37. Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter thirty-seven
Hummingbird
The relief that washed over me was surprising. While part of me loved that I didn’t have to live in solitude anymore, suddenly sharing a house with four other people was overwhelming.
I took a couple of deep breaths, reminding myself that Lynette would not lead me into danger… and that Lukas had always been nice to me. Quinn was the wild card here, but she had Edith and Shield’s ringing approval, so that helped.
Edith’s phone buzzed. After studying the screen for a moment, a smile appeared on her face. “So, Lynette is happy to hear everything went well and you’re settling in. She says it’s fine if we introduce you to Quinn, but she needs to talk to Lukas before that introduction.”
Interesting. She hasn’t figured out the connection. I nodded, keeping my expression as neutral as possible. “Okay.”
Shield shifted and cleared his throat. “Do you want to meet her today? I don’t want this to be more than you can handle, but time isn’t on our side.”
I couldn’t help but smile at him. The care and concern he kept showing me was heartwarming and heartbreaking.
It was everything Derek had done and would have wanted someone else to do for me.
“I appreciate it, but I need to do this. It’s her house.
Lynette may have a lot of power, but if she gave the green light for Quinn and me to chat, I’d like to be polite and have that conversation.
Thank her for being welcoming, if nothing else. ”
A little later, there was a soft knock on the door.
“It’s Quinn. I have some soup if your friend is hungry.”
My eyes went wide, and tears threatened to pop up. “She made me soup?”
Shield nodded. “Sounds like it. It’s one of her favorite comfort foods. Do you want me to let her in, or get the soup from her and have her stay outside the room?”
A nervous sigh came out as she shifted in the bed and sat up. “I meant what I said earlier. Might as well do this now.”
Edith stood up. “I’ll let her in. I need to use the bathroom, anyway. I’ll hold the door just in case one of the boys tries to get a little too nosy.” When she opened it, all we could see was the front edge of a wooden tray.
“Hi, Edith. I may have gone a little overboard, but I know what it’s like to be scared, and I wanted her to feel as comfortable as possible.”
My bonus mom smiled as she stepped out and turned to face whoever was speaking. “That’s what you and I do. Go on in, my dear. She said it was fine.”
Quinn took a sharp breath. “Is she sure? I get it if she wants privacy.”
I let out a low chuckle, already loving the woman I hadn’t even met yet. “Quinn, please come in.”
After a second of hesitation, Edith reached out and took hold of the woman’s arms, gently pulling her toward the door. “In you go.”
A stunning and very nervous-looking redhead walked into the room, and Edith closed the door behind her.
“Hi. I’m Quinn.” She gave me a tight smile as she put the tray of food on top of the dresser.
“I brought some soup, crackers, a mug of herbal tea, a can of pop, and a bottle of water.
I wasn't sure if you needed or wanted anything, and if none of that sounds good, I can grab something else.”
“Thank you. That was very kind, and I appreciate you bringing the soup. I didn’t have much time for lunch.”
Quinn shifted her attention to Shield, practically glaring at him. “You feed our lovely guest once you got here?”
He only blinked for a moment, temporarily taken aback by her intensity. “I… Um.”
“Peter Alexander Grant, tell me you at least offered her something to eat.”
My attention snapped to Shield. “Your name is Peter?”
His eyes went wide before he nodded. “Um, yeah, it is.”
Quinn looked back and forth in between the two of us. “Hold on. You didn’t know his name?”
He chuckled nervously. “To be fair, I don’t know hers, either.”
She opened her mouth and then shut it again before staring at me for a moment. “Let me guess, it has something to do with the reason you’re in hiding?”
I gave her a tight smile. “Pretty much. My life is a bit complicated.”
Quinn crossed her arms over her chest and slowly nodded. “I can recognize a topic well over my pay grade when I see one. Regardless, just because Peter may have forgotten all of his manners didn’t mean I did. Now, is there anything else I can get you to make this less insane?”
As if on cue, my head throbbed. “Well, I’m sure the food will help, but do you have anything I could take to help kick the rest of my headache? I’m not sure how buried my supplies are.”
Relief washed over Quinn’s face, as if she was grateful for a task. “I do. I have several options, actually. I’ll be right back.”
As she rushed out of the room, I immediately looked at Shield… no, Peter. “I like her. She seems like an amazing woman.”
He grinned. “Yeah, Quinn’s awesome. She definitely keeps Lukas on his toes and in line.”
My eyes went wide once again. Is this his person? Does she know anything about me? The maelstrom of thoughts made my head throb even more, and I let out a sigh as I leaned forward, holding my head in my hands.
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask if you were hungry.”
I glanced up and shook my head. “Don’t be. It’s been a hell of a day, and it wasn’t until she asked that I realized I was.”
Determination and guilt were still all over his face. “I know Quinn is getting stuff for your headache, but is there anything else you need? I get if you don’t trust it coming from me and would rather have Edith hand it over.”
“I trust you, Shield. That’s never been the problem.” I glanced over at him, trying to gauge his reaction, pleased when a little grin appeared on his face. “So, now that I know your real name, am I still supposed to call you by your code name?” Shield made sense, but Peter suited him better.
He opened and shut his mouth a few times. “I… Whatever makes you more comfortable. I could go either way on it.”
Before I could respond, there was a knock on the door. “It’s me.”
He smiled at Quinn’s voice. “Come on in.”
She walked back into the room holding a migraine cap and three plastic bottles with the promised pain relievers. “Here. These all help me when my head is pounding.” Quinn perched on the edge of the bed. “Do you need anything else?”
The question came out before I could stop it. “Why are you being so nice and not demanding to know who I am and why I’m here?”
Pain and understanding flickered in the redhead’s eyes.
“I don’t know what you’re going through, and I don’t need the details.
I do understand what it’s like to run for your safety, fear for your life, and never stop looking over your shoulder.
It’s the reason I left Chicago and came out here in the first place.
I thought it would be far enough away to keep me safe. ”
If she only knew how similar we were. “Was it?”
Quinn let out a deep sigh, and her shoulders sagged for a moment.
“It was… until the place I work at made a social media post with me in the picture. Not long after, my psychotic stalker of an ex showed up and started shit. The fact Lukas happened to be here delivering a painting was such a godsend. Who knew some painter from Chicago would have such extensive security and mafia connections?” She shook her head, smirking.
“Painter?” Did he get out of the business?
She nodded. “Edith and Frank had commissioned two pieces for the lodge. He’s done a few more since then.”
I was stunned. I remembered Lukas loved painting, but I also remembered Liam complaining about how much time Lukas dedicated to it and declaring it a waste of time. More proof I dodged a bullet not marrying him. I’m so glad Lukas didn’t let his brother discourage his love of art.
Quinn chuckled. “I’m rambling. What I want to say is, while I don’t know why you have to be kept safe, I get it.
My stalker ex tried to kill me and then Lukas, so that fear?
That lingering anxiety? I get it. I so fucking get it.
” She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
“If you want, I can talk to Lukas and see if there is anything he can do to help find a safe place for you. But only if you want. I’m not going to force an Agosti security detail on you.
I had that happen to me, and… well, let’s just say Lukas and I had a heated discussion or three about it. ”
If only she knew some of the Agostis already have my back. The fire in this woman’s eyes made me smile, though. There was an intensity to her, but unlike my sister, Quinn came across as loving, fierce, and protective. I liked it. “Thank you. I’ll let you know.”
She nodded. “Of course. Please know you are safe here. If the intense looks on Edith and Peter’s faces are any indication, no one is going to be allowed to mess with you. And while I’m still a stranger to you, know also you have my protection, for whatever it’s worth.”
“Thank you.” The sincerity of her words put me a little more at ease.
Quinn let out another deep breath. “Well, I’ve brought you food and said my peace. I just have one more question.”
I tipped my head to the side. “What’s that?”
“Do I need to hide your presence from Lukas?”
I glanced at Peter, trying to hide some of my panic. I wasn’t sure how ready I was to face him. I also didn’t know the new plan.
He cleared his throat. “Yes, at least tonight and maybe tomorrow. Lynette needs to have a conversation with her son first.”
Quinn nodded. “Okay. Let me know when it changes. I will say, though, we won’t be able to hide this for long. He’s pretty observant.”
Peter chuckled. “He can be when he wants to.”
After Quinn walked out the door, I sunk into the chair next to me, processing everything the woman had said.
“You still okay?”
I nodded. “She’s really that kind and compassionate, isn’t she? That’s not an act.”
Peter shook his head. “That’s no act. Edith and Lynette claimed her as one of theirs, if you needed any more convincing.”
I smiled. “That speaks volumes.” My focus shifted to the closed door. “She’d go toe-to-toe with Lukas to protect my secret?”
He chuckled. “She would… Edith would… Phil would as well, and he knows less than Quinn.”
All I could do was nod again. Maybe having more people around isn’t all bad. Especially ones holding their friends and family accountable.
It still scared the shit out of me.