by Sydney Addae
Since she had no experience with pack business she didn’t comment on it. "Another con is the limitations placed on your abilities." She looked at him. "I was reprimanded for doing work I wasn't specifically hired for even though I have the skillset to do it." She shook her head. "They put you in these boxes so you don't contaminate anyone else."
He chuckled. "Where do you want to live?"
"With you," she said without thinking. "Wherever you are, I want to be there."
"Same here." He reached out, took her hand and squeezed. "I could go legit, practice medicine in the pack, work in a hospital or clinic. We could go where the need is the greatest to help."
Jackie's stomach clenched.
Earlier today she helped Quinn with Marsha, it was a great bonding experience but not anything she'd want to do on a continual basis. She needed the edgy work she'd done at the Pentagon or in her office for Mr. Bradley. Seeking patterns, truths, vulnerabilities fed her creative mind. Could she work in a clinic? She didn't see how.
"No?" he said. And to his credit he didn't sound disappointed or upset by her lack of response.
"Thinking about it," she said softly.
He turned onto the road of the safe house. "Just one idea. Being together is first. Doing what we both love doing is second." He pulled into the garage and turned off the vehicle. "We have time." He looked at her. "Right? We don't have to go see your parents or anything like that? Not right now, I mean," he clarified.
"Not today, but soon." She leaned forward and kissed him.
"Inside," he said on a husky note when they broke apart.
Everything tightened in her belly from the sound of his voice and his heated look. They entered the house, dealt with security and headed toward the basement. Before reaching the last stair, he picked her up, pulled her close and stared into her eyes.
"I know I haven't done anything that warrants you being in my arms, my life or my mate. But I'm so damn grateful someone with a heart and mind bigger than the universe chose me for you. I vow to show my appreciation every day of our lives. I couldn't have dreamed or imagined a better woman than you." His lips brushed against hers.
Shivery need wracked her body as he deepened the kiss. Arms beneath her ass keeping them close, mouths connected, he walked forward. Her back touched the cool surface of the wall. Unable to move, her grip around his neck tightened as he plundered her mouth. Breaking apart on a gasp, her chest expanded as she drew in much needed air.
"That was beautiful," she whispered trying to think of something equally poetic to say. "You're so perfect. Perfect for me."
He dropped his forehead to hers and took several breaths. "I want a thousand more sunsets with you."
Jackie closed her eyes to hold back tears as the realization, that even though she wasn't mushy or poetic, she really liked mushy, sunk in. "Me too."
He placed kisses all over her face, neck and shoulder. Tingles of need raced through her. Her core throbbed in anticipation of being filled. Her toes curled when he pinched her nipples.
"Quinn," she whispered pushing him back and sliding her palm against his chest. The need to feel his skin, the heated scent of her mate overwhelmed her. "Now."
Without another word he strode toward the bedroom and placed her gently on the bed. She missed his heat and scooted backward to make room for him. When he pulled his shirt off, revealing rock hard abs, a muscular chest and roped muscles in his arms, she stopped moving to watch. Holding her gaze, he toed off his shoes, and pulled down his pants.
His cock sprung free and slapped the bottom of his stomach.
"Breathe," she told herself as he crawled forward on the bed toward her.
Kneeling next to her foot, he removed her shoes and tossed them aside. Next, he slid both her panties and jeans down at the same time. She thought he'd take off her tee shirt, instead he leaned forward between her legs and kissed her heat.
Unprepared for his sensual assault, Jackie fell backward but placed one hand on the back of his head to hold him in place.
“Thank you, Goddess," he murmured as one finger entered her, and then another, stretching and ratcheting her pleasure.
"Oh, my god," she shrieked as suck and stroked in tandem, building, building unto she bucked upward and then flew over the edge. Her body shook as waves of pleasure rolled over her. Quinn's large palm rested against her belly, keeping her tethered to him.
Jackie took a deep breath.
Quinn slid upward and kissed her, hard. Initially she pushed back, not wanting to taste herself and then fell into the kiss, loving him, loving them. He positioned himself and slid into her tight sheath.
Nothing she'd ever learned prepared her for this level of connection. Colored ribbons rose above them twisting and turning with every stroke. She closed her eyes as a firestorm of intense need and pleasure erupted. He slammed into her as she lifted her hips to take him deeper, needing more.
"Close," he whispered.
Jackie couldn't talk and opened their link, and saw the ribbons now resembled a long braid. "Quinn," she screamed as she tumbled and spiraled into mind-boggling pleasure that crested higher and higher. Her walls clamped tight and released, over and over again until she was sure she'd pass out.
Quinn yelled, grunted, stiffened and finally collapsed on top of her.
Taking deep breaths to fill her air deprived lungs; Jackie lay beneath her mate, amazed by what happened. This time was different. Tiny shudders continued through her body re-validating they'd crossed into new territory. Her toes curled and then relaxed.
"That was unbelievable," she whispered.
He nodded. "You are."
She smiled and searched their link. "Did you see the colored ribbons?"
"Huh?"
"Colored ribbons, while we were doing it, the ribbons started twisting into a long braid." She looked down at the top of his head. "You didn't see it?"
"Don't think so. Nothing that formed anyway. I saw or sensed colors but no braid or anything." He rolled over, taking her with him. Her cheek lay on his chest.
"Hmm, interesting." She'd talk to her mom or Rose about it when she got home. The second the thought entered her mind she examined it. Was home the compound? Is that where she wanted to live? She could always find projects to help the Nation at the compound so that wouldn't be a problem. Matt needed help in the clinic and with half-breed research. Quinn would have his choice of work there. But is that what they wanted as a couple? She wasn't sure.
Yawning, Quinn pulled the blankets up over them, pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. "I love this."
Jackie caught his yawn. "Me too." Listening to the steady beat of his heart, she fell asleep.
The ring of the phone pulled Jackie from sleep. Sitting slowly, she looked around the room for her jeans. Spying them on the floor at the end of the bed, she crawled forward and retrieved her phone from the pocket.
"Don't answer it," Quinn said laying his palm on her thigh and rubbing it.
"Could be Mama. She has to call when she wants to talk." Jackie frowned at the six missed calls from her boss.
"Is it your mama?"
"No, it's my boss. Strange cause he never called me before, someone always calls for him and never using his private cell."
"Yeah? Must be important, then." Quinn got out of bed. "Want something to eat or drink?"
Moving to sit beneath the covers, Jackie pressed the redial button. "A bottle of water and whatever you eat. Thanks."
He nodded and walked bare ass toward the kitchen, reminding her of the best night of her life. They'd made love three more times and the colored braid grew longer each time. Quinn never saw the braided ribbons and she stopped asking him about them believing it to be a female thing.
"Jackie," Mr. Bradley answered the first ring.
"Yes, Sir. Is everything alright?"
"No. Maybe. I'm not sure. Listen, did you talk to anyone else about the projects I asked you to review?"
"Just that one time wi
th Kristin. We already talked about that." She paused. "What's wrong?"
"Can you return to Houston? It's really important or I wouldn't ask. Something's going on, I can't put my finger on it and I need your eyes. If it weren't so critical I'd send it to you, but I don't know who to trust."
He sounded paranoid and genuinely afraid.
"One of the reasons I took the time off was I got engaged. I'll talk to Quinn and let you know if we can cut our trip short."
"I'm so sorry and if you want a corner office after this I'll do it. It's just... I can't be losing my mind. I know what I saw and signed off on. I need to know what's going on and I trust you to tell me the truth."
Although flattered by his trust, she didn't understand. "Why? I mean, I've worked for you less than a year."
"This has been going on for a while but when you were here it stopped. Now it's happening again. That's why I trust you and not... some of the others. How soon can you come? I'll send the jet to pick you up."
"That won't be necessary."
"It is." He released a breath. "I've got papers, documents that I've mailed to your post office box in case anything happens to me. If and this is a big if, anything happens, nail those bastards."
Jackie didn't know what to say. "I'm sending security to watch you until Quinn and I arrive. Where are you?"
"I have my own security," he said. "Top of the line. Good security."
"Not like I'm sending. Don't argue, it's a waste of time. Where are you?"
She sensed his hesitation.
"This could be dangerous. Don't tell anyone at the company you're back. Just go to your box, get the documents and tell me what you see. I'll take it from there." He sounded more desperate.
"We can do that after I make sure you're safe." She grabbed Quinn's phone and tapped in Alpha Theron's private number.
"Jackie, I cannot drag you further into this. I accept I'm a target for trusting the wrong people but you don't have a bone in this fight. If you could just examine the documents and let me know if I'm right or wrong, that's all I need. My attorneys will take it from there."
"Why can't they verify your suspicions?"
He didn't answer.
"You don't trust them either?"
"They approved the documents you flagged."
"One second," she said and hit the mute button.
"Hello, Alpha Theron."
"Jackie, congratulations are in order I hear."
"Yes and thank you. Quinn is fantastic. I need a favor."
"Name it," he said.
She explained Mr. Bradley's situation and gave him the information she had on the man.
"We'll find him. Someone will be with him before you arrive. I'll contact Gilbert; the jet will be ready within an hour."
"Thanks." She explained to Quinn what was going on and he agreed they should go.
"Mr. Bradley, my fiancé and I are will return later today. I'll call you after I have the documents."
She heard something that sounded like a sob. "Thank you. I knew you were the right person to wade through this mess when I first met you. Please be careful and don't tell anyone what you're doing."
Obviously he thought she'd made friends at the company. She hadn't. "Okay. I'll contact you soon."
Disconnecting the call, Jackie stared at her phone for a few seconds. It rang. This time Alpha Gilbert confirmed her need of the plane and gave her the time and place it would be ready.
Quinn had placed a bottle of water on the nightstand next to her. She opened it and took several large gulps. What was going on with Mr. Bradley? He sounded spooked. Quinn placed a platter of sandwiches and chips on the middle of the bed.
"Eat while I shower. I don't have clothes to pack. I'll buy what I need in Houston."
"I've got clothes at my house in Houston. I'll have Renee pack my stuff at Nionis' or leave them until we come back." She picked up a sandwich, and ate while tearing down Mr. Bradley's situation to look at it from several angles. It had to be one of the reports she submitted regarding acquisitions. Which one? She'd done five, only one was profitable.
Minutes later, Quinn strode out the shower, dressed in his tee shirt and jeans. He'd combed his wet hair back and looked so damn sexy as he slid into his shoes. Leaning across her, he grabbed a sandwich and winked. "Your turn. We can leave for the jetport when you're done and you can fill me in on the flight."
Jackie popped the last of her second sandwich into her mouth and headed to the shower.
Quinn admired the sway of his mate's hips and adjusted his hardening package. Now wasn't the time, although he was certain she'd always have that effect on him. He took the plate to the kitchen and finished his sandwiches.
"Quinn?" his uncle said.
Surprised but happy to hear from the man, Quinn responded. "How's it going, Uncle?"
"Good, good. Better than I expected. Marsha's recovering. Penny's doing good, with all the security she feels safer and left Marsha's side last night to sleep in a pile with the others. The little ones are happy. I forgot to tell you we found Craig and two others parents. They'll be coming ‘round to pick up their pups today and tomorrow." He paused. "I had a conversation with La Patron, his mate and Alpha Gilbert. Scared me shitless but they were decent about everything. When will you and Jackie have a moment for us to talk?"
Quinn explained they were heading out of town to Houston and he wasn't sure exactly when they'd be returning.
"But you do plan to come back?"
"Yes. But if you're asking if we plan to live here, I don't know. We haven't decided anything yet." He wanted to make sure his uncle understood he may not remain in Tennessee.
"But you've started talking about it?" His uncle pressed.
"A little." He heard Jackie moving around the other room and glanced at the wall clock. "I'll let you know when we're heading back to Tennessee. We'll set something up."
"Sounds good. Be careful and watch your back."
"Will do, see you soon." Quinn watched his mate enter the room with a troubled look marring her forehead.
"What's wrong?" he asked as they headed toward the stairs and disengaged security.
"This whole thing with Bradley. Something's off. He has hundreds of people working for him, yet he wants me?' She looked at him. "What if this is a trap?"
He frowned. "Trap? For you? From humans?"
She nodded slowly. "I'll run it by dad, get his take on it."
Quinn tamped down his irritation and didn't say anything while they drove to the jetport. They boarded and strapped in. Within minutes they taxied and took off. Jackie hadn't said anything since telling him she'd run to her father and he hadn't said anything either. The idea of his mate turning to someone else, rankled. No matter how often he told himself it was okay since it was her dad, it still bothered him.
Jackie touched his hand. He looked at her and heard her through their link. "There was a group, probably still is, who wanted to destroy my Dad and Mom. When we were pups, they poisoned our water, used chemicals in Nana's lotions that made us sick, sent in suicide bombers and a lot of stuff." She waved her hand but held his gaze. "It's not something that makes the papers or everyone knows about. Let's just say my father made sure we could defend ourselves against the crazies and those with legitimate challenges. All of us can kick ass with dad riding shotgun or not."
"Shotgun is what he did with Renee?" Quinn had wondered about that but forgot to ask.
She nodded. "Yeah, he can find us anywhere and assist or kick our asses. Same thing with my litter-mates, we can merge to share energy to protect ourselves." She smiled. "What I'm trying to say is our enemies have used humans in the past to get at us, so we need to be careful. Having said that, I still plan to see this through. Cain, Abel and my dad all cleared Mr. Bradley, he should be good but if the right pressure is placed on him he could be perverted. That's why I wondered if it was a trap."
Quinn processed as much of what she said he could. Cain and Abel he’d heard about. Seeing h
er father merge with Renee and the incredible energy produced by that would remain in Quinn’s memory forever. He hadn't known of litter-mates merging or the problems or challenges La Patron and his pups faced. As a pup, he'd never been targeted or attacked. His uncle kept him close to the ranch, training him in survival tactics. Looking at his mate he realized life may not have been peaches and cream for her. "Thanks for sharing and explaining. What did your father say?"
"I realized Alpha Theron or Gilbert probably already told him and he's already looking into it from his end." She waved her hand. "What do you think? Based on what I've told you about my job, how much extra security should we have?"
"Tell me more about your job, what you do and the people you work with? I'll answer after that," he said pleased she included him in her world and more importantly, she hadn't contacted her father.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Quinn watched the door of the private postal and shipping store for a few seconds before stepping out the car Alpha Theron provided from the private landing strip. Inhaling he sought the scents of nearby dual-natureds and even though Jackie warned him, he was surprised by their high numbers.
"Lots of breeds and full-bloods live here." He looked at Jackie.
She shrugged and reached for the door. "Work here if not live here. Don't forget Alpha Theron has security in place nearby and watching Bradley, which may be some of what you smell." She eyed him for a second. "And don't forget I want to learn how to scent other dual-natureds while I'm human deep like this."
"I won't." He knew how much she hated walking blind.
"Let's go."
He removed her hand from the door handle and opened it. Once outside, he inhaled to see how close the dual-natureds were as he extended his hand to her. She took it as she stepped out. Quinn pulled her close against him and kissed the top of her head, his chin covered by her wild mane as he took another look around.
Embraced, they walked into the store and veered toward the mail boxes. Jackie pulled her key from her jacket, opened the box and looked at the slip of paper informing her she had a large package requiring her signature. She looked at Quinn and handed him the rest of her mail before heading to the counter.
