Page 47 of Tin

“His marriage. His...kids.” I lift out of her embrace to look at her. “They didn’t get taken from him because he lost it. He lost it because they were taken.”

The corners of Kirsten’s mouth curve tenderly in a sad state of understanding. “Oh.”

“I saw pictures,” I whisper, slowly gaining control of myself again. “Pictures of him with his kids. He was happy. Really happy.” I turn away because I can’t face her or anyone else anymore. “How can I stay with him, even two more weeks, when I knowIcan never make him that happy again?”

Kirsten combs the hair away from my cheek and kisses it. “How can you leave him, even for a day, when leaving means sparing him from learning he can’t have something he never asked for, and denying him the one thing he has? You.”

Then she walks away, her heels click-clacking with every step. It’s not until the door closes and I know she’s gone that I collapse on the floor.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

RIKER

It’s been a week. One whole goddamn week. Every day I tell myself she’ll turn up before the sun does. Then, when she doesn’t, I go to work, convinced I’ll find her here when I get back. I don’t know why I tell myself such bullshit. I’ve never been much for denial. For some reason this time I just can’t get a fucking grip on things. I knew it could happen. Actually, I was pretty damn sure she would bolt as soon as I told her everything. I don’t even know why I knew that, other than she’s a creature of flight who lives in constant fear of being the cause of someone else’s pain.

Ironic, really. Considering how much she’s fucking hurting me by being gone. Only she can’t see that. Or maybe she does. I don’t know. I just know she believes staying will hurt me more than leaving. She’s fucked up in the head that way. Fucked up in the heart. Fucked up to her very core. And if I ever find the bastard who fucked her up, I’ll kill him.

Her flight for California departs in less than five days. I’m guessing Kirsten will show up on day six to collect all the stuff Quinn couldn’t carry on foot when she left here in the middle of the night. I had half a mind to offer her a ride, but she seemed hell-bent on sneaking out, so eventually I just faked sleep to make it easier on her.

But it’s been a motherfucking week. And I’m done faking sleep and making shit easier for her. If she wants out, I’m going to make her tell me. To my face. And then I’m going to convince her she’s wrong.

Feeling amped up from the self-motivational rant I gave myself on the way over here, I jump from my truck and slam the door shut. I practically run up to the front door, and I don’t even give a shit if anyone sees me. I’m not here to play games. The whole damn household is welcome to know exactly what I’m here for. Quinn.

Kirsten answers the door. She’s instantly annoyed when she sees me. “What the hell took you so long?”

“What the hell did you let her come back for?” I counter.

She drops the arm holding the door at bay, and it swings open. “I tried to send her back. Trust me.” Then she turns and goes back in, leaving me to follow her and close the door.

“Where is she? Downstairs?”

Kirsten shakes her head. “Went for a run. And since you’re here, I’m guessing she’s actually running. For a second there I was hoping maybe it was just code for sex with Riker again.”

Even as she’s using the words sex and my name, I’m scanning the room uncomfortably for her husband and kid. Thankfully, neither seem to be around.

“You don’t mind if I head to the game room and see if I can track her down?” Maybe I can follow her tracks in the sand from there.

“Go for it. But I’m warning you, it won’t be easy. She’s made up her mind. And her jacked-up little brain may be broken, but her determination is not.” Then she gives me the go-ahead nod and I take off down the stairs.

Downstairs, the sliding glass door is wide open, so she’s definitely not back yet. I’m not exactly wearing running gear, but that sure as shit isn’t going to stop me from going after her.

QUINN

I’ve listened to the same song seventeen consecutive times now. I don’t know why I won’t take it off repeat. It’s a horrible song. All about falling in love and soulmate bullshit. And yet here I am, going for eighteen.

I’m just plugging along, keeping my eyes locked on the sand, avoiding any and all eye contact with the other people who are annoyingly out here as well. Then Harley turns on a dime and starts running back the way we came.

“Har—” I don’t even finish calling his name. He’s not running back to the house. He’s running toward Riker.

I’m tempted to keep going without Harley, but ditching him feels wrong on a level even I can’t fall down to, so I start walking toward them while they make their way over.

“What are you doing out here?” I sound snotty. I mean to.

“Taking back what’s mine.” He’s got a brazen look in his eyes, and I’m scared to ask what he’s referring to.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have left the way I did...but that doesn’t change that leaving was the right thing to do. For both of us.” I’m avoiding his gaze at all costs, until his thumb touches my chin and forces it up.

“Who the hell are you to decide what’s right for me? Huh? I’ve seen the shit job you do with your own life. Don’t you fucking go around trying to make decisions for mine,” he warns.

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