Page 81 of Reclaiming Quinn

Chapter Twenty-One

WHEN THEYlanded, Deke was still asleep. Quinn hated to wake him, but—

“I’ll take him,” Gareth said. “He’s had a rough time, and he needs a lot of rest. He’s not saying it, but I can feel his exhaustion. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sleeps for a few days.”

Quinn nodded, and Gareth picked Deke up as though he were weightless. He strode to the white Ford transit van, where Dani was waiting with the twins to pick up Quinn and everyone else. As soon as they got in, the babies reached for Sean, who picked them up and snuggled them. Gareth sat beside him and pulled his family into his embrace. A look of serenity washed over him as he held them.

“Those are your children, Ome—Sean?”

“Yes. This is Ethan Caleb and Adira Danielle Blackthorn.”

“They’re… beautiful.”

Sean smiled as he kissed first Ethan, then Addy, as they called her. “I’d like to think so.”

Dani frowned. “Before we left the house, several people showed up saying that they were there to see the Omega. The woman, Katrina, scared the crap out of me.”

Zach snickered. “Don’t tell anyone, but she scares me too. Kat is my right hand, and she earned that title through combat. If something were to befall me, she would become leader of the Vampyri.”

“Don’t talk like that!” Rupert snapped. “Nothing will happen to you.”

Quinn smiled. Rupert had a crush, at the very least.

“I apologize, little one.” Zach stroked Rupert’s cheek. “I will do my best not to let anything happen.”

Crimson stained Rupert’s cheeks. “I’m sorry,” he said, but still pressed into Zach’s hand.

“Please don’t be. It’s been a very long time since someone worried about me. It’s… nice.” He moved closer. “Would you mind if I rested against you again? Oddly, I fell asleep. I must have felt safe.”

“Yes, well, Gareth would do that to anyone.”

Zach peered at Rupert through hooded eyes. “It wasn’t Gareth, I assure you.”

It appeared the feelings between Zach and Rupert were mutual. Zach laid his head on Rupert’s shoulder and closed his eyes. Rupert put his head against Zach’s, the picture of contentment.

“Quinn?”

He peered down into Deke’s eyes, which were bloodshot and crusted but still had never looked more beautiful.

“Hey, you need sleep.”

Deke reached for Quinn’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “You’re not a dream, right? I’m not going to wake up and find you gone? You don’t know how many times that happened to me. Please tell me you’re real.”

“As real as I can be. Close your eyes again. I promise I’ll be there when you wake up.”

A sleepy nod and Deke was out again.

“Dani, how’s Caleb?” Lyram asked, nervousness obvious in his voice.

She chuckled. “I think he’s anxious to see you. When I told him I was coming, he kept trying to get into the SUV.”

“Really?” Lyram sighed. “I’m going to work this out with him. I need him by my side. I want him to be my Alpha Mate.”

“He might not admit it, but that’s what he wants too. When I talked about you with him, he sat with rapt attention, soaking up every word.”

“Did he… I mean, do you think he…? Never mind.”

“Yes, Alpha, he missed you terribly. You were gone when he woke up, and he was near inconsolable.”