Page 76 of Trusting Her Bear

We walk through the doorway, and Quinn growls.

They cut the mattress like the couch. Everything is ruined. I look toward the closet, and my knees almost give out. My clothes are all over the floor in scraps, along with the blankets.

My feet are glued to the floor, not because of the destruction, but by the message written on the door that was ripped off and is now leaning against the wall.

“He’s going to put you back in a cage.” Under the words is a drawing of a cage.

My breath leaves me but comes back fast, and my vision tunnels.

No.

“Steph.” Quinn steps in front of me, and my wild eyes can’t focus on his face.

“No, no, no…” My chest is heavy. The bars of the cage mock me. The clang of them closing, rings, causing me to cover my ears.

“Steph,” Quinn says urgently.

“I can’t.” I shake my head violently. I take a step back. The smell of the sweat from the shifters locked up beside me begins to flood my nose.

“Baby,” Quinn says, taking a step and eliminating the space I created.

“No…” I say weakly.

“Little Cub,” he snaps, and my eyes fly to his. “I want you to listen to me,” he demands, his voice deep. “Are you listening?”

“Yes.” I focus on his voice.

“I’m going to pick you up. You will hold me tight. I will take care of everything.” He quickly gathers me in his arms, and I wrap my legs and arms around him. “Close your eyes.” I do. “Tuck your face in my neck.” I press my lips to his neck. His arm supports me. “Kade, pack anything that isn’t ruined and bring it outside.” He moves, but I keep my eyes closed. “Cash, I need you to drive,” I hear him say distantly. I concentrate on the feel of him against me. “I need you. I don’t give a shit, Micah.” I feel the air change. I push closer when I hear the car door open, not wanting to be separated from my mate. “I’m not going anywhere,” Quinn assures me, and continues to hold me when he sits.

He pets my hair. “I have to make more calls, Little Cub; hang on for me.” I nod slightly. “Heath, when you get this message, get your ass back here.”

“Daddy,” I whisper.

“Yeah, Little Cub.”

“Where are we going?”

“Home. We are going to my home. Our home now.” He grabs the back of my neck. “You will be safe. Do you believe me?”

“Yes, Daddy. Safe with Daddy.” I exhale. Daddy would never allow me to be put back in a cage.

Chapter Sixteen

Quinn

Ihave to use every ounce of control to keep my claws from coming out. My bear is growling in my head, ready to kill whoever scared our mate. I shouldn’t have allowed her to come upstairs, but I didn’t know a cage would be drawn on the door. I didn’t know how bad it would be. I never want to be the one to hold her back from doing something she needs to do. I should have. I will live with that regret just like many others.

Cash stops the car in front of my house. “Check the house,” I order. He doesn’t hesitate. I dial my phone again.

“What’s up?” Las answers.

“The bakery was broken into,” I say. “It wasn’t damaged. The apartment was the target. I need everyone on this. I need everyone to work with me to catch this motherfucker,” I snarl. Steph tenses, so I lower my voice, attempting to display some calm that I don’t feel. “I brought Steph to my house. Cash will be here patrolling.”

“Fuck,” Las says, and I hear Breeane in the background.

“I am taking care of her. She is with me. She didn’t handle it well, but she will be fine.” I grit my teeth but force the words out. “Will you bring Breeane here?”

“Of course, we are leaving now,” Las says.

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