Chapter Nine
Quinn punched his fist on the keyboard and pushed at the table. The back of his chair slammed into the wall behind him. “Fucking shit!” He leaned back and closed his eyes. “Goddamn motherfucker.”
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Quinn closed his eyes. Monday morning came too fast and, at the same time, it didn’t come soon enough. He spent the entire weekend cooped up in his loft. His place was spacious, which was one of the reasons he bought it. Whenever he felt like shifting and couldn’t get away, Wolf was usually sated by roaming around the living space and sniffing at all the interesting corners and smells. But this weekend, the animal was unmanageable. Two times, police officers had come knocking on his door when his neighbors complained about the strange noises coming from his apartment. Goddamn nosy people. He was glad he had enough control over Wolf to tuck him away when the cops came.
What he should have done was go out, get drunk, and find some chick he could jump into bed with and forget about Selena. But each time he made a move to leave, Wolf ripped out of him, preventing him from even opening the door. What a cock blocker. And he ripped two of his best outfits, too.
By the time Monday morning rolled around, he was edgy and on the verge of losing his goddamned mind. Thoughts of his father’s rejection, then Selena’s, were consuming him all weekend. What the fuck was her problem anyway? One moment she was falling apart in his arms, then the next she was shoving at him like he was the scum of the earth. She wanted his body, that was for sure. He could see it in her eyes and smell the arousal from her sweet, tight little snatch. God, all he wanted to do was bury himself in her and forget about his fucking awful day and for once, just once, feel something good and real. He thought he could have that with Selena, but he was wrong.
And now the fucking internet wasn’t working. Fuck my life.
“Evie,” he growled as he kicked his door open. “Evie!”
“What?” she called out from the front. The irritation in her voice was evident. “I’m working.”
Quinn stalked out to the reception area. “When are they going to fix the goddamn internet? I can’t get any fucking work done around here.”
“I already called it in,” she retorted. “Some road crew accidentally cut into a cable somewhere. They’re trying to fix it now, but it’ll take a while.”
“Then why the hell didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you’ve been a beast today and I didn’t want to get my head bitten off,” she shot back.
“What the hell is going on?” Connor suddenly appeared in the hallway, his gaze moving from Evie to Quinn. “Why the fuck are you cussing at Evie?”
Oh great, Quinn thought. Connor and his fucking weird hard-on for Evie were here. Just what I need. Well, if it’s a fight he wants, it’s a fight he’s going to get. Wolf was screaming to tear something open, and he was just crazy enough to take on the feral Lone Wolf. “Stay out of this, Connor. I’ll chew her out if I want to, especially if she’s not doing her goddamn—” Quinn let out a choked gasp, not finishing the sentence as Connor grabbed him by the throat and slammed him back. The back of his head hit the wall so hard his brain rattled in his skull.
“You little shit,” Connor growled. “You don’t talk to her that way, you hear? Say you’re sorry.” His beefy hands were wrapped around Quinn’s neck, squeezing slowly.
“Connor!” Evie cried, grabbing at his arm. “Stop, please.”
Connor let go of Quinn’s neck and turned to Evie. While his brother was distracted, Quinn used the opening to slam his body into Connor’s, sending them both to the ground.
Evie let out a scream as they rolled on the floor, each trying to get the upper hand. Connor landed a punch in his stomach, and the air rushed out of him. The other fist got him square on the eye. Ouch. That one was going to leave a mark. Good thing for Lycan healing. While Connor was the best fighter out of all his siblings, Quinn and Wolf were determined to win. When Evie screamed Connor’s name and distracted him again, Quinn used his weight against his brother, rolling on top. Quinn landed a punch on Connor’s jaw, but his brother merely grunted in response, then slammed his fist into Quinn’s side. Pain shot through him, but he held steady, digging his knees into either side of Connor.
“Stop!” Killian’s voice boomed through the reception area. “What the fuck is going on here? Quinn, get off Connor before you get yourself killed.”
“Me?” Quinn growled as he got to his feet, blood dripping down over his eye and onto the carpet. “I had him!”
“You and I both know Connor could rip you apart, even on a bad day,” Killian said. “Now, what is going on?”
Connor got up, pulling himself to full height and puffing out his chest. “This fucking idiot was rude to Evie for no goddamn reason other than he’s been having a shitty day. He screamed at her.”
“Is this true?” Killian asked Quinn. “Were you rude to her?”
Quinn let out a huff. Damn, what could he say? “Yes.” He turned to Evie. “I’m sorry.”
Evie was on the verge of tears with her hands wringing together. “I don’t forgive you. You’re such an asshole.” She walked over to her desk and grabbed her purse. “I need to go.” She looked at Killian. “I have that … other thing I told you about, Boss.”
“I understand,” Killian said. “Go ahead.”
Evie gave him a curt nod and headed toward the door.
Shit. “Evie, no, please.”
Quinn tried to make a grab for her arm, but she evaded him. “You said you wouldn’t hurt her and you did!” Evie’s chin trembled as she spoke. “She’s a virgin, you dick. She was scared, and she didn’t know how to tell you!” With that, she pivoted and left the office, the door slamming behind her.
Quinn remained rooted to the spot, his mouth hanging open. Selena's a virgin? Goddamn. Now he really was scum.
“What the fuck is going on?” Killian yelled at Quinn. “Why were you guys fighting and who’s a virgin? Did you try to fuck Evie?”
“What?” Quinn asked. The air suddenly grew dense and a loud growl from behind suddenly made him want to cower in fear. Goddamn Connor. “Fuck, no, not Evie! Selena!”
“Wait, you tried to sleep with Selena? Evie’s friend?”
“Yeah … Um, it’s a long story.”
Killian and Connor stared at him as if waiting for an explanation. He rolled his eyes. “Goddammit, are we going to start drinking wine while we talk about our feelings? Fuck you guys. I’m outta here.”
Quinn stalked to the door, yanked it open, and stepped out, making sure to slam it behind him as loud as he could. He stormed to the elevator, jabbing his finger at the call button.
“Fuck!” he cursed aloud. Selena … no wonder she was scared. She was comforting him, being a good friend, and then what did he do? Try to fuck her the first chance he got. Shit. He was a lowlife, that’s what he was. Wolf growled in agreement. Yeah, buddy, tell me about it. But what was he supposed to do now? Selena probably wouldn’t want to talk to him. But he had to see her, make sure she was okay, and apologize. Again. Dammit, he couldn’t seem to do anything but hurt her. After this, he was going to stay away from her. For real this time and for good. But that ache inside him wouldn’t go away until he at least said his peace.