Page 130 of Quinlan

No more Rex. No more tight, pink scar. None of these bullshit memories of being left locked in the closet while listening to Aria making out with her boyfriend or laughing on the phone.

No darkness. No desperate, agonizing need to see something. Anything.

There’s Quinlan. No one and nothing else.

How pretty is she when she screams. When she struggles against her restraints.

“Are you actually recording this?” she snarls. Rome must use the camera at the back of the phone. Quinlan has no idea I’m watching.

Her chest rises and falls with each harsh breath. “You can’t do this to me, you freak.”

You’re so beautiful, though. Such a perfect captive. A contained little flame.

“We aren’t recording you, darling. It’s a video call,” Damien speaks from somewhere behind the camera, his voice light. He’s genuinely happy. “Couldn’t let you go to sleep when you haven’t said goodnight to Liam. It would be rude.”

While he talks, he moves into the frame. He sits on the edge of the bed near Quinlan’s face, his hand cupping her cheek. For the shortest second, she melts into him. Leans into his touch.

She shakes the uncontrollable reaction off fast, snapping her gaze to the camera. “Liam, they went behind your back. They fucked me.”

“Such a clever one.” My thumb strokes the screen, caressing the spot where her face is. “Trying to make me jealous? Or are you begging me to come home to save you?”

“Yes.” Her growl is too goddamn cute. “Both.”

Damien shares my sentiment, leaning in to kiss her forehead. It’s the gentlest he’s ever been with anyone. He covers his emotion as fast as Quinlan hid hers. Straightens his spine, his expression cocky.

He’ll get used to this. To being soft. If only for her.

“Don’t waste your breath, little flame.” This ismyway of being affectionate. This is as much as I can give her. Taunting her. Talking to her. “We’re together in this. The four of us. I’m not, nor will I ever be jealous. And you will always be owned by us. All three of us. Nothing you can do to fight it.”

Rome and Damien are my chosen family. They didn’t leave my bedside while I healed at the hospital. Didn’t cringe when the doctors removed the bandages. My friends were there, supporting me.

The skin on my cheek heats. Remembering those days hurts. It ruins this perfect moment. This perfect view of silk tying Quinlan’s perfect body to the bed.

Where she’ll be waiting for me until I’m back home.

“Fuck you,” she spits, eyes aimed at a spot behind the screen. At Rome. “You have no right to do this to me.”

“Yes, we do,” Rome deadpans.

“You’re here for a reason.” Damien’s words are harsh, though he’s smirking. “Or have you forgotten what you said to us?”

“You’re insane.”

“Liam.” He ignores her, turning to the camera. To me. “She thinks that after we’re done with Rex, she’s getting out of here. Said another, nicer man will have her.”

“Never going to happen.” My answer is clipped, each word coming off like a flick of a Zippo. A snap. “There will be no one else.”

“Liam, please.” Her eyes aren’t watery. They’re furious. “I’ll stay.”

“I’ll consider it. Now.” Softer voice. She deserves it, even if she’s entertaining the idea of us ever being over. “What about the goodnight you owe me?”

“I’m bound to the fucking bed.” The bed frame doesn’t budge, despite Quinlan’s best efforts to rattle it. “This is all the goodnight you’re going to get.”

My heart squeezes at the sadness seeping into her voice. The corners of her eyes crinkle. She’s torn, scared of what we might do to her. Doesn’t trust us enough to know we won’t throw her like yesterday’s trash in a few weeks.

“She’s tired.” My eyebrows lower on my forehead. “That goodnight is enough for me. Let her sleep.”

“You’re not coming?”

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