Chapter Thirty-Five

Quinn

"Where have you been?" I ask Chase as we take a stroll through the hospital grounds, my mug of coffee in hand. "I was worried about you."

"I'm sorry." He tucks his hands into his pockets. "I didn't mean to be away for that long."

He hasn't changed much since I last saw him. He's still a few inches taller than I am. Still fit. Still with his hair in a duck's ass. Still wearing black. Probably the biggest change is the tattoo that I can see peeking over the collar of his shirt. And the lone black pearl earring on his right ear.

I take a sip of coffee. "So where were you?"

Chase sighs and runs his hands through his hair. "You still ask so many questions."

"Yeah. Some things don't change."

He turns his head towards me. "You look like you've changed, though. And I'm not talking about your swollen face."

I stop walking so I can glare at him.

"Although it almost looks like you and Steven had a fight."

"Well, if we did, I clearly won," I tell him.

"Clearly."

"But don't tell him that."

"Nope," he agrees.

I keep walking. "So I know you're trying to change the topic, but where were you?"

"Fine." Chase draws a deep breath. "You already know some of the story. I was in a gang. You know I lost my way after Charlie died, and I guess I never quite found it again."

I frown. "Were you with Drake?"

"Yes. But he wasn't like that before, trust me. We were friends, almost like brothers. Everyone in our gang were like brothers. But then he made a deal with another gang behind the boss's back, thinking he could make money. He always wanted more money."

"And then what happened?"

"It went south and the boss and most of the guys were killed."

I gasp.

"I survived, but I couldn't forgive Drake. I stuck with the guys who were left and pretty soon I was the new boss. Drake formed his own gang. My gang grew. We assimilated other smaller gangs. I didn't expect it. It just happened. Drake didn't like that. He probably felt guilty, and he thought I was out to get him, so when I started getting more powerful, he decided to get me first."

"Is that why you went into hiding? You were hiding from him?"

"I was waiting for the right opportunity to settle the score," Chase answers. "Looks like I don't have to."

I nod. "And what about the million dollars you owe him?"

He snorts. "That was just a lie. He never had any million dollars in the first place."

"I see. So he just wanted to hurt us to hurt you."

Chase stops walking.

I stand beside him and throw him a questioning glance. "Chase?"

To my surprise, he pulls me into his arms. My coffee nearly spills.

"I'm sorry," he says. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. I'm sorry I got you all hurt."

I shake my head as I pull away. "You didn't want any of this to happen. Besides, you came through in the end. You saved my life, remember? And Eli's."

"Eli," he mutters. "I still can't believe a big shot like Elijah Strauss is Clive's father."

I take another sip of coffee. "Anyway, how did you know Drake would be at Eli's house?"

Chase pauses. "Do you remember last Halloween when you heard a noise in the shed?"

My eyebrows arch. "How did you...? That was you?"

"I heard Drake was getting impatient. I had a feeling it was only a matter of time before he found you, before he'd come after you. I planted a camera in the house so I would know when he did."

My eyes grow wide. "Then you knew when they came, when they took Mom and Steven away."

Chase nods. "I was so mad then, especially at myself because I couldn't do anything. I wanted to come here right away, but I had to take care of some things. I had to make sure that Drake would go down."

"It seems he's already down."

"Looks like it." He places a hand on my shoulder. "At any rate, you don't have to worry about him anymore."

I nod. "That's good to know."

I finish my coffee.

He places his hands behind his head. "So tell me about Eli?"

I lower my empty mug. "What do you mean?"

"Are you engaged? Dating? Having sex?"

I look at him in horror. "Chester Hardy!"

"What?" He shrugs. "You're not little anymore, are you, little sister?"

"I'm still your sister and there are things you're not supposed to ask me," I remind him.

"Okay. I'll take that as a yes."

I frown.

"Well, he seems like a good guy. At the very least, he can shoot."

"I'm not sure I consider that one of his better qualities."

"And he helped me out," Chase adds.

"You mean he saved your life," I point out.

"Nah." Chase shakes his head. "I had it under control."

"Yeah, right."

"Besides, he almost shot me."

Unfortunately, I can't argue with that.

"Is he taking good care of you?" Chase asks.

"Yes," I answer.

He frowns. "You answered too quickly."

"Because it's the truth. I don't need time to come up with a lie."

Chase turns to me. "You really do love him, don't you?"

I don't answer.

"Well, I'm glad." He smiles. "You deserve to be happy, Quinn."

I nod.

"But if he does anything to hurt you - "

"You'll beat him up," I finish the sentence for him. "Steven already gave him that warning."

Chase chuckles. Then he rubs his knuckles against his palm. "I'm a better fighter than Steven, though. He's just bigger. So if Eli does anything - "

"Can we just stop it with all the violence?" I roll my eyes. "I think I've been through enough for a lifetime."

"Okay, okay."

I clutch his arm. "Let's talk about you instead. Are you staying home until Thanksgiving?"

He touches his chin. "I think so."

"Good answer." I smile. "I have a feeling it will be extra special this year."