Quinn didn’t know how long they’d gone at it, but didn’t let up until he heard someone from behind them say, “Get a room.” Reluctantly, he released her and took a step back. Uncertainty covered Alandra’s face and she tentatively touched her lips. God he missed her, but this, whatever he was feeling, couldn’t happen. He wasn’t ready to forgive and forget that he’d spent the last few years of his life trying to get over her. No. He wasn’t about to fall again. At least not until he knew the truth.
“I’ll see you when you get off of work,” he said, and with that he was gone.
****
What just happened?
Alandra walked zombie-like into the hospital and straight to the staff locker room still wearing Quinn’s jacket. For those few moments, during that earth-shattering kiss, she had forgotten about work, her vendetta against those who tried to kill her, and had forgotten that Quinn hated her. For that brief moment, she remembered what they once shared, and how much they had loved each other.
Never in a million years did she think her life would turn out like this. After Quinn rescued her from Orlando Medina, once known as the most powerful and dangerous drug lord in Guerrero, Mexico, they’d flown to Las Vegas. Quinn shocked her beyond belief when he proposed to her on the way there, promising to love her until the end of time if she agreed to be his wife. She never thought Quinn to be the marrying type. With his good looks and charm, he could have any woman he wanted. But he had chosen her. He’d been the only man to make her consider giving up her job with the CIA, and think about having a family.
“Hey Velvet,” one of the triage nurses greeted Alandra as she walked into the locker room.
“Hi,” Alandra said, certain she wore a goofy smile that matched her inner giddiness. She stood in front of her locker and hung her bag, still drunk from that kiss. And not just any old kiss. A kiss that made her feel alive, sexy, and wanted. She brought Quinn’s jacket to her nose and inhaled. Her eyes fluttered closed as she absorbed the woodsy smell of his cologne that still made her knees weak. God, how she missed him. She held the jacket to her chest a little longer before she opened her eyes and hung it in her locker over her bag. She had to get back to reality, and her patients.
Hours later, Alandra couldn’t wait to leave work. Although the emergency room had been busy, it was nothing like the night before and she was glad for that. She had the next three days off and couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Quinn said he would see her after work, and she knew him well enough to know he’d be there. But then what? She had plans to meet with Isabella and the less time she spent in his presence the better for her sanity. Yes, she enjoyed the kiss, and yes she owed him an explanation about showing up at his house, but she realized she wasn’t ready to talk to him. Each time he was near, she wanted to be in his arms, her body next to his and his lips covering hers.
After all these years, she still lacked willpower when it came to him. This time would be different. She would not fall for his good looks and charming ways. Yet she really could use his help. No. She was in Chicago to wreak havoc on those who had ruined her life and this was not Quinn’s fight. He had already humiliated her once when he kicked her out of his house. She would not give him a chance to humiliate her again.
With her bag slung over her shoulder, and Quinn’s jacket in her arms she walked down the quiet hallway toward the elevator, saying goodnight to a few of the staff along the way. She pushed the button for down just as Dr. Leon Sullivan approached.
“Hey Velvet, I was hoping I would run into you. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were avoiding me.”
“What would give you that idea?” she asked, knowing she had truly been avoiding him. Not that he didn’t seem like a nice guy, but the last thing she needed right now was to get involved with anyone. What’s more, she was married.
“How have you been?”
“Fine,” she said and stepped into the elevator, pushing the button for the ground floor. Fine is also how she would describe Dr. Sullivan. At 33, five foot nine with an athletic build and sparkling green eyes that most women would lose themselves in, the good doctor could give a top male model a run for his money.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you how amazing you were with that little girl whose mother died in the car wreck last night. You’re a natural with children.”
“Thanks. I love kids and it breaks my heart when they have to deal with such tragedy.”
He nodded. “I know what you mean. The medical field would be seriously depressing if it weren’t for the miracles we witness on a daily basis. Do you have children?”
“No. What about you?” she asked when the elevator doors slid opened. They both walked out and toward the doors that led to the parking lot.
Dr. Sullivan shook his head. “Nah, but I hope to get married and have some once I find the right woman.” He flashed his legendary toothpaste-white smile. The other nurses all swooned over him. For Alandra, he was just a nice looking man who seemed to be interested in her, but she wasn’t available.
“Well, it was good talking with you Dr. Sullivan. Have a good evening.” Alandra increased her pace, hoping he’d get the message that she wasn’t interested in anything more than a working relationship. He caught up and opened the door for her.
“So what’s the hurry?” They walked outside and he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“I have an appointment.” Alandra glanced at her watch and realized she only had a half hour before she was supposed to meet Isabella.
“Yeah, I guess it is kinda late. With my schedule, the hours just seem to blend in.”Doctor Sullivan ran a finger over his eyebrow, and then scratched his head. “Um…” He stuck his hands in his pocket and shifted from one foot to the other. “I was hoping you would let me take you out sometime.”
“That probably wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Alandra spun around at the sound of Quinn’s deep baritone voice.
“Who the hell are you?” Dr. Sullivan asked, possessive and somewhat arrogant.
Alandra swung back around and looked at him. What the heck happened to the shy man who seemed too nervous to ask her out a moment ago?
“Dr. Sullivan, this is –”
“Her husband. Who the hell are you?” Quinn asked, stepping around her, dressed in all black, looking like he could crush a man with just a look.
Dr. Sullivan took a step back. “I…I…I’m sorry. I meant no disrespect. Velvet never mentioned she was married.”
“Well, she is,” Quinn growled and glanced at her. “You ready to go, baby?”
She wanted to scream at him. How dare he barge in like some cave man ready to grab her by the hair and drag her off with him? And damn her body for reacting when he looked at her with those dark, sensuous eyes. Her stomach clenched when that cocky grin that she loved so much, spread across his enticing lips. Ugh, why was he doing this to her?
Instead of making a scene, she apologized to the doctor then turned on her heels and stomped to her car, with Quinn not far behind.
When she arrived at her vehicle, she shoved his jacket at him without a word and unlocked her door.
“Here, let me get that for you,” Quinn said and opened the car door as if he didn’t know, or better yet, didn’t care that she was angry with him. “I’ll follow you home.”
“Not necessary.” She sat in the driver’s seat and reached for the door handle. “I’m not going home.”
Quinn wedged himself between her and the car door, keeping her from closing it. “We need to talk today, so what time will you be available?”
“I don’t know.” Exasperated, she released the door handle. “I’ll contact you the next time I’m ready to talk. Now move.” She had to get away from him. He smelled so good and the way her heart palpitated when he referred to her as his wife, made her more frustrated than angry.
Quinn didn’t move.
She turned the key in the ignition, thinking he would get the message once
she started the car, but nothing happened. The engine wouldn’t turn over. Come on, baby, please start. Don’t do this to me. She’d had the car for four months and it worked when it wanted to, but now was not the time for it to be temperamental. She turned the key again and nothing. “Damn!” She slammed her hand against the steering wheel and tried the key again with the same results.
Quinn stood to his full height. “As I was saying, what time are you going to be available?”
She snapped up her head and narrowed her eyes. “Did you do something to my car?”
He shook his head and chuckled. Her stomach flip-flopped from the richness of the tone, making her want to hear him laugh over and over again. His face lit up and the sparkle in his eyes sent goose bumps down her arms.
“Girl, you know I don’t need to stoop to destroying someone’s car to get what I want.”
“Ugh, whatever.” Still as arrogant as ever.
Quinn turned his tall, muscular body away from her, still laughing as she heard two loud chirps in the crisp air. He was parked right next to her and she hadn’t noticed. His Cadillac Escalade looked similar to the one he’d driven years ago, but it was a newer model. He unlocked and opened the passenger door of his truck, but she stayed in her car.
“Come on. I’ll take you wherever you need to go.”
She glanced at her watch. Twenty minutes was barely enough time to get to Isabella’s. What other choice did she have but to ride with Quinn? She reached under her seat for her pistol and shoved it into her bag before she dragged herself out of the car.
They rode in silence for the first few miles and Alandra was glad Quinn didn’t ask her any questions about where he was taking her. She gave him the address and told him she needed to be there in twenty minutes and all he said was “not a problem.”
“When did you start carrying a gun?”
“After Guerrero.” She stared out the passenger side window as they sped down the Dan Ryan expressway toward Princeton Park. As a former counter-intelligence agent, she hadn’t needed a firearm to go undercover and collect information. But after being kidnapped, and at the mercy of a madman, she’d learned to use a gun. Never again would she allow herself to feel so helpless.
Quinn waved a hand at her purse like he could see her gun through the leather. “Do you know how to use it?”
“Yes,” she mumbled and turned to look at him. “Why did you tell Dr. Sullivan you were my husband?”
He glanced at her and then back at the road. “Because I am, and I have the paperwork to prove it.”
Alandra sighed. “That’s not what I mean. I have to maintain a low profile and the less people around here know about me, the better. You know I can’t afford—”
“Actually, Alandra, I know very little about the new you, which was why I said we need to talk.” He divided his attention between her and the road as they made a turn, getting closer to the address that Isabella had given her. “As for me claiming you as my wife, I saw how that guy looked at you. As long as we’re married, I sure as hell ain’t gon’ let some pretty boy doctor try to push up on my wife.”
Unbelievable. The great Quinn Hamilton, Mr. Chick Magnet himself, was jealous. Under different circumstances, she might have been flattered, but right now, she needed to focus.
“When I’m at the hospital, I keep to myself and do my job. I can’t afford for people to start asking questions, and besides, our marriage is in name only.”
She knew she’d said the wrong thing the moment the words left her mouth. Quinn took commitment and his responsibilities very serious and her suggesting otherwise was like a slap in the face to him. His jaw tightened, and the color drained from his knuckles when he gripped the steering wheel tighter. He pulled up to a small two-story house between a corner store, and a large vacant lot. Alandra recognized the address as being the one Isabella had given her.
Quinn unhooked his seatbelt and faced her, a lethal glint in his midnight eyes. “To you, our marriage might be in name only, but when I professed my love for you that day in Vegas, I meant every damn word. I never would’ve left you, the way you left me. So if our marriage is in name only, it’s because you had me thinking you were dead for the past three years.”
Alandra stared down at her hands clutching the handle of her bag. One day he’ll understand why she stayed away. Whether he’d forgive her, was another story.
“I never meant to hurt you.” She raised her eyes to him.
Relief swept through her when his cell phone rang and before he had a chance to stop her, she leaped out of the vehicle saying, “I’ll be back.”
****
No matter how angry Quinn was at her, it didn’t stop him from zoning in on her shapely derriere as she moved up the walkway to the house. She had changed out of her hospital scrubs before leaving the hospital and now sported a black turtleneck under her jacket, and fitted blue jeans that tapered into black ankle boots. After so many years apart, his body still reacted to the sway of her tempting hips.
His phone rang again.
“Yeah, this is Quinn,” he growled.
“Hey, man, what’s up with the attitude?” Tyler Hollister, Quinn’s business partner asked.
“Sorry, nothing. What’s up?”
“Sorry to call so late and I’m not going to hold you. I wanted you to know the Bridge Town property is delayed again, a water main break.”
“Oh, damn.” Quinn banged his fist on the center console of his truck. “At this rate, that project is never going to get done.”
“Yeah, I know. Also, can you stop by the penthouse this weekend and sign the papers we talked about this morning?”
“Will do,” Quinn said absently, staring at Alandra who was still waiting for someone to answer the door.
“Good. I’m heading out of town next week and figured that will be one thing I can scratch off my list of things to complete before leaving.”
Quinn swore under his breath when Alandra descended the stairs and walked around to the side of the house. It was too late and too dark for her to be roaming around outside alone.
“Q, is everything all right?”
“Uh, yeah, everything’s fine.”
Quinn glanced at his surroundings. The store to the left of the house was closed, and on the other side of the house was a vacant lot where a structure once sat. Across the street were small single-family houses and a brick apartment building on the corner that probably housed about eight to ten units. Several streetlights were out and there weren’t any vehicles on the street. Yet, something didn’t feel right. The moment the thought entered his mind, he saw two guys running from behind Isabella’s house and across the lot.
“Ty let me call you back.”
Chapter Five
Quinn disconnected the call and patted the front of his jacket for his gun. He didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, but after several seconds went by and Alandra hadn’t reappeared, he hurried out of the truck.
He did a walk-jog up to the two-story bungalow which was dark at the front of the lower level, but a soft light showed in an upstairs window on the south west corner of the house. Quinn followed the route Alandra had taken. Lurking around someone’s house is not how he had planned to spend his evening. He slowed when he arrived at a side entrance and climbed the four stairs leading into the house. The door was ajar and the inside of the house was quiet. Too quiet.
He pulled out his gun, nudged the door further open and glanced around. He took in the dimly lit kitchen littered with broken glass, cabinet doors hanging by their hinges, and a refrigerator door standing open.
Quinn eased inside, glass crunching under his feet. He listened for any sign of Alandra while he moved through the kitchen and into the semi-dark dining and living room. Silence enveloped the space and his heart thundered in his chest, afraid of what he might find. God, if anything happened to her…. Tension built between his shoulder blades with every step he took. Flashbacks of that night in Tzbekystan rioted in his head, his mind
a crazy mixture of apprehension and irritation. Where the hell is she?
He noted the overturned furniture. Chair and sofa cushions cut to shreds, a storage ottoman was tilted on its side with papers hanging out, and a coat-closet door stood open, clothes blocking the entrance. Whoever did this was looking for something. He kicked several pillows out of the way en route to a set of stairs.
“Isabella, don’t you die on me.” Alandra’s frantic voice floated through the house.
Relief flooded Quinn’s body and his pulse slowed upon hearing her, but concern quickly replaced it as he climbed the stairs, following the sound of her voice, which was getting more hysterical.
“Dammit. What about the book?” she ground out.
Quinn stood outside a bedroom where he could hear Alandra, but the door blocked his view of her. Dresser drawers hung open, and papers covered the portion of the bed he could see. He slowly pushed the door open.
What the hell? Alandra was on the floor, kneeling over a white woman, shaking her at the shoulder. “Isabella, what about the book?” she kept asking, her words getting louder and more panicked, her long wig hiding part of her face. Quinn quickly took in the scene, making sure they were the only ones in the room before he shoved his gun into the back of his waistband and under his jacket. Fear gripped him when he spotted a small puddle of blood tinting the area of floor near the woman’s side and his gaze jumped to Alandra. Her hair was wild, tears and mascara stained the part of her face he could see, but she didn’t appear to be injured. A haunted, glazed look of despair spread over her face.
“Isabella, you can’t do this to me,” Alandra yelled. “Please don’t do this to me.” She slumped forward in defeat, her next few words garbled against the lifeless body.
“Lan?” Quinn said just above a whisper and moved toward her, but stopped short when her head snapped up and within a blink of an eye, she had her gun trained on him. Damn. Her reflexes were definitely on point.
Rendezvous with Danger (Reunited Series) Page 5
