Page 55 of Reclaiming Quinn

Chapter Fifteen

“THIS TASTESlike shit!” one of Klein’s men screamed, throwing the bowl of pasta at Deke. He reached out and grabbed Zach by the throat. “These fucking pathetic humans are garbage, but I expect better of you.”

“Leave him alone!” Deke growled.

The guy sneered as he shoved Zach back down onto the chair. “Or what? Fucking spineless bitch.”

He stalked closer, and Deke held up a hand. “Klein won’t be happy if you touch me.”

“Fuck Klein. You’ve been an uppity bitch long enough.”

He reached for Deke, who was about to push the guy away, when he was jerked back. Deke’s gaze snapped up to find Zach, his arm around the guy’s throat, squeezing. The asshole’s eyes bugged.

“Zach, let him go.”

Instead, Zach squeezed harder, and Deke was astounded that he was able to hold the wolf who was clawing at his arm.

“You wanna talk uppity? I could break your neck right now, asshole. You don’t come in here and throw your weight around. And you sure as hell don’t talk down to a guy who can’t walk. Do I make myself clear?”

The answer came out as a choked yes. Part of Deke hoped Zach snapped the bastard’s neck, but the more logical part knew this was going to lead to trouble.

“Let him go. Now!”

Deke narrowed his eyes, as he’d seen Lyram do when he was annoyed. But Zach must have noticed something in Deke’s gaze, because he pushed the guy away. Klein’s man fell to the floor and stared at them, rubbing his throat.

“It’s a good thing Klein’s going to gut you,” he snarled. His eyes flicked up and down as he took in Zach’s muscular form. “I intend on having the first steak.”

Zach cocked his head, then paled. “Get the hell out of here.”

The guy trembled, then scrambled to obey. As soon as he was out of the door, he slammed it shut and locked it. Deke turned to Zach.

“Are you stupid?”

Zach huffed. “So, what? I was supposed stand here and do nothing?”

“No, you were supposed to trust me to handle myself. Despite appearances to the contrary, I am not an invalid.”

Zach’s gaze softened. “You think I don’t know that? You’ve got fucking steel in your spine. And I didn’t do it for you. I did it for him. You would probably have ripped his throat out.” He grinned. “And I don’t want to clean up the mess.”

He didn’t want to laugh, really, but Deke couldn’t help it. There wasn’t much around this place that lifted his spirits, but Zach sure as hell did. He took a seat next to Deke.

“I think you need to come clean with me about what the hell is going on around here.”

Uh-oh. “What do you mean?”

“I’m not stupid. Pathetic humans are garbage and he expected better of you, as though saying you’re not human. And then that comment about having the first steak. There’s more than you’re telling me. Spill, Quinn.”

Goddamn, the man was far too intuitive. Though he’d only known Zach a short time, Deke actually trusted him. And if that were true, he’d need to trust him with his secret. “My name isn’t Quinn.”

Zach rolled his eyes. “Naw, really? Gee, never would have guessed.”

Deke frowned. “You’re a sarcastic son of a bitch, you know that?”

“So I get told all the time. Quinn is your partner, and they took you and you’re pretending to be him to keep him safe. Am I close?”

Deke shook his head. “I hate you.”

A derisive snort. “You’ll learn to love me. Everyone does. As for the rest? I’ve got theories. There’s been some things happening that made me think.” He leaned in, eyes narrowed. “What are you?”