Quinn (The Beck Brothers 3)

Quinn wove his way through the cars in the parking lot as he started towards the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was taking place. He was sure everyone was still there because he caught sight of Henry’s car and Sebastian’s truck. Quinn just stepped out from between the cars and into the driving lane of the parking lot when the restaurant door opened and his family and Raelynn’s family poured out. He froze when he saw Margot among them. He didn’t expect her to be here, but his family must have not wanted her to be alone. He stood there in the pouring rain staring at the love of his life.

Margot just happened to be the first one to spot him, too. She did a double take before taking a couple of hesitant steps out from under the awning that covered the front door. The rain immediately drenched her, but she didn’t seem to notice. She burst into tears and ran for him. Quinn stayed where he was and waited for her to reach him. She threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms and legs around him. Quinn held her, tucking his face in her neck. Shit, he missed her so much, and being away from her made him realize just how much he loved her and needed her in his life.

Margot relinquished her hold on him and stared up at him for a moment, her mascara running in streaks of black down her cheeks from her tears and the rain. Then out of nowhere, she slapped him hard across the face and started screaming at him. “HOW DARE YOU LEAVE AND NOT TELL ANYONE!” Another slap. “HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME? I THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING HAPPENED TO YOU!” Another slap, which was even harder than the first.

Quinn was so shocked that Margot was hitting him that he didn’t even trying to stop her. She continued her yelling in French because she was obviously too upset to think in English. She started pounding her fists on his chest and shoved him a couple of times. Quinn didn’t know what to do, so he just let her go. He let her take her frustrations out on him because he deserved it - every smack, punch and shove. She was soaked to the bone, her hair was plastered to her head and shoulders, and her dress clung to her curves; she was the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes on.

Christian came up and grabbed her. “Margot! Margot, calm down,” he soothed and pulled her into his arms. She completely broke down and started sobbing as she clung to his shirt.

Quinn tore his eyes away from her just in time to see Henry’s fist coming at him. He didn’t have time to duck or block it as it connected with his cheek. Pain exploded through Quinn’s face as his head snapped back. He stumbled and fell to the ground, landing on his ass in a puddle. Holy shit, Henry hit hard! Quinn saw stars as he rolled to his hands and knees. He blinked a few times and shook his head to try to clear it. A hand firmly grabbed his bicep and yanked him back to his feet. He was suddenly face to face with a very livid Henry. He expected Sebastian to be the one to hit him, not Henry!

“Don’t you ever fucking pull that shit again. You hear me, asshole? If you need to get away, you fucking tell somebody,” he snarled, his green eyes flashing furiously.

“I’m sorry,” Quinn said hoarsely.

“Hey! Shit-for-brains! We have the goddamn police out looking for you!” Sebastian yelled as he stormed over.

“Please don’t hit me again,” Quinn said, holding his hands up in front of him to ward Sebastian off.

“If you didn’t have to look half decent for my wedding tomorrow I would definitely be punching you in your fucking mouth,” Sebastian snapped and shoved Quinn in the shoulder.

“You really scared the shit out of us, Quinn,” Christian said tightly as he rubbed Margot’s trembling back. Quinn didn’t like seeing Margot in Christian’s arms but he knew she was too upset to be in his right now.

“Quinn! Oh my god, where have you been?” came his mother’s frantic voice as she shouldered his brothers out of the way.

Anne hugged him and kissed him, and hugged him again. His father was next to hug him, but he also threatened him before they all decided to move out of the rain. They all walked over to the front of the restaurant where the large awning was. Quinn got a few more hugs, and some handshakes, before his mother asked her question again.

“Where have you been?”

“I was in Lancaster staying at a bed and breakfast. I needed to be alone to get my head back on straight,” Quinn replied quietly.