15. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Stephanie

I don't think Quinn is having fun.

After the decision was made, we separated from the guys. They stayed downstairs, discussing the information they were looking through. I had a moment of panic once we reached the apartment—I couldn't let them see the closet. Breeane suspected something off, but they took it well when I refused to let them in the bedroom, making up the bullshit excuse that I didn't want them to see the mess.

Every clothing option I came out with was promptly shot down. I didn't blame them. I hadn't gone shopping for a long time, and I didn't have anything nice. It might be silly, but I wanted to dress nice for Quinn.

Marie left to search her closet since she was the closest to my size.

I tug self-consciously at the hem of the dress she loaned me. She is taller than I am. It's worth it when I remember the look on Quinn's face when I walked toward him. The dress hugs my body tightly. The little straps crisscross over my shoulders and across my back. It's a deep red that contrasts wonderfully with my black hair.

Quinn's arm is banded across my waist as I sit on his lap. Marie led us through the club to the far corner, where a long seating area was empty and waiting for us. Two steps separated us from the dance floor, and we sat on an L-shaped, modern-looking couch with a long, low table in front of it. My mate claimed the corner of the connected couches and hadn't let me budge an inch.

The music was low, and the club wasn't very crowded. Marie said it was because it was still early, but things would pick up soon. She sat close to her mate, but was leaning forward to talk to Sally, between Bash and Gabby. My sister was beside me, her face all smiles, switching her attention between Breeane and Kade and Cash. They didn't seem to notice as they sat at the opposite end of us, their faces serious and watching the crowd.

Micah was lounging on the other side of Quinn, a drink in his hand resting on his stomach. His legs were stretched out, and despite his relaxed position, his eyes were active.

Quinn was tense.

"Are you going to have a drink?" I ask, twisting my head.

"No, I need to be sober," he says. I take a sip of mine and lean back on his chest. His beard catches on my puffed-up hair as he tilts his head down. "You drink as much as you want, Little Cub," he whispers in my ear. "I'll take care of you."

My heart falls just a bite more. "Okay," I say softly. I cross my legs and shiver when he slides his hand between them; his fingers curled over my thigh.

My straw is between my lips, and my eyes are on his wrist when I smell something different. I slowly raise my eyes.

Holy fuck.

A gorgeous woman, surrounded by three hot men, is walking toward our seats. Her hands are clasped in two of the men's hands. She has long black hair and a body I envy, with curves encased in blue jeans and a tank.

"Panthers," Quinn mumbles.

I have never met a panther. I have heard there aren't many .

"Quinn," one of the men says. He is tall and built. He has dark brown hair and a skeleton arm tattooed down his.

"Jax," Quinn greets. He is the Alpha. I could have guessed even if I hadn't heard his name and status.

"Hi," the woman says to me. "I'm Harmony. I've heard about you and wanted to meet you."

"Nice to meet you." I smile.

"These are my mates, Jax, Blue, and James." She motions to each in turn.

"Hello." I nod.

Blue is big and wears a serious expression. He nods lightly. He has blonde hair with blue tips.

"Don't mind him," James says. He has an infectious grin and humor in his eyes. "He's not fond of bears."

"Why would you say that?" Harmony cries.

"It's true," James says.

"So, you don't say that when talking to bears," she continues to scold.

James shrugs. "We all talk about how much we don't like coyotes," he states.

"That's different," she snaps. "We all agree on that." Harmony lets go of his hand and sits in front of us on the table. "Don't listen to him."

"You are beautiful," Gabby tells her.

"Oh, thank you," Harmony says. "You are, too."

"I've never met a panther," Gabby says.

"This is my sister, Gabby," I say.

"Are you visiting?" Harmony asks.

"I think I will love it so much, I'll move here," Gabby says.

I tune out their conversation when I see Harmony's mates watching Micah. Micah hasn't moved from his position, seemingly unconcerned with their presence. I'm sure not much can scare the vampire .

"Micah," Jax says.

"Panther," Micah says.

"Are you planning to move here too?" Blue asks, his eyes narrowed.

Micah shrugs.

"As friendly as usual," James says.

Micah shrugs again.

"Great, another cranky vampire," James mutters.

"We heard there is trouble," Jax asks Quinn as he glares at James.

"Yes," Quinn says shortly.

"Let us know if you need help," Jax offers.

"Thank you." Quinn looks around the room. "We are doing what we can to find them."

"My bar manager is good with computers if you need another set of eyes," Jax offers.

"I appreciate it." Quinn's fingers flex on my leg. "I will do anything to protect Steph."

"Of course," Blue says, taking a few steps forward. He stands behind Harmony, lifting his hand to tangle in her hair. "We can all agree with that point."

"Are they your friends?" James asks, nodding at Kade and Cash.

"They work for me," Quinn says.

"Are they working now?" James asks.

"They are always working," Quinn says.

"We don't have many tigers around," James says.

I'm startled when Breeane jumps up and hurries around the table. I see Logan's shaved head moving through the crowd, Lucas and Las behind him. I smile when she launches herself at Logan, and he catches her with a grin. I love that she found them. I've never seen her so happy.

"Damn," Gabby whispers. "I figured her mates were hot. So lucky." I shake my head, watching her look at all the men around us. "Maybe, if I stay here, I'll find a hot mate or two, too." She smiles and wiggles her eyebrows.

"You never know." I brush her hair away from her face. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too, Sis," she says. "This is a sort of family, too, right?"

"Yes," I answer.

"Are you happy to be part of it?" she asks, and I'm aware Quinn can hear everything. Everyone else is too occupied with their conversations, and Breeane is kissing each of her mates.

"I am. I'm happy."

"Good. I'm glad you found hot brother-in-law." She grins cheekily above my head.

"Thanks, Gab," Quinn rumbles. Her eyes widen. The fact that he shortened her name is confirmation he has accepted her.

"Quinn," Las calls, walking over. He sits between us and Micah. "Steph, how are you?"

"Good." I haven't been able to spend any time with him or his brothers.

"I heard about the messages; you should have called," he says to Quinn.

"I told Bash," is Quinn's response.

"I understand how much you hate talking to other people, but we can help," Lucas says, his hand intertwined with Breeane's.

"Steph is family to us," Logan says. "We don't want her hurt."

"I get it," Quinn growls. "I also didn't think you would enjoy being around Heath," he points out. The brothers exchange glances but stay silent. "If you want to help, come to the office tomorrow, and we will fill you in."

"We'll be there," Logan agrees .

"Quinn, give me a call," Jax says and waits for Quinn's nod. "I have to work. Everything is on us tonight."

"I'm staying here with the grouchy bear and vampires," James states, enjoying Micah's glare when he plops down beside him. "Why are all the vampires in our crew so angry?"

"I'm not part of your crew," Micah says.

"Fuck off," Bash says at the same time.

"Dude, if you move here, you are automatically part of the crew," James says, not bothering to acknowledge Bash. Micah drops his head back and closes his eyes.

Blue pulls Harmony's head back. "Be good. Find me if you think Micah is going to kill James," he bosses and kisses her.

"Of course," she grins, and he nods at her and then at Quinn before following Jax.

I turn sideways, hooking my knee over Quinn's thigh, and his hand remains. "Are you friends with the panthers?" I whisper in his ear and then turn my head so he can answer close to mine.

"Yes, but we don't spend a lot of time together," he answers.

"You don't act like you are friends," I state, continuing our back and forth.

"You already know I'm not the friendliest of guys. I've tried to stay distant."

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable, but you are part of the crew here, too," I say, borrowing James's phrase.

"I suppose." He keeps his cheek pressed to mine. "You smell fucking amazing. It's torture to have you so close, but not the kind of close I want."

I gulp. I reach up with my hand and slide it around the back of his neck. His beard tickles my cheek. "I like being this close to you."

"I want to be closer," he rumbles .

"We can't, can we?" I tease.

"I would have to kill everyone in the club if we did." He bites my earlobe, and I gasp. "I don't mind public displays of affection, but the things I want to do to you are not for the public."

"How long have we been here?" I ask, wondering when it would be polite to leave.

"Not long," he chuckles. "Weren't you the one who wanted to come here?"

"You don't have to point it out," I mutter.

"We have to stay at least an hour," he decides.

"I should talk to them," I sigh. "I'm being a bad sister." I had every intention of getting to know everyone better and check in with my sister, but Quinn tempts me.

"She understands," he says. "She's having a great time with everyone. Sally is entertaining her."

"You are listening?" I have been wrapped up in him.

"I have to do something to distract myself from your warmth and your scent." He puts his mouth even closer to my ear; I feel his lips. "From my cock getting harder than it is."

I shiver and lick my lips.

"Sis," Gabby yells, and I jump. "We are going to dance." I swivel my head, almost cracking my nose on Quinn's chin, to see her hand in Sally's.

"Bear, you should dance with your mate," Sally says before bouncing away with my sister.

I grin, shaking my head.

"Do you want to dance?" Quinn asks.

I jerk back. "You don't want to dance," I state.

"That's not what I asked." He squeezes my hip .

"I—" I'm thrown. He doesn't seem like the dancing type, and I haven't had anything to dance about for a very long time.

"You do," he says. He stands quickly, sliding my body off his lap and to my feet. My thigh burns from the slide of his hand. I watch him nod to Kade and Cash and then Micah.

"Quinn?" I don't want to force him to do something he's uncomfortable with.

"Little Cub, dance with me," he whispers.

I stare at him wide-eyed. "Okay."

He puts his hand on the small of my back and pushes. I stumble alongside him to the edge of the dance floor closest to our seats. He stops and positions his back to our friends. I stand frozen. My brain has stuttered to a halt, apparently forgetting how to move. The music is fast, and I'm not good at letting my body flow to that kind of beat.

"Relax," Quinn coos.

He grabs my hand, places it on his chest, and covers it with his. His other arm wraps low on my hips, pulling me tight. He dips his head toward mine. My heart flutters.

"It's fast," I say helplessly.

"I don't give a fuck," he says. "This is the only way I dance." He starts to sway, taking me along for the ride.

My throat closes, and tears glisten in my eyes. I drop my cheek to his chest, facing our joined hands and his chin over them.

Sometimes love isn't a rush; sometimes it's built, second by second, minute by minute, moment by moment. It flows slowly through you until you are consumed by it and the person you love.

The bond urges the fall but can't force you to love. Our story is being nurtured by trust, understanding, and respect. Quinn needs my trust. We both need an understanding of our past and how it affects our present. I feel his respect .

"Quinn," I whisper.

"Shhh…" He kisses my forehead. "Just feel Little Cub. I got you."

He does. He holds my heart in his hands.

We pay no attention to the bodies around us. I see Gabby and Sally breezing by, and Sally takes out her phone. They giggle and dance away.

But I don't care. All I care about is the man who holds me, the magic wrapping around us, the promise of a future with Quinn.

I stare at Quinn's hand, gripping the steering wheel and trying to remain calm. I am really anxious to get home and jump him.

"See," I say to distract myself. "Nothing happened." We danced to several more songs in the same position, no matter what kind of music came on.

"It would have been stupid for them to try anything with so many of us there," he says.

"Whatever." When we were done dancing, he led me back to our seat and resumed the same position. I finally was able to have a conversation with Gabby, and I was grateful she helped cut through the lust. She was having a blast with Sally. Marie drove them home and was planning on staying there, too. Bash wasn't happy being away from her, so he went with them.

"Fuck."

I look up at Quinn, confused.

"Do not move," he orders, and I follow his gaze to the front door of the bakery. To the open door of the bakery.

"No," I say faintly.

"Kade, are you close?" I look back to Quinn, his phone to his ear.

"Yeah," I hear Kade respond.

"Someone broke in. I need you and Cash to go in first. Make sure he's not still here." He ends the call and turns to me. "It will be alright."

"Why can't we go in?" All I can think is, if they fucked up the bakery, Breeane is going to be heartbroken.

"I won't put you in danger, and I won't leave you out here alone," he says, gruffly.

"Okay." I twist my hands in my lap.

"It is going to be okay. I'm going to make it that way," he promises.

"I believe you." I see Kade and Cash hurry past his window, crouched low. They move into the building carefully but quickly. I stare into the darkness, waiting for them to come back. I'm torn between wanting this person to be there still so this can be over and hoping he's not so they won't get hurt. The best outcome would be that I somehow forgot to lock the door, but even if I did, Quinn wouldn't have.

I blink when the light turns on and they appear in the doorway, and Kade signals. "Wait for me," Quinn says as he exits the car. He walks around the hood. "Stay by my side," he orders when he opens my door.

He holds my hand tight. His head swivels constantly as we walk toward his men.

"Tell me," he commands once we are in front of them.

"The bottom floor is fine," Cash says.

"The top floor is not," Kade says.

My stomach rolls. "How bad is it?" Quinn asks.

"Bad," Kade confirms .

"Kade, come with us. Cash, stay out here, watch." The brothers nod. "Are you ready?" Quinn asks me. "You could stay in the bakery with Kade. I'm afraid you aren't going to like what you see."

"I have to," I say.

"You don't have to see shit," he denies. "I'll leave Kade with you."

"No, we are in this together," I say bravely. I like being protected by Quinn but I don't want to be left in the dark.

He takes my word and pulls me through the room and up the stairs. The door to the apartment is hanging by the hinges. I take a deep breath and follow him through it.

The kitchen is destroyed. The small table is in pieces. The couch is slashed the stuffing all over the floor. It looks like a hammer was used on the island and cabinets. The fridge door is hanging, only holding on at the bottom.

How much anger do you have to have to do this kind of damage?

"The bedroom is worse," Kade says, and I look at him shocked. It's the first time I see sympathy and concern in his expression.

"Baby," Quinn says.

"I'm ready." I nod firmly. I can't let this asshole ruin our lives.

We walk through the doorway, and Quinn growls.

They cut the mattress like the couch. Everything is ruined. I look toward the closet, and my knees almost give out. My clothes are all over the floor in scraps, along with the blankets.

My feet are glued to the floor, not because of the destruction, but by the message written on the door that was ripped off and is now leaning against the wall.

"He's going to put you back in a cage." Under the words is a drawing of a cage.

My breath leaves me but comes back fast, and my vision tunnels.

No .

"Steph." Quinn steps in front of me, and my wild eyes can't focus on his face.

"No, no, no…" My chest is heavy. The bars of the cage mock me. The clang of them closing, rings, causing me to cover my ears.

"Steph," Quinn says urgently.

"I can't." I shake my head violently. I take a step back. The smell of the sweat from the shifters locked up beside me begins to flood my nose.

"Baby," Quinn says, taking a step and eliminating the space I created.

"No…" I say weakly.

"Little Cub," he snaps, and my eyes fly to his. "I want you to listen to me," he demands, his voice deep. "Are you listening?"

"Yes." I focus on his voice.

"I'm going to pick you up. You will hold me tight. I will take care of everything." He quickly gathers me in his arms, and I wrap my legs and arms around him. "Close your eyes." I do. "Tuck your face in my neck." I press my lips to his neck. His arm supports me. "Kade, pack anything that isn't ruined and bring it outside." He moves, but I keep my eyes closed. "Cash, I need you to drive," I hear him say distantly. I concentrate on the feel of him against me. "I need you. I don't give a shit, Micah." I feel the air change. I push closer when I hear the car door open, not wanting to be separated from my mate. "I'm not going anywhere," Quinn assures me, and continues to hold me when he sits.

He pets my hair. "I have to make more calls, Little Cub; hang on for me." I nod slightly. "Heath, when you get this message, get your ass back here."

"Daddy," I whisper.

"Yeah, Little Cub."

"Where are we going?"

"Home. We are going to my home. Our home now." He grabs the back of my neck. "You will be safe. Do you believe me? "

"Yes, Daddy. Safe with Daddy." I exhale. Daddy would never allow me to be put back in a cage.