Page 75 of Dust to Dust

“Like what?” I whispered.

“Like you fear me now.”

“But I do.”

Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve known who I was since that night I was shot.”

Brooke gasped. “You witnessed a shooting?”

I shook my head. “No. I just helped him clean up a bullet wound.”

Throwing up her hands, Brooke demanded, “What have you gotten yourself into, Isla?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullet wounds aren’t nothing.” She stared at Quinn. “Murders aren’t nothing.”

“They are for me when someone hurts someone I care about,” he countered.

Once again, Brooke rose out of her chair. This time she strode over to Quinn and snatched Henry out of his arms, causing Henry to cry out. “Shh, it’s okay. Mama has you now.”

“I’m not the monster here,” he growled.

Brooke refused to look at Quinn. She swayed Henry in her arms, running her fingers over his dark hair. She tore her eyes from Henry to stare at me. My chest constricted at the tears welling in her eyes. “We could’ve lost you last night, Isla.”

“I know. And I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want you going back there.”

“I have to, B.”

Quinn shook his head. “You’re done with private dances.”

“What?”

“You’re not doing them anymore. I won’t allow it.”

My mouth dropped open to my chest. “You can’t do that.”

“I’m the majority owner in the club. What I say goes, and I say no.”

“Without the tips from private dances, I won’t make any money. The whole point of taking my fucking clothes off is to make money!”

“I’m aware of that.”

“And you would still deny me? Is this you being a caveman like Caterina said?”

His lips quirked. “She called me a caveman.”

“She said you and your brothers could be possessive cavemen, and now I’m seeing it.” I shook my head. “You can’t deny me a living just because you can’t take me riding some other man’s dick.”

The amusement swept off his face. “Do you honestly think I would deny you the money you need?”

“If you forbid me from doing private dances, you are.”

“Whatever your usual take home was for the night, I’ll match it.”

This seriously wasn’t happening. “Are you insane?”

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