly a year, and after one lunch, you’re ready to leave again.” Her soft resigned laugh should make me feel bad, but I simply don’t.
Sometimes I wish I did have the attachments she does, so I could understand. I used to become so frustrated with myself for not being able to that I’d fall into a hole of research and it always ended in disappointment.
“I have to finish this,” I can’t look at her, see her tears well in her eyes.
She reaches out, her hands cover mine, “I know.”
Peeking at her through my lashes, I can see her glassy eyes, but I can also see the understanding there.
“Maybe we can vacation in Hawaii, when I’m done,” I’m only half-joking, but the thought doesn’t make me want to pluck my eyeballs out.
“I’ll hold you to that,” she giggles.
We leave the couch, and walk through the house finding Lincoln and Killian on the back lawn playing the large chess set Paps had to have before he died. From the looks of it, they’re on an even playing field.
“You ready to go, Menace?” He asks without looking my way.
“You’ve got some time,” I cackle, leaving Naomi on the back swing and heading to my room. I’ve got a present to finish for Lincoln, and Killian provided me with the perfect time to execute it.