Page 117 of Fix You

“Cursing and drinking now, eh? Where did my innocent little sister go?”

Amusement faded from my face as my eyes darkened. “She died a long time ago.”

He winced. “I’m sorry I said that, Mae.”

“It’s okay. We’ve both had our traumas.”

“Regardless, the last thing I would ever do is hurt you.”

“I know that, Quinnie.”

With a mirthless laugh, he replied, “But you know what? Maybe you shouldn’t trust me. I mean, I say I would never, ever hurt people, and then I do.”

I furrowed my brows at him. “What’s really happened?”

“I’ll tell you over a pint.”

I nodded. “There’s a decent pub just up the street. Fancy a walk?”

“Yes, the air would be nice.”

“One sec,” I said. Turning around, I found Nolan at the back of the car. “We’re going to grab a quick pint.”

“That’s fine, Ms. Kavanaugh. I’ll follow behind you.”

“Thanks, Nolan.”

As Quinn and I started walking to the pub, silence hung heavy around us. “Did something happen with Isla?” I asked.

“Who were you all smiles with on the phone just now?”

Warmth flushed my cheeks. Under normal circumstances I might’ve shared a little about my love life, but Quinn wasn’t getting one word that might divulge my relationship with Rafe. “None of your business.”

“So it was a man.”

I jerked my chin defiantly at him. “I asked you a question first.”

“Does this man know who you are?”

“We’re not talking about me. It’s you who mysteriously appeared, saying you hurt people when you don’t mean to.” Lowering my voice, I added, “Since we both know hurting people is part of your job, I’m to assume that it means you’ve hurt a certain woman you care about very much.”

“You’re too smart for your own good, Mae.” With a grin, Quinn held open the pub’s door. We swept inside and took a seat at a booth in a far corner.

After a waitress came and took our order, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Out with it.”

“I’m in love with Isla.”

“Oh Quinnie, that’s wonderful.”

“She left me.”

“No!” I exclaimed.

He nodded. “But she had a very good reason.”

“There could never be a good reason to hurt you.”

“No one can fault the lass considering she was kidnapped and psychologically tortured because of me and my world.”

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