From Boss to Bridegroom by Karen Kirst

Author:Karen Kirst
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-09-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The hint of relief on Nicole’s features confirmed his decision to follow her. The weight of her secret—he shuddered to think what it might be—had to be a considerable burden. Quinn wondered just how long she’d been hiding this part of her life. And to what end? Forbidden romance?

He couldn’t deny the jealousy and inexplicable sense of loss he’d experienced upon seeing her and the stranger embracing. Shoving those useless emotions aside, he held tight to his concern for her well-being.

“Is he who you’ve been purchasing the supplies for?” He managed a semi-calm tone of voice.

“What I do during my off time is none of your business.”

“It’s been going on for a while, hasn’t it? Since before Emmett left.” Her sister’s words came back to him. “Have you been supporting him since the beginning? Was that why you took this job?”

She’d gone still, watchful. On alert for a way of escape from his presence and this conversation. In the muted light that reached them here in this remote spot, her violet eyes were deep pools of wariness, her shiny pink lips pressed together in a straight line, and he noted the odd trembling in her slender frame.

His irritation ebbing, he settled his hands on her shoulders, thumbs rubbing a reassuring pattern across the soft blue fabric of her sleeves.

“You can trust me, Nicole.”

She gulped. “I’m not so sure about that.”

That hurt. “I have never given you reason to doubt my intention to protect you.” Even from yourself.

Her shoulders slumped as the fight left her. “You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Then I suppose a meeting is in order.”

Stepping aside, he followed in her wake. The run-down shack looked worse up close. Surely this was merely a meeting place and not a permanent residence.

She rapped out a series of knocks. A secret code between her and her love interest?

Quinn’s chest constricted as they waited. Finally, the door scraped open.

“Back so soon...” The young male voice trailed off as light gray eyes landed on Quinn. He recoiled. “Who’s he?”

“May we come inside?” Nicole’s manner was resigned.

Her companion lingered in the doorway, weight supported by a cane. He was younger than Quinn had first thought and sickly in appearance, mouth tight with pain and skin nearly translucent.

Reluctantly, the boy admitted them. Quinn worked to keep his features schooled as he entered the tiny space that, from the looks of things, was indeed a home. A pitiful one. Movement in the corner caught his eye. A fine-boned girl latched on to Nicole’s arm, eyes wide and hunted as she stared at him.

“Nicole?” she squeaked.

Similar in coloring and appearance to the lad, she was most likely his sister. Perhaps he’d jumped to the wrong conclusion.

“Patrick. Lillian. This is my boss, Quinn Darling,” she announced darkly. “He followed me.”

Quinn inclined his head in greeting. “Which one of you would like to explain what’s going on here?”

Patrick sank heavily onto a chair in the corner, hands hanging on to the cane between his legs.

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