Page 19 of His Queen

Eisele looks at us both, worried. “Come then, it’s important we get you home quickly. You can tell me all about the trouble Arkham is in while we drive. Your father contracted men to give us additional numbers. The hotel isn’t far and I have what you need there. We can catch up tonight. Once the plane is inspected and refueled, we will get you on your way.”

“Thanks for making this work on such short notice, Eisele. I hoped to spend more time with you catching up and enjoying one another.” I say, following her to a silver suv.

“Don’t worry Quinn, we will have plenty of time to spend together, and Selena, we will have plenty of time to become great friends because—“ she leaves us hanging as she climbs inside the car.

“Because why?” I squeal, unable to withstand the secret as I scrabble in next to Selena and close the door.

“Because when I talked to Papa Arkham, he invited me to come and stay with him. He said it would be important that you have the help of such great friends during dangerous times.” Eisele is bursting with excitement. When we met, she always dreamed of coming to visit me one day.

“Wait, hold on, did you just call Quinn’s father Papa Arkham?” Selena asks, breaking into laughter.

“Yes,” I reply giggling, “Isn’t it cute, and she gets away with it too.”

“I am so dropping a Papa Arkham when we get back, just so I can see his reaction.” Selena replies, unable to stop smiling.

I’m so happy they are getting along. My father’s right. I need my friends. Not just because Arkham needs them, but because these women mean everything to me, and it’s important to keep those we love close. That’s when it hits me. I’ve been so hard on Christian, but he’s keeping who he loves close. The realization makes me feel worse inside as the guilt continues to eat at me. I will make things right between us when we return. He’s mine. As much as I belong to him, he belongs to me, too.

“I have an entire suitcase full of extra supplies. Your father asked me to personally restock the hoard.” Eisele says, interrupting my thoughts.

Selena looks at me, confused. “Restocking hoards, and suitcases full of stuff. Quinn, what are we going to be transporting?”

“Don’t worry, Selena, it’s all natural. Some of it’s just more deadly than other things, but everything can be found in the wild. These items just happened to come from Eisele’s lab, is all.”

Selena still looks worried. I think Eisele notices too. “Don’t worry, Selena, I am bringing enough for you to stock up too.”

Selena still looks nervous, but I just know she’s going to love Eisele’s products. The two of them are going to get along just fine. Which is great because the car is about to pull up to the hotel valet.

“Are you two ready to party?” Eisele asks, turning around to waggle her brows at us.

“I don’t know about party, but I am ready for a drink and some gossip.”

“I am definitely ready for a drink and gossip,” Selena says, jumping on board.

“Well then, ladies, it’s time to turn up. Follow me,” Eisele says, exiting the car, not bothering to wait and see if we are behind her or not.

We are hot on her heels, ready to see where the night takes us before we are forced to return home tomorrow.

Chapter twenty-five

Myalarmwakesme.I have to get ready for my near murder dinner party this evening with Harvey, Clay, and a few of our special guests. Since the chief works for me, I thought it might be good to introduce the Sparrow to the fox. I want him to question how deep my pockets run and just who else might be on my payroll. I reach over for Quinn to run my hand down the curve of her body, but it lands against the mattress. Startled by her absence, I sit up, then turn on the light. It looks like she never even came to bed. On her pillow is an envelope with my name on it. My heart drops. If anyone has dared to take her from me, I swear I will find whoever did and feed them to the sharks. There will be nothing left for the investigators to find, not that they’d be looking to begin with.

I slide my finger across the paper, ripping it open frantically. It’s written in her handwriting, but that means nothing. I read the words slowly, taking my time to process each word she has written. My chest aches at the betrayal. How could she do this? How dare she do this, and how dare she blame me? The room is swirling around me, and I can hear the blood pumping in my ears. Of course, my first instinct is to run after her, but her words echo in my head. Leaving would make me an easy target, and it would certainly leave the Don vulnerable. As much as I would love to see him out of the picture, especially after this treachery, I want to be the one to do it.

I take a deep breath, rereading her letter with shaking hands as I fight back the urge to explode with anger. I can feel it rippling beneath my skin, waiting to burst forth and destroy. It’s time will come, but not here, not now. I have the perfect person in mind to take out my wrath on. He did this, his venomous mouth as the leader of the Sparrows did this. I can’t protect Quinn, instead I am forced to keep Arkham from falling while she enters the battle on her own.

I need answers. My feet have me pacing the room, debating on whether or not to call the Don and demand information. I’m not sure who to call. There’s no one I would trust with the knowledge that Quinn is alone and vulnerable right now. I sigh. The Don is the only person I can talk to because he already knows she’s vulnerable. This isn’t a conversation to have over the phone. I send Harvey a message telling him I’m going to be running a little late and to keep our guests entertained in the private dining room at the club. We decided not to open tonight. Instead, Harvey placed a sign on the door reading closed for a private event. I dress in a hurry, then run out the door to interrogate the Don of the Arkham mafia.

****

“Christian, I wondered if you might pay me a visit,” the Don Father says as I stomp into his office.

“I have questions,” I seethe while clinching my fists at my side.

“I am sure you do, but first let me ease some of your worries. She’s not alone. Quinn is in perfectly capable hands. I have a team overseas ready to meet them the moment they land. I’ve instructed them to keep eyes on them and report back to me hourly. Selena and a team of her men also went with her, and I sent one of my best guys as well. If that’s not enough, she’s wearing a tracking device in a necklace I gave her.”

I can’t believe what he’s saying to me. Does he really think that because he sent all these people with Quinn, it’s the same as my protection? Did he not think it would draw suspicion? What the fuck is he thinking? There is no such thing as safety anymore. Not after the orders I have been carrying out day and night for him. I started a war. His war. The war that he asked for and he sends Quinn off like this outside of my protection. I can’t process any more of this madness. I’m trying to stay calm, but I’m about to explode.

“We are at war. This is just the beginning. It’s the most dangerous part, and you allowed her to leave our protection.” I snap.

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