Page 118 of No Place Like Home

Quincy’s gaze was intense. The lust was no longer there, but I could see pain…or maybe it was just my own, but it was there.

“For the first time, I had something that was all mine to love. Someone who wouldn’t run away, and I got scared and selfish because I couldn’t handle the thought of losing someone else that was important to me.”

Quincy didn’t say anything. He was just breathing intensely. He brought his hand up and stroked my cheek with the pad of his thumb. I closed my eyes, and a tear slipped out. He was fast and wiped it with his finger.

“She’s beautiful,” he croaked. “I can see why you wanted her all to yourself.”

I hissed. This was not the reaction I’d thought he would have.

“Quinn,” I said as I looked at him. “Her name is Quinn.”

I never thought I would see the day when Quincy Hardwell looked like he would cry.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX

She had my name.

Quinn.

Fuck, if that didn’t want to make me cry. The anger I held against her lessened. It still stung, but I understood her better.

“Quinn.” I said her name aloud, testing it out.

Jess’s eyes watered, and she gave me a small smile as she nodded.

“She’s so much like you,” she choked out, unable to talk properly.

“I want to meet her,” I told her.

Right away, she nodded. “I know.”

We both stayed silent for a while. Then the doors opened and out came Leo. I took a step ahead of Jess and pushed her behind me.

“You’re where you are today because of me,” he spat.

My grin was pure of venom. “You’re so full of yourself. Getting a fucking ego off of someone else’s hard work.”

I saw Dex pull up in his squad car. Leo looked back at me, and then his eyes went into slits when he saw Jess’s head peek out.

“You’re the definition of trailer tras—”

“Don’t,” Jess hissed trying to hold me back.

But I didn’t listen, and she didn’t have the strength to stop me.

My fist made contact with his face. It was the release my throwing arm had been begging for.

Leo dropped to the floor. The urge to kick him was strong. Jess had enough people like him in her life, and no one was going to insult her. Not while I was here. I couldn’t even speak, I was so angry. While Dex ran to us, I felt arms that I hadn’t felt around me in a long time. Suddenly I didn’t feel as fucking lost as before.

“Violence is not the answer,” she said as her head burrowed into my back.

My hands went to where hers were wrapped around my middle and held her there while I took a few calming breaths.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Dex had helped Leo get up.

“What the hell is going on Hardwell?” he asked.

“I want to press charges,” Leo spat.

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