Page 45 of Crossing Quinn

Chapter Ten

The chocolate had worked. Temporarily. Mami might be a chocoholic like me, but once she fixated on something, she never stopped until she achieved her goal. Like becoming an archaeologist, finding Qeeturah, and now rescuing Papa. Her tenacity was one trait I was glad I had inherited.

As the hot water pounded my sore muscles, I carefully eased into Quinn’s mind and eavesdropped on his conversation with my mother.

“I’ve programmed the tracking scanners to do a deep scan of the area. If Lysis has taken refuge in a cavern, we will find him.”

Displeasure in her voice, Mami asked, “What are your intentions toward my daughter?”

Hadn’t seen that one coming.

“Xenia is my mate.”

“Lysis will never allow it.”

“The Overlord knows and approves,” Quinn countered.

Mami retorted, “Zarek also granted Lysis the power to veto any warrior he didn’t consider worthy of my daughter. You have no honor. You shot me, a helpless female, with the tranquilizer gun.”

“Helpless you’re not, and you shot me first,” Quinn pointed out.

“I did it to protect my daughter.”

“To break our mental bond would cause irreparable damage to Xenia’s mind.”

I scowled. Not to mention Quinn’s.

“Until I can discuss this matter with Lysis, you will not touch her.” My mother’s voice was venomous.

I didn’t think Mami had it in her to go toe-to-toe with a warlord. I stood corrected.

“You have my word I will not touch her until she is twenty-one.”

“If you do, I will have Lysis neuter you.”

“I see where Xenia gets her mean streak from,” Quinn replied. There was a touch of laughter in his voice.

“You find this amusing?”

“Not at all, ma’am.”

“I do not like you,” Mami huffed and stormed off.

I linked with Quinn. “After spending more quality time with my mother, do you still want me as your mate? My parents and I are a package deal.”

“Darlin’, the minute Zarek showed me your picture and told me how you had almost singlehandedly stopped a Tai-Kok attack, I wanted you.”

“Really?”To say I was flattered would be an understatement.

“A Boy Scout never lies.”

“You were a Boy Scout?”

“I was. I’ve got the merit badges to prove it.”

“What’s the Boy Scout motto?”

“Be prepared,”Quinn answered.

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