Reclaiming Quinn - Parker Williams Page 0,48

that way.”

“Hey! Standing right here.”

“Yes, dear. I know.” Sean turned his attention back to Quinn. “Sex is natural and shouldn’t ever be something to be ashamed of.”

To Quinn, sex was something to never be talked about, because what happened to him wasn’t sex. It was rape, and he knew the difference. He remembered the kiss he shared with Deke, the one that had started this whole mess.

“We kissed. It was… intense.”

“May I say something?” Rupert asked, bringing coffee to the table.

“Of course. Speak your mind.”

“Hearing all of you talk about what happened with Quinn, I have to wonder if maybe that spark was ignited because, for the first time in his life, someone cared for him beyond brotherly love. Deke gave Quinn his first taste of the love of a mate.”

“You know…. Now that you mention it, that could very well be,” Sean said. “It took me a long time to understand that people like Dani were real, and that they cared for me. It was harder for me to accept that Gareth could care for me, because he was an Alpha. But first Gareth, and now Lyram? They proved to me that I couldn’t judge all Alphas by the ones I’d met. Maybe that was the beginning of our mate bond, and I didn’t realize it.”

“Quinn, if I may?” Rupert came closer and dropped to his knees. He took Quinn’s hand in his. “Close your eyes. Think about Deke. Blot out everything else, focus on him.”

Warmth flooded Quinn as he did what Rupert bade. There were so many moments in the last six months that Quinn thought back on. Deke’s smile. His laugh. His strength. His soothing touch. The sparkle in his eyes. The warmth of his skin. The scent he carried.

Deke? Are you there?

DEKE? ARE you there?

It wasn’t a dream. It couldn’t be. The voice was too pure, too sweet.

“Did you say something?” he asked Zach, praying that he hadn’t.

Zach rolled over, his eyes heavy with sleep. “Hm? No. I was trying to get some rest. My arm and leg are aching, and I don’t like the way those guys were looking at me.”

Maybe because they’re picturing you sizzling on the grill. “I’m sorry, I swear I heard someone call my—”

Deke, please. You have to hear me. I need you. Goddess, why isn’t this working?

It wasn’t possible. Was it? Gareth had said he could talk to Sean in his head, but that’s because he was the Alpha. Right?

Quinn? Is that really you?

Deke! I’m not dreaming, right? Please tell me you’re real.

Oh, damn. It had to be real. Deke couldn’t accept it if he was losing his mind now on top of everything else.

I’m real. And now, if this was actually happening, Deke had to take that chance and say the words that had been in his heart for months. I love you so much. I miss you.

Where are you?

There was so much desperation in the question, and Deke wished he had an answer for it. I don’t know. They’ve moved us, and I have no idea where. Are you safe? Please tell me you’re not alone.

Gareth, Sean, and Lyram are here. Are you hurt? I know what he did to you.

Of course he did. I’m fine. It’s already healed. Listen, I need you to tell Gareth something for me, okay? Let him know they’ve got humans here they’re planning to sell at an auction. One of them, his name is Zach, is hurt. They were going to….

He didn’t want to drop this kind of thing on Quinn. It was awful and horrific, and after what happened to his parents, it was the last thing Quinn needed to think about.

They were going to cut him up and sell him. I can see it in your mind.

You shouldn’t be looking. There are things in there—

It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m stronger now.

The words hurt, and Deke didn’t know why. Was Quinn stronger because Deke wasn’t there? Had he been holding Quinn back?

Don’t be stupid. I’m stronger because I need you, so I have to be. I love you, and I need you to be with me. I want… I want to sleep with you, if you want that too. It was the only time I’ve actually slept without a nightmare because I was next to you. I’ve still got a long way to go, but I’m getting better. I can’t do it without you, though.

It was killing Deke to be away from Quinn. I could try to escape, but—

No, I know