Page 60 of Trusting Her Bear

I lay in the closet, waiting for Quinn to return from throwing our take-out containers away. We ate on the floor in mostly silence. It wasn’t uncomfortable. Being with Quinn is easy—he makes it easy. But now is the time to open up more about my life. I also have more questions about who he thinks is sending the messages.

“Who are Kade and Cash?” I ask him as he steps inside the door.

“They work for me behind the scenes,” he answers, dropping beside me.

“You called them to protect me?”

“Yes. They didn’t have a job at the moment. They are the best, or I thought they were before today; now I have my doubts,” he grumbles. He props his head on his hand when he turns. His body barely touches my side but still affects me deeply.

“My sister is a force,” I say and get lost in his crooked smile.

“I get that feeling.” I runs his finger down my nose. “Tell me.” I fall into the warmth and openness of his eyes.

“My mom doesn’t understand me,” I whisper. “The three of us are the only women in the family, and she was thrilled when she had two girls. I am ten years older than Gabby, and I think Mom was relieved when she had Gabby; as she grew up, her personality grew with her. I love Gabby. She is the best sister and has never treated anyone with anything but kindness. Mom has a similar personality.” I curl my body, turning toward him and staring at his neck. “I was quiet. I was calm. I didn’t get excited about makeup or clothes. I liked school and getting good grades.”

“I would think that would be an admirable trait,” he says.

“They told me they were proud, but I didn’t always feel it. I am the responsible one. Gabby is the life of the party. She can talk to anyone and make friends easily.” I fiddle with the button on his shirt. “Mom just couldn’t relate to me. She wasn’t a bad mom. She loved me, gave me hugs, and expressed her love with words. We didn’t click in most ways.”

“It hurt you,” he says.

“Yes. Sometimes, I can’t find the words. I would try to force myself, and it would backfire. I would say something silly that hit wrong, and it would make me revert into myself. The men in my family are quiet, too, but she didn’t care about that. It was unfair. Gabby knew how I felt—she is very empathetic. So she would try to make up for it and not put me in the position I had to pretend.” I pat the button and drop my hand.

“She loves you.”

“Yes, and I love her desperately. She is sunshine. She has been suffocated by our mom, though. Mom has used her like a crutch against the men in the family. They have many things in common and Mom doesn’t have any close friends. I feel bad. I want her to move here. I would love to have her around, but I’m afraid my mom won’t let her go easily.”

“She is an adult,” he points out.

“But her big heart will melt if my mom complains or protests.”

“We can help.”

“I hope so. I want her to find herself. I know she craves independence, and she deserves to live her life for herself.”

“Are you close to your dad?”

“If you mean we share an eye-roll once in a while, yes. If you mean long talks, no. We got along, and he loves me. We have a mutual respect and need quiet.”

“Have you talked to them since you got here?”

“I sent a text to my brother and uncles. They worry more than my parents do, or they did before. I talked to my mom once while I was traveling here. I know all of them were worried when I disappeared. I had never seen my mom so worked up when I got back. I think it woke them up, and they realized I could have died. She was glued to my side constantly after that. She didn’t want me to move and has been texting me constantly since I arrived. I’m afraid if Gabby moves here, she will lose it. She finally got me back, and now her other daughter wants to leave.” I scoot closer to him. “She is dependent on Gabby.”

“That doesn’t seem fair,” Quinn says.

“It’s not, but Gabby understands and hates to disappoint people.” I look over my shoulder at my phone after it buzzes. I decide to ignore it when Quinn’s phone rings.

“Fuck,” he says, reaching for it. “Sorry, Little Cub, it’s Kade.” He presses a button and puts it to his ear. “What?”

“You need to come to your office,” Kade says. I can hear his voice speaking clearly.

“Why?” Quinn sits up quickly, alert.

“Someone wrote a message on the front of it.”

“Shit.” He looks at me. “We’ll be there soon.” He cuts off the connection and slips the phone into his pocket. “I don’t want you left alone.”

“Alright.” I don’t argue. I grab my phone, glancing at the message as we leave the closet. I freeze in the doorway of the bedroom. “Quinn,” I say, a tremble in my voice. He stops, and I hand him my phone.

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