by Lynn Hagen
“Which means he already knows the score,” Nash said. “I know Layne talked to Stevie about his own mark.”
That gave Quinn hope and, at the same time, made his stomach drop. If Stevie already knew he could get pregnant, Quinn was sure the guy was staying away from panthers.
“He could be your mate,” Nash said. “You need to stick by him. In two weeks he’s gonna emit pheromones and become a target for every panther out there.
Quinn wouldn’t know if Stevie was his unless his canines involuntarily descended, and so far that hadn’t happened. If they never did, then Stevie wouldn’t belong to him. Quinn could still get the guy pregnant, any panther would be able to, but their souls wouldn’t be bound together, and what if Stevie’s mate came along?
Quinn needed to stick close to Stevie, and he prayed his canines did descend. He wanted a family, and he wanted it with Stevie. Quinn had never been so sure of anything in his life.
He also wanted to keep Stevie safe from whoever was fucking with him.
“I might not be able to help out at the pub.” Quinn got up, ready to run back to Stevie.
“No worries. I hired two other bartenders to help out. You concentrate on Stevie.”
Quinn kissed Connor on the back of his head before he hurried from the house. It was time he and Stevie came clean. Quinn would let Stevie know that he was aware of the mark and that he wanted him, and Stevie would damn well tell Quinn who had struck him.
And when Quinn found out, he would unleash his anger and bury the bastard.
Chapter Four
Instead of parking by the tree lawn, Quinn parked right in front of Stevie’s driveway because he saw the guy dragging a wheeled suitcase to his car.
Stevie was sweating, red-faced, and panting as he fought to get his luggage to his trunk. Quinn got out and walked toward him. “Taking a vacation?”
“Don’t try and stop me.” Stevie tried to lift the suitcase, which appeared to be twice his size. The red luggage was bulky from over packing. If the human kept trying to lift it, he’d either get a hernia or have a heart attack in this heat. He was already sweating like crazy and seemed flushed. Stevie needed to get out of this heat.
“Just tell me why you’re running.” Quinn lifted the suitcase with ease and set it on top of the car. He wasn’t letting Stevie take off. Not without a suitable explanation.
And not without him.
Stevie stomped his foot and jabbed a finger at the top of his car. “You give that back right now!”
Quinn held his hands up. “I’m not stopping you from getting it.” He really wasn’t trying to be a dick. Honestly. He just couldn’t allow Stevie to take off. Clearly the human was in trouble, and all Quinn wanted to do was help. But his mate was stubborn as fuck, shutting him out.
With an arched brow, Quinn watched Stevie climb the hood of his car. When he reached the roof, he grunted as he shoved the suitcase down.
It hit the ground and busted open. Stevie stood there looking wide-eyed then glared at Quinn. “You owe me a new piece of luggage.”
He got down, popped his trunk, and started picking up pieces of clothing, tossing them inside.
“Will you just talk to me?” Quinn grabbed Stevie’s arm to stop him. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are.”
Quinn swallowed, trying to calm his racing heart. He wasn’t sure what he would do if Stevie just took off. What if Nash was onto something? What if Stevie turned out to be Quinn’s mate?
If Stevie left, he would be taking Quinn’s chances of having a family, of sharing a life with this beautiful, quirky human. Quinn didn’t care if he was trying to create a “forever” guy with Stevie. Whenever he was around the human, Quinn’s palms became sweaty, his heart raced, and he always felt flushed.
“Then why don’t you put a little trust in me and tell me what’s going on?” He led Stevie to his truck. It was hot outside, and Quinn didn’t want to stand in the miserable heat.
“Where’re you taking me?” Stevie didn’t try and stop Quinn.
“To cool off. We can talk in my truck.”
Stevie looked back at his car then sighed. “Five minutes. I need to get on the road.”
Quinn felt as though he’d been running all day. He was tired and just wanted Stevie to come clean. When they climbed into the truck, Quinn took a different approach.
“You know I’m a panther, and you also know Layne had a baby.”
“I was right there when he went into labor and gave birth,” Stevie said. “I might not be into women, but I know what childbirth is.”
Quinn started the truck and blasted the AC. “I’m told you know about that panthera mark you have.”
Stevie went rigid then gave a nervous laugh. “What mark? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Quinn rolled his eyes. “I’m going to assume you’re not as dumb as you’re pretending to be.”
“Was that an insult?” Stevie asked. “I think you just insulted me.”
“I wasn’t insulting you,” Quinn argued. “You’re the one playing dumb because I saw your birthmark on your lower back.”
“And?” Stevie reached for the door handle. Quinn snaked his hand out and touched Stevie’s wrist.
“Don’t go.”
Stevie looked back at him, and there was regret in his eyes. “It’s better this way. The less people involved, the better. You’ve been really nice to me, and I don’t want you hurt.”
Quinn pinched the bridge of his nose, gnashing his teeth as he prayed for patience. “I can handle myself, Stevie. Stop worrying about me and tell me what you’re running from.”
Nash said not to give up, and Quinn didn’t plan to, but the human made Quinn want to pull his hair out. How could he make Stevie see that he could confide in him? How could he convince the guy that he didn’t have to shoulder whatever burden he carried alone?
Quinn looked out the window, racking his brain, when he noticed a blue car on the opposite side of the street, a few houses down. Someone was seated behind the wheel, watching them, but he couldn’t make out who it was. The sun was shining too brightly, and there was a glare on the car’s windshield.
It could be an innocent situation. That was what Quinn believed until the person slid his hand out the open window, aimed a gun at Quinn, and fired.
“Get down!” Quinn reached for Stevie and threw him to the seat, curling his body over the human. The sound of a gunning motor and squealing tires filled the air. Quinn jerked up and looked out the back window, watching as the car raced away.
“Are you all right?”
Stevie looked up at Quinn, his lips parted and his eyes wide. “We were just shot at. No, I’m not okay!”
Quinn pulled from the curb and drove toward the police station. He’d seen part of the plate before the guy had appeared.
“Where’re you going?” Stevie kept looking around, as if the gunman would come after them again.
“The cops,” Quinn said. “As you said, we were just shot at.”
“We can’t go to the police,” Stevie said. “That’ll make things worse.”
Quinn pulled over and twisted around to look at Stevie. “Then tell me what the fuck is going on.” He ground his teeth when Stevie pressed his lips together. “I’m involved now. Tell me or I swear I’ll wring your scrawny neck.”
It gutted Quinn to make that threat considering Stevie already had a bruise on his face, but he’d run out of patience and it seemed the only way to get answers.
That still didn’t make him feel any better about threatening the guy, even if Quinn would never lay a hand on him.
Stevie rested his head in his hands. “Fine, but keep in mind that none of this is my fault. I had nothing to do with my degenerate father and his gambling habit.”
Quinn’s gut knotted. He braced himself for the worst as Stevie looked at him, dread in his eyes. “My dad racked up a hefty debt and can’t pay it back. Some guy named Neal threatened to kill me if I didn’t
come up with fifty grand in two weeks. I went to talk to my father, and he’s the one who did this to my face.”
Quinn slumped in his seat, stunned at what Stevie was saying. Fifty fucking grand? Jesus.
“Both Neal and Cliff, my dad, are trying to get me to get the money from you.” Stevie’s eyes went even wider as he held up his hands. “I refused, just so you know. I even tried to stay away from you, but you just kept coming around.”
Quinn closed his eyes and worked his jaw from side to side. He couldn’t believe Stevie’s father had not only gotten his son pulled into this but had abused him, too.
“I don’t blame you for being angry,” Stevie said. “But in my defense, I really did try to keep you out of this.” He reached for the door handle.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Quinn said. “We’re going to the cops. There’s no fucking way I’m paying your dad’s debt, but I’m also not letting anyone hurt you because of him.”
“But Neal is gonna kill me,” Stevie argued. “He’s already taken my mom.”
Quinn was beyond shocked, but he shouldn’t have been. He’d dealt with a lot of scum in his life, men who would do anything for a few bucks or to get their ass out of trouble. He wouldn’t doubt Cliff had suggested to Neal that Stevie use Quinn.
He hated the fact that people knew about his and brothers’ inheritance. One thing was certain. Quinn wasn’t handing over a dime.
And he wasn’t going to let anything happen to Stevie.
Quinn started to drive again, but before he could merge back into traffic, his canines punched downward.
Stevie gasped.
Quinn shoved the gear into Park, his heart hammering. Aunt Beatrice had told her nephews that it could happen anytime, anywhere. This kind of reaction only happened when a panther found his mate.
He looked at Stevie, who was still looking wide-eyed at Quinn.
The slim human was his mate, and Quinn couldn’t be happier. Now he just had to get his mate out of this mess.
* * * *
Stevie had no idea why Quinn was showing his sharp teeth. He didn’t think the guy would attack him, but should he really take that chance?
He fumbled for the door handle, slamming his hand against the glass when he couldn’t get it to open. He shouted, but no one was passing them by, so no one could hear Stevie’s desperate calls.
“Stop.” Quinn pulled him back. “Calm the hell down. I didn’t do it on purpose. It was just some kind of reaction.”
“To the smell of my blood.” Stevie pressed himself against the door, trying to sink into the frame. Quinn was a good-looking guy, but at the moment, he was a scary-looking guy.
“Do I look like a damn vampire to you?” Quinn rolled his eyes then explained to Stevie about mates and the reaction he’d just had with his canines.
Now Stevie was even more desperate to get out of the truck. “You’re not putting a baby in me,” he said, wishing he could grip the handle and pull it. Why wouldn’t his damn fingers work? It was as if they’d forgotten how to curl inward.
“I need a snack. Chewing calms my nerves.” He gave up on getting out. Stevie slumped in his seat and decided to concentrate on his breathing instead. He’d fainted when he’d seen Layne pregnant. Men weren’t supposed to have babies.
It felt as if his world had flipped upside down.
Quinn reached into the glove box and pulled out a candy bar. “Don’t know how old it is, but you can—” Stevie snatched it and peeled back the wrapper.
With one bite he was chewing like he was in an eating marathon. His jaw worked so fast that it began to hurt.
He liked Quinn, a lot, but now the guy was telling him that fate had brought them together, that Quinn was it for him, that Stevie couldn’t date any other guy.
He didn’t care so much about not dating other men, but this felt just as overwhelming as when Neal had pulled that gun on him. No, wait. That had been scarier.
“I think I need to lie down.” Stevie finished off the gooey, stale candy bar and set the wrapper aside. “I also need some pretzels or cheese puffs.”
They were right by Casey’s Corner, the small neighborhood store. This time when Stevie tried to get out of the truck, he was successful. His legs were wobbly as he walked down the street, Quinn right beside him.
“Babies?”
Quinn shrugged. “I’ve always wanted a family. You’ve never thought about kids?”
“Other than Connor, I’ve never really been around them.” Stevie had had no desire to procreate. That would’ve required sleeping with a woman, and uh, hello, gay?
Not that Cliff hadn’t tried to hook Stevie up with females in his attempt to make his son straight. Stevie had been mortified and run from the house. He respected women, but he didn’t want to have sex with them.
Well, he didn’t respect Marie.
Or Clara.
Stevie could’ve adopted, but who wanted to voluntarily become a single parent? Sure, there were some out there that would prefer it that way, but he wasn’t one of them.
“Can we just change the subject?” Stevie asked when they reached the store and Quinn held the door open for him.
“For now, but we’re not done talking about it.” He grabbed Stevie’s hand and led him down an aisle as if Stevie were five and needed adult supervision. It was possible that Quinn thought he would run.
At this point, Stevie just might. He had Neal after him, his mother was missing, and now Quinn was talking about babies. Thank goodness the guy’s canines had receded, or Casey—the owner—might’ve freaked out. Along with the other customers in the store.
“I don’t need you holding my hand, Dad.” Stevie cringed as soon as he said the word. They’d joked the other day about nicknames for Stevie, but after the hell Cliff had just put him through, Stevie didn’t want to think about the asshole.
“Maybe I like holding your hand.” Quinn grabbed a big bag of chips.
“You’re enjoying this whole couple thing, aren’t you?” Stevie finally managed to wiggle his hand free.
“I’m not against relationships. I like having someone to snuggle with.” Quinn smiled at him, and Stevie’s heart fluttered. He needed his head examined, because although Stevie was freaking out, he was still attracted to Quinn in the worst way.
How could he not be? Quinn was sexy as sin, with a rocking body, and a wonderful, witty personality. He was the whole package—a package Stevie needed to steer clear of.
But Stevie had to admit, he liked having Quinn with him. Things felt less scary knowing Hercules was willing to stick by his side.
No. Stevie needed to get away from Quinn. He wasn’t having the guy’s baby.
Stevie stomped off, grabbing his snacks before meeting Quinn at the counter. Quinn paid for their things, and they walked out, heading down the street. It wasn’t until they were in front of the police station that Stevie realized where Quinn had been leading them.
“I’m not going inside.” Stevie popped a handful of pretzels into his mouth and chewed. “We’ll make matters worse. What can the sheriff do to help us? He can’t go to Mr. Bodega and demand he release my mom. If he arrests Neal, someone else will be sent in his place.”
In truth, Stevie didn’t want Quinn’s family targeted. He’d never forgive himself if anything happened to Quinn or his brothers. Stevie had known about the O’Briens back in high school, but he’d never interacted with them. Keller and Nomad had been a grade or two higher than him and had graduated before he could lust after them.
He’d known of Nash and Quinn, but Stevie never really paid them any attention. Not until they’d returned to Kendall and Stevie saw just how gorgeous they were. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told Layne they were eye candy.
And now Quinn was giving him a sweet tooth.
“I’ve got an idea.” Quinn handed Stevie his huge bag of chips and pulled out his phone.
Stevie sniffed inside the bag and started munching on the sour cream and onions. The way he a
te snacks, he should weigh a thousand pounds and be a frequent flier at the dentist office.
But then Stevie never ate anything sugary. It was always chips, pretzels, crackers. Things like that.
Although once he had polished off a large box of fruit snacks. The twenty-pack kind. But it wasn’t too often he indulged in sugar.
“I gotta situation,” Quinn said into his phone. “Can we meet up?” He paused for a second. “I’m already in town. I’ll meet you at the park.”
“Who was that?” Stevie asked when Quinn hung up, pocketed his phone, and grabbed his chips.
“Don’t be eating my snack when you have a bagful of your own.” Quinn shoved a few chips into his mouth and then talked around his food. “It was Hayward. He’s gonna meet us here.”
“Who?”
Quinn rolled his eyes. “Nomad.”
Stevie knew Layne was afraid of Nomad. The guy was scary, but he fascinated Stevie more than frightened him. If there was one person who could help them in this mess, it was Nomad.
The guy looked as though he had ninja skills. He was all intense stares and quietness. Those were the ones you watched out for. Quinn was more of the laughing and joking type, but Stevie had no doubt he could spring into action if he needed to.
They took a seat on a bench under a large oak tree that drooped with tangled clumps of Spanish moss. If Stevie really concentrated, he could smell the breeze from the ocean.
“So, back to babies.” Quinn ate a few more chips. “How opposed are you to having them? I’m thinking we could have two or more if you want.”
Stevie chuckled. This was too insane not to laugh. “How about zero and we adopt a pet?”
“There’re already too many cats in the house.” He winked. “And I don’t think a dog would be comfortable around so many panthers.”
“You do realize that we’re sitting ducks, right?” Stevie waved a hand in front of him. “We’re out in the open for Neal to take another shot at us.”
“I don’t think he’d do it in such a crowded area,” Quinn said. “And I know his car now. I might be having an enjoyable conversation with you, but I’m also watching the traffic.”
