Page 48 of Quinn

“Thank you, Quinn, and please thank Connor and Jake.”

“I will.”

Quinn became quiet and ran his free hand over the back of mine he was holding. He seemed troubled by something.

“Quinn, are you okay?”

“I think so, but Bella, I have a confession to make…”

A sense of dread washed over me and tears burned behind my eyes as I waited for him to continue.

“I know I’ve made a big deal about my brothers being stupid and falling in love. I’ve said many times that love isn’t for me and I was never going to be drawn down that rabbit hole. But…”

Quinn’s eyes were lowered to our hands and I waited while he gathered his thoughts.

When he lifted his eyes to mine, I saw something I’d never seen before. Fuck knew what it was, but it was definitely something new.

“Bella, I think I’m well on the way to falling in love with you and I need to know if you could ever feel the same.”

The tears behind my eyes burst forward. “Oh, Quinn. I think I started falling in love with you at the moment you held me in your arms in Moresby and I first looked into your eyes and begged you for help.”

Quinn attempted to drag me into his arms but the movement caused excruciating pain and I screamed out. He froze in place and watched as I struggled to breathe.

“Bella, talk to me sweetheart. Show me where you hurt.”

Short of breath, struggling to pull air into my lungs, I pushed the sheet off me, laid back and lifted the nightdress I’d been dressed in by the girls.

Quinn’s eyebrows pulled together; his eyes turned dark as anger swirled in their depths. He pointed at my pussy. “Who did this?”

“Tchokai kicked me, he was wearing heavy boots.”

“And this one?” He pointed at the heavy bruising around my ribs.

“Mindare, it was when you arrived at the village.”

“Your face?”

“The doctor and Tchokai.”

Quinn nodded, stood, leaned over, and pressed his lips to mine in a deep but gentle kiss. “I’ll be back soon, sweetheart. Get some rest. When you see Barry ask if it’s okay for me to take you up to our place.”

Our place. My heart soared on knowing Quinn had feelings for me as I did for him.

“I will. I love you, Quinn.”

He nodded. I knew it was only a matter of time before he admitted his love for me too.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

QUINN

Natalie and Tania were in Jake’s arms when I returned to the living area, each resting their heads on his shoulders. I nodded, letting him know I was ready to put an end to the fuckers down in the shed.

Jake set the girl’s back and they wiped their eyes. “I have to go and help Quinn and Connor; I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Look after Arabella for Quinn.”

“Make sure those fuckers suffer, Jake.” Natalie spoke in anger and I noticed her hands were trembling.

I glanced at my brother, had he told them about the three we had at the shed.