by Bliss Brant
No telling what Buck thought, him disappearing like that without a word. Hopefully he hadn’t overreacted and called the sheriff to report Quinn missing. That’s all he needed. Shit.
He strode to the door and yanked it open.
“She’ll do as she’s told,” Amadeus said.
At the sound of Amadeus’s voice, Quinn stepped back into the room and pushed the door almost closed. Was Priss’s father referring to her? Hell. It had to be her.
“What about after you do away with the boy?”
What boy? Quinn didn’t recognize the second voice. The man who wore too much cologne. The scent slipped inside the slit in the doorway and stung Quinn’s nostrils.
“I won’t tell her what I’ve done. Pretending to have him hidden away and refusing to give him back is all it will take. She’ll be too worried about his safety to give you any trouble,” Amadeus said. “Don’t worry. I know how to handle her.”
“Once Priscilla and I are married, I’ll suggest to the Monster’s United nominating committee that you fill the position vacated by Justus Pitino.”
Apparently, Amadeus planned to use Priss again to gain more power. It was all Quinn could do to not go after the bastard. Who was the boy they talked about? He listened until the two men got into an elevator and the doors closed.
Quinn shook his head. Her father was a real piece of work. A man should stand on his own merit and not use others to gain influence, especially his daughter. Priss. Her life had sure taken a different path from his. After overhearing her father’s conversation, he was determined, now more than ever, to find out why she’d gone to all the trouble to get him to New Orleans.
Hell, if she’d just asked him to come…he wouldn’t have. Or would he? There had been a time when he’d have done anything for her. But that had been a long time ago, before she’d torn his heart out.
Checking the hall, he shut the door behind him, strode toward the room he believed was hers and knocked. He had some questions that needed answers, then he intended to head home.
The tuxedo didn’t feel any better today than it had last night, and he released another button as he waited for Priss to answer. Hell would freeze over before he spent another night away from his ranch.
He smelled her on the other side of the door. It irritated him that after everything that had happened, he still wanted her. “It’s Quinn. Let me in.”
She twisted the lock and pulled the door open to admit him. “Come in.”
He stepped inside. She stood stiff, her hands fisted. The cloying scent of the man who’d been with her father still hung in the air here. “Are you going to send me home thinking you brought me here to fuck you, or are you going to tell me the truth?”
She closed the door behind him and leaned against it, looking everywhere but at him. Her arms circled her waist as though she needed something to hang onto.
Quinn caught her hand and tugged her to the couch, sitting next to her. “You said you needed my help. What is it?”
“I…” She lowered her gaze, swallowed hard and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear with a hand that trembled.
Seeing how shaken she was, he decided to curb his own bitterness toward her and tell her what he’d overheard. “I was about to step from my room when I heard Amadeus and some guy in the hall. From their conversation, I think your father plans to marry you off again to elevate his status?”
She let out a bone-weary sigh and sank deeper into the cushions. “I figured he was up to something but only learned of his latest scheme this morning.”
Quinn gently bumped her shoulder with his as he leaned back. “I don’t know what I can possibly do to help you there. I can tell him to leave you alone, but once I’m gone…”
She shook her head. “No. I can stand up to my father.”
“You couldn’t thirteen years ago. Have you changed that much since then?” He’d noticed small differences last night. She was more assertive and aggressive…but against her father? No, he didn’t see it.
She stood and walked to the window. “I’d like to think I have.”
“Then what is it you want from me?”
“I need you to take something to Texas for me.” She spun to face him, tears in her eyes, and crossed the space between them, dropping to her knees to catch both his hands in hers. “I want your promise that no matter what my father threatens or does, you’ll protect it with your life.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ve got a safe at the ranch. If it’ll fit in there, it will be secure. So what is it? Stocks? Bonds? Cash?” He smiled. “Evidence against your father?”
“Luka!” she said much louder than necessary for him to hear.
A door opened behind him. Quinn half turned and scowled.
A cub. Based on the scent coming off the boy in waves, his first change was near.
The youth frowned at Quinn as he sized him up. His nostrils twitched as he inhaled. “My mother came home last night smelling of you. Who are you?”
Quinn couldn’t form a response. His mother? Priss had a son? Was this the boy Amadeus spoke of?
“Mr. Messala is an old friend,” Priss said to the boy. “He lives in Texas.”
The lad’s features shifted into a wide grin. “Really? Where in Texas?”
Stunned, Quinn barely managed an answer. “A little south of central Texas.”
She released Quinn’s hands, got to her feet and moved to her son’s side. “Quinn owns a ranch with horses and cows.”
The cub’s eyes widened. “You ride the range, wear spurs, and eat beans on the trail?”
Quinn managed a chuckle. What had he expected? She’d married right after he left thirteen years ago. She’d moved on with her life. “Not exactly. My place is pretty big, but I don’t have to make camp and eat beans, unless I choose to, which I normally don’t. No matter which way I ride, I can generally be back to the house in a couple of hours on horseback. As for spurs, they look great in the movies, but they are a cruel invention. If I can’t control my horse without inflicting pain, then I shouldn’t be riding him.”
The boy tilted his head. “Gosh. I never thought about it that way.”
“Luka, I wanted you to meet Quinn,” Priss said. “But he and I have a lot of catching up to do.”
The kid nodded, then dropped his gaze to the phone in his hand. “Can I maybe ask some more questions about Texas before he leaves?”
She ruffled her son’s hair. “I imagine he wouldn’t mind answering five questions.”
“Just five?” the cub mumbled.
“Just five.” She followed him into the small hallway and closed the door behind him. Then she faced Quinn, her expression pleading. “Will you take Luka to Texas with you and protect him from my father and his henchmen.”
Quinn ran a hand through his hair. “Jesus, Priss. I’ve never married or had kids. I’d have no idea what to do with him for a week or two.”
“No, Quinn. Not a week or two. The rest of his life.” She blew out a long breath and returned to the couch. “My father has used Luka to control me since his birth. If I don’t follow orders, he threatens me with something happening to my son, just as he did you thirteen years ago.”
“Son of a bitch.” Quinn stood and paced to the window, anger pulsing through his veins in waves. “I overheard your father and the other man talking about the boy disappearing. Did they mean Luka?”
A tear dropped to one cheek as she nodded.
He crossed the room and wiped the moisture away with his thumb. “Why does Amadeus dislike Claudius’s son so much? He arranged the marriage. What did your father expect? That the man would never touch you after the wedding?”
She clenched her hands together in front of her. “He didn’t?”
“Who didn’t what?”
“Claudius didn’t consummate our vows.” She turned her head away. “He couldn’t. He preferred men and married me to put a stop to rumors.”
Quinn caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and made her
face him. “Then who is the boy’s father?”
She swallowed, the sound hollow in the quiet room. “You are.”
Chapter Four
Quinn’s jaw dropped. He snapped his mouth shut and released her chin. Questions galloped through his head as he mentally did the math. His heart pounded faster.
“Look in the mirror, Quinn.” Priss shifted on the couch. “Luka looks just like you. That’s why Amadeus hates him. He uses Luka to force me to do what he wants.”
“Luka is my son?” He drove a hand through his hair as pride and fear warred inside him.
Priscilla nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell me before now? I would have married you.” Hell, when he thought about all the times they’d gone at it like rabbits without protection, he shouldn’t be surprised Priss had gotten pregnant. One more way he hadn’t taken care of her as he should have.
She placed a hand on his knee. “I didn’t realize I was pregnant until a month or two after my father announced you were dead. I told Claudius about the baby. I felt it was the right thing to do. He said everyone would assume it was his and promised to provide a good home for me and the baby, in exchange for my not revealing his secret.”
That was more than Quinn would have been able to do at that point in his life. Was that why she hadn’t told him before now? “But at some point you learned I was alive. You sent the invitation to the ball.”
“After Claudius died, I approached Justus Pitino. He’s—he was an advisor to Almod Gold, a pretentious vampire, who is the head of Monsters United. Justus was always kind to me and Luka. I never understood why. I was worried about Luka going through his first change and asked what I could do to be prepared. He thought it was funny that I’d ask him since he’s a vampire. When he saw how upset I was, he suggested I send for you. The look on my face must have alerted him to the fact I didn’t know you were alive.”
Quinn’s head dropped back on the spine of the couch, and he stared unseeing at the ceiling. “That’s how you found me.”
“Yes, thanks to him and Claudius. My husband truly was a kind man. Far nicer than my father. Claudius felt guilty for holding me in a loveless marriage but feared losing everything if the truth came out that he was gay. He left the house, antique furniture, paintings, jewelry, investments, and his fortune, to me for remaining silent. For once in my life, I could do something without having to get his or my father’s permission, so I hired the private investigator Justus suggested.”
“You had no idea where I was up to that point?” With a sigh, he leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees. Even if she had known, would she have looked for him? Not that he could blame her if she hadn’t. He hadn’t exactly been husband or father material. Hell, he wasn’t sure he was now.
“No. My father and Claudius seldom let me out of their sight. I had to get their approval to ask the driver to take me to town. When I went inside, the chauffeur followed me and reported my actions after we returned home.” Priscilla sucked in a long breath. “After Claudius’s death, I had a bit more freedom for a while. Once I had your address, I purchased your Monster Ball ticket on the white market and paid Madame LaDeaux to move your arrival location to the garden instead of the main entrance. I returned home after sending the ticket by overnight delivery to find my father waiting. I feared he somehow knew what I’d done. Instead, he wanted to inform me he had petitioned Monsters United to transfer all of Claudius’s assets to him to liquidate and use in his discretion for Luka’s and my benefit. They approved his request. We’ll never see another cent.”
Quinn’s hands fisted. “Amadeus really is a bastard of the worst kind.”
“Yes, he is. He’s used me to gain position and wealth. I’ve always known he was ruthless. I just learned he’s far worse than that. He’s a murderer. I won’t let him manipulate or hurt Luka. I can’t let my son live like that.” Priss wiped a tear from her cheek with a hand that shook. “That’s why I need your solemn promise to take my son—our son—to Texas. I need to know he’s protected from my father’s threats and control. I want him to run free as man or wolf without fear. Will you give me your word you’ll take him home with you and keep him safe.”
“Of course, I will.” While Quinn had always thought of Priss living with a silver spoon in her mouth, he’d been wrong. She had endured hell. He should have been there for her instead of running off, which is what he’d always done rather than stay and deal with shit. If only he’d knocked Amadeus on his ass last night when he had the chance, for that matter years ago. “What about you? You haven’t once mentioned getting out from under your father’s thumb.”
“I can’t.” She twisted her hands together in her lap. “If I leave, he’ll come after me. If Luka goes without me, I don’t think Amadeus will bother sending men to bring him back. But I could be wrong and need to make sure my son is safe.”
“You can’t mean to stay. He intends to marry you off to that bastard. I overheard Amadeus say he would get rid of Luka because that asswipe doesn’t want him.” Quinn shoved to his feet. Losing his son before he had a chance to get to know him had his wolf clawing to get out and protect his cub.
“I knew Father didn’t love me, but I had hoped he would come to care for Luka. I still can’t grasp that Amadeus is a murderer. I heard him admit to killing Justus Pitino. Our son is next.” She shivered. “That’s why I need you to leave and take Luka with you. You have to promise you’ll go now, as soon as possible.”
Quinn dropped to one knee and caught both her arms. “You’re willing to sacrifice yourself to no telling what kind of life because you’re afraid to stand up to your father? If you don’t grow a set of balls and face him, he’ll continue to control your life.”
“I have balls, Quinn. They’re in my purse. Unlike most men, I can’t afford to whip them out and lose my temper whenever things don’t go my way. I do what I have to for Luka’s sake.” She jerked her arms from his grasp. “You don’t know Amadeus like I do. He’ll go to any lengths, use anyone, do anything to get what he wants. He’s killing people to climb the ladder within Monsters United. If he assumes the position held by Justus Pitino, the man he murdered, he’ll be advisor to Almod Gold, who is top dog at Monsters United. If that happens, nothing will stop my father. I believe that if I remain here, you should get to Texas before he finds out Luca is gone. I’m counting on you being able to protect our son once on your ranch.”
She might be willing to surrender herself, but Quinn had no intention of letting that happen. “I can’t agree to that.”
Her eyes grew wide. “How can you turn your back on your child?”
“I protect what’s mine. Luka will be fine. You sacrificed yourself once to protect me. You’re trying to do it again for our son. I won’t allow it. I’m no longer a hot-headed teen, who runs away.”
“You cannot interfere. You have no idea how powerful my father has become. He has loyal men who will kill you without blinking or asking why. You are my only hope our son will escape.”
Even if she did find Amadeus’s manipulation preferable to being with him, Quinn was tempted to throw Priss over his shoulder and board a plane to keep her from the bastard’s grasp. “Have you considered Luka might not leave without you? Even if he does, he’s going to wonder what’s going on when in two weeks he’s not sent home. I can take him with me, but if he’s anything like me, Priss, he’ll come back to make sure you’re safe, to protect you.”
“He can’t do that.” She wrung her hands again. “Please promise me you won’t let him come back.”
“I won’t be able to stop him. It would be like spitting into a high wind. His instinct to protect his mother is no doubt as strong as mine. I walked in on my father beating the hell out of my mom.” He blew out a long breath as the memories tightened his chest. “I killed the son of a bitch with my bare hands.”
She touched his cheek. “You never told me. I’m so sorry. I wish I’d been there for you. That had to be a very difficult time for you.”
/> He shoved the memories back in the box where he kept them locked away and pushed to his feet. “It’s not something I like to think about. I’m sure as hell not proud of what I did. I loved my mother and was tired of him always using her for a punching bag because he was unhappy with his life. My point is, you’re the only stability and love Luka has known. Even if I take him, he’ll come back for you. Neither of us will be able to stop him.”
“But I’ve thought everything through. It’s got to work. It’s the only way.” She jumped to her feet and crossed her arms over her stomach. Her bottom lip quivered. “I can’t live another day in fear of what my father will do to my son.”
“Dammit, Priss, if you don’t stand up to Amadeus, then he’s already won.” Quinn pulled her into his arms and held her tight. If only he’d known about her father and the baby thirteen years ago, things would have turned out different. All he could do now was take care of their son and stop Priss from making a mistake. Even if she didn’t want him, he wouldn’t leave her alone to deal with things on her own again. “I won’t let anything happen to Luka. Just so you know, I’m not running this time.”
****
Quinn had taken the news better than Priscilla had expected, though she was sure he’d have more to say later about her decision to stay in New Orleans. While she’d anticipated anger, which there had been some, his protective instincts for their cub matched hers. Her hand shook as she opened the door to her son’s bedroom. She had lied to him only once in the twelve years since his birth. She’d hated it then, and this time wasn’t proving to be any easier. “Hey, sweetheart. We need to talk.”
He lay in the middle of the rumpled bed with two pillows stacked behind his back and glanced up from the video game he played. “Is Mr. Messala still here?”
