Broken Dreams (Unhingedverse)
Broken Dreams: Chapter 37

Three days later

LINUS

“It’s time to kill the rest of my demons, Linus.”

Those were the last words she said to me before she threw herself into replaceing Miles Kellogg. Callum has had to talk her into napping, all while promising to continue working.

Over the years, Alpha Miles has gotten better about covering his tracks. His address isn’t on any of the public records, his bank accounts not in his name. Callum mentioned that he has Caelin, who is Cian’s hacker, and Morris helping as well.

During all of this, Quinn grunts her responses, intent to replace Miles since he’s the last piece of her past. He may not be interested in her now that she’s older, but he’s doing this to other people, and that’s unacceptable.

While my nightmares haven’t been as bad recently, Quinn’s afraid to sleep. There are bags under her eyes that remind me of bruises, making me worry about her. She’s obsessed.

“Fuck,” Quinn mutters angrily, typing at her keyboard.

Callum and I share a glance, and I can tell he has something up his sleeve.

“I love you, Quinn,” he begins. “You need a break. Right now.”

“To do what?” she grumbles, making a face at him.

“Work,” he decides. “You need to do something that makes you happy. Give your brain a break so it can continue working on the problem while you’re doing something else. I swear it works, Quinn.”

I shrug because I think she needs a break too.

“I’m not going to even ask if Cerenity is expecting us, because she will by the time we walk in,” she sighs. “I’ll go. Umm. Can we swing by Omega’s Haven on the way? Do we have time?”

“If you hurry and also eat something, I don’t see why not. I’ll call Aisling as well so she expects you. Go,” Callum says gratefully.

Following her, I look around to see that Pack Dresmond is still staying here as well. Adira hasn’t wanted to leave, which means that the pack stays put. I have to say, it’s nice that they’re here. It makes me feel safer in some way.

Ayla is still with Bryce, though she’s checked in with Duncan here and there. I’m happy that she’s doing well, as clichè as that may be. Hudson Hughes was a terrible man, and if anyone deserves happiness, it’s his wife.

Fuck, I can’t imagine being married for so long to someone like that.

Quinn is on autopilot as she showers with me, her eyes glazed over as if she’s still thinking about Miles.

“Hey,” I murmur, pulling her closer. “Stay with me, beautiful. You’ve been so far away. I know you’re trying to replace him, but maybe look around and see how good your life is.”

“I fucked up,” she mumbles. “I shouldn’t have killed my father. He’s been talking to Miles. He could have told me⁠—”

“Or maybe he would have found a way to fuck you over,” I remind her. “He’s better off dead than alive and able to mess with you and Ayla. I trust that you’ll replace another way, baby. Don’t go backward and make yourself insane with the what ifs. Live for today, Quinn.”

Blowing out a breath, she nods. “You’re right. I’ve been beating myself up about it. Sleeping isn’t my favorite thing right now,” she says.

“I’ve noticed. That’s okay, though. We’re going to dance, release some of the demons, and then you can come back to work,” I say, shutting off the water and grabbing towels.

The normal routine of drying off and getting ready for work steadies me. Moving around each other, watching her choose clothes and put things in our bag to change into later helps to ground me.

I need those things to be able to remain Quinn’s rock. I guess this is part of the neurodivergence of being an omega. In some ways, we had this in the past at Slick Dreams, without any of the comforts. Therefore, we all felt on edge, never able to relax.

Which is exactly what Bret wanted.

I’m in the SUV sitting with Quinn between myself and Christian, a surprise addition to our drive when something occurs to me.

“I wonder if Cerenity will let you watch us,” I tease him slyly.

“Ugh, that’s what I get for breaking rules,” he mutters.

“I’ll fix it with Cerenity,” Duncan promises, chuckling as he drives. “Pack Dresmond and Adira decided to stay at the house for the next few days. We rarely have an issue with how far apart we live from one another, until we have things come up like this. There’s more than enough room here. Her pregnancy is making her feel very protective. She doesn’t like how upset Miles is making you, Quinn.”

“Me?” she asks, eyes wide.

“Mmhmm,” he says, amused. “Pack Dresmond has pretty much adopted you. I think it’s adorable.”

If psychopaths can be considered cute, then sure.

I have to admit that I really do enjoy them. I’m always entertained.

“How far along is Adira in her pregnancy?” I ask, unsure.

“Four months,” Callum replies. “She’s barely starting to show. Morris is talking about hiring a midwife for the birth and being her doula.”

“What’s a doula?” I ask. There’s so many things I don’t know about this baby thing. No wonder Kane is practicing with a doll.

“A support person during labor,” Callum explains. “Gets her what she needs, reminds her to breathe, offers her different methods to help with pain. Adira doesn’t like hospitals, and to be honest it’s safer for her to be at home overall as long as she stays low risk.”

“I haven’t heard her complain about any discomfort,” Duncan adds.

“She’s having a rockstar pregnancy,” Callum says with a nod.

“You’re going to make such good uncles,” Quinn says with a grin.

Christian chuckles under his breath, and Quinn glances at him.

“I was just thinking about how many protectors this kid is going to have,” he says. “Dating is going to be really interesting.”

I snort in amusement as Duncan pulls over in front of a brick building. He’s not wrong.

“We’re not allowed to get out,” Duncan says. “Just walk up to that door over there and knock. Ask for Aisling. She knows to expect you.”

Opening the back door to slide out, I give her my hand to help her.

“Are you good to go alone?” I ask her, trusting her to tell me the truth.

“Yeah,” she says. “I just need to make sure they’re going to be okay here. I can’t explain it…”

I know that it has a lot to do with replaceing our pack, and the guilt of moving on from the past.

“We all have our own paths, Quinn. They’re on theirs,” I remind her.

Nodding, she rises to her toes to brush her lips over my jaw, and then she’s gone. Twisting around, I watch as she crosses to the door and knocks to wait for admittance. I quickly notice that I’m not the only one watching as Christian and Duncan put their windows down to watch as well.

Protectors all around, the way it’s always been meant to be.

QUINN

Aisling seemed to understand that I needed to make sure everyone was okay. She gave me an overview of how people were handling the transition, and then asked if I wanted to see them at the shelter.

I was already standing as she finished, shaking my head. I didn’t want to overstep, a part of me needed this in order to replace closure. Sixteen years is a long time to inadvertently oversee omegas at Slick Dreams, and I needed to know they would be okay.

Every single need will be taken care of here, and the ball of anxiety I’ve had, released just like that.

Now, I’m waiting in the dressing area at Club Serenity with Linus, feeling lighter than I’ve felt in a while. I still want to replace Miles, but this break is necessary. My alphas were right to basically cut me off after the three days that I’ve been at the computer.

“Ready to come dance with me?” Linus asks, smirking as he takes my hand.

I should have thought to ask what I would be dancing to or with before I ran out of the house to come into work. Cerenity wants Linus and I on the flying pole tonight, and I glance wryly as I let him tug me into motion.

I don’t think I’ve practiced enough, despite how many years I’ve danced on a stationary pole.

Our guards walk us to our marks where Linus and I separate. The club is busy, but I’m focused on making sure I don’t fuck this up. Can I just cage dance, please?

The music changes to a song I love, and I glance at Linus who isn’t far from me, who is already moving to get enough momentum to fly. Because that’s exactly what it feels like.

Taking a cleansing breath, I grab the pole to walk around it in my high heels before I jump up, my right foot extended as I drop my head back. The feeling is addicting, and I let go of all my worries.

The beat of each note sinks into my very veins, each movement of my body fluid and strong. I forget about everyone in the room as the pole rises off the ground and Linus and I are flying together, with only muscle strength to rely on.

There’s something freeing about music. It’s what kept me sane for so many years, and what grounds me in moments of certainty now. I lose sight of how long we dance before we’re slowly returning to the ground, my feet hitting the floor as I twirl around it before I stop dancing.

My chest is heaving from both adrenaline and exertion as everyone applauds. Linus and I didn’t travel very far off the ground, and I never felt worried about falling. Once I let myself go, I no longer even worried about making a fool of myself either.

“That was amazing,” I yell to Linus over the crowd, wrapping my arm through his.

“It’s addictive,” he agrees, walking us over to the waiting guards.

“You’re going to replace me on that pole in the courtyard more often,” I tease him with a wide smile.

“Promise to wear as little as possible, and it may become our alphas’ favorite place,” Linus snorts in amusement before pulling me behind his body.

There are two very large alphas blocking our path, and our guards move to step in front of us.

Taking a breath, I lean around all the man-muscles with a raised brow.

“Can I help you?” I ask.

One of them winces as he sees how ridiculous I must appear. Personally, I appreciate the security because of how handsy people can get, but it doesn’t appear that they’re looking to paw at us.

“We heard you may know our sister,” he rumbles. He has dark, curly hair and wears thick black glasses, reminding me of a grumpy giant as he stands there.

Come to think of it, neither of them look very happy to be here.

“Lars, Caleb,” Augustine groans. “Could we not do this in my club, please?”

“I’m sorry,” I say immediately, feeling like I did something wrong.

“No, you’re fine, Quinn,” he says. “You deserve the choice to speak to them or not.”

Linus sighs, and I have a feeling this is about Alisa.

“You’re the Finnegan’s?” I ask, still peeking out behind my guards. While I know their names, I don’t know which one is which.

“Yeah,” the other alpha says, sighing. “I didn’t think about how this would put you on the spot. Shit, we’re sorry.”

“Can we use your office?” I ask Augustine apologetically. “Linus and I are going to start getting really cold soon. The air conditioning after dancing has that effect.”

“We can wait,” the one with glasses says. “Whatever you need.”

“Fine,” Augustine grumbles. “You’re both done for the night, guys. Take your time changing, shower, whatever. I’ll take them to my office.”

Nodding, I walk back to the dressing rooms and showers to change. I wasn’t kidding, I do get really cold right after dumping so much into dancing.

“This is about Alisa, huh?” Linus asks after we shower together and pull on street clothes. My hair is still pinned and curled, which is why we’re done so quickly. I didn’t want to go through removing my sharp pins from my hair.

“Yeah, I think it is,” I admit, fixing my shirt so it lays well. I’m wearing a pair of jeans and a snarky t-shirt that states that I’m a demon without coffee. I have a pocket knife in my front pocket, and a gun in a holster at my back that I cover with a jacket.

Regardless of the outside temperature, it’s always cold in Augustine’s office, so I’ll be glad for the extra warmth.

“Let’s not talk about how much I hated her for being such a selfish twat,” Linus mutters, picking up our bag to make sure everything is put away.

Our lives are what they are today because of the things we went through and experienced. I’m certain that Alisa feels the same as she comes to terms with her next steps, and she deserves to reunite with her brothers if she wants.

The trouble is, I have no idea if she’d want to.

Fingers linked together, Linus and I walk out of the dressing room to replace Augustine talking to some of the dancers as he waits for us.

“I just want to make sure that you know that you don’t owe the Finnegan boys anything, alright?” Augustine says, searching our gazes.

“We know,” I tell him.

Nodding abruptly, he walks us to his office.

“We seem to end up here often,” Linus teases him.

“It’s because you’re very sought after,” Augustine says. “Being less interesting isn’t really an option, though. Here we are.”

Pushing open the door to his office, I replace Alisa’s brothers with drinks in their hands, looking gloomily at the ground. Their heads both jerk up as Linus and I walk into the office, and take seats in front of them.

“Be nice,” Augustine bites out. “Let’s start with introductions, I guess. The tall, grumpy one is Lars, while the one with all the tattoos that looks like he could be in the mafia is Caleb.”

“Come on, I am nice,” Caleb complains. “I own a bar, tell most rules to fuck off, but am not in fact in the mafia.”

“Good for you,” Augustine mutters. “I’ll be outside. Their alphas will replace their way back here, so you’re on borrowed time.”

Stalking into the hallway, he leans on the wall to give some privacy.

“Look, I’m not completely sure that the Alisa I know from the club is your sister,” I begin. “We didn’t talk very much because⁠—”

“Quinn was mute until very recently, and took a lot of shit for that at Slick Dreams,” Linus says. His usually sweet voice is dark and gravelly. He’s angry about being here, because we have to talk about a place that continues to make its previous existence known in our lives.

As much as we try to live in the present, Slick Dreams and Bret will continue to linger like a bad smell.

“It was a defense mechanism that became more permanent,” I sigh. “The Alisa I knew is pretty, has long dark hair, and dark eyes. She’s in her early twenties as well. I know hair color can change over time, so that may not help.”

“It’s been such a long time since she was taken,” Caleb sighs.

“I get it,” I say. “I was kidnapped at fourteen, and Callum and Duncan have been looking for me ever since. It’s nice to see that her brothers never forgot about her.”

“I always used to remember that her hair was so dark that it used to reflect blue in it,” Lars says, taking a slow sip of his whiskey. His gaze is reflective as he remembers his sister. “She was kidnapped right out of her bed.”

“Oh wow,” I whisper, shaking my head.

“There were no clues or any hints as to where she could have gone. We checked her phone for a boy or someone she could have been talking to but there was no one,” Caleb says.

“I would say her hair was that dark,” Linus says softly. “I used to pull it out of the hair brushes. She was always running behind while getting ready.”

Linus used to save her ass often, because that was something that would get you punished. The sweet man he is, he doesn’t explain why she was always late.

“Oh,” Lars says, looking as if he’s at a loss for words.

“Slick Dreams was raided a few days ago,” I say. “The guards were killed, the omegas brought to Minneapolis to a shelter so they can rebuild their lives in whatever way they wish.”

They can draw their conclusions from there, I don’t want to give too much away in case Alisa doesn’t want to see them. While it would be a shit move, she should have a choice in the matter.

“Thank you,” Caleb says, nodding as the sounds of footsteps ring out in the hallway. “Sounds like your pack is here?”

“I think so,” I say with a smile once I hear Duncan speaking to Augustine while a few doors away from us.

“Thank you for talking with us,” Caleb adds. “I know we handled this like bulls in a china shop, but we’re feeling a little desperate after all of this time without any kind of hope.”

“I wish I could tell you more,” I offer. “I just think she should be able to decide if she wants to see you.”

“I agree,” Caleb says, surprising me. “I also know everything there is to know about this city. Aisling is a friend of mine, and she is the co-founder at Omega’s Haven. If Alisa would be anywhere, it would be there. One way or another, I’ll end up running into her.”

“We’ll also try to be less scary,” Lars mutters.

Good luck there.

Linus and I stand, meeting our pack at the door.

“Ready?” Christian asks, glancing briefly inside of the office.

“We are,” I say. “I’m also finally ready for more than a cat nap.”

“Hallelujah,” Callum mutters, waving goodbye to Augustine before he begins to walk with us to the exit. “I should have thought to suggest this sooner.”

“I should probably crash in a bedroom since I’m not leaving,” Christian suggests.

“Ha, that’s cute,” Duncan grunts. “Linus, Quinn, where is your wayward, injured alpha going to sleep?”

“That’s not at all subtle, man,” Christian says, shaking his head.

“I vote for in our nest,” I say, unsurprised when Linus nods.

Neither of us mention the very enthusiastic reunion we had. That’s for us, and I don’t think Duncan or Callum would care. They’re very aggressively throwing us together over and over.

We’ll figure things out as we go.

CHRISTIAN

“I’m stealing you both away,” I decide after watching Quinn work on her computer for several hours.

“I’m so close,” she grumbles. “Can I at least tell Morris what I found?”

Callum chuckles under his breath from across the couch, completely unbothered.

“Tell me what, Quinn?” Morris asks, popping his head into the living room.

“I found some bank accounts that I was able to hack into. I think they’re linked to an umbrella corporation. Can you see if you replace anything else about this, please? I think Christian is serious about stealing me away to get me a break,” she says, winking at me.

“You and Linus deserve to be wined and dined,” I say pointedly.

“They do,” Callum says, nodding. “Have fun, Morris will keep working on this, and if he hits a snag, I’ll make sure he calls Caelin.”

Morris makes a face, saying, “Yeah, I’m not too proud to pull in extra help. Miles is a sneaky fucker.”

“Story of my life,” Quinn says with an adorable little snort. “Alright, what am I wearing tonight, Christian?”

I blink for a moment, thrown. She used to get dressed for me in exactly a certain way because she knew I liked it. I’m not sure what to say.

“Give her a hint, Christian,” Callum prompts. “Should they dress up or down? Do you know where you’re taking them?”

“Ah,” I say, forcing myself to relax. “I found a relaxed restaurant that I want to take you to, and then a club that has a live salsa band. Nothing too fancy.”

“Okay,” she says brightly, leaving the room with Linus. Morris glances at me for a second as if to figure out why I froze before going back to work in another room.

“What was that about?” Duncan asks, confused.

“You looked like you were going to swallow your tongue,” Callum adds, eyes wide. “What gives?”

“I don’t know,” I sigh. “It felt like someone walked over my grave, I guess. It was really weird.”

“How?” Duncan asks, not willing to give up.

Fuck me.

“I was a regular at Slick Dreams, and she always seems to know how I liked for her to wear her hair, color of lingerie sets I liked, and wore the robes I bought her and Linus,” I explain. “I didn’t like for them to walk through the club half naked. Look, it was fucked up, I know. It just threw me back to times where they’d come see me at the club and I froze.”

“I can see that,” Duncan says, swallowing hard. “She didn’t take it that way, though. Quinn just wanted to know what to expect for the date so she could plan accordingly. Take the keys to the truck and have fun.”

Rubbing my temple, I nod. “I have to get my vehicle at some point,” I mutter. “I want to keep working on Omega’s Haven’s new transitional housing. They still need people.”

“I’d be willing to go with you,” Duncan says easily. “Once Morris makes sure that your shoulder is fine. It’s been barely a week since you got shot. Seriously, take it easy. No one thinks you’re shirking your responsibilities. Finish healing.”

Suitably chastised, I head upstairs to shower and change. I really have felt as if I’m laying down on the job, because I’ve gotten so used to going every day. However, since I’ve told the forewoman that I’ve been hurt, she’d kick me off her build site now.

I need to slow my roll, focus on my omegas. It was nice to sleep with them in the same bed the entire night. I did notice that Quinn is still having nightmares, but instead of waking up screaming, it’s little whimpers. They still kill me to hear them.

As I get ready, I wonder if therapy is an option for either of them. I’ve done some research on it, and I’ve read that not everyone is comfortable with it. Murder seems to be Quinn’s favorite way to deal with things. I’m not going to knock it.

Killing everyone who has the capacity to hurt you does have a good ring to it.

Smirking as I leave the room, I sigh at my clothes. I’m still borrowing things from the brothers, and it doesn’t fit the same way. On the way back, I’m going to swing by the apartment I’ve been living in to pack a bag.

In the meantime, Duncan’s black shirt works, folded over my forearms with a pair of black slacks. My weapons still fit well enough in all of the places that I hide them. Ugh, I just want my own shit.

“Who kicked your puppy, Christian?” Linus asks with wide eyes as he walks out of the nest with Quinn.

“No one,” I admit. “I just decided that I need to get some of my own clothes at my apartment when we are on our way back.”

“Do we have time to go now?” Quinn asks, recognizing that I feel off. “Linus and I don’t mind waiting.”

“It’s not that big of a deal,” I deny.

“Yes it is,” Quinn says in a sing-song tone. “Let’s go.”

“We have a reservation,” I groan. “I promise I’ll survive.”

Quinn and Linus give each other a look, and I swear it’s like they’re ganging up on me. I need to ask Duncan and Callum how they handle this. Right now, I just want to give them whatever they want because I love their brattiness.

Walking down the stairs, we say goodbye to everyone as Duncan opens the door to allow Ayla into the house.

“Mom!” Quinn says warmly. “Have you been enjoying yourself?”

Her cheeks pinken as she nods. “He’s just so nice,” Ayla says with wonder in her voice. Her dead husband was a fucking asshole, and this solidifies that. “I’m trying to sort out my feelings about it.”

“Are things moving too quickly?” I ask, forgetting myself. I shouldn’t be interjecting myself in any way.

“No,” Ayla says thoughtfully. “It’s more that they feel so right that it’s scaring me. What if I make the wrong decision?”

“His son is really nice as well,” Quinn says. “Someone responsible for raising such a wonderful human being is bound to also be nice. Bryce has always been very kind to me as well, Mom. It’s okay to take a time out, though.”

“Yes,” Ayla says gratefully with a nod, her gaze taking in Linus, Quinn, and I. “You’re going out!”

“I felt a date was needed,” I explain. “We’ve never had one.”

Ayla offers me a genuine smile, saying, “Have fun. I want to hear all about it over morning coffee, Quinn.”

We say goodbye to her, and walk out to the truck that is waiting in the driveway.

“I’m so happy for her,” Quinn murmurs. “I think it is scary to be presented with so many incredible things sometimes.”

“I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop with Duncan and Callum,” Linus confesses as we get into the vehicle. They sit in the back seat, sitting close to each other as I turn on the truck. “But then, it never did. No matter how difficult things got, or how little sleep, they never changed or became mean.”

“I don’t think either of them are capable of acting out of character like that,” I say. “They’re just really good people.”

The back seat is quiet as I drive through the gates and onto the road. I put the address into my phone to give me directions, and I do what it tells me to as I drive.

“I think you’re a good person too,” Quinn says tentatively. “You were never cruel.”

“I was dismissive,” I say. “I think that’s almost worse. I won’t ever be like that again. Not ever.”

“I know,” Linus answers. “We can both tell in the way that you involve yourself in our lives, haven’t left, and chose to remain handcuffed during my entire heat. It wouldn’t have taken much for you to have ripped the metal plate from the wall.”

“Duncan didn’t do a great job installing it,” I agree, chuckling. “I’m not going anywhere, guys.”

“Why do you still have your apartment?” Quinn asks innocently.

“I haven’t been invited to live with you,” I say, surprised. “I doubt Duncan and Callum are going to. I can commute if necessary. We haven’t really gotten that far. It’s been… chaotic the last week.”

“I think that’s a good word for it,” Quinn murmurs.

The rest of the drive is quiet, which doesn’t bother me at all because it’s also comfortable. I love hearing anything they have to tell me, but it’s not necessary for them to fill the void with senseless prattle either. I’m happy to sit in the silence too, knowing that they’re with me.

It’s everything that I’ve ever wanted. Getting to know each other, hearing their wishes and dreams. That’s what tonight is all about.