Page 189 of Broken Dreams

“Quinn!” Duncan roars from inside, the open door carrying his voice through the house.

I cry harder because they’re finally home, and my mom rocks with me.

“We’re safe,” she whispers. “He can’t ever hurt us again, Quinn.”

The thundering footsteps of alphas running as they burst through the door seems anticlimactic as I huff out a small laugh. It’s much less hysterical than the first and better controlled. Duncan doesn’t bother to pull me up, he just drops to his knees and hugs my mom and I tightly.

“I don’t think I could handle losing either one of you,” he mutters. “Stupid bastard thought he’d be able to manipulate you both.”

“Just me,” Mom sighs, not worried about how tightly Duncan is squeezing us both. “I couldn’t fight his voice in my head. He said he’d kill everyone in the house, and Adira is pregnant and you’re?—”

“Men like that prey on your fears,” Adira says, squatting down beside us. “How’s your head feeling now, Ayla?”

“Quiet,” Mom whispers, tears streaming down her face. “It’s like he was never there.”

There’s so much happiness in her voice and surprise, it threatens to overwhelm me as Callum steals me away from his brother.

“Saving yourself again, I see,” he says, kissing me hard. My legs feel wobbly, and he effortlessly holds me upright. “Fuck, Quinnie. On the way home I felt like I was being punched in the chest. Are you sure you’re not hurt somewhere?”

“No,” I deny, shaking my head. “I’m fine, I was just so scared. I knew I didn’t have a weapon on me and was freaking the fuck out.”

“I crept out after her when I got this weird feeling,” Christian grunts, standing. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to take the shot logistically, so I tossed her my gun. She didn’t fucking hesitate. God, I feel like I’m rapidly aging.”

“That’s what happens when your mate is capable and insane,” Morris mutters, tugging Adira to stand. My mom is glaring at my father’s body, probably cursing him out in her mind. “Quinn did a really good job.”

“Eight slugs in his body, the last in his head. Asshole didn’t have a chance,” Christian says proudly. “I still feel like I should check my pants.”

“We taught her how to shoot,” Duncan says with a shrug as I roll my eyes.

“Stop peeing on me,” I tell them as Linus snickers.

He pulls me away, his fingers tangling in my hair. “I love you,” he says, kissing my nose. “I know that was completely necessary, but you scare the shit out of me.”

Smirking, I nod as Jed calls Cian about a clean up man, and I bask in how unreal my life is. Walking inside, the doorbell rings, making me glance at Duncan in confusion as he walks to answer it.

“I texted Bryce, suggesting that he come over,” he says.

“Does he know?” Mom asks, eyes wide as she drifts over to us.

“I didn’t know how to tell him ‘hey, your scent match’s husband tried to kill her’ in a text, Mom,” Duncan snarks as my mother’s eyes widen.

He’s never called her that before, but that’s what she’s been for a long time. Her tears are for him and not my dad as Duncan opens the door.

“What’s wrong? Where’s Ayla?” Bryce asks, walking quickly into the house.

“Hi,” Mom says tearfully. “I’m fine…now.”

I can’t help but giggle as he picks her up with a low growl. “I’ll have her back in a few days, Quinn,” he mutters, picking her up and walking right back out.

“I have to say I like his style,” Christian says, amused.

“She doesn’t even have any clothes… Ugh, I’m going to pretend I didn’t say that,” I groan, cheeks heating.

Duncan grins as he closes the door with a shrug.

“You sound wide awake, Sweet Girl. Let’s chat until you’re tired,” he says.

“We’re going to spend the night,” Damon says, popping his head out. “I want to hear all about your combat moves, Quinn.”

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