39. Xander
Xander
AS LONG AS YOU TELL THEM YOU’RE MINE
“Xander Savage. Quinn belongs to me. She seems to think you’re a nice guy, which I’ll decide later. If you touch her or even look at her in a way I don’t like, best case, I ruin your entire fucking life. Most likely scenario, you die a painful, agonizing death. Any questions?”
I’ve met Josh before. He’s a nice guy. Nice, and easy on the eyes.
He makes a lot of money bartending because he’s good at it, and he’s a fucking flirt.
I have no doubt he has one-night stands with customers all the time.
A lot of our single employees who just want to have fun do.
And as long as they aren’t creating drama in our establishments, we look the other way.
Quinn is a different story.
She’s mine.
Josh stares at me, and I’m barely aware there’s a crowd of people in front of us, watching. It’s unlikely any of them heard what I said with all the background noise of the slot machines, but they know this isn’t a friendly exchange.
After a long moment, he slowly nods. “I hear you loud and clear.”
I look him up and down once more before I take a step back. We’ll likely be sued for this. My brothers are going to have a fucking field day.
“Xander,” Josh says when I turn around to leave.
I look back at him, meeting his glare.
“Quinn’s one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever known. Don’t hurt her like that asshole did. She deserves someone who will treat her like a princess.”
Well, well, well.
Maybe Josh isn’t so bad, after all. He just earned a little respect from me. Good for him.
“I know she does. I’m not going to be treating her like a princess, though. I’m going to treat her like the queen that she is. My queen.”
Then I stalk off toward Quinn, who has been watching as intently as possible during our exchange while also trying to serve customers. She’s at the cash register, tapping on the screen, when I walk up beside her.
“I don’t give a fuck what you tell people, as long as you tell them you’re mine.” I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead. “I have to leave for a while. I’ll be back to get you when you’re off work.”
Quinn looks up at me with her wide doe eyes, her lips a perfect shade of cherry red, and if I weren’t so possessive of her, I’d fuck her over the side of the bar.
She can look as sexy as she wants when she’s working, but the only person who will ever see her pussy and tits again is me.
I’m the only one who gets to hear her cries.
She’s mine. I may not have a heart to give, but I’m going to make it up to her somehow.
“I can get a rideshare home. Don’t worry about me,” she answers.
I stare at her for a second, then take in a deep breath to calm myself.
“That’s where you’re wrong, baby. You will not take a rideshare anywhere.
Ever again. My entire existence these past couple of weeks has been worrying about you.
I suggest you get used to this. And if I catch you getting in the car with a stranger, I will paddle your ass. It’s not safe.”
Then I pat her butt and press a kiss to her temple. “Be good. I’ll see you later. You look beautiful, by the way. I can’t wait to have those red lips wrapped around my cock tonight before we go to bed. Together.”
Her small gasp makes me smile before I walk away from her and head toward the valet.
Time to go find some people.
“So, how does Quinn like her bodyguard?” Cash asks with a smirk.
Of course he’s going to give me shit. The three of us gave him all kinds of crap when he was acting psycho with Jordyn. He fucking kidnapped her, though. I’ve only done some light stalking.
“She doesn’t understand why she needs one, but she didn’t throw a fit. Although from the update I got from Roman, she has been more vocal toward him about it. I’ll talk to her later.” I shrug.
It’s for her own protection.
I raise my set of binoculars to my eyes, checking for movement inside the home.
“Lights are going off.” Warmth swirls inside me. It won’t be long now.
“Who is this guy?” Beckett asks from the back seat as he watches behind his own scope.
“Eddie Larson. He’s the drug dealer who was willing to rape Quinn in exchange for forgiving her mother’s crack debt eight years ago.
” Clenching my jaw, I reach for the bottle of whiskey we’ve been slowly passing around.
“Quinn got away, but there have been multiple charges against him over the years.”
“I’m starting to feel like we’re fucking vigilantes or something,” Beckett says with a smirk as he takes the bottle from me.
I laugh. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, bro. I’m doing this because Quinn is mine.”
The inside of the SUV falls silent. Even Cash stops chewing on the toothpick he uses in place of a cigarette when we’re doing shit like this.
Torture and murder are the best times to smoke and drink.
How else are we supposed to celebrate killing someone who deserved it?
Cash gave up smoking cold turkey a few months ago.
Some bullshit about wanting to live longer to spend more time with Jordyn.
“Yours? As in…?” Kian finally asks.
“As in, she’s mine. I thought I could control it.
I thought I could pull away. That I would want to pull away after we fucked.
” Slowly, I bring my fingers up to my face and pinch the bridge of my nose.
“I’m buying a house. Then, I’m moving her in with me.
Whatever she wants, I’ll give it to her, but she’s mine. ”
Cash reaches over and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Welcome to the club, man. I’m so glad to have you here.”
Beckett laughs. “Hold on. You said it like she’s not aware that any of this is in her future. Does she not know you’re about to kidnap her and hold her against her will?”
My chest tightens, and I reach for the bottle. “Not yet. She’s going to, though.”
“You’re in love with her,” Kian says thoughtfully.
The tightness grows into pain, and I take a long pull of whiskey, enjoying the burn as it goes down.
Love isn’t in the cards for me.
Quinn is going to have to settle for what I can offer.
Unfortunately, my heart isn’t part of the package.
“Let’s go take care of this asshole. I have other shit to do.”
Like watching my girl during the last couple of hours of her shift while looking through the photos the realtor emailed me.
We sit in silence and pass around the whiskey bottle, watching as firefighters spray down the home.
There was no point in dragging the guy to our warehouse.
His own home was the perfect setup for a fire that will be ruled an accident.
Honestly, it’s a fucking miracle the bastard’s place didn’t blow up before now with the drug lab he had in there. Jesus.
“Who’s next?” Kian asks, his voice dark but laced with amusement.
“The director of her mother’s care facility. I need to figure out what to do with her mom first.”
I’ve never killed a woman before, but I want to. Quinn’s mom failed her. She chose drugs, alcohol, and men over her daughter. How can any parent do that? It makes me sick to picture what my sunshine had to endure.
Somehow, though, Quinn has some compassion for her mom.
I also get the feeling Quinn carries some guilt over the situation.
She still loves her even though the woman put her through hell.
I don’t understand why, but it’s not for me to decide how my girl feels.
My job is to support her and protect her. To do whatever makes her happy.
“Can I shower at your house?” I ask Cash.
“You going back to work?” He starts the SUV.
“Yeah. Gotta keep things running smoothly.” I shrug and check my phone for any notifications.
My brothers all laugh.
“Right. It has nothing to do with Quinn being at work.” Kian shoves my shoulder playfully, and a warm feeling settles over me.
It has everything to do with Quinn.
Even though I know she’s working, I type out a message.
Xander: I miss you.
When the delivered message turns to read, I watch and wait for the three dots to appear. Seconds pass, and my brothers are already talking about something else in the background, but I don’t hear their words.
Why isn’t she texting back?
I’m about to send Roman a message to check she’s okay when my phone vibrates in my palm.
Quinn: I miss you too. I’m super busy, though.
Xander: Quit your job, then you can just be with me all the time so we don’t have to text.
Quinn: …
Xander: That isn’t an answer, sunshine.
Quinn: Daddy… I’m not quitting my job.
I love and hate that answer all at the same time. One of the things I respect most about Quinn is how strong and independent she is. She won’t ever be the woman who depends on me financially. Even if I want her to. Even if I want her to be able to let go and know that I’ll take care of her.
Compromise isn’t my strong point, but for her, I’m going to try.
Xander: Fine... You win. For now. Be good. I’ll see you soon.
Quinn: I’ll see you soon.
Something in the center of my chest flutters.
I’m not sure how or when, but this sweet, soft, amazing woman has healed something inside me in the short time we’ve known each other.
She’s mended my shattered heart and made it beat again.