Reclaiming Quinn - Parker Williams Page 0,8

with thoughts that Deke might not give him to someone else, but instead could abandon him in Chicago. He’d heard Ryker talking about a trip he and Kristopher had taken there, and how they’d gone hunting at night and taken a human in a park. They’d laughed at his terror as they stalked him, how he’d screamed when they appeared before him, how delicious his fear was as they chased him, and how tasty his heart had been.

Quinn feared for Master in Chicago, more than for his own safety, and that thought was weighing heavily on him. He’d been at the sink, washing the breakfast dishes, when Dani stepped up from behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. Quinn did his best not to flinch, but he wasn’t successful.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s okay.”

Dani was everything Quinn wished his mother had been. She talked with him; she told him stories of Lydon; she even made him cookies on occasion. Of everyone in Lydon, Quinn never questioned Dani’s intentions. She was sweet and pure and reminded him of Margaret who, despite her abuse at Ryker’s hands, was blossoming as she stayed with Dr. Franklin and his wife, Marcella.

“You seem pensive today. Did you want me to call Deke?”

Master had left early to go to a worksite, and though it was crazy, Quinn missed him.

“No,” he said, his voice soft. Insanely, he wanted Master there, with him, telling him what to do. Though he’d said that Quinn knew his routine and should follow it, Quinn still missed Master when he wasn’t home.

“You know, you can talk with me. I’m great at keeping secrets.”

Oh, how Quinn wanted to unburden himself. To tell Dani everything. But she was good and pure, and there was no doubt in Quinn’s mind that if he told her what Ryker had done to him, it would stain her forever.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Are you nervous about going to Chicago?” She leaned in and picked up the dry dishes, then placed them on the shelves. “I might be a little bit jealous of you. I’ve never been outside of Lydon, but then again, I don’t have a spirit of adventure. I like it here, where you can take the time to heal.”

He knew she was talking about him, but Quinn didn’t need to heal. He was fine. He knew what was expected of him. The only thing he didn’t know was what to think about Master. He desperately wanted to believe in him, but how many times had Ryker approached him with a smile that turned ugly? How he’d laughed when Quinn stepped into a room and found the men he was expected to pleasure. How….

He gasped at the strength of the memory. Dani wrapped her arms around him, and Quinn buried his face in her shoulder.

“What do I do if he leaves me there?”

He hadn’t meant to say it—the words slipped out.

“I can promise you that Deke would never do that. He’s nothing like Ryker, and I think you know that in your heart, but your mind won’t accept it. That’s good because you need to protect yourself until you can be sure that he’s a good man.” She stepped back and cupped Quinn’s cheek. “I know you have a hard time believing it, but Deke cares for you. You belong to him, after all.”

The words from her lips were tinged with anger and frustration that Quinn didn’t understand.

“Dani? Have I upset you?”

She leaned back and her eyes widened a bit. “You? No, not at all, sweetheart. You are a wonderful young man, and I’m happy to have you in Lydon. I guess I can’t let go of the anger over what Ryker did to you and Caleb.”

Caleb was Dani’s son. Ryker and Kristopher had slit his throat when they kidnapped Sean. The Alpha somehow pulled him through a shift, and since then, Caleb hadn’t shifted back to being human.

“I’m sorry. I know this is my fault.”

“Your…. How is it your fault?”

Quinn turned back to the dishes but rested his head on the cabinet door. “Ryker wanted me to be like Sean. He thought if I was an Omega, he could have used me. When he found out I wasn’t….” Quinn didn’t bother to finish. He was sure Sean had told Gareth what happened, and Gareth had probably spoken with Dani.

“When he found out you weren’t, he hurt you. Still, I don’t see how this is your fault.”

“If I’d been an Omega, he would never