“Look, let’s just handle one thing at a time, okay? Stryker and Chase will put him in a safe place until we’re ready to deal with him, but right now, we need to be concerned with a second attack. We need to get the upper hand and increase our defenses.”
“Not until Jules is out of harm’s way, Quinn,” I sternly argue back. I feel my blood pressure spike at the thought of her getting mixed in with more of the crossfire.
Quinn leans forward as his eyes crinkle at the corners, his features giving off a serious and determined look. “We don’t have a choice. She’s part of this now.” He shakes his head, frustration evident. “And just where is out of harm’s way, Travis? She’s the reason why all this exists. They want her, and even though we’re all under fire, she’s safer with us. Not to mention, you’d go fuckin’ nuts worrying about her every second she wasn’t in your line of sight, and you know it.” I stay silent, but nod, acknowledging him. He’s right. “Your attention would be anywhere but on the task at hand. You’d be thinking of her the entire time, worrying if you weren’t there to protect her they would somehow find her and recapture her.”
I'm so fucking fired up it's unreal. I have a million strategic war scenarios spinning around in my mind on top of trying to figure out how I’m supposed to make my relationship with Jules work. Memories from my past try to creep into my thoughts, and I have to remind myself I physically have her within my grasp. I will not let her slip through my fingers. I can’t. I let out a long-winded sigh and run my fingers through my sweaty hair. “I knew they were coming, but I didn't think it would be this soon,” I admit.
“We all knew they would eventually come. You can’t beat yourself up about that, but you need to get your head in the game.”
I look at Quinn disbelievingly. Has he gone crazy? “What the fuck? I am in the game,” I state offensively.
Quinn holds up his hands, palms out, trying to calm my temper. “All I’m saying is you need to prioritize all the shit running through your head right now. I see the wheels spinning in that mind of yours, Trav. We all know you’ve been down this road before, and I don’t need you getting sidetracked. You need to keep the main thing the main thing here, and that’s seeing to everyone’s safety.” He holds up his index finger to make a point. “Since we still have the upper hand, the next thing on the list is to finish those bastards off. Once all that shit is done, then and only then can you worry about your Sleeping Beauty.”
I place my elbows on the table and rest my head in the palms of my hands, trying to think. I’m letting my emotions rule over me while trying to prevent history from repeating itself. I need to think about our next step, but I come up empty-handed.
No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to focus on what that next step should be. I keep thinking about the possibility of Jules being captured and getting placed back into the wrong hands again. Growing more frustrated by the second, I act on impulse and reach into my back pocket to pull out my cellphone.
“What are you doing, Travis?” Quinn asks with growing suspicion.
“Getting ready to stir some shit, you know, poke the tiger,” I say while typing a number into the phone, one of which I know by heart.
“Travis?” Quinn questions again, with uncertainty lining his voice.
“Relax. I’m just going to personally let the bastard know his mission failed. I’m sure he’s pacing the floor right now wearing a hole in the carpet, hoping against hope Mitchell has some good news for him.”
I look up after dialing the number, and smirk at Quinn as I put the phone to my ear. I actually feel a little proud I have the opportunity to get under his skin. I want to be the one to personally let him know I still control this situation, and I want to listen to him lose it as he realizes she’s slipped from his hands and into mine.
Picking up on the second ring. “What’s the news?” he asks, his voice coming through loud and clear, and I can hear the eagerness in his tone. He probably thinks I’m one of his men calling him to touch base, especially since my cellphone is encrypted.
“Nick.” I breathe the word like thick venom, and somehow he doesn’t miss a beat.
“Travis,” he says silkily, “I can hear you're still alive. Such a shame.”
“You should know by now it would take more than just a few of your cronies to take me out.” I pause for effect and smooth out my voice. “I’m surprised at your lack of judgment, Nick. Three men, really? Is that the best you’ve got?”