You’ve got balls kid. You ever get sick of jerking off to the law; you know where to find me.
It seemed too easy; I’d been expecting some form of retaliation all afternoon. I half expected them to kill me on the way out, given all the information I’d acquired.
Anthony was of the belief that I wasn’t worth the risk of being finished off, Max had no idea I was willing to throw myself under the bus in order to get him behind bars, and there was no way I could have him convicted without doing exactly that.
Thankfully I’m safe from the bus.
His entire confession was in the hands of Detective Anthony Rodgers now, and I knew it was going to be more than enough to get Max put away for life.
I’d had just one request… I wanted to know as soon he was in custody. I wanted to be able to tell Quinn that I was safe… that we were safe… that it was all over.
Quinn.
I was struggling without her. Having her in my arms yesterday, even frail and exhausted was the best thing I’d experienced in a long time. I needed to know if she would forgive me and give me another shot. I’d agreed to give her a couple of nights to sleep and think, but I knew it was a promise I wouldn’t be able to keep.
If I didn’t hear from her by the end of the day, I was going around there and fighting for my woman.
My damn woman.
My cell rang and I snatched it up, hopeful it was her.
The only other name I wanted to see flashed across my screen.
My whole body tensed involuntarily as I answered the call.
“Tell me it’s good news Anthony.” I demanded without any form of greeting.
“Hello to you too sunshine.”
I huffed out a breath and spun my chair to face the glass behind me.
“Cut the shit.”
He chuckled and I couldn’t help but let a small smile play on my lips.
“We got him.”
My whole body relaxed.
“Not just him, half his crew. Thanks to those names he dropped this morning, we were able to offer a deal to one of those low lives… and he sang like a bird. It’s over Harrison.”
Half his crew?
This was big. Shit, this was huge.
My body warmed with something I hadn’t felt in myself for a long time… pride.
“That’s a lot of scum off the street.” I stated, unable to think of anything better to say through my elation.
“Yeah… and on top of that he was in the middle of a deal with none other than Tiger Bronson, so we nabbed him too.”
“This is big.” I stated.
“It’s huge. And I’d say that has a lot to do with you.”
I shook my head in disagreement. “I’m just glad it’s done. I’ve got more important shit to focus on now.”
“You sure do.” He whistled low. “That’s one hell of a pretty little lady you’ve got yourself there kid.” His voice was warm.
What the hell?
“Quinn?” I asked in confusion.
How the fuck does he know?
“The one and only.” He confirmed.
“Gotta make me work for it don’t you asshole?” I groaned.
He chuckled through the line, waiting for me to give in and ask.
I folded. “How the hell do you know my girl?”
“She brought herself down to the station.” He stated.
Just when I thought he was going to make me drag it out of him bit by bit, he carried on.
“Got a bit of a project going on does sweet Quinn… but I’ll let her tell you about that.”
I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Wha–”
I was interrupted by the sound of a throat being cleared. I spun around in my chair and was completely mesmerized by the sight in front of me.
“I gotta go.” I mumbled down the phone.
“I bet you do.” I heard the detective laugh before I hung up the phone.
I tossed it onto the desk.
“Quinn.” I breathed.
She was wearing a white dress that looked at least a size too big, but even so, she took my breath away.
“Sorry.” She smiled shyly. “Important call?”
She stepped into the room.
“Huh?” I asked, the call forgotten.
She pushed the door shut and turned back to me.
“Can I sit?” She asked softly, gesturing to the chairs on the far side of my office.
“Yes.” I scrambled out of my seat. “Yeah… of course.”
I rushed to her side and guided her slender frame to sit in one of the seats at the small table.
She smiled up at me with excited eyes and I froze. I knew right then and there that I’d never seen anything as perfect as she was.
I’d go to hell and back if that’s what it took to keep her happy…heck, I’d arrange a one-on-one with Satan himself if that’s what I had to do.
Anything for her.
My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest at the realization that I was staring at the most important thing in my life. She was right here.
“You gonna ask why I’m here or what?” She was regarding me curiously, not entirely sure what to make of my momentary freeze.
I shook my head as I dropped my body into the chair next to her.
“I don’t care why.” I reached out and took one of her hands in mine, elated when she didn’t stop me or pull away. “I’m just happy that you’re here.”
She smiled softly at me.
“God Quinn I’ve missed you so much.”
She squeezed my hand. “I’ve missed you too.”
“Does this mean you’ll give me another chance?” I blurted out, my voice full of hope. I was so desperate to be near her, hold her again, kiss her, to be inside her. I was hoping like hell, praying to a god I wasn’t sure I believed in, that she felt the same way.
She stared at me for a few beats, her face unreadable. “You really haven’t been listening have you?” She asked quietly.
She’s leaving me.
My stomach dropped. “I’ve been listening Skippy. I’m here, I’m so sorry.”
I grabbed her other hand in mine, clasping both together now.
“Please Quinn, please.” I begged, my voice breaking, mind going mad with the idea of watching her walk away from me again.
“Please don’t leave me again.” I whispered, staring at her hands in mine.
“Harrison.” She whispered, shock evident in her tone. “I’m not going anywhere.” She squeezed my hands tightly.
She’s staying?
My head snapped up, meeting her gaze.
“But you said I wasn’t lis–”
“You weren’t listening.” She replied.
“I don’t get it?” I shook my head in confusion.
“All I want is you.” She replied simply. “It’s what I’ve been saying all along… all I’ve ever wanted since the moment I laid eyes on you, is you Harrison. You’re it for me and I don’t want to be apart from you ever again.”
Her green eyes were focused and clear.
“But you asked for time? To think about what you wanted?”
She shook her head. “I wanted time, yes… but not to think about us.”
I frowned.
Anthony…
Got a bit of a project going on does sweet Quinn…
“I wanted to figure out how to make you happy Harrison.” She carried on.
“Having you.” I answered without hesitation. “Having you is all I need to be happy.”
She smiled but otherwise ignored me. “I’ve been thinking… I want you. The last couple of months have been hell. Losing you was like losing half of me… I’ve never felt so lost in my whole life. But I want you to be happy and fulfilled. I don’t want anything coming between us like it did before.”
The knife of guilt tightened in my gut.
“I’m a strong person Harrison.” She added quietly.
She was strong. She was t
he strongest woman I’d ever met.
“But I haven’t been strong lately. You changed me… made me weaker...”
I grimaced.
She squeezed my hands again. “But in a good way. You’ve made me softer, more feeling. I’m still strong, or at least I’m getting there. I just want to be strong with you.”
“I promise you, I’m here. I’ll never force you to leave again.”
She nodded and smiled.
We stared at one another for what seemed like forever. I could sit here and look at her for the rest of my life. These past few months, not seeing her beautiful face, was like torture.
“I have three conditions.” She finally said, her voice more light-hearted now.
“Anything. I agree.” I grinned.
“Now that’s not very smart Mr. Hunt. You’re a lawyer, you should know better than to agree to terms you haven’t heard.”
I chuckled. It was so good to hear her teasing me again.
“I retract my previous statement Your Honor.” I nodded at her to carry on.
“Condition one.” She began. “You never lie to me again.” She swallowed.
Done.
“The only secret I ever want you keeping is if you decide to propose one day.” She added with a giggle.
“Agreed.” I replied, my mind racing at the thought of getting on one knee and asking her to be my wife.
“Condition two… no shutting me out. If you have a shitty day, you lose a case… whatever. You talk to me instead of pushing me away.” She looked so vulnerable in that moment, like the thought might bring her to tears.
“I promise.” I told her softly.
She took a deep breath, pulled her hands from mine and reached for her bag, pulling out a manila folder and placing it on the table in front of me.
“Condition three?” I asked.
She nodded, her hand still resting on the top of it. “If it’s not what you want, then we’ll find another way, okay?”
“Okay?” I replied, unsure of what to say, I had no idea what this folder could possibly contain.
She slid it closer to me and wrung her hands together nervously, pulling away from me.
I reached for the arm closest to me and pushed my chair right up against hers, holding her close against me.
I opened the folder and scanned the information, using my free hand to flip the pages.
This can’t be…
“Is this… what I think it is?” I gaped, barely able to string the words together.
“I don’t know what you think it is.” She breathed.
I peeked up at her and saw how nervous she was.
My jaw fell lax and I flicked through the pages one more time, to make sure I wasn’t imagining things.
How the hell did I get so lucky?
“Why Quinn? Why? I… I don’t know what to say.”
She shrugged, her frail shoulders rising and falling slightly.
“I know what it means to you Harrison.”
She did all this… for me…
“I want to help them too. I know that’s why you were out there doing what you were doing. You care too much for people and I know that it’ll eat you up inside turning your back on them… and it’ll destroy me knowing that you gave up something you value, for me.”
I met her green eyes with wonder, unable to speak.
I wanted to tell her that I’d give up oxygen for her if I had to, but the words wouldn’t come.
“El and her dad are more than happy to help, Lawson is on board, so is Reeve… and even that detective you’ve been dealing with. So that just leaves you…” She trailed off.
Anthony…
I stared into her eyes and thought about the possibilities for this foundation. It would keep victims safe from those that weren’t deemed as predators by the law, it’d help get them justice, get scum off the streets…
It could have saved Sam.
It was the most amazing idea I’d ever heard. And the fact that Rush Communications and Pierce Contracting were willing to cover the costs, in conjunction with our firm, was the icing on the cake. Quinn had even brainstormed some ideas for a black tie event with auctions to raise money.
This would really work.
“If it’s not what you want, we’ll think of another way to help them.” She rambled. “We could –”
I cut her off by claiming her lips with mine.
“Mmmm” She murmured, giving herself up completely to me, her lips parting, letting me take the lead.
My whole body ignited with a passion only Quinn evoked in me.
She moaned softly and I pulled away, unable to take anymore.
My office was not the place to strip her down and take her, and if this kiss carried on, that was exactly what was going to happen.
“I can’t believe you did this.” I said after I placed a soft kiss to her forehead.
She shrugged. “I love you. I want you to be happy.”
I swear in that moment my heart stopped beating. She’d never said those words to me before.
I swallowed down the lump in my throat.
“You love me?”
She nodded shyly. “I love you so much Harrison.”
I pulled her into my lap and hugged her tight.
“I love you more than you can possibly imagine Quinn.” I murmured into her neck. “I can’t thank you enough for this.”
***
We’d been sitting in my office, Quinn in my lap, for the past hour. Hardly any words had been exchanged between the two of us, but so much was being said.
“Oh my gosh.” Quinn suddenly stated, sitting up straight to look at me. “You didn’t tell me what happened today?” Her eyes began scanning my face as her hands rubbed up my arms and over my chest, searching for injury. “Did they hurt you?”
I caught her hands in mine. “I’m fine Skippy. They didn’t lay a finger on me.”
“I tried to ask Anthony earlier, but it wasn’t a good time, there were a lot of people around.”
I looked into her eyes. “They got him Quinn. And half his boys.”
“So he won’t be out to get you?” She asked with a nervous expression on her face.
“He’ll be put away for life.” I reassured her. “He can’t touch us Quinn.” I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face and kissed her lips gently.
“So what now?” She smiled sweetly.
I grinned.
“Well now, there’s this woman who I’ve been missing like crazy, and I’ve finally got her back.”
“Oh have you now?” She giggled. “And what do you plan on doing with her?”
“First I’m gonna take her out to dinner.”
“And then?” She prompted.
“And then I’m gonna take her home to my bed.”
She made a small sigh of contentment.
“And then?” She whispered into my neck.
“And then I’m gonna keep her forever.” I whispered back.
“I’ve learned a lot this year. I learned that things don’t always turn out the way you planned, or the way you think they should. And I’ve learned that there are things that go wrong that don’t always get fixed or get put back together the way they were before. I’ve learned that some broken things stay broken, and I’ve learned that you can get through bad times and keep looking for better ones, as long as you have people who love you.”
- Jennifer Weiner
Epilogue
Four months later
Harrison
“Is that you Skippy?” I called down the stairs after hearing the creak of the door.
“It’s me.” She called back.
I grabbed my gym bag that was merely a prop and jogged down the stairs to meet her.
“Hey, babe.” I grinned as I caught sight of her, sliding her heels off.
“Hey back.” She smiled at me. Her eyes roamed my body. “I forgot you were sparring today.” She strolled over to me and I threw my bag toward the door where it landed w
ith a thud.
I loved it when she looked at me like that. I was more than happy to be stared at like a piece of meat by this woman.
“I’m meant to be, I can call it off?” I kissed her forehead and slipped my arms around her waist, pulling her body against mine.
She’s so beautiful.
She was finally looking healthy again. Her skin and hair glowed and she’d built up some muscle and body fat. She looked like the woman I fell in love with again.
“No don’t be silly.” She waved away my offer.
I knew she wouldn’t ask me to stay home.
Quinn was more than happy for me to let off some steam in a constructive way, even if that meant throwing punches at her brother. Lawson and his mate Rome had talked me into joining their sparring sessions at the local boxing gym. They were tired of beating the shit out of each other and wanted a fresh contender. It was a surprisingly good time.
We were all pretty evenly matched. Rome was the strongest, I was the fastest, and Lawson was a solid mix of both. Rome had the potential to knock you clean out, but he’d barely had the chance to land a glove to me. I was too quick. I could hit him over and over, but he was built like a brick shit house and refused to go down. Lawson was tough too, still stronger than me, but not as fast, neither of us seemed to be able to get an edge over the other. We’d all done our share of street fighting, so we weren’t afraid to fight dirty too. It was fun, in a twisted sort of way.
“Are you sure?” I pressed.
“Yeah, its fine, I’m going to El’s anyway remember?” She reminded me. “I just wanted to come and say hi and pick up a few things.”
Quinn wasn’t officially living here, but she spent about eighty percent of her time here with me. It was something I was working on amending – soon.
“Right, I forgot about that.”
Truth was, I hadn’t forgotten. It was all part of my plan.
“When will you be back? Remember we’ve got dinner with Colt and the new girl, it’s their last night in town.”
She grinned and I knew we were both thinking about the weirdness of the whole situation.
“I’m well aware.” She winked at me. “And stop calling her the new girl; it’s been three months… I’ll meet you back here at seven to get ready? I’m pretty sure I’ve got a dress here I can wear.”
Hunted (Love like Yours Series Book 3) Page 21