Page 66 of Quinlan

While I consider my options, they stare. Their eyes strip me of my clothes, of my common sense.

If I’d had any left, I would’ve used it to move along. I don’t. I stare back, my eyes dancing between the three of them.

A dumb move on my part. So, so dumb.

Mystery man cocks a curious eyebrow and my heart flutters. Rome runs his tongue along the top set of his lips, and I feel it between my legs. Liam dips his chin, and I’m soaked.

My nipples are so hard that I have to hug my jacket around me with one arm. I have to protect myself from them.

“I’m coming over there.” Rex’s shouting louder, sounding urgent. “I have the location of your phone. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

My rage, evidently, is a force. One I haven’t recognized within myself up until this moment. It breaks through my shock. Barrels through it.

“You havewhat, Rex?”

The irritated host motions for me to join him. I don’t. Another step, and I’ll be near the men’s table. It’s bad enough that Rome had to witness it yesterday. How he’d probably told the other two that I have a psycho brother. That I didn’t defend myself over there, not really.

This conversation with Rex isn’t one I’m having near them.

This is private.

“What did you think, that I’d let you out in the world and not watch over you?” Rex has the nerve to raise his voice at me. My fist clenches, crumpling my leather jacket. “You might disappear, and I’ll never see you again. I’m your big brother. That’s what big brothers do.”

His poor explanations aren’t comforting. I’m riled up, trying to smile while my insides are burning up.

“Brother? You’re a stalker, that’s what you are.”

A sharp hand gesture from the host indicates toward Ray’s booth in the far back. After that, he saunters past me in silence.

“Quinlan, it was an insurance policy.” He’s agitated. Well, fucking great, so am I. “Don’t you understand?”

“I understand that you’re controlling.” My brow furrows as I keep looking straight ahead. Directly at the three men in the booth six feet away. “That you’re tracking my location without my consent. I understand, Rex, that you’re out of line. I thought you called to tell me you’re sorry.”

As if he’s listening in on our conversation, mystery man’s eyes crinkle at the corners. His smirk widens, and he’s leaning forward. When he tilts his head, I’m already so pissed at Rex that I tilt mine back at him.

It lands me a shake of his head. Like he’s scolding me.

Like he might spank me.

Lord. I won’t think of what it does to my belly. To my swollen breasts. To the rope around my lungs.

I won’t.

“Go home, kid,” my half-brother says. Demands, actually. “This going out shit isn’t for you.”

“Thisisn’t for me.” I grind my teeth. The corner of Liam’s mouth tips to the side, taunting me. Not him too. “I had no idea you were manipulative, Rex. I don’t like it. This is the last time you’re doing this to me. I’m turning off my GPS.”

“This isn’t up to you—”

I’m not sure what’s changed about me, but I have. Maybe it’s the music. Maybe it’s this place.

Maybe it’s these three men who’ve tricked me.

Whatever it is, I’m a different woman. I’m done letting people walk all over me and pretend like I’m fine. Like it’s okay for them to treat me like this.

I’m so done.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Rex.” I seethe. “This isn’t up toyou.”

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