Broken Promises (The Brianna Lane Series) (18 page)

“Try not to think about it, okay? It’ll drive you crazy and we need to keep focused. We’re helping no one if we crumble and live in fear,” Marshall whispered and he gently squeezed my hand. It was then I made the mental decision to keep my attention on what was in front of me. We’d only walked a few blocks when my skin prickled, and I suddenly stopped.

“I believe you’ve got something that belongs to me.”

I found myself being wrenched from Marshall by an iron clad grip and dragged into the hard chest of Quinn. My body didn’t have time to respond as the pain radiating from my wrist made me cry out.

“Let go. You’re hurting me.” I struggled to pry his fingers away, but it only caused him to tighten. I stared at him, pleadingly, and he finally relented.

“You have some explaining to do, Bri. Last time I checked, you were mine. I didn’t give you permission to hang out with other men.” Quinn grabbed my chin and squeezed it hard. “Are you purposely trying to piss me off?”

“You better back the hell up,” Liam growled.

“This doesn’t concern you. I suggest you and your friends walk away before someone gets hurt,” Quinn responded. His voice was low and menacing. It was terrifying.

“You heard Liam. Let her go.” James stepped forward as well, his lean body easily falling into a fighting stance.

“Awww, how sweet. You’ve got the three musketeers here ready to dual for you. Shouldn’t we be drawing pistols at dawn or something?” Quinn let go of my face, and pointed at Marshall. “What about you, pretty boy. Got something to add? Want to tell me how if I don’t leave, you’ll make me cry?”

Marshall’s face turned a mottled red and fury flashed in his eyes. He lurched forward, fists clenched, but Liam beat him to it. One second I was beside Quinn, and the next he was pinned hard against a nearby car by Liam, his arm cocked and ready to strike.

“Liam, stop!” I screamed, racing forward only to be stopped by James. I looked on as Liam slammed his fist into Quinn’s face, and I gagged when it broke skin and sent drops of blood spraying into the air. Liam dropped his hand only to release a second strike—an uppercut straight into Quinn’s solar plexus. There was a soft grunt as he crumpled forward. Wasting no time, Liam jerked him back into a standing position with his grip.

“Get your shit together before you approach her again. I get that you’re infected by the Fae’s influence and she loves you, but touch her again, hurt her in anyway, and there’ll be no warning. Hear me?” Liam slammed Quinn into the car for emphasis. “Now I suggest you leave. Don’t make this any worse than it needs to be.”

There was silence as the scene in front of me continued to unfold. I mentally begged Quinn to walk away and not fight back. When he briefly closed his eyes, I thought he’d somehow heard.

At first I wasn’t sure what the noise was. As it grew louder, I realized it was coming from Quinn—laughter. Shoving at Liam to put some distance between them, he wiped at the trickling blood down the side of his face and spat on the ground.

“I’m fine with it getting worse.” Quinn wore a cocky grin that sent chills down my spine. I’d never seen him like this, and it stunned me. “You can throw your threats about. Hit me all you want. You can pretend you’re the hero by protecting the damsel in distress, but it doesn’t change the fact I came for Bri, and I’m leaving with her.” His gaze narrowed on me, and I took an involuntary step backward. “Come here.”

The situation was getting out of control. James and Marshall looked livid, standing their ground, just waiting for the word to jump in. Liam pulled me closer, using his hands to place me behind him, out of Quinn’s reach. The tension so strong, it was almost palpable.

“Enough,” I finally spoke up, and stepped around Liam. I laid my hands gently on Quinn’s chest, trying to placate him. “Please, let’s not do this. I don’t want anyone fighting. Haven’t we seen enough?”

I pressed myself against him. I tilted my chin, staring into his icy blue gaze and smiled. The effort felt shallow, but I needed this to end.

The tautness in Quinn’s jaw slackened, and he traced the curve of my cheek with his finger. “You offering a ride, sweetheart? You know I can’t refuse that.” He bent down and pressed a rough kiss over my mouth. His hot breath fanned over my skin and when he bit hard on my earlobe, I flinched. “Now say goodbye to your friends.”

He took my hand and twisted it behind my back. Liam rushed forward at my yelp, but Quinn was too quick. Flipping me around so I faced everyone, his arm tightly secured around my waist, he growled.

“Not another step. You’ve had your fun . . . time for mine.” Quinn lifted his other hand, gesturing, and from nowhere a group of men appeared. “Still think you can stop me?”

I didn’t need to look at their eyes to tell they were affected—hostility radiated from them. I watched the silent communication between Liam, Marshall, and James. None of them spoke, but it wasn’t hard to guess they were assessing the situation and deciding their options.

My own thoughts scrambled. There wasn’t an outcome that didn’t result in someone getting hurt. I squirmed in Quinn’s arms, hoping he’d loosen his hold enough for me to break free. He hadn’t, and he chuckled in my ear.

“Ready to watch your friends die? If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you choose which one can go last.” His words sickened me.

”You’re nothing but a monster—not even you anymore,” I spat out, stomping hard on his instep and seizing the chance to escape. I whirled around, slapping him hard across the chest. “I’m trying to save you and this is what you do?”

“Who says I want to be saved, Bri? What if you’re the one who needs saving?” Quinn’s eyes held a fiery spark of danger, but I didn’t care. I was mad, and nothing would curb my tongue.

“This isn’t you.” I poked him hard with my finger. “And you are stronger than whatever magic is at work here. You promised me, Quinn. Promised you’d never hurt me.”

“Sorry to break it to you, sweetheart, but promises were made to be broken.”

“Not yours. Never yours. I believed in you . . . in us.” My voice cracked as my emotions rose to the surface. “If you let this destroy you, you’re nothing but a coward, Quinn Michaels.”

“Careful. You’re treading a thin line.” His jaw clenched, causing a tic to appear.

I snorted, refusing to look at him another second. “I’m leaving and not with you. Don’t follow me either.”

“I’m not done with you yet. Do not walk away from me.” It was hard to ignore the implied threat.

“I’ll contact you if I figure out how to reverse what happened to you.” I didn’t turn around to face him. I nodded at Marshall and James, and they took a step backward, never taking their focus off the newcomers.

Liam still stood watching Quinn, and when I touched his arm as I passed by, he finally looked away.

“Bri.”

“No, Quinn. Something is wrong with you and I can’t go with you. I’m sorry.”

“Do you honestly think I’m going to let you leave? Just like that?” He asked incredulously. He clicked his fingers and the strangers closed in.

“Yes, I think you are.” I retreated, putting more and more distance between us. “I love you,” I whispered.

“You’re going nowhere.” Quinn commanded, his goons tightening their circle around him. It would be a close fight—us against them—one I wasn’t sure who’d win. “Take one step and I’ll end this . . . right here, right now.”

“Enough of the threats. She said she’s leaving, we’re going.”

Liam placed his hand on my lower back, I started to walk away.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I barely registered Quinn’s low warning before I was pulled back toward him and all hell broke out.

I struggled against his iron-tight embrace while I watched my friends battle it out. No matter how hard I pushed or how much I twisted, Quinn matched my moves—stopping my escape.

“Let me go!” I demanded, slamming my foot down on his instep.

Quinn didn’t even falter from my attack. “The harder you fight me, sweetheart, the harder I get.” He lowered one of his hands to wrap around my hips and his arousal was evident. 

My body flushed and I hated it.

A grunt from Marshall diverted my attention. He was busy defending himself against two thugs, and I cringed when he took a hard blow to the chin. The hit didn’t stop him, however. Bending over, he rammed his shoulder into the solar plexus of one of the men, forcing him to the ground.

Liam and James were engaged as well and soon it would be just Quinn. Four against one was great odds. I wanted this confrontation over.

“Your fun is over. Hand her over!” Liam demanded, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “We’ve defeated your mini army. Unless you want to take us on . . . you’re too much of a coward for that.”

Marshall helped James up from the ground, and together they joined Liam.

“I’m not sure I want him to leave, though. After everything I’ve seen, I’d enjoy kicking his ass,” Marshall growled, clenching his fists.

Quinn was still, and I wondered what he was thinking. There was no way he could take all three of them on, but something told me he still wouldn’t back down.

“Listen to them,” I said, attempting one more time to break free. His arms slackened and I left his embrace, returning to stand by my friends. “You should come with us. There are holding rooms you can stay in until this is all over.” Even after everything I was still hopeful.

“What? And miss out on all this?” Quinn mocked. His next comment was interrupted by shouts at the end of the street.  Relief flooded me at the sight—thinking it was more of Liam’s friends. It wasn’t.

“Looks like more crazies want to join the party,” James muttered. “We need to get going.”

I agreed but the look on Quinn’s face told a different story.  In a matter of minutes he’d have a fresh batch of allies, and any chance for escape would be over.

“Then this gives me great pleasure.” Marshall smiled and cocked back his fist, throwing a punch that knocked Quinn off his feet. Grabbing my hand, I raced after Marshall and the others—fleeing as fast as we could.

We moved quickly with no one speaking—the decision to go the long way back to the office building forgotten. It was by the grace of God we didn’t encounter anyone and it wasn’t until we were securely inside and off the streets, that Marshall finally broke the silence.

“What the hell was that all about?”

“It’s complicated,” I answered. Liam snorted in disgust and I shot him an angry glare. “You don’t know him that’s why. You didn’t see him before all this happened. That’s the Quinn I want back. I couldn’t care less about the person back there.” I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to contain my frustration.

“Are you okay? Let me see where he grabbed you,” James asked quietly. I let him look at my wrists and tried not to flinch when he probed at the tender skin. “There’s bruising, but it should fade after a week or so. See if putting ice on it will help with any swelling. I’m sure we can find you some.”

“What are you going to do about him, Bri?” Marshall’s question brought the topic back to Quinn.

“What I promised him I’d do. I’m going to find a cure then go from there.” I looked at the solemn faces gazing at me. “I’ll be careful, okay. I’m not stupid. Give me some kind of credit.”

“Okay. Just know if you need us, we’ll be there for you. I don’t want a repeat of what happened. He touches you at his own risk. My momma raised me different and I have no problem reminding any man, regardless of who he is, that there’s only one way to treat a woman,” James added.

“I still say he’s a douchebag,” Liam grumbled.

“Well douche or not, we have something else to report to Noah,” Marshall grinned. “I don’t know if any of you noticed, but Quinn actually revealed something in his caveman act.”

“He did?” My brow furrowed in confusion.

“He did.” James nodded, slapping Liam on the back. “I wonder if he realized it.”

“Well, do either of you want to clue the rest of us in?”

“Quinn had control of the newcomers that arrived. From what we’ve been observing, it’s been a free for all—every man and woman for themselves. Those strangers listened to him and did whatever he said.”

“They did!” I exclaimed. I could see the gestures replaying in my mind—Quinn nodding and clicking his fingers. “So what does that mean?”

“It means there’s some kind of hierarchy forming. A pecking order,” Marshall answered.

“That can’t be a good thing, right?” I asked.

“We don’t know yet. It’s change though. I’m going to go tell Noah and see how he wants us to proceed.”

I watched as Marshall left, James following, and I was left alone with Liam.

“I think I’m going to take that nap now,” I sighed.

“Do you want to talk about what happened?”

“Not really. I just want to sleep for a few hours.” I rested my hand on his forearm. “Thanks for today.”

Liam nodded. “No problem. Want me to walk you to your room?”

“I’ll be okay. I’ll come find you when I wake up.” I didn’t give him a chance to argue, and headed toward my room. A lot had happened today, but I was slowly getting used to the fact things could change at the drop of a hat.

Entering my room, I crawled into bed and within moments sleep claimed me.

Chapter Nineteen

I woke up refreshed and swinging my feet off the bed, I stretched my tired muscles. Looking at my crumpled clothes, I grabbed the bag I had packed and headed toward the bathroom where Lacey said there was a shower. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted more then to stand under hot water and get clean.

Maybe find some food as well
, I thought as my stomach released a hungry rumble.

Ten minutes later, I slid my shoes on and straightened my hair before emerging into the hallway—ready to face a new day. I hadn’t had a good chance to explore and I released a grateful sigh at the sight of Liam approaching.

“You’re awake,” he greeted me with a smile.

“Yeah, I feel like I could sleep for a few more days, but it was enough.” I nodded, closing the door. “What I really need is . . .” I was interrupted by the embarrassing noise from my stomach.