Page 38 of His Forgotten Colton Fiancee
Chapter 9
“I’m headed home today. Alone.”
There, she’d said it.
Quinn paused in gathering from her hospital room the plethora of cards, cheerful greetings and handmade drawings by local schoolchildren.
“No, you’re not.” West shook his head. “You heard Shane and Brayden. I’m coming with you. And Brayden and Shane hired a security guard to watch the store and guard the apartment.No one is getting in or out without him knowing it.”
Doubts filled her. That phone call she’d overheard had changed everything about West. Although the faint recollections of terrific sex and smoldering passion had been more frequent, she couldn’t be entirely sure of him. “Why should I let you come home with me? I don’t even know you. At least my brothers, the men who say they are my brothers,share my last name.”
She wouldn’t meet his gaze. Couldn’t. Quinn had nothing to guide her.
Truth was, she was plain scared. If someone had planned to kill her, they would surely try again. Anyone could be suspect.
Even this man, who professed he knew her. Loved her, even.
But could she trust him? It sounded as if he were investigating her family over this mysterious Demi. Whatif West professed to love her only to get closer, get information?
And then get out of town, abandoning her?
“I can handle things alone,” she retorted, wishing she felt as confident as she sounded.
“No, you can’t. You had a major head injury. The doctor agreed to release you only on the condition you have someone at home to help you out.” West tapped his muscular chest. “At your service.”
Home had to be better than staying at the hospital. Even if it meant she headed to a place she didn’t know was a palace or a pigsty.
He helped her pack all the cards, letters and artwork into a small suitcase. “Quinn, honey, I know this must be scary for you. You don’t know if I’m one of the good guys. All I have to prove it is this,” he said, and flashed his badge. “But I promise you,I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
Finally she looked at him. Determination shone in that dark gaze. He had the most incredible eyes. Behind it lurked some lingering sadness, shadows she couldn’t identify.
She moistened her lips. West stared at her mouth, as if he wanted to kiss her.
Quinn frowned. “Stop staring at me.”
He blinked. “Sorry. I was...remembering thetimes we had together.”
Glad someone can remember. If only I could.Quinn felt adrift, without an anchor or a compass. She didn’t know who to trust. Could she trust this man with the burning gaze and the quiet, steady air?
Her brothers told her West was a guy who liked working alone. But he was rock-solid.
“Give me one good reason why you are a better protector than one of my brothers.”
Tension knit his brow, showed in the tautness of his strong jawline. “Because they have their own lives, and other concerns. You’re my top priority, Quinn.”
She moved and winced. Her head still ached at times. West immediately strode over, rubbed her temples with soothing strokes.
Such a small action. But his touch was gentle, and he riveted his attention on her, unlike Brayden andShane. They talked with her, worried about her, but hadn’t shown this attentive concern.
Maybe she was a fool, but she had to start somewhere. Her brothers thought West was okay. She pulled away. “All right. You can come home with me. You can sleep on the sofa.”
West nodded slowly. “And Rex will be with me. He’s a good watchdog. He’s crazy about you.”
Terrific. Yet another thing shedidn’t remember. Quinn pressed her fingers to her temples, wishing she could force her mind to work.
“Give it time,” West said quietly. “The doctor said it’s not permanent. The amnesia will fade with time and rest.”
As she started to reach for the water cup, West was there, filling it, bringing the straw to her lips. Quinn drank, pushed it away. West held the cup in his big hands as ifcradling something precious.
