Page 43 of His Lovebug

Despite all the warnings I’d sent Derek, I knew he wouldn’t encroach on Quin in that way. I trusted Derek with my life, and he was my work partner. Outsiders had no idea the shit we’d been through together, including the betrayal of family members. His own cousin went behind his back years ago, which resulted in Derek killing him.

“You know he should stay here, no matter what we do,” Derek said.

I shrugged. “I agree, but you’ve met Quin. He’ll follow wherever I go. He thinks being a good wife means being at my side, even when it gets dangerous.”

“This is different. You’re only asking him to stay here while we handle business. He can’t fight.” Derek stared down at the mug of beer that he had his hand wrapped around and sighed. “He’ll get himself killed.”

The bartender came over, and I stayed silent as he slid two fresh beers in front of us. Derek finished off his old drink and handed him the empty mug before the bartender left us again.

“I might need him tonight.”

“What for?” Derek grasped his new beer and rocked the glass from side to side gently, watching the golden liquid sway with the movement and froth at the top.

“I have a plan, depending on what War tells us.”

Derek made a sound as his phone began to vibrate on the bar. He answered the call. “War, talk to me.”

War was one of Derek’s personal guards, and while we’d strategized for the best thing to do, we’d come up with a plan to send War to check on Royal’s house. War was closer, and he was a former SEAL with experience in hostage crisis response, in case it came to that.

“Mm-hmm. All right. Stand by. I’ll talk to Colt.” He ended the call and placed the phone back in front of himself. “The house is abandoned. The door was broken open, and War went in. There’s fresh blood on the living room floor, but not enough to mean a life-threatening injury. A couple of chairs were out of place, as if they’d been tied up and possibly tortured. No one was there, so they took both Royal and Jackson.” Derek lowered his eyebrows in concern. “They could be anywhere.”

“Fuck.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. Jack pissed me off, but he was my brother. As much as I threatened to bury him six feet under, no one else was allowed to touch him. Between taking Jack and Royal and trying to intimidate me through Quin, Topher was going to regret ever knowing my name.

“What’s your plannow?” Derek took a long sip.

My fingers clenched the thick mug my beer was in, and I inwardly cursed Topher for making me take the next step. “I’m going to give Topher a taste of his own medicine. He’s brazen,and he threatened my wife twice today. That was a big mistake on his behalf.”

“Are you gonna go after him?” Derek smirked.

“I’m planning to. Rumor is Topher works late at the office. I might pay him a visit.” I glanced at my phone, then raised my gaze to Derek’s.

He grinned and tipped his mug toward me. “Cheers to revenge.” He took another large gulp. “While you do that, I’ll figure out how to get O’Neill off our backs. Call some friends who owe us favors.”

I nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

It took Quin another ten minutes before he returned, and the moment I laid eyes on him I couldn’t tear my attention away. The dress he wore was a watermelon pink as a base color with a light floral design stitched into the material. The skirt flared out from the waist, and when he stopped in front of me and twirled, I caught sight of a large bow on his back. Beneath the bow was an open section that showed off the flawless skin close to his ass, before the dress came together at his hips. With a square neckline, his collarbones were visible for my greedy gaze. His hair was pulled up into a ponytail with another pink bow. Two strands of hair fluttered down to accentuate his cheeks and face. He carried a matching wrap that he whirled out and slid over his shoulders.

I licked my lips. “Fucking hell, Princess. You’re going to make me pop wood here.”

He grinned, obviously pleased, and kicked his foot back to show off his pale pink high heels. “I like this outfit.”

“Me too,” I groaned out, swallowing the saliva that had gathered in my mouth. I palmed my hardening cock and glanced at it. “Down boy.”

Quin chuckled and swooped in for a kiss. His lips were warm and perfect against mine, and I got a pleasant surprise because his gloss tasted like sweet candy. “I’m glad you approve.”

“I do, too, if you care.” Derek winked, winning another laugh from Quin. “You look very pretty.”

“Of course I care, but my husband’s opinion holds more weight.” He practically floated around to Derek and popped a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, D.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Remember, I’m single if you decide you’ve had enough of this asshole.” He pointed at me, and I rolled my eyes, grabbing Quin by the waist and dragging him close. I spun him enough to lift him onto my lap.

“Fuck off,” I growled out, and Derek cackled. The bastard. I rubbed Quin’s bare arms and frowned. “Aren’t you cold, Baby Girl?”

“Not in here. The wrap is enough. It’s nice.” He laid his arms on top of mine, which rested across his middle, and settled farther into my embrace.

“I’m going out soon.” I dropped a kiss on his shoulder where the wrap had slipped and nuzzled his neck.

“What about Royal and Jack?” His eyebrows furrowed in concern. “Have we heard anything yet?”

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