If I thoughtI had a thing for her before, knowing there’s a tangible threat to her safety now has literally sent me off the fucking deep end. We'd all have been stupid not to speculate that there might be, but according to the information the police have released to the public, all signs point to her father’s death being a random act of violence.
The run-in she had with Adrian a few days ago would have been plenty enough reason for me to freak out about her potentially being in danger, regardless of the fact that he is behind bars now. If he was in on this and bold enough to approach her in public in the way he did, who’s to say someone else involved wouldn’t do the same or worse?
But someone hacking my home security system?
What the fuck?
I fully realize this could just be someone threatening my job and not Quinn.
Fucking around with students is not exactly abiding by Cypress’s ethics code, and I am sure there are any number of people in Hallow who would love to see me lose my job—if only for the drama of it.
But, I can’t exactly think of anyone who would be lying in wait just hoping I trip up and be willing to go to these kinds of lengths… I am most definitely leaning toward this all having something to do with Quinn.
I’m not saying I want her to move in with me.
Okay. That’s exactly what I’m saying.
But how do I word,I will forfeit all my mortal possessions if you promise to never leave my sight again, without scaring her off?
I mean. That can’t be much scarier than sending her out into the world with a fucking stalker.
One that’s not me, that is.
She lingers in the doorway of my study looking like her stomach is in knots. Mine is too, but I refuse to let it show for her sake. I need her to feel reassured that I will take care of this—take care ofher.
I told her about the text immediately then reached out to Stu. There’s no one I trust more to debug my security system regardless of how much of an idiot he is otherwise, not even the security company. Work kept him busy until late this evening, but he and Ezra finally arrived about an hour ago; attached at the hip per usual.
Her gaze flicks to mine, and her eyes are filled with lingering worry mixed with something seemingly trusting.Loving.
My stomach dips and blood shoots to my cock because that excites me a littletoomuch.
Stu’s voice cuts through the waiting tension as he looks up from the laptop screen he’s been poring over for the last hour. “Your security system is pretty basic, but I think it’s fine all things considered.”
He is the techy one of the three of us, working in cyber security. Though, I’ve never been a hundred percent sure of what it is he actually does for a living. I feel like that’s commonfor people who work in tech. The rest of us just don’t fully understand.
He’s good at it, though.
I run a hand through my already-ruffled hair. “Thanks, bud.” I look at Quinn again. “You okay, baby?”
The term of endearment falls so easily from my lips, like everything between us has shifted now and I have no desire to backtrack even though this could potentially be a bad idea on both our parts for a variety of reasons.
She smiles and nods. “I’m fine.”
“Daaawwwwww. You guys are socute.” Stu ruffles my hair even more so as he stands from the chair to stretch out his long limbs and I slap at his hand, jerking my head away.
Quinn laughs a little and I’m thankful for his easy way of always lightening the mood.
“Anyways, I think you’re all good now but I’m going to set up a connection to my laptop after I rest my eyeballs for a minute so I can be notified if anyone tries to breach it again. Tracking it back to whoever did it the first time was a dead end, but at least now I’ll have an eye on it.” He heads toward the door, but pauses to say to Quinn, “You should consider staying until we figure this out.” He lightly claps her on the shoulder. “The cops aren’t going to do shit compared to the protective detail Jacky boy can provide.” His words are laced with innuendo and waggles his eyebrows.
I could kiss him on the mouth for bringing it up first, and I could fall to my knees in gratitude when she nods just once, agreeing that she will consider it.
Quinn
I sneakinto Sienna’s room and sit in the rocking chair in the corner while Jack heads downstairs with his friends to take a break from the monotony of the evening. I’m thankful she’s oblivious to all of this and can sleep so soundly, my unbothered baby girl.
I’m staring into the distance when the door creaks open, startling me out of my fucking skin. I have to force myself not to scream.
“Oh my god, I am so sorry,” Stu says in a loud whisper. “I didn’t know you were in here.”
