Page 59 of Reclaiming Quinn
Chapter Sixteen
QUINN…. THOUGHTSof you get me through the days here. These wolves are nothing like the ones in Lydon. They’re cruel, vicious. They anger quickly and have no issues showing dominance to anyone they feel is beneath them. Klein has allowed me to send food to the humans. He’s angry because something is wrong, and he’s not able to move them out. He’s blaming Gareth, and if he does have something to do with it, I’m grateful to him. This little girl can’t be sold. I’ll do whatever I have to to stop it.
“Trying to reach your guy again?”
Deke lifted his head and shrugged. “I don’t know how it works. I just know that I heard him a couple days ago, and about now I’m desperate to have his voice in my head.”
Two days ago, Klein had moved them yet again. He’d tied Deke and Zach together, thrown hoods over their heads, and then tossed them into a vehicle. They’d driven an hour, maybe more, before they stopped and were jerked out of the car and dropped on the ground. The hoods were yanked off, and Deke got the first real taste of fresh air since the whole debacle had begun. The new building was in worse shape than the one before. This one had mold in the crevices, thick and dark. Deke’s first thought was Zach, and whether he could get an infection from the crap that seemed to be everywhere.
Their first task was to clean the kitchen to make it somewhat usable for preparing meals. It was during this time Deke heard the little girl’s voice telling her mother how hungry she was. He went to Klein and played the obsequious role, telling him how muchQuinnwould appreciate it if he could care for the humans. It amused Klein to haveQuinnbeg for something he wanted, and though Deke should have been humiliated by it, he would do it again if it kept people safe.
Just like Quinn did for Margaret.
It struck Deke that Quinn had always stepped in to help others. He’d taken beatings, been raped, tortured, so others wouldn’t have to be. Quinn had always thought he was weak, but now Deke knew the truth. Quinn was the strongest son of a bitch he’d ever encountered.
So could Deke be any less than Quinn?
That night, as Zach and Deke lay in the dark room, Zach reached a hand out and twined their fingers together.
“You know, I’m not usually the one who’s afraid.”
Deke could believe that. Zach was forever prodding the wolves around them, angering them to the point of violence.
“I won’t deny I’m scared. And I hurt. I feel like my skin is being chewed on from the inside.”
That was what Deke had been afraid of. Without proper medical attention, Zach’s bones weren’t knitting properly. It was obvious when he walked, the way his leg bowed whenever he was forced to put weight on it. Zach was strong, but even he had limits.
“We’re going to get you out of here, I swear it.”
Zach chuckled. “I think you’re a great guy, but we both know every day that passes, it’s less likely that anyone is going to find us.”
“I refuse to believe that. My Alpha would never walk away, and my mate? Goddess, Quinn will move heaven and earth to get me back.”
“How can you be so sure?”
There was a quiet desperation in Zach’s voice.
“Because that’s what having a mate means. Neither of us is whole without the other. We just need a break to get them here. Do you have any idea where we are?”
“It’s got to be the outskirts of Chicago. I don’t recognize any landmarks that even give a clue.”
So they were right back where they’d started. How could Quinn find them if there wasn’t anything to base a location on?
Because I can feel you in my heart.
Quinn?If ever a sweeter sound was needed more than at this moment, Deke wouldn’t believe it.Oh, baby. Is that really you?
Deke.A sigh that tickled Deke’s brain.I’ve been trying so hard to reach you.
You’re staying safe, right?
I don’t want to be safe. I want to be with you.
And I want you where I know no one can hurt you.
There was a pause, and then Quinn’s voice was in his head again.
Screw you, asshole.
