Page 100 of Never Again

“Leave your weapons outside the door,” Jess said, sounding completely relaxed as his gaze flickered to the hand holding the gun pointed at Bailey and noted the steady hold that she had on the weapon, letting him know that she was in complete control.

“He has nothing to do with this,” Bailey bit out as Jess considered her for a moment.

“He has everything to do with this,” Jess murmured softly as she gave the laptop in front of Bailey a pointed look while Quinn quickly took in the scene before him, from the Coke and the laptop on the table to the black backpack on the floor by Jess’s feet.

When he hesitated, Jess said, “Put your weapons down or I’ll shoot her and end this now.”

“And if I shoot you before you get the chance?” Quinn drawled as he made the mistake of looking at Bailey and-

He couldn’t fucking lose her.

“Let’s find out,” Jess said, raising the gun so that it was aimed at Bailey’s head.

“Get out of here, Quinn,” Bailey said, grabbing onto the edge of the table as she forced herself to stay still as she leveled a glare on the bitch that wasn’t leaving here alive.

“This isn’t going to end well for you,” Quinn pointed out as he stepped back into the hallway and placed his gun on the floor, knowing that he didn’t have a choice.

Any other client and he would have stood his ground, but with Bailey…

“So, I’ve been told. Don’t forget the one at your back and the ankle holster,” Jess said as Quinn reached for the gun attached to his ankle before reluctantly grabbing the one holstered on the back of his pants and placed them on the hallway floor.

“Tell your friend to get rid of his guns and join us and while you’re at it, take off your vests,” Jess said as he pulled his vest off and dropped it on the floor before he stepped back into the room with Tristan by his side.

Once they were in the room, Jess focused back on Bailey and said, “Nathan and Casey?” making Bailey frown in confusion.

“Most likely still trying to get their handcuffs off,” Quinn said as his gaze flickered to Bailey before settling back on the woman who did an amazing job getting past their men.

Jess Richardson, born July 1, 1990 in Orlando, Florida to George and Sarah Richardson and graduated high school with a 3.98 GPA before attending college in California, where she earned a degree in programming before returning to Orlando and working for Haven Technologies. She didn’t have any arrests, driving violations, evictions, or even a fucking parking ticket. She paid her bills on time, lived in a one-bedroom apartment five minutes from Haven Technologies, was never late to work and had clearly played them all so fucking well.

“Who the hell are you?” Quinn asked as he moved to take another step only to go still when she said, “That’s far enough.”

“Where’s Kelly?” Jess asked, ignoring his question.

“Getting help,” Quinn said as Tristan shifted behind him to the right to block her view of the doorway and-

“Step back away from the door,” Jess said, her gaze never leaving Bailey as Tristan reluctantly stepped away from the door, his cold gaze never leaving her as he moved. “I have cellular signals blocked for two miles and I left a device hidden by the driveway, effectively killing every engine and ensuring that no one leaves before this is over. By the time that she manages to get help, I’ll be long gone.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Quinn said, watching as Jess’s lips twitched with amusement.

“Start typing,” she said with a pointed look at the laptop, drawing his attention to find Bailey sitting there, the backs of her knuckles turning white as she held on tightly to the edge of the table.

“Go to hell,” Bailey bit out as Quinn moved to take a step closer and-

Felt the air rush out of his lungs when the sound of a gunshot echoed throughout the large bedroom as Bailey flinched and a pained cry was torn from her lips seconds before she grabbed onto her arm and-

“That’s the only warning that you’re going to get,” Jess said casually, her gaze never leaving Bailey. “Move back against the wall, both of you.”

Jaw clenching, Quinn kept his gaze locked on the bitch while they moved until their backs touched the wall.

“I’m not going to ask you again, Bailey. Start typing,” Jess said as she shifted back in her chair to get more comfortable.

“Let them go,” Bailey bit out between clenched teeth as Quinn was forced to stand there, watching the blood slowly trickle over her fingers.

“Bailey, give her what she wants,” Quinn bit out, beyond fucking terrified that he was about to lose her.

“No,” Bailey bit out hoarsely.

“Maybe we’re going about this the wrong way,” Jess murmured, sounding thoughtful as her gaze flickered to him.

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