Page 27 of Whatever It Takes

“Charlotte.” Quinn’s voice grew soft and it only made matters worse. “If anything ever happened to you or to Emery, I would never be able to live with myself. You don’t have to agree with me, but I need you to trust me to keep you and your girl safe. I’m a professional. This is my job. I know you don’t like this, but no one will protect you like I will.”

His words were enough to convince me that I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.

Just then a woman who I could only describe as a human Barbie doll stepped up to join the conversation. She was stunning, and no amount of envy I was feeling could deny that. She was dressed in designer clothes that made her look like the classic beauty she was. The one he deserved to be with.

I pulled on my thin jacket and was grateful that I had wrapped a wool scarf along my neck because it helped hide my ratty long-sleeved T-shirt. When she took in my holey jeans and black ankle boots, I wanted to crawl into the pavement and die.

She swept her questioning gaze over to Quinn, the emotion I saw pass between them made my stomach squeeze. He cleared his throat and moved his eyes over to me. “I’m sorry, Bree. I forgot you were here.”

So, this was the girlfriend he told me about. She wasn’t what I expected, and trust me, I spent plenty of time wondering what she looked like. Jealously edged its way through me even though I had no right to feel that way. Things were about to get a whole lot more fucking interesting.

She rubbed her hands along her arms looking more hurt than pissed off. “Yeah, I can tell.”

“Quinn.” I stood off to the side, keeping my distance. “You mentioned that you had plans this weekend. Please, don’t feel obligated to stay here. Emery and I will be fine.”

“I’m not leaving. End of discussion, Charlotte.”

His girlfriend’s mouth fell open, and she did a slow blink. “You want to tell me what the hell is happening right now?” She folded her arms across her chest. I guess she was done playing nice. “You’re seriously going to move in with her?”

I stared at him in disbelief. I wanted to step in and say something, tell him that he was handling this all wrong, but it wasn’t my place. She had every right to be upset, hell, even I was pissed off, but I didn’t want to make matters worse by pointing that out in front of her.

Marco cleared his throat and spoke up. “Why don’t I take Charlotte into the house, while you two hash things out?”

Quinn pressed his lips together in a firm line. Things were stressful as it was, the last thing I needed was an unhappy girlfriend thrown into the mix.

“That’s a good idea. I need to get Emery ready for bed.” I gave them both a tight smile as Marco and I rounded the hood of the car. He spoke to a few officers as he ushered me up the front steps to my house.

I caught a few of my nosy neighbors standing at the edge of their driveways and spied a few peeking through the windows of their homes. I could only imagine what they thought of me now.

There was a time when I was friendly with most of them, but after the accident that all changed. Some no longer wanted to be associated with me, while the others I simply didn’t trust. It was one of the drawbacks when your husband was a wanted fugitive.

Marco greeted the uniformed officer at the door. “Are you guys done checking the perimeter?”

The officer tipped his head to the side. “Mickey is just finishing up in the back. No sign of him.”

Marco patted him on the shoulder. “I’m not surprised. Good work. You guys are clear to go.”

The rest of the officers shuffled toward their patrol cars as we walked into my house. Emery was sitting in my big overstuffed chair in the corner, coloring while a Nickelodeon showed played on the TV.

“Mommy!” she yelled, jumping off the chair and running toward me like it had been days since she’d last seen me.

“Hey, sweet girl.” I kissed the top of her head and held her close. She was all I needed at that moment to remind me of what was important. “Are you having fun with Officer…” I paused and looked up, trying to remember her name.

“Joanne is fine.” She smiled down at my daughter. “We’ve had a great time, right, Emery?”

Emery shook her head and looked over at the door. “Where’s Quinn?”

I fixed her headband that had slid down her forehead and pushed it back in place. “He’s outside talking to his friend.”

“Okay. I put his pizza in the microwave.”

“Pizza?” Marco said with way too much enthusiasm. “I hope you saved a piece for me?”

Emery tilted her head all the way back to look at him.

She crinkled her nose up. “You can have a piece of cheese because I saved the pepperoni for Quinn.”

Joanne snickered in back of me. “I see Quinn’s charm doesn’t discriminate. Even the little ones are allured by his good looks.”

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