Extraction Point (Ricochet 3)

“You can sit in while I brief Mack and the team tomorrow morning at ten. See what it involves,” Tucker called out as Quinn left the room.

“I’ll be there.” She waved good-bye over her head and crossed the gym. Quinn caught Xavier’s attention and waited patiently by the door while he ran to the locker room before joining her in the lobby. Even though this was the third day in a row that one of the guys escorted her upstairs, seeing a large, loaded firearm in their hand reminded her that she was still in very real danger.

“Let’s go, Quinn.” Xavier went first, scanning the area carefully like the professional warrior he was trained to be. Nodding, she trailed on his heels as they scaled the stairs to her small apartment. Once there, Quinn unlocked the door for Xavier, waiting for his signal that it was okay to follow him inside.

“It’s clear. See you tomorrow morning, Quinn. Is nine okay?” Xav’s dark eyes and kind expression made her feel more relaxed, but did nothing to heal the gaping hole left by her wayward soldier.

“Yes. Nine.” She was exhausted, mentally and physically. All she wanted was to see Rick, to clear the air between them. Selfishly, Quinn needed him and he wasn’t here for her. More importantly, he wouldn’t let her be there for him. She understood that he was angry, that he felt confined when she forced his hand with Travis. If he would just call or show up they could discuss it like adults.

Quinn stripped and climbed into bed and just like every night over the last three days, she didn’t cry before going falling to sleep, the blissful numbness still helping to keep her emotions shuttered up tight.

Rick flicked through the different keys on his keychain, struggling to find the correct one. With no moon to brighten the night sky, it was nearly pitch black outside the door, making his task near impossible.

Cursing, it took him three tries to finally get the correct key into the lock. Rick needed to speak to Quinn, he knew it. He reacted badly the other day— okay, so he was an asshole. Who’s perfect? At least the five days he spent with his brother gave him time to think about everything. After seeing what a normal, healthy relationship was, it led Rick to come to the conclusion that above all else, he had to be with Quinn. No matter the cost.

As Rick unlocked the bolt and pushed open the door, entering the dark foyer, he knew that getting some distance, leaving town, had helped him prioritize his life. Unfortunately, priority number one was currently aiming a very large handgun at his head.

“Whoa! Doll, it’s me. Please put the gun down.”

Rick stood motionless in Quinn’s apartment, cautiously eyeing the gun that dwarfed her small hand. His heart nearly stopped at the impossible image in front of him. Tiny Quinn, amber eyes wide and frightened, her arms trembling as she held up the dull, black pistol.

“Rick?” The relief in her voice nearly brought him to his knees.

“Yes, doll. Please… lower the gun.”

A sob hitched in her chest as her shaking hands came down. She dropped the gun onto the couch and collapsed into his arms.

“God I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you like that. I had the guys watching over you but… you must have been terrified.” Rick pulled her close, closing his eyes to enjoy the feel of Quinn’s body against him. Such a fucking shithead, leaving Quinn to deal not only with a psychotic ex-husband stalking her, but his chilling outburst followed by days of silence.

“You’re here now.” Quinn clutched at his clothing, pressing herself so tightly against Rick that it felt as if she were trying to climb inside him.

“I am here. I’ll never leave you again, doll.”

“But you did leave me,” she whispered, releasing his shirt and taking a hesitant step back. “Where were you?”

The anguish on her beautiful face cut into him like a knife, slicing his heart into tattered ribbons.

“I—I needed time away. I was so angry, Quinn.” Rick didn’t know how to explain why he had gone without upsetting her further. He already knew it was a douche move. No need to make it any worse.

Naturally, Quinn wouldn’t accept his pathetic explanation.

“Angry with me, you mean.” Her full lips turned into a frown.

This was not going well. Taking her hand, Rick guided her over to the couch, pulling her down to sit next to him. Starved for contact, he kept their hands intertwined, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand as he tried to clarify why he was a total jackass.

“Not angry with you—” he winced, “well, kind of, but not.” Her frown got deeper, small furrows lining her forehead. “I’m not saying it right. I was pissed that I didn’t get my hands on Travis. In the moment, yes… I was angry th

at I couldn’t shoot him, take him out like the piece of shit he is. But—” Rick squeezed her hand, bringing it up to his lips to press a small kiss on her knuckles. He heard the sharp intake of breath pass through her lips and smiled against her hand. “But after taking the time to think… really think about what you said, I decided you were right.

“So yes. Originally I was angry at you for stopping me from killing your ex.” Quinn’s face twisted into one of anguish and it killed him to see her in such pain. Rick tugged her closer, their lips only inches away. “But I’m so glad you did, doll. You shouldn’t be okay with waking up next to a murderer. You’re way too good for that. And I want to wake up to you, Quinn. Every fucking day.”

“I’m not better than you, Rick,” Quinn murmured, squirming on the couch as Rick continued kissing her knuckles, turning over her hand to brush his mouth across her palm, down to her wrist.

“Still, gunning down a man in the back, no matter how I justify it, isn’t right. You deserve someone better than that.” Rick moved closer to Quinn, their knees bumping together gently. He let go of her hand so he could sweep back a stray piece of hair that had fallen over her face. Rick let his hand linger, tracing his finger down the shell of her ear, over the soft skin of her cheek until he used it to nudge her chin up towards him.

“You’re more than I deserve, Rick. More than I ever thought I could have.”

He dropped his gaze to her mouth, those full red lips begging to be kissed. Hearing a small moan escape from her throat, Rick knew she was just as affected. He lowered his mouth to hers, and his entire world burned red from the heat.