Chapter 19 #2
“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.
“Obviously, it would be a forced marriage, but he didn’t give a shit,” she added, her voice hard. “He was planning to marry me tonight. Why we left camp instead, I’ll never know.”
“Did you see the passport he forged for you?” Knox asked. “It was under the name Sarah Qureshi. He was already pretending you were his wife. I’m thankful as hell we found you before that happened. If he’d hurt you—” Knox cut off, his voice choked.
“He didn’t,” Quinn said, sitting up straighter.
She felt strong for having survived what she did.
She was still in shock, she knew, and it would be an adjustment returning to her life back home, but she’d made it.
She’d survived. Now they just needed to make a hasty exit from Afghanistan, and she could put this whole thing behind her.
Quinn yawned, despite herself, exchanging another look with Knox.
“You should rest,” he said gently. “We’ll be out the door early in the morning, and I’m sure your body needs it after being terrorized by those assholes.”
“I’m tired, but I don’t think I can sleep,” she admitted. “I’m too wound up.”
“What if I sit next to you? Nothing inappropriate,” he added, teasing. “You’ll have to keep your hands to yourself.”
“Yes, sir,” she joked, and his eyes sparked with something unreadable. Quinn bit her lip, hesitating. “Okay,” she finally agreed. “Just for a few minutes. Then you’ll see that I can’t fall asleep.”
“Humor me,” he urged.
Knox stood, rearranging himself on the bed so he was leaning against the headboard, still sitting up. He tugged the covers down on the other side, and Quinn snuggled beneath, right beside him. Her head hit the pillow, and she let out another yawn, realizing she was even more tired than she thought.
“Lie down next to me,” she told him.
Quinn watched as he slid down, stretching out and resting his head on the pillow beside her.
Knox stayed on top of the covers, but she still felt close to him.
Safe. She could feel the warmth from his body, the strength emanating from his athletic frame, and she knew without a doubt that he’d never let anyone get through that door to harm her.
Even now, they were situated so that he was closest to it.
The guys might be out in the front room, but she had her own protective alpha male right here.
She tried not to think too hard that Knox was lying beside her in bed. In another time, in another place, she’d have imagined this scenario playing out very differently. Life was weird, but she was happy that he was the one here with her right now.
“Maybe I’ll close my eyes for a few minutes,” she murmured, drowsiness suddenly overtaking her.
“Yes. Sleep, sweetheart,” he said, briefly running a hand over her hair. She smiled, content for the first time in days. Maybe in forever. His voice was low and husky, soothing, and she shut her eyes, still listening to him quietly talk. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
***
“QUINN. QUINN,” KNOX murmured, gently rustling her. She bolted upright in bed, her heart racing.
“Shit. Sorry. It’s time to go, sweetheart. You’ve slept for hours, but we need to get ready to roll out.”
She stared at him groggily, everything slowly coming back. The room was dimly lit, but she could hear movement and voices out in the hallway. Everyone else was already making preparations to go. “Are you serious? I really slept for hours?”
He was studying her, his expression unreadable. “Yeah. You’ve been out since last night.”
“What time is it?”
“Oh three hundred.”
She blinked again, surprise washing over her. Quinn really hadn’t thought she’d be able to sleep at all. With Knox beside her, she’d been out almost instantly. “Okay,” she said, slowly standing up. “I need to grab my things from the bathroom.”
He nodded, and when she went inside, she realized he’d already packed up his toiletries. That meant he’d seen her black satin bra and panties hanging up. She flushed despite herself. They were in a foreign country, essentially on the run, and she was worried because Knox had seen her undergarments?
She stripped, putting them on, then quickly redressed in his clothes.
She had her own socks and shoes, at least. Quinn certainly wasn’t making a fashion statement at the moment, but she’d worry about that later.
Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she frowned.
Her face was pale, and she had dark circles beneath her eyes.
She didn’t have a brush, so she finger-combed her hair.
At least Adam hadn’t shaved her head or something.
He hadn’t liked the purple streak, but it was her.
She had no idea what he’d done with her eyebrow ring or multiple earrings, but those could easily be replaced.
As she walked back into the room, she could see Knox was already gearing up. He’d finished packing his rucksack and was putting on his boots. He looked every bit the hardened warrior, and a fresh bout of terror washed over her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, instantly sensing her mood.
“I’m just...scared.”
Knox immediately crossed the room toward her. “I know you are, but you can do this. You’ll be with me the entire time,” he said, drawing her into his embrace.
Surprise washed over her, followed by a surge of appreciation and want for this man.
He held her in his arms, kissing the top of her head like he’d done the night before.
She didn’t care if this was somewhat inappropriate given they were supposedly just colleagues.
Knox had found her, was comforting her like she was his.
An inexplicable thrill shot through her.
She was excited to get home and discover whatever was happening between them.
As for right now?
Quinn was ready to get the heck out of Kabul for good.
She pulled back, briefly meeting his gaze. Knox hadn’t shaved, and dark stubble coated his strong jaw. He looked good. Damn good. Quinn was disheveled from sleep, but Knox had that sexy, slightly rumpled vibe going for him. The man was hot no matter what he did. It was unfair, really.
“Are you ready to do this?” he asked quietly.
“Do I have a choice?” she joked.
“This will be the easy part. You already survived on your own. Now, you’ve got all of Bravo Team to safely escort you back to U.S. soil.”
“Then let’s do this,” she agreed, but she still clutched onto him, nervous.
His eyes softened. Knox shocked the hell out of her by slowly leaning forward and pressing his lips to her forehead.
It was tender. Sweet. For being a somewhat quiet, gruff man, he could be surprisingly attuned to her.
His big hand ran over her hair, his breath whispering across her skin.
“I promise you’re safe with me,” he swore, his voice husky and low.
Something swelled within her chest. Appreciation. Gratitude. Love. Knox was always watchful of her, aware in a way that surprised her.
“You kids ready to go?” Boone called out, hustling down the hall.