“It won’t happen again. I’ll take the heat for it, but I’m not sorry. This is something I need to do. Just like Baz and his money. No questions. Got it?” I’m starting to get pissed and if I’m not careful, I’m going to bust this phone.
Hardy takes a few deep breaths.
“Fuck. You.”
“Right back at you.”
There’s another beat of silence and then he sighs.
“Fine. I’ll let you go this once. I won’t pull the trigger and tell anyone. But you owe me.” I nearly slump over in relief. He’s got my back.
“Listen, I have to go. But please. Just… do this for me. I won’t ask for it again.”
“You’d better not. And I’m going to remember every single word of this conversation.” Hardy remembers pretty much everything he reads, sees or hears. It’s a bitch having an argument with him because he is almost always right. Scratch that. He’s always right. You can bet your money on it.
“I know. I really appreciate it.”
“Uh-huh.” And he hangs up.
I breathe for a minute and then slide the phone back into my pocket before walking back out. Lizzy has the book open on her lap and is slowly mouthing the words. She doesn’t look up, not even when I sit next to her again.
“How’s it coming?” I ask.
“What’s this word?” she points to something that looks like some bastardized form of Latin. I sound it out for her and she scrunches up her face.
“Why don’t we start back at the beginning?” I suggest and she flips back several pages. I pick up the book and start reading aloud. Lizzy turns on her side and gazes up at me as I read to her. I can’t remember the last time I did this with Lizzy. I need to come out here more often. At least once a week. But right now it’s not safe. Not with my stalker on the loose.
I shove those unhappy thoughts aside and focus back on the book. It’s funny, actually, and I find myself enjoying the story along with Lizzy. We get through several chapters and then it’s time for me to go.
“I’m sorry I have to go so early.” Not only do I have to get back to check in with Hardy, but I’m going out with Saige and her friends tonight, which should be interesting. I’m actually looking forward to it. I really need to make a good impression on them so she will bring me back to her place and we end up naked together.
“It’s okay,” Lizzy says, putting her arms around me. “I love you anyway.” I laugh and hug her back.
“I’ll always love you. No matter what. And I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”
“I know,” she says, her voice muffled by my shirt. “I’m okay. Can I keep the book?” I nod.
“Just don’t lose my place. We can continue when I come next time.” I don’t say next week. Because I don’t know if it’s safe to come every week. “You call me if you want, okay?” The nurses have my number for emergencies.
“Okay, Brother.” I give her a kiss on the forehead and then head out, leaving her with the boy wizard.
Nineteen
“Well look at you,” Saige says a few hours later as I open her door to pick her up. I’ve gone more casual tonight, but my jeans are still designer, my simple black long-sleeve pullover more expensive than a shirt should ever be. But I’ve got my favorite pair of boots on. They’re black and leather and make me feel more like Sylas than Quinn. It’s a risk wearing them, but I don’t care tonight. I’ve made sure to cover up my tattoos as well. I’m not willing to share that particular part of Quinn with Saige’s friends. With her it’s unavoidable.
“Right back at you,” I say. She’s casual herself, in skinny jeans, a loose gray top and a yellow scarf. Her hair’s curly and down and a set of sparkly diamonds dot her ears. Of course her lips are red.
“You ready for this?” she asks as she grabs her bag and locks the door.
“Ready as I’ll ever be. Who are we meeting up with again?” We head for the elevator as she ticks off the names.
“Lo, who of course you met, Sadie, Beck and her boyfriend JR, and Ilsa and her girlfriend Amelia.” I know all of these names already, which will come in handy when I meet these people. I’ve seen pictures as well, so this should be a breeze.
“You sure you’re up to this? I’m pretty much throwing you to the lions.” If I can handle the boys, I can handle this, but I can’t tell her that.
“Your friends are my friends,” I say, holding the door of the BMW open for her.
“You say that now, but you haven’t spent an evening with them.”
“Well, if it starts going south I’ll just pretend I have an ulcer and have to go home.” She laughs and I put on my seatbelt.
Instead of a trendy club, we head to a laid back bar. A country band does their thing in the corner, but it’s not too loud so you can’t carry on a conversation over the music. It’s all wood and honky-tonkish in here. More cowboy boots and spurs than techno and strobe lights.
“We always try a different bar. We’re determined to have a drink at every single one in the city,” Saige says when I raise my eyebrows at the location. “We’ve been avoiding this place for obvious reasons.” A few dudes wearing actual cowboy hats walk by and Saige laughs as we walk up to the second floor loft that overlooks the first floor.
Female arms tug her away from me immediately and sweep her up into various embraces. Once she’s let go, she drags me over.
“Everyone, this is Quinn. Quinn, this is Lo, who you’ve met, Amelia, Isla, JR, Beck and Sadie.” I shake hands with everyone, and Lo gives me a little smirk before she lets go. Saige has an interesting mix of friends. Sadie and Beck are both upper crust socialites but the rest aren’t. Usually that mix of people doesn’t work, but clearly they seem to get along anyway.
I grab two high chairs for Saige and me and we join the table.
“What are you drinking, Quinn?” JR says as he gets up to make a bar run.
“Uh, shot of Jack and a Bud Light,” I say and he gives me a thumbs up before taking Saige’s order. She smiles at me.
“I’ll have the same.” That makes Lo laugh as she sips her drink, which is pink and orange. I’ll bet anything it’s a Sex on the Beach.
“You trying to get wasted, Saige?” Lo says. Saige shrugs.
“Maybe. You got a problem with that?”
“Absolutely not.” Lo stares at me and I know she’s remembering the first time she barged in on us. And I’m sure Saige has told her every sordid detail of our relationship. If she thinks I’m ashamed or embarrassed that she knows that about me, she’s got another thing coming.
“So, Quinn, where do you work?” Beck says. She’s dressed like she should be going to a fancy cocktail party and not slumming it at a bluegrass bar. Her warm brown hair is twisted back tight, there are pearls in her ears and her pink shirt is drenched in luxury.
“Uptown,” I say with a smile.
“Quinn spends other people’s money,” Saige says, squeezing my arm.
Beck smiles.
“That must be nice.”
“Sometimes. But it’s much worse making a mistake with someone else’s money than your own.”
“Money, schmoney,” Lo says, waving that topic off. “What do you do with your spare time?” What is with everyone’s obsession with my spare time? I flash her a smile.
“I read and run and collect cars.” That’s a safe enough answer. Her blonde eyebrows raise. Must have surprised her.
JR comes back with our drinks and I hold my shot up to Saige. She grabs hers.
“Bottoms up,” I say and we both tap our shot glasses on the table before downing them. The whiskey burns while it goes down and I relish the feeling. To her credit, Saige does the whole thing without even a cough.
I chase the shot with a swig of beer and she does the same.