Page 35 of Dust to Dust

To say I was slightly on edge after talking with Mabry and Lenora would be an understatement. While I’d set out to get answers about Quinn, I'd ended up with even more questions. Some that I didn’t think I wanted answers to.

But I managed to set aside my fears about Quinn and do my job. After my set, I stayed busy right up until closing with private dances. With each dick I rode, I focused on reworking the labs I’d done last quarter. Anything to not think about the man in front of me or Quinn.

Once all the clients had left for the night, I made my way to the bar to close out. At the sight of me, the bartender, Sarah’s, eyes lit up. “Hey Isla, while I close you out, could you run this liquor invoice up to the boss’s office?”

At the prospect of seeing Quinn, I swallowed hard. “Um, why me?”

Sarah grinned. “Because you’re the only one he doesn’t growl or grunt around.”

“He doesn’t?”

She popped her brows at me. “You haven’t noticed?”

“Not really. I mean, I haven’t been here that long.”

“Conleth said the boss actually smiled at you last night.”

“Yes, but–”

“That’s pretty much unheard of, which means you’re the best person to take this to him.”

Since I didn’t think there was any way I was getting out of it, I reached out to take the invoice. “I’ll be right back.”

On shaky legs, I spun away from the bar and went over to the elevator. As I stepped inside, I couldn’t fight the anxiety building in my chest. When we reached the second floor, the ding caused me to jump out of my skin. “Get a grip, Isla.”

Pushing myself forward, I started down the long hallway, my heels clicking along the floor. When I reached the office, I froze with my fist in the air. I don’t know how long I stayed like that before I finally knocked on the door.

Shifting on my heels, I nibbled on my lip as I waited for a response. When no one came, I decided to knock harder.

Still nothing.

“Um, Mr. Kavanaugh?” I called, my voice echoing through the silent hallway.

When I tried the doorknob, I found it unlocked. Easing it open, I peeked inside, praying I didn’t find Quinn screwing some dancer. The room was darkened with just the desk lamps emitting shadowy light. “Mr. Kavanaugh?” I called.

Once again, I didn’t receive an answer. Sarah hadn’t specified that I had to deliver it directly into his hands. Surely, I could leave it on his desk without a problem.

Easing through the crack I’d made in the door, I hightailed it as quickly as I could over to his desk. After dropping it in the center, I spun around to make a run for it. That’s when I heard a long, guttural groan.

I gasped before my hand flew to my mouth. Slowly, I turned my attention to the private bathroom. Light seeped out from the bottom of the door.

Since I wasn’t sure if it was a sex groan or one of pain, I decided it was best to get the hell out of there. When I started to the door, my heel slid in something wet on the floor. A shriek escaped my lips as my arms and legs flailed as I tried not to fall.

Just as I’d righted myself, the bathroom door flung open. Quinn lunged out, training a gun on me.

Once again, a shriek escaped my lips as my hands flew up to shield me. “Please, it’s just me, Isla.”

Quinn immediately jerked the gun down to his side. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“S-Sarah asked me t-to bring up an invoice.” Jerking my thumb over my shoulder, I added, “When no one came to the door, I just put it on your desk.”

Quinn’s cold eyes continued to apprise me. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“Yes, sir.”

Before I turned to go, my gaze traveled down his body. To my surprise, his white shirt was untucked and unbuttoned. Both dark and bright red blood stained one side. It was then that I realized what I had slid on.

Blood.

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