Page 33 of Reclaiming Quinn
Chapter Eight
DEKE SATat the table, chopping chunks of chicken to put into a stew. It would be easier if they’d taken his chair, but he would make do with what he had. Like this “kitchen,” for lack of a better word. It was really nothing more than a hotplate with a pot and pan, a few cracked and worn utensils, and a tub of water Deke had to wash dishes in. All the while he toiled, Deke imagined Quinn having to do things like this, and it made his blood boil.
Though he sensed someone behind him, Deke didn’t see the hit coming. Once across the back of the head, and when he turned to glare, he got another across the cheek.
“You are one stupid fuck. Alpha Klein told you to have dinner ready by now. Just because you’re a fucking cripple doesn’t mean you don’t have to pull your weight around here.”
There were few in Deke’s life prior to Lydon who thought he needed to be coddled, and those who did were quickly shown the error of their ways. He had played on a championship wheelchair basketball team. He tutored those who were injured in how to use their wheelchairs to the fullest but never pitied them or made them feel as though they were too broken to function, and he wouldn’t let them give up on themselves either.
Another smack to the back of the head.
“You’re fucking useless. You should have been culled as soon as they figured out how pathetic you are.”
This asshole had no idea what Deke was capable of. He’d lived by himself for the past fifteen years. He never let anyone take care of him, even though there were plenty of people who seemed to think he needed someone. Of course, all that changed when he met Quinn. Deke hated that he had to pretend to need Quinn’s help, but he was well aware of how Quinn needed a purpose in life to take it back from his abusers.
In the last four days, he’d been hit repeatedly, kicked more than once, and Klein had his people heaping abuse when Deke was too slow to complete a task. How the hell had Quinn lived this way for more than ten years? What was it like when he woke in the morning and knew exactly what was going to happen throughout the day? The only saving grace, at least as far as Deke was concerned, was even though they’d hurt him, they hadn’t raped him. That, Klein had said, was off the table. Bruises, he’d told them, would heal eventually, so it wasn’t like they were doing permanent damage.
At night Deke lay in his room, praying to Mother Moon. He didn’t care what happened to him, but he needed to know Quinn was safe. He kept wishing that he could be in bed, holding Quinn, but every passing day that seemed less likely. Come morning Klein would have them move again, doing his best to stay one step ahead of Gareth. Deke wondered why they didn’t flee the city, but that was answered when Klein mentioned getting deliveries made by someone in his pack. Deke wasn’t sure what they were, but Klein seemed determined to keep getting them.
Are you safe, Quinn? Is someone doing the job I was supposed to do? It’s selfish of me, but I wanted to be the one who was going to make everything better for you. To show you that a mate loves you, no matter what. I realize now it was stupid. I don’t care who helps you; I want you to be happy and whole.
The door creaked, and this time Deke spun to see who’d entered. Klein. Goddess, Deke wished he could tear the man’s throat out, but his shift wasn’t fluid enough to get it done quickly. Even though he had to be in his late forties or early fifties, Klein was still a wolf, and he had the strength of one.
“We’re going to be making a phone call. You’ll say what I tell you to, and not another word. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
A fist in the neck forced a grunt from Deke.
“You haven’t been away from Ryker that long. How did you forget basic manners?”
Deke swallowed. The thought he would have to placate this bastard caused his stomach to churn, but it was for Quinn. Everything Deke did would always be for Quinn.
“I’m sorry, Master.”
Klein snorted. “I could get used to being called Master. Who knows, maybe after we’ve been together for a while, you’ll come to my bed willingly. Nothing Blackthorn can say about that, right?”
He reached for Deke, who flinched when Klein stroked his cheek. Maggots wouldn’t have been as revolting as Klein’s touch.
“Here’s what you’re going to tell Blackthorn. You’re being well cared for, and you will remain safe as my guest. Should Blackthorn come looking for you, I won’t hesitate to slit your throat and send you back to him in pieces. Let him know you’ll check in each week so he’s aware you’re still healthy. If you’re not incentive enough to keep him away, there are others I can use. Your brother, for example.”
Klein was a fool if he thought he’d get within a hundred feet of Sean. Deke wouldn’t be surprised to find Gareth had a detail following them and snipers on the rooftops watching after Sean. He knew he’d do it to keep Quinn safe.
“If that’s what you want.” Klein quirked his brows. “Master.”
He fished a phone from his pocket and handed it to Deke. “Make the call.”
“I—I don’t know his number.”
Thick fingers over the bridge of Klein’s nose let Deke know the frustration level was building. “Then call your fucking Alpha. Let him deal with it.”
Though he wished the tremors in his hand were an act, Deke was afraid. Klein was on a short fuse, and if Deke wanted any chance of making it home alive to Quinn, he needed to do as he was told. He took the phone and punched in Lyram’s number. The phone was answered before the first ring ended.
“Alpha? It’s… Quinn.”
“Deke? What the hell is going on?”
“I’m safe and being well cared for. Alpha Klein has said I would remain safe as long as Alpha Blackthorn leaves him alone. He said if he came for me, or bothered Alpha Klein again, I would be returned in pieces.”
