She ran her eyes over every man in Sanctum’s conference room. Ben Price, the kind, unassuming man, was dressed from head to toe in black, looking like some kind of lethal ninja. Clint, her best friend’s husband, was agitated and angry, the tight white T-shirt he had on overshadowed by the leather double shoulder holster strapped around him. The shiny black and chrome grips of two very large handguns were clearly visible under his bulky biceps.
As she continued around the table, she noticed every man in similar gear—armed, ready, and most definitely willing to do battle for her. She felt like the only human standing on the top of Mount Olympus, surrounded by gods with innumerable powers.
“I’m…” she rubbed her head, feeling dizzy. “I—I…” Quinn jumped to her feet. “I need a minute.” She dashed out of the room and across the hall. Grabbing a bottle of water out of the break room fridge, Quinn chugged half of it while standing in front of the open refrigerator.
This is too much. A man I’ve known my whole life… Clint, Rick… they kill people for a living.
Quinn’s heart sped up and panic flooded her body. The reality of everything hit her. Her husband wants to kill her, her boyfriend wants to kill her husband, her dad’s oldest friend runs illegal covert operations… what next? She bent over, putting her hands on her knees and letting her head hang as she caught her breath.
Someone entered the room, closing the door. She felt him come up alongside her, knowing it was Rick just by listening to the way he moved and catching a whiff of his masculine scent.
“Quinn…” He leaned on the counter next to her, gently rubbing her back.
“I can’t, Rick. I can’t sit in there right now. I need time to think.”
“I understand.” He took her arm and pulled her upright, hugging her to his broad chest. She felt calmer instantly, safe in his familiar hold. Rick’s heartbeat was steady and strong in her ear. His presence may be intimidating to others, and he may have killed a lot of people, but for Quinn he was a balm for her shredded psyche.
“I’ll take you upstairs and get caught up with the guys later. Wait here and let me tell Mack.” She nodded. “I won’t let him get you again, doll. You did great out there, fighting him off.” He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss, his hands coming up to cup her face. “I’ll kill him before he ever gets his hands on you again.” Rick’s eyes flashed with fury right before he pressed one more kiss to her lips, turned, and left the room.
Quinn thought about what Rick said. “I’ll kill him before he ever gets his hands on you again.” She shivered, knowing he was dead serious, and maybe that scared her just as much as Travis did.
Rick lay next to Quinn on her bed, staring at the ceiling fan as it slowly rotated.
“No.”
He twisted his head to watch Quinn as she spoke in her sleep. He was used to her nightmares, some of which came with talking— or even screaming— throughout the night. He was no stranger to them himself, having woken up dozens of times in a pool of his own sweat.
Lying on her side, facing Rick, Quinn’s soft features scrunched up as if in pain.
“No!”
Her breathing became erratic, huffing out between her full lips. Just like every night for the last three weeks, Rick tried to soothe her while she slept. He couldn’t stop the nightmares, or erase what horrors this innocent girl had faced, but he could try to ease her out of them when they occurred.
Rick skimmed his fingers over her hair, gently stroking the silky strands, hoping his touch would relax her.
“Stop! Stop!”
The agitation was becoming worse. Quinn fisted the sheets, clawing at them frantically.
“It’s okay, doll,” Rick whispered, his heart breaking for the beautiful, damaged girl he loved. “Shhhhh.” His hand moved lower, caressing her arm.
“Rick.”
His attention went back to her face, certain that she must have woken up to address him, but he found her eyes were still closed.
“Rick, no! Don’t!”
What?
“Quinn.” Rick spoke louder, hoping to ease her from the dream gradually.
“Don’t kill him. Rick, no!”
Fuck, she’s dreaming that her bastard ex killed me.
“Quinn! Doll, wake up!”
Rick was starting to lose it. It was bad enough that Quinn was abused and kidnapped by a complete psycho. She didn’t need nightmares of him being killed by the asshole on top of everything else she was suffering through.