Chapter 8
“It sounds like he’s killing her.”
Harold and Lupita were fucking again. There was the slick sound of flesh meeting, low gasps, quick inhales of breath.
Quinn and Mackenzie were pushing their eggs around the plate. She had made them a frittata to share, with greens on the side. It was delicious, but Quinn wasn't hungry.
For food at least.
All he could think about was bending Mackenzie over the bed, pushing her pants down, with her panties around her ankles and then slipping the head of his cock into her pussy. He knew she would be warm and welcoming for him.
Quinn wanted to make Mackenzie say his name, and he made her come over and over again. He could still hear her cries at echoing his ears.
And controlling himself was torture.
He nearly choked on a bite. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
“Nothing. Never mind.” She tipped her water glass back and drained it, as though she’d just spent a couple of hours in the desert.
“I picked up some groceries early this morning while you were sleeping.” Storm had made them earpieces with an app on their cell phones, so they could hear their tangos anywhere. Of course, it didn’t help them track Lupita and Harold. They needed to be close enough to watch them.
Quinn had this sudden image of her in the produce aisle, listening to Harold agonized groans as he came. He didn’t know if he should be turned on, angry or amused.
“Why are you smiling?”
Quinn shook his head. “I can't imagine being out somewhere listening to this.”
She smirked. “I kept a couple of feet between me and anyone else.”
“And what if somebody had heard you?”
“I'd say it was an audiobook. Fifty Shades or something.”
He chuckled. Quinn imagined she'd raised quite a few eyebrows. And then he sobered, wondering if any other men had noticed her.
Who wouldn't? She’s gorgeous.
“Does it bother you? Hearing him fuck another woman?”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. Listen to yourself. Are you jealous?
“Yeah, I’d rather hear anything else.” She pushed the food around on her plate.
His stomach rolled. “So, you don’t have residual feelings for him?”
“Who?” Her brows drew together. Quinn couldn’t decide if she was deliberately baiting him, or if she really didn’t think about Harold.
“You know who.”
“He's not Voldemort. You’re allowed to say his name. No, I'm not in love with Harold. Not anymore.”
“And you aren’t jealous?” Quinn pushed.
For some reason, the thought ate him up inside. He didn't want Mackenzie spending all day, pining away for the prick. It was a strange conversation to have, against the background of guttural groans and squeaky bed springs.
Mackenzie ran a hand through her hair. “I got over him a long time ago. Right around the time he ended my career. Suddenly he wasn't so appealing anymore.”
“How did you get past it? You don't seem to be as angry as I am.”
“Maybe because I feel guilty, too. I’m the one who had an affair with a married man. And he didn't take as much for me as he did you. Harold ended my stint with the FBI, but I moved on. Black Star is my second home. It makes me think everything happens for a reason.”
Quinn thought the world was chaotic and random. He couldn’t think of any reason why Karen had to be tortured and murdered.
“And what about you?”
“What about me?” Quinn countered.
“I want to know more about Karen.”
His breath hitched. “It’s a long story with a terrible ending.” Quinn hated even thinking about Karen, let alone talking about her. It was excruciating to dig through old memories.
“How did she die?” Mackenzie tilted her head to one side.
“You don’t wanna hear this.” Mackenzie had more than enough to deal with, and he wouldn’t burden her further.
“Yes, I do. Please tell me.” She reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
Quinn nodded and forced the words out. “Karen was my partner. The two of us were working undercover, together.”
“In Mexico?”
“She was on one side of the border, while I was on the other. Karen's mom is Puerto Rican and she speaks fluent Spanish.”
“The two of you were dating?”
“No, we were engaged. And if I hadn't loved her, she might still be alive.”
“You can't think like that.”
“Why not? I'm the one who picked this fight and she ended up paying for it. When I ran, Harold couldn't get to me, so he killed her instead. I begged Karen to run with me, but she refused. She wanted to stay and expose him.”
“She sounds brave.”
“Karen was fearless, and stubborn, too.” Like you. A chill raced up his spine. Maybe if he told her everything, it would convince Mackenzie to be more cautious. He didn’t want her taking unnecessary risks. If he was able to keep Mackenzie from sharing her fate, then maybe Karen hadn’t died in vain.
And what if history repeats itself? What if you can’t keep her safe either?
“I wanted them to chase me and leave her alone, but they picked her up and tortured her for information.”
Mackenzie gasped. “Oh God. I’m so sorry.”
“I don't know what happened exactly, not all the details. I can’t decide whether it would be better to know everything or nothing at all.” Quinn cleared his throat. “They left her body just over the border, as a warning. It was in the middle of the desert, so animals must have gotten to her before…”
He’d seen the crime scene photos, and Karen was nearly unrecognizable. If it wasn’t for the rose tattoo on her bicep, he wouldn’t have known it was her.
“I’m sorry, Quinn.”
“Yeah, me, too.” Somehow, telling her made him feel a tiny bit better. He hadn't talked about Karen in years.
“No wonder you hate him.”
“Harold is one bastard, who deserves to die.”
She frowned. “Maybe, but we’ll leave it up to a jury.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“We said we’d help you find him, but we didn’t promise we’d let you kill him. We’re gonna turn him in. Besides, the FBI needs to clean house.”
“They’ll make him a deal, and he’ll get off light.”
“You don’t know what the court system will do.” Mackenzie scraped her plate off and placed it in the dishwasher.
Quinn gripped the edge of the table. “Sure, I do, and what’s more, you do too. Don’t pretend otherwise. Can you honestly tell me you’re okay with Harold getting a few years in jail, in exchange for turning on the cartel?”
“I’m more concerned about what happens to you. Don’t let Harold turn you into a monster.”
Quinn laughed, a nasty, twisted sound. “Oh, I’m already there. It’s much too late for me. I’m not the hero of the story, Mackenzie, not even close.”
“You aren’t the villain either.”
“Are you sure?” Because I’m not. “Living as an outlaw, I got a taste for the dark side. I like it, there aren’t as many rules.”
Mackenzie studied him carefully. “What are you trying to do? Warn me?”
“Maybe.”
A long tense silence passed between them. Quinn just hoped she took him seriously. He meant every word.
She squared her shoulders. “I almost forgot to tell you what happened earlier. It sounds like they have a date night tomorrow. Harold and Lupita going to this fancy hotel restaurant.”
“You mean they're actually coming up for air?” He was beginning to think they'd stay in their love nest for the rest of the week.
“Yes. So, what do you want to do about it?”
“What do you mean? We’re gonna follow them.”
“There’s only one problem. Harold knows both of our faces. We should have a couple of the guys go.”
“Fuck that. I'm seeing this thing through.” There was no way in hell Quinn was letting Harold out of his sight. “We can wear disguises. Don’t forget. I’m a master at hiding myself.”
She scrunched up her nose. “Well, that sounds awfully Mission Impossible.”
“Isn’t your teammate a former CIA agent?”
“Storm would never admit to it, but yes, he is.”
“Then ask him for some help.”
For a second, he thought she might argue with him, but Mackenzie nodded.
“Fine.” She hooked a thumb at the door. “I’m gonna drop by HQ and have a little talk with Storm about the operation, along with the ethics of wiretapping your friends.”
Quinn almost felt bad for the man. “Give ‘em hell.”
“And just for the record, I think this plan is a crappy idea.”
“Maybe, but do you have a better one?”
Mackenzie scowled. “No.”
“Me either.”
***
“Were you listening in?”
Later on in the evening, Mack marched into the technology center at HQ. She’d left Quinn listening to their two lovebirds.
She found Storm sitting at a computer. Nox was next to him, with his feet up on the console. Mack hadn’t intended anyone else to hear her outburst, but it was too late for regrets now.
Storm typed something, staring at the screen. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The words sounded right but he couldn’t look her in the eye.
“Yes, you do. You spied on us.”
“What’s goin’ on?” Nox asked. “And why should I give a damn?”
“Nothing,” Storm said.
“More like everything,” Mack countered. “Not only has Storm been listening to Harold and his mistress, he’s been eavesdropping on me and Quinn.”
Nox snorted. “No shit. It’s called surveillance.”
Storm studied the wall behind her shoulder. “Seriously. I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
“Storm!” Mack placed a threatening hand on the computer tower. “Admit what you did or I’m gonna do something you’ll regret.”
Storm narrowed his eyes. “You wouldn’t.”
“Watch me.”
“Fine, okay.” Storm threw up his hands. “I heard.”
“How much?” she asked.
“Everything and then some,” Storm gritted out. “Are you happy?”
“Am I happy?” Her voice had gone shrill, even to her own ears.
“It’s not like I wanted to overhear.”
Mack bit the inside of her cheek. This was the second time her sex life had been put on display. It wasn’t really Storm’s fault. He didn’t know why this kind of thing would trigger her.
“West told me to do it. But I only paid attention when you were talking, not while you were…” He trailed off.
“Seriously?” Nox’s brows shot up into his hairline. “You listened to them fuck? Kinky.”
Mack groaned. “And coming from you, that’s saying something.”
“Thank you.” Nox beamed.
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“Sure, it was.”
“It was a private moment between two people.” Mack stabbed a finger at Stormy. “And you shouldn’t have been a part of it.”
“Why were you screwing around with him in the first place?” Storm countered. “You could do a lot better.”
“Yeah,” Nox agreed. “I get the whole bad boy thing but pick a better one.”
As much as Mack wanted to argue with them, she thought they were both onto something. The last time she’d fallen for a guy, he’d been an authority figure, someone who was supposedly a standup guy.
Maybe Quinn was appealing because he freely admitted to breaking the rules. She knew exactly where she stood with Quinn. He wasn’t pretending to be something he wasn’t. In fact, he’d actually tried to talk her out of falling for him.
Still, she wouldn’t be sharing these revelations with Storm and Nox.
“Get this through your thick skulls. My social life is none of your damn business.” She closed her eyes and gathered up every last ounce of her patience.
“For the love of God. Can we drop it?” Storm asked.
“Fine. Whatever.” The anger had passed, and Mack was beginning to feel foolish. “But Quinn would never hurt me.”
“You don’t know for sure.” Storm frowned.
“Yes, I do. I’m the only one here with psych training. Believe me, when I tell you he would never put me in danger.” Although, she couldn’t say the same thing when it came to her friends. Quinn considered them cannon fodder.
“Mack, we love you and we couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you. And I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but when it comes to Quinn, you don’t seem to have limits.”
Nox cleared his throat. “What he’s tryin’ to say is, we got your six.”
She sat down beside him. “I know. And I understand why you wouldn’t tell Quinn, but why didn’t you loop me in?”
They exchanged guilty glances.
“Because you don’t trust me either.”
“No one’s saying we don’t, but—”
“Save it.” Mack held up a hand. “Did West tell you to keep it hush-hush?”
“Yes,” Storm admitted. “Sorry.”
This was like a nightmare. Once again, people didn’t trust her at work. And they were probably talking behind her back, too.
Mack sighed. “Let’s talk discuss the case. We don’t have anything incriminating on Harold.”
“Yet,” Nox said. “Give it time. The prick’s bound to screw up sooner or later.”
“We don’t have much time. He’s only going to be here another couple of days and then he’ll be traveling around the country.”
“Got it.”
“Oh, and they’re going out for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Yeah, I heard about it on playback. Nox and Lucy volunteered to follow the tangos.”
“Quinn and I want to be on the ground.”
“Oh, heelllll no,” Nox said.
“Yeah, what he said,” Storm agreed.
“I know, but once he starts something, he wants to finish it. We’ll camouflage ourselves, so we blend in.”
“And what if Harold makes you?” Storm asked. “Then this whole operation was for nothing.”
Mack rolled her eyes. “You are preaching to the choir on this one, but I’ve never met anyone more stubborn.”
Nox raised a brow. “And since when did you ever listen to anyone else's wishes?”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re a pain in the ass, Mack. Everything has to be your way, and you're not shy about sharing your opinions.”
That was certainly true, albeit unflattering.
“What are you trying to say? I’ve gone soft or something?”
“We all go soft when it comes to someone we care about.” His tone softened, and she knew Nox was talking about Maeve. “You really like this guy, don't you?”
“Are we really going to have this conversation?”
“Didn't you talk with me about Lucy?” Storm asked.
“Okay, point taken.”
“Where is this going?” Nox asked.
“Excellent question. I have no idea.” Mack had no idea what the hell she was doing. This was probably a huge mistake, and yet she couldn't pull back.
Storm laid a hand on her shoulder. “I hate to state the obvious, Mack, but we’re gonna turn Quinn into the FBI, once the threat’s been neutralized.”
“What? You think I’m delusional? I know this story doesn’t have a happily ever after kind of ending. So, I’m gonna enjoy the little time I have.”
And somehow, it would have to be enough.
Mack cleared her throat. “So, what about the operation?”
“I can help you blend into the crowd. But, West isn't going to agree to this, without backup. We’ll post Lucy in the restaurant as a spotter, and Nox can play overwatch.”
“Damn straight,” Nox said.
“I don't need a babysitter.”
“It's protocol, not a punishment, and before you ask, it's not negotiable,” Storm said firmly.
“You suck.”
Storm just chuckled.
***
Quinn couldn't sleep for shit.
The next morning, Quinn couldn’t stop thinking about Mack. He kept tossing and turning and all he could see in his mind’s eye was her face.
This is absolutely ridiculous.
In prison, he had a thin foam mattress that got flattened out every night until it felt as if he were sleeping on a steel table. At Madame’s house, it was a bit better. At least he had a twin bed all to himself, and it was thick.
Now he had a king-sized bed. But every morning, when he laid down in it, the sheets smelled of her, a hint of flowers, and a unique musk which was one hundred percent Mack.
She was driving him insane.
And tonight, they were going out on a date.
No, it’s an operation, not a social occasion. Besides, he had chaperones on this thing. Lucy and Nox would be watching every move he made.
It wasn’t really a night made for romance. Mackenzie’s friends hated his guts and couldn’t wait to put him behind bars again.
Mack had returned from HQ with some formal clothing, along with a wig for herself and hair dye for him. Quinn had shaved the stubble on his chin and cheeks and dyed his hair dark brown.
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
Instantly, Quinn was on his feet, with a pistol in his hand. Before he could draw, two of her friends walked in the bedroom door, Nox and West.
Speak of the bastards…
“What the fuck are you two doin’?” Quinn growled.
“Funny,” West said. “I was about to ask you the same question.”
“What are you drivin’ at?” Quinn was being deliberately obtuse, hoping they’d take a hint and move the fuck on.
Nox glowered. “Yeah, we ain't got much time. She's gonna be here any second, so let's get down to it. What the fuck are you doin’ with Mack?”
“Does she know you're here?”
“No, she'd have our balls in a vise, if she knew what we were up to.” West took a couple of menacing steps forward.
Quinn held his ground. “Let me guess, Storm played a tape for you?”
“Are you just screwin’ around with her?” Nox asked, narrowing his eyes. “Tryin’ to break her heart?”
“It's none of your damn business.” He couldn't say he was surprised by their concern, but he wasn't about to justify his actions.
“But it is. Mack’s one of mine. She’s literally a part of my business.”
Nox got in his face, standing nose to nose with Quinn. “She's like a little sister. I care about her. A lot. And if someone hurt her, I’d have to do somethin’ unpleasant about it.”
“I don’t respond well to threats.”
“Wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.” Nox pulled back his fist.
“Go on, I dare ya.”
“That’s enough, Nox. We’re done here.” West poked a finger into Quinn’s chest. “Bottom line, if you hurt her, we hurt you. Understand?”
“Yeah, I heard you, loud and clear.”
But Quinn thought it was far too late for either one of them to get out of this thing unscathed.
One, or both of them, was headed for heartache.