Reclaiming Quinn - Parker Williams Page 0,9

have hurt Caleb.”

“Oh no!” She gripped his hand. “Don’t think like that. Ryker did those things because he was a bastard. There is no one else at fault, and even if there was, it wouldn’t be you.”

She’d guided Quinn to the table, and they sat there, eating cookies and drinking milk. When Quinn said he needed to get his chores done, Dani had said he’d had enough for the day, and she insisted he sit with her. Quinn had loved it. By the time they were done, Master had come home, and all was right with Quinn’s world once more.

“Are you listening to me, Quinn?”

Deke’s voice brought Quinn out of his memories, and back to the fact they were no longer in Lydon. “Yes, Master.”

They’d caught a cab to take them from the airport to the Waldorf Astoria, where they would be staying. As they traveled into downtown Chicago, Quinn’s eyes widened. He’d never seen such a place, and he was astounded. Even Lydon, lovely as it was, didn’t hold a candle to Chicago. The sights, the smells, the people. There were so many things going on Quinn feared his head would snap off as he kept twisting it to see everything. When Master touched Quinn’s arm, he looked down and waited for what was to come.

His master chuckled. “What do you think?”

“It’s… amazing, Master. I’ve seen stories on television about Chicago but never thought I would see it myself.”

“Okay, one thing I’m going to need from you.”

“Anything, Master.”

His master smiled. “I need you to call me Deke.”

What? No! Slaves never referred to Master as anything but…. Quinn’s heart pounded, and his palms grew damp. “Master?”

Deke gestured toward the city. “Look where we are. We’re in a city filled with people. They wouldn’t understand me being your master, so we need to keep that quiet. When we’re in public, I need you to call me Deke, okay?”

That made no sense. Ryker didn’t care where they were. Quinn had to call him Master, and….

He’s dead. He’s dead. He’s dead.

He reached for the hair that was no longer there. When he found he couldn’t grab it, he turned to Deke.

“Master….” Quinn’s voice was soft. He was afraid. He was…. When Master slipped his hand into Quinn’s, the tension bled out immediately. What was it about his master that he could soothe Quinn with a touch?

“Yes, I’m your master, and no matter what you call me, that won’t change. If it makes you more comfortable, we can deal with Master. I wanted to avoid people looking at us. But your comfort is more important than any of that.”

Quinn blew out a breath. Master would always be there for him, and he wanted Quinn to call him something other than Master. Did the name really matter? Yes, it did. What if this was a trick? Quinn would call him something other than Master, and he’d use it as an excuse to beat Quinn. He’d…. No. He wasn’t Ryker. He could never be anything like Ryker. He was Master, but a good, kind, and honorable man. If there was one thing the last several months had taught Quinn, it was that his master cared deeply for him.

Then why am I still so afraid of him?

That was easy. Master could simply decide Quinn wasn’t worth it. Then what would happen? It had been months since Quinn had last been beaten. Except for the brand, his bruises had healed enough so Quinn could believe they’d never been there. Master was forever telling Quinn to soak in the tub, to relax in the softly scented bubbles. It had been decadent, and Quinn felt unworthy of Master’s attentions. But it didn’t stop there.

Master ensured Quinn ate three meals a day, plus he gave him ice cream for dessert. The first time they’d had it, Quinn had wept because he’d never tasted anything so delicious. Who knew something called rocky road would be so damn good?

“No, that’s okay. I—I can do that.”

He smiled up at Quinn. “Say my name.”

The urge to say Master was on the tip of Quinn’s tongue, but he refused. Master had insisted, so Quinn needed to obey.

“Deke,” he whispered, fearful that saying it aloud would change everything.

Quinn had seen many smiles from Master, but never before had he given one like this. It lit up his whole face and filled Quinn with joy because he’d put it there.

“Say it again. Please.”

“Deke.”

Oh, how amazing it was when Master squeezed Quinn’s hand. It was firm, but gentle. No