Chapter Thirteen

Yesterday had changed everything. I think. Processing what had happened between her and Rogue in his office had plagued her mind all night and well into the morning. One sexual encounter—as amazing and mind-blowing as it was—wouldn’t change her situation. She’d given in to temptation. And God, that man is tempting. Alongside that attribute, he also had the ability to kill her and had made threats to do so just a week earlier. And what did she do? I slept with him. It was probably a mistake. Of course, she had no regrets at the current moment thinking about Rogue.

This man is an absolute mindfuck.

Rogue had made good on his promise. Aaron had picked her up at the apartment and brought her to the Bowery. Sloane had introduced her to most of the staff once she’d arrived. It was more than she’d gotten every other time she’d come in. It gave her hope that Rogue meant what he said. A job hadn’t been assigned, but she hung out at the bar with Killian and his sister, Keely, who was a barback. Quinn had been chatting with the brother-sister duo for the last thirty minutes. Siblings always intrigued her. Having had a volatile and unorthodox relationship with her own brothers, it was interesting to watch the dynamic of a healthy relationship.

“How far apart are you guys in age?” Quinn asked.

Keely smiled. “Seven years. Killian’s older.”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes. “I’m pretty sure she’s figured that out.”

Quinn had. There was an obvious maturity Killian had over Keely. Though the redheaded girl was highly entertaining. Quinn laughed, and her eyes caught a group of men with Rogue leading the pack. They were standing at the edge of the stairs. Quinn wasn’t sure how long he’d been watching her, but he didn’t look happy. Now, what did I do?

His dark, hardened gaze was locked on her. Without a thought, she smiled. His gaze narrowed, and he said something to Jared before walking up the stairs with the rest of security following. Quinn tried to ignore the heat racing from her chest to her cheeks. Rogue didn’t spare her another glance, but she watched him until he disappeared out of sight.

Really, Rogue? One fuck forward, two steps back.

Quinn picked at her napkin and glanced over at Jared, who was walking toward the bar. She lifted her hand with a short wave.

“Hi, Jared.”

Jared looked over and gave a stiff chin nod. He stopped at the bar directly in front of Killian. She could barely make out the conversation, but it was clear she was the topic of conversation. Quinn peeked up, watching the exchange. While Jared’s features were hardened, Killian almost seemed amused.

Killian snorted with a playful smile. “Jay, I was being friendly.”

Jared leaned closer, putting them a foot away from each other.

“Not with her,” Jared said, and her chest tightened.

Her? Who, me?

Killian smirked and lifted his chin. “You jealous?”

Jared steeled his features and didn’t waver. “I’m not, but someone else is, so back off her, Kill. You piss him off, and that makes my job a lot harder.”

Him? Rogue. Ohhh…

Killian widened his eyes. “She’s with…”

Jared narrowed his gaze, cutting off Killian.

Killian stepped back with a nod and walked across the bar, continuing to set up. But all talking had ceased. Was Jared referring to her? All signs were pointing to Quinn.

Jared spoke to another member of security and then motioned for her to follow him upstairs and to the offices. She trailed a few steps behind when she saw Rogue down the hall. He was standing with the phone to his ear.

“He doesn’t look happy.”

Jared side-eyed her but remained silent.

“Can you at least say if he’s mad at me?”

Jared glanced down and furrowed his brows, scanning her face. “Why would you think that?”

“I heard you talking to Killian. And for the record, he wasn’t flirting.”

Jared’s lips twitched. “Rogue’s not upset with you.”

“What about Killian? I don’t want him to get in trouble for something he wasn’t doing.”

For the first time since she’d met Jared, she saw a small glimpse of a genuine smile. “Don’t worry about Kill.”

Quinn drew in a breath, relaxing. By the time they met Rogue at the end of the hall, his anger seemed to have turned up a notch.

“One more fuck up, and I’m taking you all out personally.” Rogue grabbed her by the hand, ushering her into the office and slamming the door behind him. She expected his anger to continue, but he hooked his arm around her waist, brought his hand to her throat, and kissed her. It was unexpected but certainly welcome. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and he pulled her closer.

Seconds later, they were interrupted with a call, which only pissed off Rogue again. He released her, circled around his desk and answered.

“What?”

Quinn flattened her lips, walking a few feet away to give him some semblance of privacy. It didn’t matter much. Rogue made no effort to lower his voice. In fact, it got louder.

“You tell Oz if he wants to summon me, he can fucking do it himself.”

Oz. It was yet another reminder that she was mixed in the depths of the Underground.

Rogue sat down in his chair and tossed the phone on his desk, eyeing her. It was like a silent call, and she sauntered toward him. He lost his patience at two feet.

“Get over here.”

He reached out, grabbed her hips, and forced her to straddle his lap. Force was an exaggeration. Quinn went eager and willing. Rogue drove his hands through her hair, grasping her neck and pulling her down for a kiss. Mind-fucking-blowing . His tongue swept against hers, and within seconds, she found herself grinding her hips and getting just the response she wanted. His chest rumbled. Rogue tightened his hold on her hair and pulled away.

“You sleep good?”

It was an odd question coming from him. It was too personal, too caring, and completely unexpected. Though, nothing was more surprising than her response.

“Would’ve been better if you were with me.”

Quinn couldn’t believe her own ears and dropped her gaze to his chest. It was entirely too brazen. Rogue slipped his hand under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. His lips twitched, and she saw his gaze softening. He didn’t say a word, but his expression spoke volumes. He liked that.

Quinn needed a serious change in subject.

“So, about the job you promised?”

He sighed, making his annoyance obvious. But…

“You can work in the office with Dahlia.” His lips twisted. “And Sloane, if you can fucking take her for more than a few minutes. Fucking pain in the ass.”

“I like Sloane.” Quinn shrugged. “I mean, how can you not love a woman who rides a mint green scooter?”

“It’s actually really fucking easy.”

Her lips twitched. “Rogue…”

Rogue scoffed, twisting his lips in disgust. “Her and that fucking scooter.” He grabbed her ass, pulling her closer. “Rules.”

Quinn swiveled her hips and leaned in, brushing her lips against his. They were just a layer of clothes away from a reenactment of last night, and she was all in.

Rogue growled. “Wanna get fucked on my desk again?”

It came out as a threat of sorts. Quinn pulled away slightly, smiling. “Uh-huh.”

His gaze heated as his brows dipped in a warning. “Jesus fucking Christ. Rules.”

“Rules,” she repeated, holding back her smile.

“You work the office, nothing else. Club opens, and your ass is not on the floor. You take a break, you do it on the balcony or in my office. No fucking uniform.”

That seemed reasonable.

“Security brings you in and takes you back. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“You still have that phone you got from Sloane?”

Quinn had returned it when she’d come back from her break. “No.”

Rogue scanned her face as if he was contemplating. A few seconds passed. “Tell her I said to give it back to you. And have her put my number in it. And…”

Quinn was sure she knew the last rule. “And if I leave, I’ll tell someone.”

His gaze hardened. “You don’t leave.”

Noted.

****

Rogue shook his head, eyeing the number on the screen. Motherfucker. No one could shift his mood quicker than these assholes. He debated on answering, but it was business and a deal he’d agreed to. Rogue was a lot of things, but he’d never bailed on a deal or his word. As Sal always said, a man isn’t worth anything without his word. Rogue tapped the screen, gripping the phone in a tight hold.

“What?”

The deep chuckle only fueled his anger. “That’s one fuck of a greeting, Rogue.”

“What the fuck do you want, Ace?”

Trey usually handled setting up transfers with the Killcreek Drifters. For the sake of the deal in place, it was better left to anyone else. Rogue was still harboring resentment and anger over a deal that had him on the losing end and Killcreek prevailing. If he never saw these assholes again, he’d die a happy man. However, a deal had been solidified, and he was bound to uphold it.

“Got a shipment coming in. Need to meet up ahead of time.”

“When?” Rogue snapped.

“By the end of the week.”

Rogue rolled his shoulders. “Friday. Trey will send you the location and the details.”

“Sounds good.” There was a small stretch of silence, and then Ace laughed. “Look at us, brother, making deals and shit in harmony. Who would’ve fucking thought?”

Rogue clenched his jaw and tightened his grip on the phone. No one got under his skin like Killcreek’s president, Ace, did. And that motherfucker knows it.

“I’m not your fucking brother, asshole,” Rogue snarled and heard the rumbling laugh before he hung up and tossed the phone on his desk.

A second later, the phone pinged, and he ground his teeth. If this motherfucker is texting me… He glanced down at the screen, and ironically, he settled. A little.

Quinn: Hi, it’s me. Quinn.

Rogue snorted, shaking his head. Yeah, I fucking know, Princess.

Rogue: What do you need?

He sent the message, but instead of tossing his phone on the desk, he watched the screen, waiting for her response.

Quinn: I don’t need anything. I just wanted to say hi.

Rogue cupped his mouth, staring at her message, resisting the urge to give in to a smile.

“I heard you down the hall. Problem?”

Rogue glanced up to find Trey standing in his doorway.

“Yeah,” Rogue snapped. “We got two options. Ace called, and he needs a meetup before the next transfer. You can set that up, or we can fucking take them all out. I’m leaning toward fucking option number two.”

Trey chuckled. “I’ll take care of it.”

Rogue rolled his neck, waiting for Trey’s exit, but he walked in and closed the door behind him.

“What?”

“Kahill called. It’s the third time this week. Can’t put this off any longer, Rogue. He’s coming down tomorrow.”

Trey had kept him updated on Kahill reaching out. It’d started the day after Quinn had been taken in and hadn’t stopped.

“It’s out of state, so we have to tread lightly. We don’t need those kinds of enemies,” Trey added.

For transport purposes, it was never a good idea to burn bridges. Even Rogue, in his short-fused temperament, recognized that. People didn’t give him enough credit for knowing what was needed. Unpredictable. He’d been labeled years ago, and it was an accurate description. But he was usually able to rein himself in, and if he didn’t, Trey stepped in. However, this was personal.

“Do you want Quinn at the meeting?” Trey held up his hand. “I think it’s best if she is. It sends a message.”

Rogue gave a sharp nod. The last place he wanted her was in front of any potential enemies, but it would hold more weight with her being there. Either way, Quinn wasn’t going anywhere.

She’s fucking mine!