Keeping Quinn: The Next Generation

by Edwards, Riley

  “So, Quinn, you have a big family, right?” Adam asked.

  “God, yes. There are so many of us, I’ve lost count.”

  “That’s lovely,” Mrs. Lancaster beamed. “You have three sisters and a brother, is that correct?”

  “Yes. Jason is the oldest and he’s married to Mercy. My older sister Delaney is married to Carter and they just had baby Emma. Then there’s the twins, Hadley and Adalynn. They’re the youngest.”

  “I was happy when we had three healthy children,” Mr. Lancaster started. “But when they hit their teenage years, I was mighty pleased God had seen fit to give me boys.”

  “There’s a running joke with my uncles, that my dad was strapped with four girls because…well…before my mom, he was a bit of a ladies’ man. The way they tell it, four girls was karma. Though my mom says that God gave him four girls because my dad was a born protector.”

  “Dude, you are so screwed.” Bryan chuckled. “I only see baby girls in your future, brother.”

  “Bryan,” Bonnie gasped.

  “Seriously, Ma.”

  “Yes, seriously, Bryan.” Bonnie scowled and I wouldn’t have been surprised if Bryan shrank down and slid under the table. The woman’s eyes blazed.

  “Good thing I like girls then,” I said. “I have a brother and I’m surrounded by male cousins, I, too, remember the teenage years. If they weren’t fighting with each other, they were fighting with someone else. And the revolving door of underdressed girls that came to family picnics was enough to make your head spin.”

  Brice’s hand on my knee tightened and I felt him shaking beside me.

  “What? It’s true. My dad would’ve lost his mind if me or my sisters had left the house looking like that.”

  “Tell me about it,” Bonnie commiserated. “I’m normally a rational woman, but jeez-Louise, there were times I wished we owned a shotgun.”

  Bryan and Adam were both chuckling and I wasn’t seeing what was funny.

  “Well, my dad owns more than one shotgun and it was hard getting a date,” I grumbled.

  Brice lost the battle of keeping his laughter under wraps. “Bet that was hell, babe.”

  “It was. Ask Delaney, she didn’t have a date to the senior prom.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at Brice.

  “You’re cute when you’re all riled up.”

  “You keep saying that, but you’re wrong.”

  I felt two weighty stares and looked over to see Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster leaning into each other smiling. Much like when Brice gave me the same contented look, I took a moment to enjoy the warm glow as it washed over me.

  * * *

  Dinner was delicious.

  Brice’s family, awesome.

  And the whole meet-the-parents thing went better than I’d hoped, in spite of Uncle Seth.

  Bryan and Bonnie left the table to go mingle with their friends, leaving me and the Lancaster brothers alone to shoot the shit. It was easy to see the brothers were close even though they lived in three different states. They kept in touch and stayed involved in each other’s lives.

  I was so relaxed enjoying listening to the banter, I wasn’t prepared when the redhead from earlier stopped at our table. At first I thought she was a guest, then I noticed she wore a name tag and the same white button-down blouse, which was a size too small if the straining buttons were anything to go by, and black slacks that, again, she could’ve gone up a size the way they hugged her ass and hips.

  “Brice,” the woman drawled.

  Yes, she drew out his name and laid on a thick Southern accent that sickened me. I’d lived in Georgia my whole life, and never had I heard the inflection.

  Her hand went to Brice’s shoulder, and not only did he jerk but his body went tight. I had Brice in profile so I wasn’t sure, but from where I sat next to him, it looked as if he was scowling.

  “Long time, sweetheart. You staying here for the night?”

  Silence ensued and gone was the mellow mood.

  I glanced at Brice’s brothers to see neither of them was pleased at the intrusion.

  “Is she trying to hit on my man, right in front of me?” I mock-whispered.

  Bryan’s gaze cut to me and he smiled so huge his eyes crinkled at the corners.

  “It would seem so.” Bryan chuckled.

  “Who does that?” I asked.

  “Apparently she does.”

  Adam’s chuckle brought my gaze to him just in time to see him shaking his head.

  “Don’t look at me, sis.” Adam shrugged, still smiling.

  I glanced back to Brice as uncomfortable waves rolled off him. I’d been joking, my way of trying to keep my cool, but seeing her red-tipped talons resting on my man’s shoulder made me snap.

  “I suggest you take your hand off Brice if you like it attached to your arm,” I warned.

  Her glossed lips curved up into a smile and I braced. “Oh, that’s cute, honey. But Brice and I go way back.”

  It’s worth noting Brice went from stiff to pissed-off.

  “That may be so, but see, we’re in the here and now and you most certainly need to step back.”

  “If you think that, you don’t know Brice. He likes my hands on him.”

  Fucking bitch.

  “Mindy,” Brice barked.

  “Wendy,” she corrected, and I burst out laughing.

  “Damn, sounds to me you weren’t even memorable enough he remembers your name,” I said through my hilarity. “Now, Wendy, be a doll and get us another round.”

  Adam and Bryan nearly busted a gut but Brice hadn’t moved, and suddenly I felt bad for making light of a clearly uncomfortable situation.

  “Honey,” I called and Brice turned to look at me, his eyes furious. “Two minutes ago you didn’t remember she existed, and two seconds after she leaves we’ll all forget her name. But if you want me to kick her ass for touching you, I will. But it’d really suck if I broke a heel. I know you were looking forward to seeing them later and they’re the only pair I brought. Your call, happy to do it, but just to add—getting blood out of this material is a bitch and it would totally ruin you bunching it up around my hips.” I lifted my shoulders like it was all the same to me and Brice’s lips twitched as some of the anger slipped away.

  “Yeah, baby, that would totally suck. Been looking forward to that all night.”

  “Problem solved. Wendy will scuttle off, get us a round, we’ll talk about what a bitch she is for interrupting our night, then we’ll drink, forget her name, and later you can enjoy a bloodstain-free dress.”

  “Damn, but I like how your woman thinks,” Adam grunted. “I need to find one of those. Your sisters single?”

  “My baby sisters are full of drama, nothing like me. Hadley would’ve wrestled the bitch to the ground without a thought and Adalynn would’ve been on her feet screaming the place down.”

  “That’d totally work for me,” Adam told me, but my eyes never left Brice’s. Therefore I didn’t miss the amusement. What I did miss was Wendy leaving the table.

  But I knew she had when Brice took a breath and relaxed.

  “Totally fuckin’ cute when you’re riled.”

  I rolled my eyes at Brice. “If I wasn’t worried about making a bad impression with your parents, I would’ve wrestled her to the ground.”

  “Ma would’ve cheered you on,” Bryan told me. “But it would’ve sucked if Brice missed out on your heels and dress.”

  My cheeks heated with embarrassment and I was already regretting my outburst.

  “Sorry about that,” Brice mumbled.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for. I figure that won’t be the last time I’ll have a run-in with one of your friends.”

  “Friends,” Adam choked. “Woman, you are cute.”

  And just like I said, two seconds later Wendy was forgotten.

  * * *

  I was running late and jogging down the stairs trying to dash to my car so I could speed to work.

&
nbsp; The night of Brice’s parents’ anniversary party, he’d been energetic. And he had not lied, he loved my dress and my sexy sandals and paid homage to both by taking me from behind while the dress and shoes indeed stayed on. Then he showered us, and took me again. We got up early to attend the goodbye breakfast, therefore the rest of the day I dragged, dog-assed tired.

  Last night wasn’t much better. I’m not sure what had gotten into Brice—not that I complained at the time, though I was feeling it that morning, trying to function on very little sleep. He’d attacked the second we’d made it through the front door. Hard, rough, and delicious. The second go around he took his time—lots of time—leaving no part of me untouched. The third time he’d woken me up in the middle of the night and taken me somewhere between the first and second. It was slow and sweet, but still frantic. I couldn’t get enough.

  Between all of the sex in the last twenty-four hours, lack of sleep, and general laziness, I didn’t get out of bed when Brice left for work. Therefore I fell back to sleep and I was now thirty minutes late to work.

  Oops.

  My phone rang from somewhere in the depths of my purse, likely my dad asking me where the hell I was. Of all days for me to be late. Normally no one would know, but I’d stupidly scheduled a meeting with my dad on a Monday morning.

  Shit, fuck, he was gonna be pissed.

  I beeped the locks to my car still five feet away and was deep in thought trying to come up with an excuse for my tardiness. The endeavor was fruitless because my dad could sniff out a lie a mile away.

  Damn!

  “Quinn Walker?”

  I rocked to a stop and looked at the man who’d called my name.

  Then my insides turned to ice.

  There was no time to scream.

  No time to run.

  No time to breathe.

  I heard it first—the gunshot—it pierced through the quiet before the pain registered.

  And when the pain hit my chest, it was excruciating.

  When the second blast went off, I heard it but didn’t feel it.

  Overwhelming. Unbelievable.

  Unbearable.

  There were no last thoughts before I closed my eyes. I only wanted escape from the agony.

  26

  I pocketed my phone after leaving Quinn a voicemail, surprised to see Jackson cruising into the station bay on his day off but even more surprised he wasn’t glaring at me like he was ready to go a few rounds.

  Just because he and Quinn had made amends didn’t mean Jackson had given me an inch. He’d come into work as I was leaving, and as annoying as it was that he was avoiding me, I didn’t push. I’d said what I had to say and though it was killing me inside that I’d lost a good friend, it was more important he and Quinn had worked things out.

  “You gotta minute?”

  I braced before I answered in the affirmative—just because Jackson didn’t look pissed didn’t mean he wasn’t simmering on the inside.

  “Heard you took Quinn to Savannah to meet your parents,” he started.

  “You heard correct.”

  “How’d that go?”

  My brows drew together, not understanding his question. “I assume Quinn told you we went, she didn’t tell you if she had a good time or not?”

  “Heard what she had to say, but I’m asking you how it went.”

  I thought back over our amazing weekend, other than my fucking uncle being a prick and some random chick from my past being a bitch. Quinn not only handled Wendy in a way that was amusing instead of letting it fuck up our whole night, she’d also waved off any concern my family had about my uncle.

  Something new about Quinn I’d learned—besides being gracious and classy, she also rolled with the tide and didn’t let anything stop her from having a good time. Which surprised me. I’d heard stories about the Walker girls and their legendary grudges; it was good to know that drunk, handsy uncles and bitches didn’t register on the grudge list.

  “My parents love her, but that was never in question. Seth got drunk and acted like a fucking dick. No big surprise. My dad was thoroughly pissed, but that’s nothing new when his brother embarrasses him. Adam and Bryan are on my shit list, since both of them repeatedly told her she’d picked the wrong brother and battled it out about which of them was a better fit for her.”

  Jackson was fighting back a grin and shaking his head. “Good time then.”

  “It’s always a good time when I’m with Quinn,” I told him and watched his grin turn into a scowl. “Why are you here?”

  “Got a few things I need to say.”

  “I’m not gonna lie, Jack, fucking sucks this rift between us, but now’s not the time to piss me off. We had a good weekend and I worked hard to keep Quinn’s mind occupied and off having to testify. My family helped with that. But as soon as we got back, all that effort went to shit. Quinn’s nervous, I’m annoyed as fuck I’m at work knowing my woman’s home alone lying through her teeth telling me she’s fine. I have until tomorrow five a.m. before I can go home to her and help her relax. With all of that, I’m fresh out of patience. So if what you need to say will make me lose my mind, I’d appreciate you keep it to yourself until after I get Quinn through the trial.”

  “I know I was a dick,” Jack said. “I’ve apologized to Quinn and now I’m apologizing to you. I was pissed for selfish reasons. After all this shit with the trial is over, we’ll grab a beer and I’ll explain, but for now all I wanted to say was, I’m sorry.”

  An apology from Jackson Clark? That was not what I’d been expecting. I couldn’t say it was unwelcomed but now wasn’t the time to get into a lengthy discussion, not when my mind was full of Quinn and her upcoming testimony.

  “Neither of us handled the situation the way we should’ve,” I told him. “I lied to you, I get why you’re pissed at me. I’ll gladly take you up on the beer as long as you understand I won’t apologize for falling in love with her. Sucks the way it happened only because it meant I was lying to you, but the rest of it? I’m not sorry for a single second I’ve spent with her.”

  “I’m seeing things a little clearer now. I’m happy for you both. Happier for her because she deserves a good man.”

  Fuck, that felt good. I had no idea how badly I needed to hear Jackson say that.

  “Tuesday wants you and Quinn over for dinner,” Jackson continued.

  He was so full of shit—he wanted us over for dinner and he was blaming it on his wife.

  “Right. I’ll tell Quinn. But you and I are working opposite shifts now, so it might take a few weeks before we find a time.”

  Even saying that was a kick in my gut and it may’ve made me a pussy, but losing Jackson as my partner hurt. Hurt even worse Jackson went to such extremes to put distance between us.

  The tone sounded and both Jackson and I cocked our heads to listen to dispatch call out orders.

  “Catch ya later,” I told Jackson and headed back into the bay, joining the rest of the crew.

  I stepped into my turnout gear, shrugged on my coat, slapped the Station 57 insignia on the side of the truck, and swung into the jump seat. The rest of the crew piled in, Mike climbed into the driver’s seat, Captain Casey in the front passenger, and Louis, Mark, Pete, and Joanne followed.

  Without delay, Mike flipped the lights and followed the ambo out of the bay.

  Street signs and buildings blurred as Mike raced to an accident scene. My head was full of Jackson, his unexpected visit, and the possibility we could go back to being friends. I checked my phone and smiled, either Quinn was still asleep or she was at work, meaning she was in a meeting with her dad and Carter, therefore she wouldn’t have answered my message. The smile wasn’t because of what time it was or the meeting she was likely in. Hell no, the grin was from remembering the soft, satisfied, sleepy form I’d left in bed this morning, and her sweet kiss goodbye.

  My plans to ask Quinn to marry me while we were in Savannah got shot to shit. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t sto
p thinking about the shit Seth pulled but even if I could’ve found a way to bury the disgust, I couldn’t ditch my goddamned brothers. Both had stayed until we left. However, on the drive home, I was thinking my inability to propose may’ve been a good thing. I didn’t want memories of our engagement to be tangled with the trial.

  Now I had a huge ass diamond ring burning a hole in my pocket.

  As soon as the hearing was over, I was asking.

  “Two minutes out,” Captain Casey cut through my thoughts. “Single vic. GSW to the chest.”

  Christ.

  I thought about who was on duty today—Kendall and Lance, both experienced medics. Lance had medical and field training from the Army. Kendall had ten years under her belt as a trauma nurse. A gunshot wound to the chest would require their combined skills to ensure the victim’s survival.

  What felt like seconds later, ambulance thirty-one skidded to a halt and Mike angled the beast of a fire engine to block traffic. The morning traffic had already started migrating, funneling into the lane nearest the double yellow lines. I quickly scanned the area, a red BMW with its hazards flashing was parked half in the right-hand traffic lane, half in the narrow emergency lane.

  Louis, Mark, and Pete waved looky-loos on. Joanne grabbed her med-kit and rushed to help with the victim. Captain Casey immediately made his way to two uniformed officers.

  The scene was buzzing, heartrates pumped, and our training took over. I yanked the second kit free and started in the direction of the victim.

  “Fuck!” Joanne shouted and I quickened my pace.

  If the calmest of the crew was cursing then it had to be bad. Before I made it to the sidewalk where the victim lay, Mike stepped in front of me. His hands went to my chest and he shoved me back.

  “Back in the truck,” he barked.

  “What the fuck?”

  Before I could blink, Captain Casey was at my side while an officer jogged in my direction.

  “Lancaster! Truck,” Casey demanded.