Tucker shot him a nasty glare. “I could have used that information sooner, Rick. Then I would have known to change the algorithm before now.”
“Fuck. I didn’t think. I was too busy being worried about Quinn.” Rick stood and paced the room furiously, alternating between rubbing the back of his neck and swearing under his breath. Being this emotionally involved was causing him to make mistakes. But he couldn’t change the fact that he loved Quinn and wanted to protect her.
He wanted to end this man’s life so badly his body was actually humming with need. Rick was really regretting his promise to Quinn— more than he thought he would. He was contemplating killing the man anyway, devising of ways to keep Quinn from finding out.
The three men spun around when Mack poked his head in from the hallway. “I’ve got everyone out here. Why don’t you join us and tell us what you’ve found.”
“I’ll take Quinn upstairs. She shouldn’t hear any of this. She saw the images but doesn’t know where they were taken. I don’t want her to know he’s still nearby. Wait for me to get back before starting.”
Mack nodded and left the room.
It took some prodding and gentle words, but Rick finally got Quinn to let him take her to her apartment and put her in bed, where she was so exhausted, she fell asleep almost immediately. Rick brushed a strand of her long dark hair back from her face, admiring her strength but hating the toll it was taking. Where there was once a radiant, healthy woman, was a pale, gaunt looking girl. The circles under her eyes were almost purple, tiny lines framed them where the skin used to be smooth. Rick clenched his fists, more determined than ever to have his revenge.
By the time he got back to the gym, his coworkers were gathered in the training area, arguing over what their next move should be.
Rick noticed Mack standing off to the side, alone, appearing to be deep in thought. He’d been doing that a lot lately.
“Hey chief. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
The older man rubbed at the grey stubble on his chin, looking thoughtfully around the room. “Everyone here would kill for her, you know.”
Rick paused, uncertain where Mack was going with this. “Yes,” he said slowly. “I know that.”
“Good,” Mack said. He strode over to the group of men and whistled loudly for their attention. “Gear up! We’re going to canvass the four-block area around the ATM and parking garage. I expect to each of you to report your status to Tucker every fifteen minutes. It’s daylight, so keep the weapons light people. No need to frighten innocent citizens. L
et’s move!” His rough, commanding bark made the former soldiers move quickly.
Rick stood in the gym as his teammates filed out, unsure what to do. He promised Quinn he wouldn’t kill Travis. If he went out there with his team, he couldn’t make any guarantees. He didn’t know what he would do when it came down to it. If he could restrain from doing whatever he had to do, even if it cost him her love.
“Ricochet.”
Mack put his large hand on Rick’s shoulder as he said his name. “She’s like a daughter to me, Rick. Trust me when I say I’ll do what it takes to get that piece of shit ex of hers.” Rick looked Mack in the eyes. They were steady and unwavering, his scarred face as serious as he’d ever seen it. “I’ll stay here with Tucker and watch her, you go with the guys.”
“But Quinn—”
“Go.” Mack patted his shoulder, pushing him gently in the direction of the locker room. “You need to do this for you. You’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t.”
“Yeah. Yeah. You’re right. Thanks, Mack.”
“Just get that motherfucker, Rick. The world will be a better place without him.”
Before Rick could answer, Mack turned and headed for his office.
I hope I don’t regret this… Who the fuck am I kidding? I can’t wait to get my hands on that piece of shit.
Rick pushed open the door to the locker room, gearing up with his teammates. They were in the SUV pulling out of the parking lot so quickly, he didn’t have time for any doubts. All he could think of was his hands around Travis’ neck.
“I can’t believe this,” Quinn muttered as she walked around her apartment, chewing her thumbnail down to a stub.
“Quinn, you need to relax. I told you, most likely, if they find him they’ll turn him in to the authorities.”
She twisted her head around to glare at Mara. After calling her best friend in a moment of sheer panic, Mara had dropped everything to come over immediately. Right now, Mara was sitting on Quinn’s couch, acting as if she didn’t have a care in the world. It didn’t seem to matter to her that Rick was breaking his promise or that his men— including her husband— were about to commit murder.
“How can I relax?” Quinn walked into the kitchen to grab something to eat. She opened the refrigerator and without looking at the contents, slammed it shut in disgust. “Don’t you care that they’re hunting down a man in a populated city in the middle of the day?”
“Come here, sit next to me.” Mara patted the couch cushion.
She pouted, but did as her friend said, dropping dramatically onto the seat.