Page 103 of Quinlan

“This isn’t helping,” I say to myself as I sit up on the bed. Plant my feet on the wool rug beneath me. “I won’t get my answers being cooped up in here.”

Great. Just great. I called my three kidnappers crazy, and here I am, talking to myself. Out loud while I’m doing my best to stop my stomach from churning.

The truth. I need the truth.

It must be documented somewhere here, the evidence of what happened. Something.

Probably in their laptops, or their drawers. They have to have an office, so I’ll search there as well.

When I find out—and I will—I’ll be able to understand the severity of the situation.

I’ll know which side is in the wrong.

More importantly, I’ll be smarter around these strangers.

I have to.

It could be a matter of life or death.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Rome

“Earth to Rome.” Damienwaves a hand in my face. “Are you listening?”

No. I haven’t been listening to him for the last five minutes, at the very least.

It’s rude. Dame and I on one of the sofas in the living room late at night. We should be talking, yet all I can think about is her. Quinlan.

She hasn’t eaten all day.

Spacing out is beyond rude. It’s irresponsible. We’re hashing out the last details in my revenge plot against Joseph and Elaine, my so-called parents. He walks me through the part Jagger and Laurel play in this. This is important.

We’rethisclose to the end.

And I can only seem to care about one woman and the fact that she hasn’t eaten.

“Sorry.” On days like these, I wish I’d have grown my hair. At least I’d have something to pull on. Instead, I rub my jaw, my fingers harsh on my skin. “Repeat that for me.”

“It’ll wait. You’re worried about Quinlan. Don’t.” He dips his chin, his expression serious for all of a second. Then, a ghost of a smile spreads on his lips. “She’ll eat. It’s a promise.”

Holding Quinlan captive shouldn’t be like this. My chest shouldn’t squeeze because she refuses to put food in her mouth.

Liam’s usually the one to help me when I’m like this. When the trauma from my past threatens to choke me. But he’s in his room, digging into a company that’s been on our radar.

Damien tries. I appreciate it, especially since I know he struggles with these conversations.

“Or…” he starts. “You’ll finally give me the green light to force food into her pretty mouth.”

Tries, and succeeds. I know—Iknow—he’s using it as a shield. I’ve seen what lies beneath. How he’s both this person and the other.

What the world has turned him into.

No matter what, he’ll always be my friend. I love him like a brother. Always.

“No, no force-feeding needed.” I huff out a laugh.

His grin widens by a fraction.

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