Page 36 of F*ck Steal Kill

Was he having trouble with his bike? Had someone apprehended him? Was someone else in danger?

The questions left me helpless to act, much like I had been most of my life, and I didn’t like it. I needed to do something. I wasn’t a weak teenager anymore, no matter how much Q thought I was.

The Shadows had made me strong, giving me every type of training available. I’d toned my body and mind, promising myself I’d never be in another situation where I feared for my life.

I could handle myself, despite Quentin’s paranoia that I’d get shot. I just chose not to most days. It wasn’t my preferred method to assist the team. I found the computer easier to manage than dealing with social interactions and having to second-guess myself.

But just because I didn’t know what to say at times, it didn’t mean I couldn’t throw a punch or incapacitate my enemy when needed. Perhaps I needed to remind Q of that.

Tapping my fingers on the keyboard, I debated whether to leave and check on him, or stay here like I was meant to. If he were in trouble, he’d welcome my assistance, but if he wasn’t and I ruined whatever he was doing, then I’d never hear the end of it.

“Screw it. I’d rather know,” I said aloud, putting my computer aside to get dressed in something other than my stained t-shirt and holey jeans. Throwing on my black tactical pants and a shirt, I pulled on my boots and checked the location.

“Of course, you’re moving now,” I grumbled, sitting on the bed.

The dot was now headed toward a side of town we hadn’t been to yet. Curiosity bloomed, but there was nothing to do now but wait. Minimizing Quentin’s window, I checked on Grady, finding him still down at the Inn bar. He’d stumbled around in his room for a few hours before he retreated. He hadn’t gone far, claiming he would try to gather information on Holland with a different shift of people.

I couldn’t tell yet if his obsession with her was out of intrigue or something more sinister. While I was eager to find her myself, it seemed to be for a different reason with Grady. I’d have to keep an eye on him because I didn’t want him to scare her off. I had a connection with Holland that was rare for me, and I didn’t want to lose it.

Besides, she’d fit perfectly between Q and me, and I wanted it back. Desperately.

Falling back into my research, I spent time surveying her social media, along with Ava Savage’s. I didn’t know how Ava fit into the picture, but something told me she wasn’t part of it. I could feel she was a vital key to this, but I needed solid evidence and a solution before sharing it. There was no way I’d put her in the crossfire without a way to save her.

A knock at the door startled me, and I jerked, pulling up the minimized window. Sure enough, Q was back. Hopping up, I raced to the door.

“Password?”

“Horseradish,” Quentin’s deep voice replied.

Disengaging the locks, I opened the door and stepped back. Quentin strolled in like usual, but something was different about him. He eyed me, taking in my change of clothes as he relocked everything.

“I thought you were in trouble and was going to head over to assist you. But then you moved before I could,” I said to his unasked question.

His eyes traveled over my face, cataloging every detail. Satisfied with my answer, he stepped into the room, taking off his boots.

“I found Holland,” he said flatly, his tone suggesting he was getting a root canal, not delivering the best news I’d heard all day.

“What! You did? How? Where? Tell me!” I shouted, my whole body vibrating with happiness.

Quentin leaned against the wall, crossing his ankles over one another. He rubbed his hand down his face, stalling when his hand neared his nose. I watched him, his nostrils flaring wide as his whole body shuddered, heating mine at the same time. Damn, what had that been?

I swallowed, taking a seat on the corner of the bed, hoping to conceal my reaction to him. When I was situated, I peered up, and Q responded, his voice far away as he recalled the events.

“She walked into that filthy bar like she didn’t have a care in the world. I watched her, fighting my instincts to grab and haul her out of there.”

I chuckled, the sound rough and deep. “I’m surprised you didn’t.”

“After about ten minutes, I couldn’t take it, and I walked over, aiming to tell her to go, but instead, she pushed and pushed until I broke, and I had to shut her up.”

“With your mouth?” I asked, smiling, knowing him well.

His eyes narrowed, but there was no malice behind them. If anything, there was a little heat. He smirked, moving his thumb over his plump bottom lip, and my tongue darted out to mimic the movement.

“It worked.” He shrugged. “I left with her, intent on bringing her back here, but she had other ideas.”

“You fucked her.”

It wasn’t a question; I could tell by his demeanor. Sadness and longing tumbled inside me as I dropped my eyes, my head suddenly feeling too heavy to hold up. I rubbed my hands on my pants, wishing I’d still had on my jeans. They felt nicer, more soothing. And I needed to be soothed. Dammit.

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