Quinn Family Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

  Griff shook his head. “I like women, okay. It’s not about that.” He watched the waves roll in for a few seconds. “When you’ve been in dark places and done dark things like Jasmine and I ...” He paused then said, “You understand deep down that you’ll never be … compatible with someone who’s inherently good.”

  Kaleb’s stomach dropped. Jasmine had said similar things. Griff was right, Kaleb couldn’t understand it. Did that mean he wasn’t right for Jasmine?

  Griff studied him and the compassion in his eyes hurt worse than any punch to the gut. “I’m sorry, man. I wish I was wrong.”

  Kaleb wanted to scream that Griff was wrong but he didn’t know that. He closed his eyes and prayed. Griff stood and put a heavy hand on his shoulder.

  Kaleb opened his eyes and met his brother’s concerned gaze. “I’ll never feel worthy of a relationship with someone pure,” Griff said.

  That broke Kaleb. His brother was a good man, no matter what he’d had to do in the military. “That’s wrong, Griff. You learned how to pray just like I did, how to ask for forgiveness. Jesus loves you.”

  Griff’s jaw tightened. “Please don’t.” He shook his head. “All I’m trying to say is … I understand Jasmine, and if she feels anything like me … she might never come around.”

  Kaleb pulled in a breath and wanted to curl into a ball and cry. He didn’t care if Griff made fun of him. He ached for Jasmine, and she’d been gone a matter of minutes. If what Griff was saying was true and she could never overcome her feelings of inadequacy, his life may as well be over. How could he survive without her?

  Griff shrugged. “Give her some time. Maybe she’ll come around.” But nothing in his voice gave any reassurance that he believed she would. He patted Kaleb’s shoulder awkwardly one more time and walked away.

  Kaleb stood still and watched him go. The crashing waves didn’t overpower the sound of the police sirens and the crowds of people. Jasmine was gone, and neither she nor Griff felt worthy of a healthy relationship. The heaviness in his chest expanded until he wondered if he’d die of a heart attack. That sounded better than being without Jasmine.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Jasmine had been working undercover for the past three months in different states and countries. Sutton’s men would use their intel to find hot spots for human trafficking and she’d pose as a naïve girl, get captured before too long, and then take the operation down from the inside while Sutton’s men followed her tracker and backed her up from the outside. It was another hope of redemption from her past and sometimes took her mind off of Kaleb. When she had a break, she’d watch recordings of his concert circuit last summer or find something new about him on Google. Sometimes he’d sing her song, the song about her heart of gold. It wasn’t true, but she loved it. She missed him so much it hurt, but she wasn’t about to put him in danger again.

  Sutton, Liz, and Griff had each tried to talk to her about him. She shut them down quickly. She contacted Bree on the telephone occasionally but usually had to keep the calls short to make sure Bree didn’t break down her walls and have Jasmine revealing her current location and begging for Kaleb to come find her. Jasmine had been strong her entire life. What was another fifty years alone and miserable? Maybe she’d get lucky and on one of these ops someone would kill her.

  The only change she’d made in the past three months was talking to the good Lord above. She wasn’t certain he listened, but she did like talking to him. Lately she’d been working through repentance on one name each night, taken from the list she’d written for Sutton back in Puerto Rico. It was painful but also cathartic and made her hope someday she could be forgiven like Kaleb had claimed.

  It was a muggy August night and she was on the island of Cozumel walking casually into a bar off the plaza, far too late for innocent people to be out. Their latest intel showed three girls disappearing from nearby this bar while on vacation. Jasmine smiled prettily at the bouncer, and he grinned and stepped back. “Welcome.”

  “Gracias.” She winked coyly and sashayed past him. Her tight-fitting red dress was cut low enough and high enough to get lots of attention. She hated using her looks for attention but if it saved one person from trafficking it was worth it. She sauntered to the bar and started flirting with a couple men sitting there.

  Suddenly the men stopped talking and their eyes widened. Jasmine slowly turned around, prepared to meet the man she would soon be destroying, usually the traffickers found her pretty quickly as she appeared both beautiful and vulnerable.

  Her own eyes widened and she broke character. “Griff?” she whispered. Why did he have to look so much like Kaleb? Her heart thumped painfully against her chest. She and Griff hadn’t been on ops together for a while, and she’d been grateful to not have the live reminder of losing the love of her life.

  He nodded shortly, his lips in a thin line. “Excuse me, guys, I need her.”

  Jasmine’s nostrils flared and she folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t think so.”

  “Jaz.” Griff’s voice was patient as ever. “I need five minutes.”

  She was tempted to knock him down and break cover completely, her op was already ruined at this point. No trafficker was going to take her after seeing her leave the bar with the likes of Griff. She’d have to relocate and start over.

  “Fine,” she gritted from between clenched teeth. Standing, she rushed in front of Griff and back out the front exit. The bouncer glared at Griff and muttered something under his breath.

  When they were far enough into the darkened plaza that no one would overhear, she whirled on him. “What are you doing here? Sutton didn’t inform me you were coming and you’ve just ruined my op.”

  Griff stared at her. “Are you happy, Jaz?”

  “What?” What kind of a stupid question was that? He knew how miserable she was.

  “Are you happy?”

  “I’m doing what I’m meant to do. What does being happy have to do with it?”

  Griff stepped closer and she backed away. He was intimidating, and she didn’t like him at all right now. “Maybe it’s time for you to change your path.”

  “Who are you?”

  Griff broke into a smile at that. “I’m your brother-in-law.”

  “No, you’re not …” He was still technically her brother-in-law. She hadn’t ever done anything to annul her and Kaleb’s farce of a marriage, and as far as she knew, neither had he.

  “I know … some of what you’ve been through, Jaz. I’ve been there too. I don’t know how to ask this of you, because honestly I can’t change myself, and I’ll never be with someone good, but …”

  “You are making no sense,” she snapped. Her eyes darted around. During the day this plaza was bustling with vendors, but right now it was quiet and deserted. She wondered if Kaleb was hiding somewhere close by. Her traitorous heart leapt at the thought.

  Griff’s jaw hardened. “I’ll never allow myself to love someone. I’m not worthy of someone good. That’s exactly how you feel, right?”

  Jasmine nodded. “Yes.” If Griff understood, why had he interrupted her op to make her feel bad about it? Make her yearn for Kaleb as she stared at his brother who looked far too similar to him?

  “But you made a mistake, Jaz.”

  “I don’t make mistakes,” she shot back.

  “You did this time. You let yourself fall in love … with my brother.”

  Jasmine drew back a step and clasped a hand to her throat. Griff knew her far too well. “You heard me tell him I loved him?”

  He nodded. “And he loves you. He loves you so much it’s painful for me to be around him.” Griff shook his head. “You can only stay strong and independent until you fall. And you fell, Jaz.” He jabbed a finger at her. “And now you’re ripping my brother apart. I won’t stand for it.”

  Jasmine hated the thought of Kaleb hurting. She knew it was true. She knew his tender, beautiful heart and how much he loved her, but she’d blocked it out these past few month
s as she lived in the dark world that she knew so well and was certain she deserved. Kaleb’s light, love, and handsome face were too far away to even dream about.

  “You won’t stand for it?” Jasmine challenged, putting her hands on her hips. “You’re not my boss, Griff. What do you think you’re going to do?”

  Griff gave her a satisfied smirk. “I’ll let him do it.” He stepped back and Kaleb eased out from behind a vacant vendor cart.

  Jasmine’s breath caught as her heart beat double-time. She simply drank him in as he walked toward her. His blue eyes were dark as midnight, his handsome face was as perfect as she remembered, his muscular arms reached out for her as he drew near. That mouth she’d longed for parted slightly. “Oh, Jaz,” he murmured.

  Then he reached her and lifted her off her feet, with her vast arsenal of fighting maneuvers, there was nothing she could do to stop him from holding her. He captured her mouth with his own. His kiss was determined and passionate, and her world exploded with the joy of it all. He finally set her on her feet and framed her face with his hands. “Oh, beautiful Jaz, I’ve missed you more than you’ll ever know.”

  Jasmine wanted to never leave his arms, tell him how she’d craved him, how much she loved him, but Griff betraying her and Kaleb finding her didn’t change anything. Even though she was working through things with the Lord, she still wasn’t worthy of Kaleb. She could never allow more hurt to come to him because of her past.

  She pulled back and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Kaleb. So sorry, but I can’t do this.”

  “Oh, Jaz, don’t. You have no clue how many hours I begged to get Griff to finally help me. How many nights I’ve prayed and sobbed missing you. You’ve ripped me apart, please don’t leave me again.”

  It killed her. She’d known it would hurt him but to hear it from his lips was a dagger straight to her chest. “You’ll never understand, Kaleb. I’m doing this for you. Because I … care.” She couldn’t tell him she loved him again. She gestured to herself in the racy dress with too much makeup. She was cheap and she hated herself. “This is my life. I do horrible things to try to help free someone innocent. I’m not happy, but it’s what I’ve been trained for and it’s how I can make a difference.” She placed her hand on his chest. “You’re light and goodness. You make a difference with your music and the love you show to so many. I can’t put you in danger again. I can’t risk that goodness in you being damaged because of me.”

  Kaleb stared at her and something clicked in his eyes. “Oh, Jaz.” His voice dropped low and he stared deeply at her with those blue eyes she’d missed so horribly. “I’ve got a deal for you.”

  She shook her head. He was changing tactics and she didn’t know if it bode well for her or not. Suddenly the operation wasn’t proceeding on her terms. “What deal?”

  “If you can tell me you don’t love me … I’ll leave and you’ll never have to see me again.” The last words rushed out like he didn’t want to say them, but it was a last ditch effort.

  Jasmine’s breath was coming quickly, and she could hardly hold his gaze. He didn’t say any more, just studied her and looked like he was holding his breath. She couldn’t take it much longer. She had to get away from him or she would cave.

  “Fine!” she yelled. “Fine …” She stepped back, away from him. She could do this. Lie and tell him she didn’t love him and then he would leave. He’d be safe and someday he’d find love and happiness. It was the right thing to do, and she’d lied so many times in her life it would be easy.

  His blue eyes begged her, but thankfully he didn’t reach out a hand or touch her. She would’ve probably caved then. She drew in a breath, stood straight and muttered, “I …” She closed her eyes and begged for help from above. She was trying to do the right thing and she knew He cared about that. The good Lord could help her do this, lie to the man she loved to protect him. Heaven above knew she wasn’t meant to be with Kaleb.

  Opening her eyes, she held Kaleb’s gaze and decided she’d need to yell to get it out fast, and then she could run and fall apart somewhere far away from his beautiful face and trusting blue eyes.

  “I love you!” she yelled.

  Kaleb’s jaw dropped open as Jasmine clapped a hand over her mouth. What had she done?

  “Jaz?” he whispered her name so reverently, so hopefully.

  Jasmine gasped for air and tried to think of a way out of this mess, but her mouth betrayed her again. “Yes,” she moaned out. “I love you, I adore you, I worship the ground you walk on …” She shook her head. “See what a wimp you’ve made me into?”

  Kaleb grinned, rushed to her and swept her off the ground. He crushed her against him. “You’ve made me so happy, Jaz.” He bent close and she stood on her tiptoes. Their lips met in an explosion of emotion. Jasmine had never known such love and fulfillment could exist. She still wasn’t worthy of Kaleb and maybe it was wrong to allow herself to love him, but it really wasn’t possible for something that felt this right to be wrong.

  He finally pulled back and said, “Jaz … I want you in my life. If that means you still,” he swallowed, “have to put yourself in dangerous situations and do missions for Sutton I understand. I’ll trust you to keep coming back to me. But please never shut me out again. I love you too much to not be with you.”

  Jasmine stared up at him. She gestured to her skimpy dress. “So you’d be okay with your wife,” she swallowed hard as his gaze warmed her clear through, “dressing like this to lure in drug dealers or human trafficking scumballs then beating the crap out of them before coming home to you at night?”

  He stared at her for a beat and then nodded. “You’re different from any woman I’ve ever known Jaz, and that’s part of what I love about you. Of course, I’d be thrilled if you retired and didn’t put yourself in danger, but I’ll deal with anything.” He smiled. “Even you knocking me on my butt when you think necessary. I just want to be with you. I want to make our marriage real and show you every day how much I love you.”

  Jasmine couldn’t believe him. “What if I endanger you, or your family?”

  “Come on. I’ve got you, Griff, Sutton Smith, and all of his men protecting me. I’ve never been so safe.” He smiled. “Please, Jaz. Say we’re real.”

  She circled her arms around his neck and shook her head. “You are a crazy, crazy man. I love you so much.”

  Kaleb grinned. “Can we do this marriage thing right?”

  She tilted her head to the side. “I’m all about doing the marriage right, but I don’t want another fancy wedding.”

  “What do you want?”

  “A very private honeymoon.”

  Kaleb whooped and swept her off her feet. He cradled her against his chest and carried her out of the plaza.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, giddiness rushing through her. Her op was ruined and who knew when she’d take the next job, but Kaleb approved of her working for Sutton, helping to take down traffickers or whatever other job she was assigned to, and their fake marriage was suddenly becoming very, very real.

  He grinned down at her. “Does it matter?”

  She laughed. “Not really, as long as I’m with you.”

  His arms tightened around her. “Luckily, I booked a beautiful resort for tonight. Tomorrow I’m thinking we fly to Fiji.”

  “Glass-bottom hut?”

  “Is that your dream?”

  She reached up and kissed him. “No, you are.”

  Kaleb stopped walking. His kiss started tenderly, but the passion arcing between them quickly took things to the next level. He’d come for her. He loved her. Warmth, fulfillment, and happiness rushed through her as she realized being married to Kaleb already surpassed every good dream she’d ever had. Dreams she thought were unrealistic and crazy, until now.

  Their very private honeymoon could be in a shack for all she cared. The only thing she needed she already had … Kaleb.

  The Gentle Patriot

  Chapter One

  Mack Qui
nn, offensive lineman for the Georgia Patriots, followed the crowd of his teammates as they surged toward Hyde Metcalf, their wide receiver, to celebrate the winning touchdown pass. A win against Dallas on Christmas Day was great vindication after Dallas had beaten the Patriots out of their spot in the Super Bowl last year. Teammates slapped Hyde on the shoulder and someone hoisted their quarterback, Rigby “the Rocket” Breeland, into the air, but Hyde Metcalf dodged anyone trying to slow him down.

  Staying close to his fellow linemen, Mack tried to keep up with Hyde, and blend in with the crowd. Not an easy feat when you were six-eight and over three hundred pounds. Luckily, Mack could move fast, even if his siblings and teammates teased him that he was built like a Mack truck.

  He approached the sidelines and watched as Hyde launched himself over the barrier and into the waiting arms of his fiancée, Lily Udy. Mack’s gaze didn’t linger on the couple kissing, he searched for the young woman who accompanied Hyde’s mom and fiancée to every game. He stopped in his tracks and let out an audible sigh. Sariah Udy.

  Somebody ran into him from behind, but he couldn’t do more than mutter, “It’s okay,” to their apology. The woman of his dreams was less than ten feet away from him … and she had absolutely no clue that he existed. Sariah was cheering, along with her family, as Hyde and Lily kissed and then Hyde started hugging everybody.

  Mack had a great family of his own. He’d meet up with them after he showered. He’d bought them a private box last year when he started playing professionally. Usually, a few siblings and his parents were at each home game, sometimes the entire family would show. Today it was his parents, his sister, Navy, and his brother, Colt. Ryder had a game of his own with the Texas Titans tonight, Kaleb was doing a benefit concert in California for Christmas, and Griff was off saving the world somewhere.

  He loved his family being here, but he thought it was pretty great that Hyde’s family sat on the front row. Maybe he’d move his family’s seats next year, if they wanted. The youngest in the family, Mack had never been one to ask much of anybody, especially his family who were much too good to him. He was blessed for sure. If only he could have the blessing of Sariah Udy noticing him. His gaze was still locked on her. She was helping Hyde’s mom get her scarf on properly. It was a mild Georgia winter, but the older lady probably chilled easily.