Page 40 of Quinn

“I prefer to stand since it appears I need to watch my back.”

“Sit down, Quinn and let me explain.”

“Are you deaf? I said I’ll stand.”

Coffee spilled over my shorts as I was pushed into a chair and forced to sit. I yelped as the hot brew hit the bare skin of my knees.

Glancing up I saw Jake behind and off to one side, his hand clamped on my shoulder. I stared daggers at him for his betrayal but remained where I’d been shoved.

Connor dragged a hand over his head. “We’ve had word Sangumala are camped about a mile from the mission. We’re planning on the raid to take place in the next hour or two.”

“Good, so what’s the plan?”

Connor glanced at Jake for a moment and from the look on his face I knew I wasn’t going to like what was to come next.

“You’re not coming with us.”

I pushed Jake’s hand off my shoulder, tossed the almost full mug of coffee onto the floor and sprang onto my feet.

“What the fuck do you mean I’m not coming with you?”

“I want you to take Arabella to the hospital so if something goes wrong she’s out of reach. Take Edward and Cofias with you. There shouldn’t be any danger but I don’t want to take chances.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Fuck you, Connor. I’m not playing babysitter while you get to blow the arseholes away. I owe them for shooting at my arse in Moresby.” I turned to one of the men I’d trust with my life. “Gabim, I want you to take Arabella to the hospital and you’re not to leave her side for one minute. As Connor said, Edward and Cofias will go with you.”

“Quinn…”

I spun on my brother. “No. I’m going with you and that’s final. Gabim is more than capable of looking out for Arabella. This is my show, Connor.”

“Yours? How do you figure that?”

“It was me Arabella came to for help, me those arseholes tried to put a bullet in, and it’s me who is going to make them pay.”

“That’s an awful lot of ‘me’ in there. It sounds like you think it’s all about you.”

“You can believe what you like, but you’re not doing this and leaving me to babysit.”

“Very well. I hope you don’t come to regret your decision.”

“I won’t. Tell me what you have planned and it better involve a lot of explosives.” I addressed all the men in the room. “I want Tchokai alive, he’s mine.”

No one argued, they didn’t dare.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ARABELLA

Lynetta and I were halfway through breakfast when the knock at the door came. I frowned at the older woman.

“Are we expecting anyone?”

Lynetta shook her head and stood. “Not that I know; Quinn didn’t mention anyone would be calling when he left to see Connor.”

I followed Lynetta to the door and watched her frown before opening it to reveal a man I hadn’t seen before.