20

SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

QUINN

The adrenaline rush of the security threat left me feeling more shaken than I expected it would. But in the quiet hours of the morning, as I lay in bed with Kronk’s big head pressing down on my chest like a weighted blanket and Sienna snoring softly from her extra crib next to Jack’s bed, I can’t help but feel like this is exactly where I’m meant to be, regardless of what brought me here.

After the chaos settled and the guys left, Jack moved Sienna to his room and insisted on bringing Kronk upstairs. It was a simple suggestion on his part, but really poked at the tender parts of my heart. Kronk means the world to me, and it means everything that Jack not only sees how important he is to me but maybe even feels a bit of that connection to him too.

I’ve shifted in and out of sleep since lying down, never dozing off for more than thirty minutes or so it feels.

Running my hand along Kronk’s fuzzy back, I feel so safe despite everything. My big, doofy emotional support flea brain.

I watch Jack on the recliner in the corner of his room where he insisted on sleeping. His eyes hadn’t fully closed until just a few minutes ago. I wouldn’t have minded sharing a bed with him, but there is something achingly vulnerable about him like this—his protective nature and the respect he has for the newness of our relationship.

Is it a relationship?

I suppose time will tell, but I wouldn’t mind experiencing a little disrespect at the hands of Jack, though we both know that wouldn’t have been a possibility last night with all the shit happening and his room full of dog and baby.

Still, he stuck to the recliner.

I would have loved to at least tempted him to let go of some of the restraint I hope he’s barely hanging onto at this point if he’s feeling anything like I am feeling.

My mind replays the events of the night, and I can’t shake the feeling that this closeness between us is more than just circumstance.

Sienna stirs in her crib, her tiny hands reaching out for the mobile suspended above her. She’d probably play quietly for a while being the angel baby she is, but I get out of bed anyway, careful not to disturb Jack as I lift her into my arms, cradling her close to my chest. Her nearness is just as much a balm to my frayed nerves as having Kronk nearby is.

Morning light is just beginning to filter through the split in the closed curtains, casting a broken glow across the room. Jack stirs from his makeshift bed despite my best efforts to keep quiet. His eyes meet mine, something unnamed and affectionate passing between us as he rises to his feet. There is a tenderness in his gaze that breaks down every possibility of me keeping anything from him. I don’t think I would have regardless.

I will tell him everything about my family over breakfast. I feel like at this point he needs to know the very real possibilities of the type of danger I might be in. Who knows what he might be speculating?

Before I can dwell on the unspoken words hanging in the air, my phone vibrates on the nightstand. I glance down to see a message from an unknown number glaring back at me, the words sending a chill down my spine. If there was any doubt before that Jack’s security system being hacked had anything at all to do with me, this completely obliterates it.

He curses under his breath as he comes in behind me, reading over my shoulder.

Unknown: Your dorm room was empty last night. A shame... I just love our visits.

Jack sets the table, arranging plates and cutlery in front of our respective seats while I entertain Sienna. She’s comfy in her highchair, babbling happily and waving her spoon like a scepter—fitting since she’s the queen of this castle.

It’s weird having to go on about our day as normal with all the shit that’s happened over the last several hours, but I suppose when there’s a baby in the picture, they always take precedence regardless of the scenario.

Someone should have told my parents that.

He walks across the kitchen and comes back with a cup of coffee in each hand, sitting mine on the rustic wooden table next to my plate before going back to grab the plate of pancakes he just made for us. Typically, I would have insisted on making them myself, but it was honestly nice to just sit back and watch him work.

“Everything alright?” he asks, taking the seat across from me. He partially peels a banana and breaks it in half, handing the broken-off piece to Sienna. I grin at the way she attacks it and pet the top of her head knowing her hair will be crusted with the fruit long before we finish this meal.

“Yeah, just... processing.” My fingers idly trace the rim of my mug. “You’re really good at keeping it together, you know.”

He makes a sound that is half snort, half chuckle. “I thrive under pressure.”

Sienna gurgles in agreement, slapping her chubby hands on the tray of her highchair.

“You put that on your resume?”

He shoves his fork through two pancakes and moves them to my plate. “Yeah. Right beside ‘team player and skillful in a variety of positions.’”

The words are laced with a playfulness that is so at odds with the conversation we need to have, but I can’t help myself so I match the innuendo. “Easily motivated and eager to learn?”

He’s briefly thoughtful before he responds. “ Very easily motivated with the right employer.” The look he gives me is loaded. “Eager to learn, and excellent at giving direction.”

I cut off a piece of my pancake, dip it in syrup, and take a bite, chewing and swallowing before I say anything back. I point my fork at him. “You’re hired.”

He laughs. “This was an interview?”

“You interviewed me without telling me first,” I say with a shrug, taking another bite. “Just returning the favor.”

He leans across the table and hooks a finger under my chin, pulling my face toward his before placing a soft, sweet kiss on my lips. “Can’t wait to get to work.”

We are both so freaking smitten with one another that it’s hard to keep from falling into banter, but we both realize the gravity of the situation we are in. He sobers before I do. “You’ve been through a lot,” he says gently, and I know he doesn’t just mean last night and this morning. “If there’s anything you need to put out there…” He trails off.

I sigh, taking a sip of my coffee. The warmth spreads through me, giving me the courage to say what I need to say. My guy has no idea what he just asked for, or what I’m about to tell him.

“I think I know who killed my dad. And it wasn’t a random group of students or for no reason.” If he’s shocked by my admission, I can’t tell. “He’s been deep into dangerous shit with dangerous people for my entire life. I wasn’t exactly surprised that this happened.”

Jack’s brow furrows. “Care to elaborate?” There is no judgment in the question and he doesn’t ask whether or not I have divulged this information to the police like I expected he might.

I haven’t and I’m not going to. I don’t want anyone else to know, and I don’t know if I can even trust them. The last thing I need is to be on someone else’s shit list. If they’re in The Assembly’s back pocket and I go to them with this, I might as well just grab a shovel and start digging a plot up next to Ophelia.

“Yeah,” my voice is weaker now. “You’ve heard people talk about The Assembly, right?” It’s a dumb question. Of course, he has. That doesn’t mean he takes it very seriously. I feel like most people don’t. I probably wouldn’t if I didn’t know for certain.

He reaches across the table and intertwines our fingers. I don’t know if it’s a signal that he’s listening and willing to hear me out or if he’s certain I’m nuts. “I’ve heard things here and there.”

“Well. They’re not exactly all rumors,” I admit. “My dad had been heavily involved with them for as long as I could remember. I’ve always let on that I was just as oblivious as anyone else...” I trail off. “But even with the limited contact I’ve had with him since I was younger, it’s pretty undeniable. I saw too much and heard too much before my parents ever realized I was old enough for it to register, and even after I moved out, there were so many things that pointed to all that he was involved in. Drugs, cybercrime, bribery. Illegal surveillance .” I emphasize that last one because someone having hacked into Jack’s security system is five million percent something someone in The Assembly would do.

I just don’t know why they would do it. What would they even want from me now that my dad is gone?

Jack squeezes my hand, his thumb brushing against my knuckles. “This is all pretty bizarre to hear out loud, I’m not going to lie. But I suspected this or something given your history.” Finally, his roundabout admission that his digging around had told him more about my family situation than he’d let on, though probably not as much as what I’ve just shared with him.

It means more to me than I can voice that he’s making a solid effort to believe me. “I don’t know,” I say, doubting everything. “I really don’t. But I just have this feeling that he wanted out.” And out is not exactly an option. “Our last conversation was strained, to say the least. I walked out on him like I usually do when he pisses me off, and he said something about ‘this being the time I regret it’. He was always overdramatic, but then he was murdered that same evening and I can’t help but wonder if he knew it was coming.”

You’re a member of The Assembly for life, and the only way out is exactly what my dad got.

I think about the stories I’ve heard over the years—people who tried to leave the organization and ended up dead. There was that one man who tried to walk away, only to be found in a car accident that was anything but accidental. Another person, a woman who tried to go public with what she knew, was found dead under mysterious circumstances, her death was ruled a suicide but with too many unanswered questions. And then there was the high-profile case of someone who simply vanished without a trace, leaving behind a chilling reminder of the consequences of crossing The Assembly.

The danger isn’t just a vague threat; it’s real and tangible, and it feels like a shadow that’s always lurking just out of sight.

Jack frowns. “We’ll figure it out, baby. I promise. But first, let’s get through breakfast, okay? We both need to eat and rest before whatever comes next.”

I manage a smile, appreciating the steadiness in his voice. “Okay.”

We finish our meal in silence except for Sienna banging her hands against her seat and giggling. Jack keeps a close eye on both of us, his protective instincts seemingly on high alert, the anxious energy in the room evidence that I’m not the only one feeling somewhat at a loss here. It would be nice to know what my dad’s people want with me , if that’s even what’s happening here.

There are so many unanswered questions.

So much speculation on my part, and I am certain this will be what drives me insane.

As much as I distanced myself from my parents over the years, apparently it wasn’t enough.

After breakfast, we clear the table and wash the dishes together. I can’t shake the nagging worry.

“Thank you,” I voice from my spot next to him at the sink, hand-drying the last of the plates.

He turns to face me, takes the plate from my hand, and lays it on the counter along with the damp dish towel. “I’ve got you.” He pulls my body flush against his, and I go lax.

I nod. I kind of want to cry.

The sun climbs higher in the sky outside the window, and Sienna squeals from her highchair ready to be released from her confines.

I slowly pull away from him, standing on my tiptoes to place a kiss on the edge of his jaw. I move to walk away, but he pulls me back. Gripping my jaw, he squishes my cheeks together and tilts my face toward his, smacking a kiss on my lips before releasing me. Butterflies take flight in my stomach at the possessive way he handles me; like I’ve belonged to him all along.

I take Sienna from her seat and carry her tray over to the sink, dropping it inside. She twists her sticky fingers in my hair, but I don’t mind. “You need a bath, cutie,” I smile down at her.

“I’ll grab her a change of clothes.” Jack kisses the top of her head and we head up the stairs together.

We make a great team and I can so easily picture us together like this every day.

As we go through the motions of the rest of the morning, I hold onto Jack’s promise. No matter what happens next, I feel confident that he meant what he said.

He has me.

I have him too.

It’s not until we’ve finished putting Sienna down for her nap and I’m curled up on the couch with my laptop catching up on school work before Jack brings up what Stu mentioned last night.

“I’m not sure we can be too careful,” he takes a seat next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

“Careful is my middle name,” I say absently, my attention split between what he’s saying and the words sprawled across my screen.

“Your middle name is Elise.”

I jerk my head toward him and give him a raised eyebrow. “I’m curious exactly how much you know about me that I haven’t shared.”

He kisses my forehead. “Enough. And I’m about to know more because you’re moving in with me.” His tone doesn’t leave any room for argument.

I close my laptop and toss it to the side.

I struggle to formulate a response. This is insane, but also probably not the worst idea. I’m here most of the time anyway. It's true, moving in so soon feels like jumping off a cliff without checking if there's water below, but the danger of the stalker makes it feel like a necessary risk.

The idea of having this safe place where I don’t have to constantly look over my shoulder is incredibly appealing. And if I'm honest, the thought of being here with him is definitely comforting. As much as it terrifies me, the logic starts to outweigh the fear, and I find that it’s not hard to convince myself this might actually be the right move.

He uses the crook of his finger to tip my mouth closed, then leans down to kiss me again. I am becoming addicted to the casualness of his touch, and the way his mouth feels on mine.

“Just until we figure this out,” he says against my lips before another peck there. “Please?”

I climb onto his lap, straddling him. Maybe forward, but it’s not the first time I’ve been in his lap… or the second. “Where will I sleep?”

I know where I want to sleep, and where he probably wants me to sleep. I’m mostly teasing.

“I’ll have the guest room ready for you by tonight.” His eyes sparkle with playfulness.

My mouth falls open again, in mock offense this time, and I pry myself away from him to take my spot on the couch back.

“I’m kidding .” He closes my laptop again just after I’ve placed it back on my lap and reopened it.

“Nope,” I open it again and smack his hand away. “I prefer to sleep with a fan on, so I would appreciate it if you’d stick one in there after you wash the sheets.”

“Quinn.”

I ignore him, focusing on my work again. Or at least pretending to.

“ Quinn .”

“You’re distracting me.” I stand, tossing the blanket I had on my lap back onto the couch. “If you need me, I’ll be on the back patio with Kronk.”

I start to walk away, but he stands and catches me around the waist, pulling my back against his front and leaving no space between us. “Fine,” he bends down and rubs his scruff against my neck. “But the bed in the guest room is very uncomfortable.”

Pulling away from him this time is an absolute burden, but I commit to the bit. “I could sleep on the tile floor and still sleep like a log, so don’t get any ideas about sticking a pea under the mattress to try and wear me down. It won’t work.” That might have been true at one point in time. The ability to sleep anywhere, unpressed, has always been one of my many talents. Until lately, like pretty much everything else.

He doesn’t let me get far before he pulls me into him again, this time wrapping his fingers around my throat and placing a kiss at the base of my ear that is more tongue than anything. “I plan to have you begging to never leave my bed again by tomorrow night at the latest.”

When he releases me I’m a bit breathless. It’s kind of embarrassing the effect he has on me. “Counting on it,” I say with as much confidence as possible, but I can feel the smugness radiating from him as he watches me walk out of the room and out the back door.