Page 51 of Sultry Nights

"It was me. I'm the one who told her…oh no." She ran her hands down her cheeks. "I'm the one who told her I had a friend who got divorced, and her husband owned a business, and she took him back to court and got a percentage of his business in perpetuity. I'm so sorry. It's my fault. It's my fault she's taking you back to court."

Quinn swallowed as his heart hammered in his chest. He wasn't sure if Tisha was using Hanna or if it had been a happenstance thing. But something was definitely weird about this whole situation.

He reached his right hand up and cupped the side of her face. He smoothed his thumb over her cheekbone softly.

"Hanna, don't worry about it. It's not like you were trying to harm me in any way. You were just trying to help someone you thought was your friend. It's okay. It's all going to be just fine. However, it works out is how it works out. I'll deal with that, and you don't need to worry about it."

He took a deep breath and huffed it out. "In the meantime, how about this? How about if we go to my house for the night and stay there? I have security. No one can get onto the premises. Hopefully, you'll be able to sleep a little bit better knowing that you're safe there. Would that be alright with you?"

"Her eyes welled with tears and she sniffed daintily. "Are you sure? I wouldn't blame you if you were upset."

He shook his head. "I'm not upset."

"I would feel more comfortable at your place if you're sure."

"Honey, that's it. No more sorrys. It's okay. I know you weren't trying to harm me. You were just trying to help somebody. And that's fine. The bottom line is this. If I owe her money, I owe her money, and I'll pay it. But I don't want you worrying about it anymore. But know this. If you want to remain friends with Tisha, feel free to do that. But know that she's very manipulative. She's very conniving."

"Do you think she knew when she invited me over for lunch a few days ago that you and I were seeing each other? I mean, we had already had a date. She could have found out."

"I'm not sure about that. But don't worry about it. We'll find all that out in due time. For right now, do you need to go in and pack a bag?"

"Um, yeah." She let out a breath. "Yeah. If you don't mind, come in with me, please."

"I will, honey."

They entered the house and he could tell she was a little freaked out. He said, "Just stay right here. Let me check the house out."

He walked through the house to make sure there was no one in it. It was a small little bungalow so didn't take long. As he checked the bathroom, he noticed his former bathroom vanity was put in place. He just shook his head. What a weird set of situations this was.

He moved back to the living room. "All is fine, hon. Why don't you go ahead and pack your bag? I'll just wait out here for you."

Hanna moved down the hall. He watched her until she disappeared into the bedroom. Then he looked around at the items lying on the floor. He recognized the flooring, which he had ordered for Tisha's house. It wasn't much and would likely be enough to finish Hanna's living room and hallway.

He checked out the windows in the living room and didn't notice anyone driving by or sitting outside. That was a good thing. And, not for one minute did he think Tisha would make those calls. He wasn't sure why she followed them tonight or how she knew where he was. But he would find out.

27

Quinn opened the door for Hanna, and she stepped into his home. It was beautiful and had a masculine feel to it. Lots of brick and dark wood and leather. He closed and locked the door behind them, then set her bag on the floor near the door. He took her hand in his and led her to the first room past the kitchen.

"This is my office. I want to show you this."

He sat in the large leather chair behind the desk and shook his computer mouse. The monitor came to life. He entered his password, then clicked on a little blue icon.

"This is my security system."

A bunch of little squares populated the screen, each with a scene around the outside of his house.

"If someone breaks the plane of the cameras at the end of the driveway," he pointed to the square that showed the driveway, "I get a message on my phone, and the computer in here chimes, and the camera begins recording."

He pointed to the front door camera, the back door camera, and the Florida room camera. "All exits and entrances are covered. Plus, these additional cameras are monitoring the yard in the back and the fields."

She swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked at the cameras. It sure seemed secure.

"Are you paranoid?"

He laughed from deep in his belly. "I suppose it looks like it. But no. It's just that we had some trouble in town last year when an outlaw biker gang rolled in. So I installed these cameras for Sid and Grace, Jace, and myself. That gang was raising all kinds of hell and were especially targeting Sid and Grace because Sid refused to work on their bikes."

"Oh, wow. I hadn't heard about that."

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