Page 34 of Quinn

“That, sweetheart, is the million dollar question. I have no idea why Quinn didn’t put you in a hotel in Popondetta and leave you under the protection of the police.”

“It would have been so much easier for everyone.”

“Hmm, maybe. Maybe not. I suspect Quinn might have some feelings for you that he is confused about.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think so. He’s made it very clear he cares what happens to me but isn’t interested in anything beyond a passing friendship.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. I’ve known that boy for many years and I’ve never seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you. I think he’s too afraid to admit that you’ve snagged his heart.”

“Not possible but I’ll leave you to your fantasy.”

“Time will tell. Have your lunch, Jake and Natalie will be here shortly to take you to the hospital.”

We ate in companiable silence. The food was good but my stomach couldn’t tolerate more than half of the sandwich, so after apologising, I pushed the plate away.

Lynetta stood and collected the plates, taking them to the sink. “We’ll have you eating better in no time and once you have some meat on those bones, Quinn will really sit up and take notice. You mark my words.”

I wasn’t sure I believed what Lynetta said, but a small part of me hoped what she said was true.

***

I helped Lynetta with the dishes and we’d not long finished when there was a knock at the door; Jake entered with Natalie.

“Hi Lynetta.” Jake crossed the floor and planted a kiss on the woman’s cheek. Lynetta wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him close.

It was apparent the woman meant a great deal to the Masterton family if Quinn and Jake’s open show of love for her was any indication.

Jake kept an arm around her waist as he asked me, “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, thank you for putting yourself out this way.”

“It’s no trouble at all and Quinn would have my head if I left you unprotected.”

“I doubt that he’d care.” Although Quinn had shown flashes of caring, I doubted very much that he would miss me if anything happened.

“Of course he would…we all would.” Natalie threaded her hand through my elbow and after we said goodbye to Lynetta, we headed outside.

Two black vehicles sat waiting, one was empty, the other had two men in the front seats.

The three of us approached the front, empty car and I slid into the back seat, Jake behind the wheel and Natalie beside him.

Jake started the engine and eased the car towards the main gates of the compound. “Did Barry say if there was a particular part of the hospital where he wanted you to meet him?”

“He said he would meet at the main entrance doors.”

“Well that makes it easy.” After waving to a young woman at the gates, he swung the car onto the main road.

Jake glanced up at the rear vision mirror, and Arabella glanced through the back window to see the other car was following close behind.

Jake pulled into a parking space in the hospital carpark and switched off the engine.

“Stay where you are.” He climbed out, hand resting casually near his hip as he scouted the area. I had no doubt he had a gun at the ready.

The other two men joined him, and satisfied there was no immediate threat, Jake opened Natalie’s door while one of the men opened mine and I was assisted onto my feet.

Natalie and I were flanked by Jake and his men as we walked across the carpark and up the couple of steps to the main door. Jake pushed the glass door open and Natalie and I stepped inside to find Barry waiting.

Barry smiled at our unusual group, but he knew the reason behind the ‘guard’ and didn’t comment.