Page 77 of Reclaiming Quinn
“For saving me? Why?”
“Because…. Because… I don’t know. I just feel like I should say how sorry I am.”
No, he shouldn’t, because if Deke had gotten Klein down, he would have probably killed him, and as much as he hated to admit it, that knowledge would have haunted him as well. Like Quinn, Deke didn’t want to take a life. He’d done it today, and that memory would haunt him forever.
“So you saved me in more ways than one.” He kissed Quinn’s forehead. “How did you find me?”
“My wolf knows you. He can find you anywhere.” He shook his head. “No, I can find you anywhere.”
A moment later, Quinn was yanked away from Deke, and when he looked up, Klein stood there, his arm around Quinn’s throat.
“You’re going to back off and let me leave. I swear, I have no problems killing him.”
“You’ll never make it out of the building,” Gareth promised. “I have two dozen people outside, waiting for you to try to run. You might have tried moving the humans, but my people have already rescued them, as well as Rupert’s family. We’ll get the people to the police, who will no doubt be looking for you. I guarantee you, they won’t find your body. You have nothing left.”
“I have him,” Klein said as he jerked his head at Quinn.
“Deke?” Quinn’s voice was pleading. “I love you.”
“Quinn, I—”
“Enough! Quinn and I are going to walk out this door, and no one is going to try and stop us or little Quinn here will pay the price.”
“You’ll go nowhere,” Gareth rumbled.
“You don’t hold the cards here!” Klein shrieked. “Iam the Alpha, and this ismyterritory! You have no right to be here.”
“By Mother Moon, I have every right. I’ve turned the pack over to your brother. In the few weeks he’s been their leader, he has garnered more trust and cooperation than you ever did.”
“We’ll see who they follow when he’s dead at my feet.”
Something shimmered behind Klein. At first, Deke was certain it was a trick of the light, but a moment later, it coalesced into a human form. Zach lashed out, sinking talons into Klein’s neck and jerking him away from Quinn, who rushed forward and gripped Deke around the waist.
“You threatened my friend’s mate. You’ve killed people. Sold them as both slaves and food. There is not one redeemable thing about you. Though I don’t want to do it, I cannot allow this to continue.”
Zach’s fangs glistened in the light, and then he slammed them into Klein’s neck. The inhuman scream that erupted from Klein was the worst sound Deke had ever heard. He clutched Quinn’s head and pulled him tight to his body, hoping to shield him from Klein’s death throes. Blessedly, it was over quickly. Zach let Klein drop to the floor with his eyes wide and fixed.
“Is he…?”
Zach ran a hand over his mouth, smearing the crimson streak. “Dead? Yes, he is.” There wasn’t a shred of remorse in Zach’s voice. “And he deserved it.”
“Who are you?” Gareth demanded.
Zach went to where Gareth and Sean stood, then bent on one knee, head bowed. “I am Zachariah, leader of the Vampyri. I pledge our lives to the protection of your mate and his children.”
“Wait. What?” Sean looked down at Zach. “What do you mean?”
Zach stood, his hands behind his back, head bowed slightly. “We are your guardians, Omega. We shall let no harm come to you. My brethren are on their way to Lydon now and will make their pledge upon arriving.”
“What do you mean they’re on their way?” Gareth demanded.
“I have contacted them and told them that an Omega truly does live. They will meet us at your home and assume their spots, ensuring none may bring you harm.”
“How did you…? I mean, he shot you. I saw you die,” Deke spluttered.
Without turning his gaze away from Sean, Zach replied, “My power, my very life, comes from the Omega. When he arrived, I was healed by his presence. It’s that which makes us nearly immortal.”
“But when there wasn’t an Omega….”
