Page 187 of Broken Dreams

“There’s so much evil in the world,” I mutter. “It blows my mind that people like Bret and Miles give so few fucks about destroying so many lives.”

“Speaking of Miles Kellogg, he and Hudson still need to be dealt with. Do you think that Quinn can help find Miles’ home?” he asks.

There’s a deep, wrenching pain in my chest, making me grunt as I rub it. Fuck.

“Her skills are good enough for it,” I mutter. “I can’t believe that son of a bitch was using her like that. While the coding world has changed over the years, Quinn is still able to follow the shift. I swear, she’ll be better than I am. Her mind is incredible.”

“She’s a natural,” Duncan says. “You can’t blame yourself for teaching her how to code. There’s no way you could have known that her dad would use that as an incentive to sell her.”

“I made Quinn dangerous to him,” I admit. “Coding made her question the world more, even though she did her best to be the daughter she thought she needed to be. Goddamnit, do you feel that?”

Duncan’s face gradually changes as we get closer, nodding.

“Something’s wrong,” he breathes. “Fuck, it hurts. Call Adira and then check the cameras. Also, hold on.”

My back presses into my seat as my brother accelerates sharply. Morris is driving behind us, and immediately keeps pace with us. Duncan is a very patient and safe driver usually. If he’s breaking speed limits, it’s for a really good reason.

My call to Adira goes unanswered, and I find that the video cameras are all working except for the ones in the backyard. They’re blacked out with black spray paint. Something is going down, just as we’re on our way home.

I don’t believe in coincidence.

“We’re not going to get back in time,” I breathe, my chest on fire. “We can’t lose them again. Any of them.”

“We won’t,” Duncan says grimly, taking a turn hard. “We’re fifteen minutes away now. I hate to say it, but Christian is there. We’re going to have to trust that he and Adira can keep thingslocked down. Quinn is also no slouch with a weapon. Keep it together.”

His jaw is tight as he focuses, and I can tell that’s easier said than done. For some reason, all I can feel is that something is wrong, I can’t communicate with Quinn or Linus.

Come on, drive faster, Duncan. ‘Are we there yet’ has new meaning tonight. I fucking hate feeling helpless.

QUINN

Time doesn’t seem to have meaning. It’s the early hours of the morning, the witching hours if I really think about it. Yet, I’m eating pancakes with my people and having a really good time.

“Does anyone else think it’s weird to be awake at two in the morning?” Adira asks with a grin. “I used to have a hard time sleeping, and spent a lot of time in this house trying to figure out what to do.”

“A part of me really loves that you have so many memories here,” I murmur.

“Duncan and Callum saved my life,” she says. Christian watches her interestedly, pushing aside his empty plate.

Nothing goes better at this time than pancakes. They’re fucking delicious.

“You all seem really close,” Christian murmurs.

“What else are you supposed to be when they buy you at auction,” she teases, surprising him. “Through a series of fucked up events, they became my best friends. I used to think about you, Quinn, and wish they’d find you. Even though things have been chaotic, they’re so much happier.”

I must be getting sappy as it gets later in the night, because I blink away the threat of tears as I nod.

“I’m happier too,” I whisper with a smile.

My mom left a few minutes ago, telling me that she needed air, but there was a very odd look on her face. I want to see if she’s okay.

“I’ll be right back,” I rasp, swallowing hard. With all of the security features, I doubt there’s anything wrong, but I haven’t had a chance to talk with her about finding her scent match.

She doesn’t owe me anything, yet I have a feeling she may be trying to figure out things. Maybe I can help.

“Where are you going?” Linus asks, brow raised as he begins to pick up plates to wash them.

“My mom said she was going to go outside,” I explain. “I want to check on her.”

---