Testing the Limits

by Kira Sinclair

  * * *

  DUE TO EVERYTHING that was happening, Daniel had told Quinn to take a few days off. The order had rubbed her the wrong way, but she realized he was probably right. The last thing she wanted was to make trouble for the people who looked to them for help. Most of them were skittish enough to start with.

  Jace seemed fairly certain Warren hadn’t figured out who he was to Quinn—yet. The man had talked about her hiring a bodyguard. Which hopefully gave them a few days’ breathing room until Warren put the pieces together.

  Unfortunately, chances were he had eyes on the office and would pick up her trail as soon as she surfaced there. So for now she had to stay away.

  So she’d postponed the cases that weren’t critical and briefed other colleagues who would follow up on those that needed immediate attention. But there was one person she couldn’t abandon—Caroline Warren.

  When she’d placed her at the safe house, Quinn had promised Caroline she’d come back and see her. She wanted to give Caroline a steady and grounding presence. The two of them had bonded in the hours they’d spent together, and the last thing Caroline needed was Quinn abandoning her.

  And, if Quinn were honest with herself, after everything that had happened in the past few days, she really needed to see the other woman. Not just to make sure Caroline was okay, but to remind herself why what she was doing was so important.

  That the disruptions to her life were worth it.

  Once again, she and Jace had argued about the idea. He thought it was a pointless risk. He didn’t understand, and nothing she’d said to him could change his mind.

  His priority was her safety, which Quinn understood and appreciated. But she refused to let Warren impact her life any more than he already had.

  She couldn’t put her life on hold indefinitely. There was no way to know when—or if—Warren would show up again. And eventually she’d have to return to normal, whether he made another move or not.

  When Jace had realized she wasn’t going to budge on this he’d reluctantly agreed with a few requirements of his own. One, they’d take a rental car so no one could trace them. She thought it was overkill, but whatever.

  Two, they’d meet somewhere other than the safe house.

  This made perfect sense to Quinn, since she wasn’t just worried about keeping herself safe, but Caroline, as well.

  So she was currently riding in a navy blue Nissan Maxima heading to a park on the outskirts of town. It was the middle of the day during the workweek. As they pulled into the small parking lot, Quinn took in the few people scattered around. Two mothers walked along the gravel path ringing the park, pushing strollers while they chatted. A handful of older kids were across the green space, playing a pick-up game of baseball.

  In the center of everything sat a gazebo. It was a fairly large structure, made of light brown stone. Quinn knew that on summer weekends the town used the space to showcase local bands or put on craft fairs.

  Today there were only two people sitting in the cool shadows beneath the structure.

  Caroline Warren and Melanie, the woman who ran the safe house. Climbing up the steps, Quinn stopped long enough to give Melanie a hug. They’d known each other for years, and while they only seemed to see each other in the middle of some crisis, they’d formed a friendship. Even if it wasn’t the kind that involved trips to the mall or late-night phone conversations.

  “Sweetie.” Melanie squeezed hard. “I hear you’ve bought yourself some trouble.”

  Quinn grimaced, but only allowed the reaction for the briefest moment. “Worth it.”

  Mel didn’t have to voice her agreement, it was clear in the mixture of anger, resolve and understanding in her soft gray eyes.

  Jace moved more slowly up the stairs, carefully studying their surroundings. Quinn had no idea what he was looking for, but decided to let him do whatever he needed to feel better about the situation. The gazebo was high and open on all sides, surrounded by a field. The closest person was at least thirty yards away, which meant they could speak without fear of being overheard.

  It also meant no one could approach without being noticed.

  Letting her go, Melanie crossed to Jace, offering her hand. “You must be Jace.”

  He took it, silently accepting the greeting, but not offering anything much in return.

  Quinn sighed and fought the urge to roll her eyes. God, he could be a stubborn pain in the ass.

  Leaving them, she crossed to the far side of the structure. Caroline, who’d been perched on the edge of one of the stone benches carved into the low wall, shot to her feet.

  She started to reach for Quinn, but hesitated, her arms dropping back to her sides.

  “I’m so sorry, Quinn,” she whispered, the words coming out slightly broken.

  Yeah, this wasn’t going to do at all.

  Closing the gap between them, Quinn wrapped the other woman in her arms. Caroline winced when Quinn accidentally hugged her bruised ribs too tightly, and Quinn tried not to let it fuel her fury again.

  Pulling her back to the bench, Quinn sank to the hard, cool surface and urged her to do the same.

  “You have nothing to apologize for. This isn’t your fault, Caroline.”

  “Yes, but if I’d just stayed...” Her soft voice trailed off to nothing, her eyes going glassy with unshed tears.

  “Oh, no you don’t, lady. Leaving him was the right thing and everything he’s done since then is more proof of that. Don’t, for one second, entertain the thought that staying would have been a better option. Because that will seriously piss me off.”

  Caroline watched her for several seconds, her gaze scouring Quinn’s, probably for some sign that she didn’t mean what she’d just said. But she absolutely did. Every single word.

  Getting Caroline away from that man was worth anything, including the disruption to Quinn’s life.

  No doubt Caroline had gotten pretty good at reading people, a result of the hypervigilance she’d developed in her abusive relationship. It was a valuable skill, especially when reading Warren well could spare her a beating.

  Today, Quinn hoped Caroline could read her sincerity.

  After several moments, a bright, beautiful smile stretched across Caroline’s lips. It was such a transformation from the way Caroline had looked when Quinn had taken her to the safe house a handful of days ago that she couldn’t help but respond with a smile of her own. It did her heart good to see Caroline doing so much better.

  The heavy band that had been restricting her chest for days began to ease. This. This was why she did what she did. For these moments when it was obvious she’d helped someone who desperately needed it. When it was crystal clear that one person really could make a huge difference, even if only in one life.

  Maybe especially when it was just one life.

  Even Caroline’s clothes had changed. Gone were the sophisticated designer dress, the expensive jewelry and the perfectly applied makeup she’d worn the last time Quinn had seen her. They’d been replaced with a loose-fitting pair of jeans and a pretty floral cotton shirt. Her hair was pulled back into an easy ponytail and she wore barely any cosmetics.

  She looked younger. Definitely happier. Pretty.

  “Freedom suits you.”

  Her words, meant as a compliment, had an unexpected effect. The light slowly drained from Caroline’s green eyes and her skin went frighteningly pale.

  “I’m worried about you, Quinn.”

  Quinn tried to brush the words away. “I’ve got good people looking out for me.”

  Caroline’s gaze traveled across the space to where Jace stood at the entrance, facing away from them and staring off across the open field. “He’s...big. And pretty. If a little intimidating.”

  “Pretty. That’s not a word I’d use to describe Jace Hyland.�
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  “Where’d you find him?”

  “He’s...” What was he? Not her almost brother-in-law, that was for sure. One night together did not make him her boyfriend. But she cared about him. And she knew he cared about her. Lover felt wrong, too dismissive of the history they shared.

  “A friend,” she finally said. “He’s a good friend.”

  Caroline snorted, the sound startling Quinn. “I saw the way he watched you walk across the field. Dark. Intense.”

  “Annoyed?”

  “Like if you weren’t in a park surrounded by innocent children he’d have devoured you. Friend? Please, who are you trying to fool—me or yourself?”

  Out of nowhere, heat suffused Quinn’s skin. Damn freckles.

  Caroline’s eyes sharpened and a pleasant tinkle of laughter threaded between her lips. “I see,” she said, dragging out the two words as if they held way more significance than normal.

  Part of Quinn wanted to ask just what Caroline thought she’d seen. But Quinn managed to bite her tongue.

  “We’ll continue to communicate any necessary details through Melanie. Have you thought about what you want to do next? About pressing charges?”

  Quinn hated to bring it up because she knew the reaction she’d get. But she wouldn’t be doing her job—or doing Caroline any favors—if she didn’t. Not to mention herself.

  If Caroline pressed charges, Warren could go to jail and this entire fiasco would be over. Her life could return to normal.

  Although, that thought didn’t bring with it the kind of relief she’d expected.

  If Warren wasn’t a threat anymore there’d be no reason for Jace to stay with her. And then what?

  All the laughter faded from Caroline’s face leaving behind another glimpse of the broken woman she’d been a few days earlier.

  “No, I haven’t thought that far ahead. I know I can’t go to my family, not if I want to keep them safe...or myself. That’s the first place he’d look for me. California, maybe. Or Seattle. Far away.”

  “Far is good. Big cities are usually best—it’s easier to blend in. There are channels that can help you start over, get you a new identity. Especially if you give the police the information you know about Warren’s illegal activities.”

  Caroline nodded, looking down at the hands now clasped primly in her lap. Somewhere along the way, her posture had reverted from open and comfortable to jagged and perfect. Her ankles were crossed and tucked beneath the edge of the bench. Her head was bowed, her shoulders rounded and slumped.

  Dammit.

  “I don’t think I can.” Caroline looked up at her from beneath inky lashes, her eyes full of fear, pain and self-loathing. “I don’t think I can be in the same room with him, Quinn, let alone look him in the eye while talking about what he did to me. And it isn’t just him I’m worried about. The men he works for are powerful and dangerous. Maybe more dangerous than he is.”

  And they both knew that was saying a lot, considering the injuries Warren had given her.

  Caroline’s fingers slipped absentmindedly across the ragged scar that ran just above her wrist. Quinn hadn’t asked, but she’d seen enough to be fairly certain it was from rope or leather or something else that had held Caroline captive at some point.

  Her stomach churning, her lungs fighting for a full breath, Quinn covered Caroline’s fingers and stilled them.

  “There are people who can protect you, Caroline. You have to do what’s best for you right now, but just promise me you’ll think about it. If what you say is true, the authorities might offer you the most protection and the best chance at getting a new life. Better than if you run alone.”

  “I’m such a coward,” Caroline whispered so softly that Quinn almost missed her words.

  And she’d finally had enough. Slipping off the bench, Quinn knelt in front of her. She waited until Caroline met her gaze.

  “You are not a coward. No one can fully understand what you’ve been through. There’s no right or wrong answer here.”

  “But what if he hurts someone else because I couldn’t make myself do it?”

  Quinn wished there was something she could say to allay Caroline’s fears. But there wasn’t and she refused to lie to the woman.

  “It’s a possibility, but your first concern has to be for yourself. No one would blame you for that, not after what you’ve been through. Think about it, though.”

  Tears welled in Caroline’s eyes, making them seem magnified. Several tears slid free, speeding down her cheeks one right after another.

  She didn’t sob or shake. She just let them silently roll. “Thank you, for everything you’ve done. You saved my life,” Caroline said, her voice husky with emotion.

  “You did that, Caroline, by having the strength to leave. I only helped a little. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

  “No matter how much hell Everett puts you through?”

  “A small price to pay for the smile you gifted me with a few minutes ago.”

  “I’ll never be able to repay you.”

  “The best thank-you I could ever get is to know you’re living a long and happy life.”

  The smile Caroline gave her this time was watery, but no less radiant.

  “I think I can do that.”

  10

  JACE HEARD QUINN’S heavy sigh. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her sag against the beige leather seat. Exhaustion tightened the skin around her eyes and mouth, and not for the first time, he questioned whether the visit had been a smart idea.

  Not because he thought it had put either Quinn or Caroline Warren in danger—because at the slightest indication of that he would have shut the whole thing down. But because it was obvious Quinn was internalizing this woman’s pain and struggle, and had been doing it from the first moment.

  He’d already known that—recognized the fierce protectiveness that sharpened her eyes when they’d fought over whether she needed protection in the first place. God, that felt as if it was weeks ago instead of days.

  Quinn wasn’t the only one exhausted.

  The drive back to where he’d left his truck was a heck of a lot faster than their trip out to the park. On the way there he’d taken the time to back track and take false turns, although not once had he seen any indication that they’d been followed.

  But he had the training so he’d taken the precaution.

  Parking the rental car several rows away in the mall lot, Jace texted a buddy who was going to pick it up and deliver it back to the rental place in the morning. He could have taken it back himself, but the guy owed him and he wanted to get Quinn home where he felt she was safer.

  Besides, taking it themselves would have meant separate vehicles. And there was something about the past few hours—maybe it was seeing the fear in Caroline Warren’s eyes for himself... He needed to keep Quinn close.

  With a hand to the small of her back, he guided Quinn across the lot. He scanned each line of cars as they went, searching for danger.

  He tried not to be distracted by the way Quinn melted into his touch as if silently accepting the protective gesture. Welcoming it.

  They were settled and pulling out of the lot when a shrill ringtone echoed through the cab. Quinn, who’d been staring sightlessly out the window, jumped. Without a word, she scrambled to pull out her cell phone.

  A frown puckered the skin between her eyes. She flashed him a glimpse of the screen and the Unknown Number that scrolled across.

  “Should I answer it?”

  Jace hesitated. Something about it had the hairs on the back of his neck standing on edge, but it was probably better to know for sure than to wonder and worry.

  Slowly, he nodded, pulling onto the shoulder of the road.

  Taking a deep breath, Quinn accepted the
call, placing it on speaker.

  “Hello?” she asked, her voice quivering slightly although he was probably the only one who’d notice the miniscule sign.

  “Ms. Keller.”

  What she couldn’t hide was the soft gasp.

  He couldn’t help scanning the area around them again, though he knew they were alone. Warren had obviously gotten hold of Quinn’s cell number, but that didn’t necessarily mean he was lying in wait in the bushes along this random stretch of road.

  A tsking sound whispered down the line. “You’ve been busy today. Did you tell my Caroline that I miss her? That I’m coming to take her home?”

  Quinn’s wide, panicked eyes flew to Jace. His hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white.

  She was silently asking him what to do. The problem was he wasn’t entirely certain himself.

  His gut told him Warren was fishing. They’d taken enough precautions.

  If the man truly knew where Caroline was, he wouldn’t be wasting his time with this phone call. He’d already be at the safe house.

  Jace gave a single, emphatic shake of his head. Quinn’s eyebrows rose in silent question, but he didn’t change his mind.

  Quinn opened her mouth and carefully answered Warren’s questions.

  “I didn’t see Caroline.”

  “Don’t lie to me.” Warren’s harsh voice cracked across the cab of the truck. “You didn’t go to work today. You haven’t been home. But while you’ve been hiding, I’ve been doing my research, finding out everything I can about you. I’m so sorry for the loss of your parents. Such a difficult situation for one so young. Although your sister seemed to handle it well enough. You, on the other hand, struggled.”

  A strangled sound caught in the back of her throat. Jace looked over to find Quinn holding a hand to her mouth, trying to muffle her involuntary reaction from the monster trying to push all of her buttons.

  If he hadn’t already known just how strong Quinn was, that moment would have done it. Even without the story she’d shared with him last night, it was obvious how difficult this was. But she was doing whatever she had to in order to keep her cool and not let him get to her.