Broken Dreams (Unhingedverse)
Broken Dreams: Chapter 38

QUINN

Christian is nervous, and I don’t think I’ve seen him like this before. It’s adorable.

The food was delicious at the restaurant he chose, the black beans and rice very flavorful, and the steak tender. The wait staff are also so nice and the owner has this wonderful flair about her.

“What do you think?” Christian asks, taking a slow sip of his wine.

“I think the food is amazing,” I sigh happily. “Where did you replace this place?”

“Someone talked about it when I was working at the construction site when they noticed my light accent,” he admits. “He thought I may enjoy the food, and I haven’t had a chance to come until now.”

Smoothing down the skirt of my dark blue dress, I smile at him. I feel pretty tonight. I got dressed in clothing that was soft and comfortable that would be easy to move in. Even my heels aren’t super high, just enough to add a little roll to my hips.

“That person was very right,” Linus says happily. “I was starving. It’s also nice to see some of the city.”

“It is,” I admit. “I’m excited that you’re starting school soon. You’re going to be amazing.”

“You don’t want to go to college?” Christian asks. There’s no heat to his question, just simple curiosity.

“It’s not for me,” I say. “I love figuring out puzzles and I can sit for hours unraveling them if it’s something I want to do. Sitting to learn a bunch of things I have no interest in so I can get to the good part? No thank you.”

Linus snorts, amused. “I’m far enough in my degree that I’ve finished the boring parts, Quinn. I’m going to be the old guy in my classes,” he says, wrinkling his nose.

“I heard there are more people going back to school for a variety of reasons,” Christian says. “You’re in your early thirties. I think you’ll be fine.”

“The dean of computer engineering told me that I should be able to polish off my undergraduate degree this year if I take sixteen credit semesters,” Linus says. “It’s a really heavy load, but I think I can do it. There’s a lot of tied up emotions to this I think.”

“Like what?” Christian asks, his amber colored gaze heavy on Linus.

“I’m the first person in my family to go to or graduate college,” he explains. “My family was never anything to write home about. They were neglectful and selfish, but this milestone is important to me. They didn’t understand the joy I got from tinkering with computers. I put together my first computer when I was fifteen.”

“They weren’t impressed?” I guess.

“My room was a mess from the different parts,” Linus says, his cheeks getting red. “My mom had yelled at me a few times about cleaning it up before she’d leave to get high. Trust me, they were less than impressed.”

“That sucks,” Christian sighs. “My mom overdosed while I was working in a gang. The fucked up thing is that someone in that gang may have given them to her. I got out as soon as I could develop my contacts to run weapons. I don’t know why, but drugs always bothered me. I’ve never touched them.”

“How did you get out?” I ask. “Gang members are in for life, I thought?”

“I supply the leader with guns,” he mutters. “He pretends he doesn’t know me in any other capacity. Since I don’t really see any of the men in that crew, they don’t give me trouble.”

“Wow,” Linus says. “We lived in a rough neighborhood, but I knew where I wanted my life to go. I got a scholarship for college, worked my ass off, only to get taken on my way home from studying. It’s so fucked up.”

Christian rolls his bottom lip in as he gazes at Linus.

“Do you have any night classes?” he finally asks.

Since he started the nightly patrols, I know where he’s going with this. I asked once when I came up for air from hacking if they were still running, and he told me that they were. More people are beginning to pull their weight to keep Minneapolis safe.

“No,” Linus says. “They start early in the morning and then end around five so I’m in classes back to back. I’ll bring snacks to manage, but it’ll be a long day. I still want to keep working at the club too.”

“One year,” I remind him, smiling. “Then you’ll start graduate school?”

“Yeah, the dean said that I should start on those applications as well so there’s not a gap in my schooling. It’s overwhelming and exciting all at the same time,” he says with wide eyes.

“I know. It sounds like it. I’m so proud of you, though,” I tell him. “You’re getting your life back, Linus.”

“So much lost time,” he grumbles. “As awful as it all was, I can’t say that I’d change it. Call me crazy, but I mean it. I met you both at Slick Dreams, and changing anything would mean I may not have otherwise.”

I would say this is the wine talking, but he’s barely had a sip. He told me that wine gives him a headache and always has.

“It’s true—” I start to say but Christian shakes his head.

“I will always kick my own ass for not getting you out sooner,” he rasps. “It was too long.”

“We’re going to agree to disagree,” Linus says with a shrug. “I don’t want to fight, unless it leads to fucking. I do want to dance, though.”

Christian chuckles under his breath as he asks for the check. “I’ve noticed that you enjoy arguing more than I thought you would. You seem like you like to keep the peace.”

“It depends,” Linus says.

“On what?” I ask, smirking. I’m enjoying our conversation immensely.

“Whether I know I’m going to get the result I want if I argue,” Linus says, grinning. “I’ll also fight with you, Quinn, if you’re doing something that’s hurting yourself. I didn’t fuss about how much time you’ve been spending at the computer because Duncan and Callum have had it covered.”

“You really are my brats,” Christian mutters without thinking as he hands his card to the waiter.

“When I have the space to be who I am, fuck yes I am,” Linus confirms.

Grinning, we continue to chat once the bill is paid, and we walk out to the truck to go dancing.

“My father used to give me shit about my entire personality,” Christian says, opening the back door for us.

“Why?” I ask, getting in after Linus.

Holding up a finger that I know has power over me because it gives me orgasms, he tells me give me a moment while he closes the door with just that motion.

Linus watches as Christian climbs into the truck, waiting for him to tell us about his father. Something tells me the three of us share the terrible history of shitty fathers.

“My father told me I was very effeminate, as if enjoying music and dressing well were the end of the world,” Christian says, turning on the vehicle. “Then, he noticed when I would look too long at a man, and decided that I was a scourge on his entire line for being gay.”

“I still hear his fucking voice in my head,” he grumbles, pulling out of the restaurant parking lot. “It hits me at the worst times, and I have to ask myself if I’m really hearing someone who is being disparaging of who I am, or a simple question. I don’t want to lose my shit at someone because of my past.”

“Makes sense,” Linus breathes. “I wasn’t really interested in sex at all outside of an odd hookup with a beta here and there. I was kind of trying to figure out what it meant to be an omega when I was kidnapped.”

“Fuck,” Christian says. “It must have been scary to be dropped into Slick Dreams like that. For both of you.”

“I had Quinn,” Linus says firmly. “Bret kind of gave me to her.”

Remembering his wide eyes, the way that he almost hyperventilated several times that first night brings up emotions that I buried ten years ago. Neither of us would have survived if I’d wallowed in them.

“You were so scared,” I sigh. “I remember thinking how cruel it was for Bret to do that. You were considered a punishment because I had pissed him off earlier for something stupid. I didn’t say very much to you, yet my entire world changed that day.”

“Watching you dance that night helped me get through how awful my first time with a guy was,” Linus mutters.

The creak of the leather on the steering wheel brings our attention to Christian, who is holding it as if it’s a lifeline.

“I’m listening,” he confirms. “I’m dealing with emotions of loathing for myself, but I’m still here.”

“You didn’t put us there,” I remind him. “Other people sold us, therefore you’re not responsible for every awful thing that happened either.”

“You were the first alpha that I was actually attracted to,” Linus says with a small smile. He dashes away the tears brought by the memories, sniffing.

“You’re killing me,” Christian sighs, pulling into a random parking lot and shoving the gear lever into park. He fixes his seat so he can twist to see us better, placing his hand on Linus’ knee.

“Well, you always understood that foreplay was important,” I admit with a wince, holding Linus’ hand. “Others think being an omega means our holes are magical.”

“I mean, sometimes it feels like they are,” Linus says with a shrug. “When I’m attracted to someone I’m more likely to be willing to try anything. Since my mindset is there, my body follows.”

“Bret usually made a big deal with his new omegas,” Christian says, confused. “I’m surprised he didn’t with you.”

“He didn’t win the omega he was bidding for originally, and settled for me,” Linus explains. “I remember how pissed off he was about it too. I noticed the way he was with others, but I was glad there wasn’t as much fanfare. Bret did make that alpha pay a lot I noticed. There also wasn’t any information about me since I refused to tell them anything.”

“It’s for the best that he didn’t know,” I add.

“I couldn’t focus on the road and you, so I had to park,” Christian says, squeezing Linus’ knee before fixing his chair and putting the truck into drive. “Still want to go dancing?”

“Yes,” Linus and I say at the same time excitedly. I don’t think he could have planned a better date.

Linus lets go of the memories once we get to the next destination, and we have an incredible time dancing.

“Is this your apartment?” I ask afterward as he parks in an underground parking lot.

“It is,” he says. “There’s the truck I recently bought too. I decided my car didn’t fit here. I didn’t think I’d like it, but I do.”

My lips twitch as he parks next to his truck. It definitely reminds me of him, sleek lines and exuding sexiness.

“Why did you change?” I ask, waiting for him to shut off the engine and get out to help us out. I can climb out alone, yet I don’t want to.

Duncan’s truck is also really fucking tall. I don’t feel like twisting my ankle in these heels.

Christian opens my door and helps me down by wrapping his hands around my waist and lifting me out.

“It was too damn flashy,” he says. “It made me feel like I was trying to prove something, especially every morning in the quiet little neighborhood where the transitional living apartments are going up. I don’t get as many odd looks anymore.”

“I am sure you get looks for other reasons,” Linus purrs, smirking as he follows me out of the truck.

“You are a flirt,” Christian laughs, shutting the door behind Linus and locking it. “Old alphas teasing me for my suits don’t count, Linus.”

“Maybe not, but I’m sure you would get hit on,” he says. “There’s nothing wrong with knowing how gorgeous your alpha is.”

“And being able to say ‘hands off he’s mine,’” I tease.

“Is that a fact?” Christian asks. I can tell he’s amused as we walk across the lot to the elevator.

I noticed all the stares while he danced with us, so I think it goes both ways. People are jealous as fuck.

“Mmhmm,” I say, letting Christian check the inside of the elevator before we step inside. “It may not be completely official, but I think it’s safe to say that Linus and I are in agreement that you’re ours.”

“Good,” he says with a smirk, hitting the button for his floor as the door closes. “As long as we’re all in agreement.”

I need to talk to Duncan and Callum about Christian. I think he’s growing on them, but Christian still has this apartment. Would they want him to live with us?

He said himself that he hadn’t been invited yet. I really want to change that.

I have a very good poker face, my features set neutrally as I walk into his apartment. I have a lot of questions, and the idea of him shuttling back and forth doesn’t make sense to me.

Linus glances around the apartment the same way I am, seeing clean lines, generic furniture, and nothing really looks like it belongs to Christian.

“Everything you see came with the apartment,” our alpha explains. “My coffee machine, weapons, and my clothes are the only exception. I’m a whore for good coffee. I need it since I usually only sleep a few hours a night.”

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” I ask him. He slept with his head on my stomach between Linus and I last night when my eyes drifted closed. Did he wake up at some point?

“I sleep better now,” he says. “Patrolling helped give me something to do other than drink.”

Christian winces as if he didn’t mean to say that, striding further into the apartment as we follow him. The living room overlooks the city, while there’s one bedroom off of it.

“Was that an issue?” Linus asks worriedly.

“The Irishmen here drink very strong whiskey,” Christian sighs. “I would try not to drink very much because I’m not used to it. Unfortunately, they tend to notice, and it took me some time to get used to it. They don’t seem to trust a man who won’t drink with them. But, I wasn’t getting drunk every night. I would lay awake, thinking about you both.”

It’s hard to breathe as I watch him pull out a suitcase and open it on the bed to pack. He’s so achingly beautiful, and he’s been trying to deserve to be loved by us. Everything he says very clearly tells me that’s what this is about.

“Being busy is what I needed. I’d catch a few hours in between everything, and then be at the build site, ready to start again. I need to figure out who to donate these suits to because I don’t think they’ll ever fit me again,” he says.

Coming closer, I can see clearly the delineation between things that do and don’t fit.

“I can see what kind of charity organizations may want it,” I offer. “You get your suits custom made, and they’re really nice.”

“That would be great,” he says gratefully. “Clothes should be worn, otherwise it just gathers dust.”

He’s done packing quickly, his suits, loungewear, jeans, shirts, and all of the rest zipped safely inside of the suitcase. Hopefully he won’t be living out of it for long. I’m on a mission. Tonight changed a lot for me, allowing me to see Christian’s motivation.

Who changes their entire life if they’re not serious? No one.

He also packs his gun safe, picking it up so Linus can wheel out the suitcase.

“Let’s get you two home,” he murmurs. “I’m sure your feet are starting to ache, mi amor.”

They aren’t, not yet, but I nod as we leave his apartment and get back into the truck once we’re in the garage. The gun safe and the suitcase go into the covered bed, and Christian makes certain it won’t roll around.

I fight back a yawn on the way home, but Linus pulls me against him with a blanket.

“I have this odd feeling, baby. Take a nap if you can,” he murmurs against my hair.

Linus’ feelings are legendary, so I let myself drift off to sleep. It’s been a long day. If it’s about to get even longer, I’ll listen.

CALLUM

I’m waiting anxiously for Christian to come home with Linus and Quinn. Morris and Caelin hit the fucking jackpot and got an address.

“Chill,” Duncan grunts. “He’s pulling up now to the gate, I just let him in. They may be tired, and this takes some finesse.”

“I’ve been hanging out with Pack Dresmond too long,” I complain. “They’ve made me bloodthirsty.”

“Nah, you always had that in you,” Jed says with a smirk. “Don’t put that on us.”

Adira is snuggled against him, dressed in tactical clothes just in case. Funny enough, we all changed when we found out the address, and Morris and I have been planning out our entrance points.

“Fuck off,” I mutter without heat, still pulling data. I have schematics of the house, how many guards, and what the other security details are.

Morris is pulling other information, but this guy thankfully lives in the middle of nowhere. Miles Kellogg will not have policemen at his door because he tripped his silent alarm.

“How dangerous is this going to be?” Ayla asks from the entrance of the living room.

She must have just come out, because she’s been in her room for most of the night.

“If we do this right, not at all,” Adira says honestly. “That’s why the boys are working on research of the property.”

“Are you going with them?” Ayla asks, crossing her arms.

She’s such a maternal figure, worrying about everyone now that she’s back to being herself.

Adira merely smiles a little as she nods, saying, “That’s the plan. I just started showing, so I’m not quite a painted target yet. I’ll wear armor under my clothes too. If I’m not there, I’ll be very unpleasant to be around.”

Ugh, she really would.

“She can definitely carry herself well too. Duncan and I taught her how to shoot,” I say.

“I helped too,” Damon mutters. “It doesn’t really matter because she’s a knife girl.”

“Close contact is my thing,” Adira agrees, smirking.

Duncan leaves the room to answer the doorbell, while Ayla turns to watch her daughter come inside. I can see the anxiety start to drain away, something easing because she’s home.

“Did you have fun?” Ayla asks with a soft smile. She finally gets to watch her daughter go on dates, enjoy her life, and a really odd lump raises to my throat.

I often replace myself surprised by emotion now that we have Quinn back, because life felt like it stopped the day she disappeared. Every smile, tear, and laugh is something I fucking cherish.

“The food was amazing,” Quinn says with a grin. “Christian is also a great dancer. We had fun.”

“I’m sure the three of you drew an audience,” Ayla says with a light chuckle. “You three look happy. Oh, and you have luggage, Christian?”

My thumb rubs over my bottom lip to hold back a laugh. Ayla is a trip. She has absolutely no filter.

“Moving in with your gun case too?” I tease him.

An odd look moves over Christian, Linus, and Quinn, and I wonder what that’s about. Does he want to make things official?

“I found myself missing some of my things so I went by to get them,” he says. “Did you replace out anything more about Alpha Miles?”

He’s deflecting, but I let him until I can figure some things out for myself.

“We did,” Morris says as they come into the living room. “He’s living about two hours away. Miles has two properties, and recently moved closer to here from his Wisconsin home. From what I was able to dig up, he has business that requires his attention, which requires a second home.”

“How lucky for us,” Quinn says with an evil smile. “Can we go now?”

“Yes,” I say. My brother rolls his eyes because he knows that no matter what he says, everyone is ready to go now.

He’s the only one not dressed yet, which is funny since he lives for this shit.

“Linus, it’s up to you if you want to come with us,” Duncan says. “I expect it to be safe enough, and you’ll have weapons as well.”

“I definitely want to come,” Linus says, nodding quickly.

“We’re fixing your harnesses,” Christian rumbles. “No one should get a weapon stuck in their gear. I have things that will fit the both of you in my suitcase.”

“So you packed more than clothing,” Adira says, brow raised.

“Just a few things,” he mutters. “I missed my clothes.”

Adira can’t help her smile as they trudge upstairs, Duncan going with them.

“He grows on you,” Adira says. “He’s the reason that Quinn had a weapon the night her father creeped his way into the back yard.”

“God, that was equal parts terrifying and impressive,” Ayla says, leaning against the wall. “I’m just going to have to accept that Quinn can hold her own with all this. She’s been learning how to shoot a gun since she was a kid with you and Duncan. I’m still going to sit up and wait, though.”

“Which means you should have some hot cocoa and a snack while you do,” I say, getting up to go to the kitchen.

“I can do that,” she complains, all while I shake my head.

Just because she can, doesn’t mean she should have to. It thankfully also gives me something to do, and then I’m walking out the door with my family. Some are my pack, but they’re all important to me.

Even Christian. He does grow on you, like fungus, I guess.

QUINN

The two hours to Miles’ home fly as Callum fills us in on how he was able to hide so well. His accounts, properties, and all of his business assets are under an umbrella called Quinn Enterprises. I gagged when I found out that he’d used my name for it, despite the fact that he’s the one who renamed me.

Fucking bastard. Apparently I made an impression on him during the four and a half years I lived in his home.

“Use your anger, Quinnie,” Callum murmurs as Duncan drives. Pack Dresmond is in the car behind us, and we’re going to park the vehicles toward the back of Miles’ property and hike in.

There’s no evidence that he has dogs, his guards are all outside on property, and while his front gates are electrified, Morris says that he doesn’t think the back fence is.

Here’s to replaceing out.

The back road is bumpy as we go down it, and I wince as I get tossed around in the back seat between Linus and Christian. Finally, they hold me so I won’t bounce around so aggressively. I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when we’re able to park and get out of the SUV.

I was starting to get nauseous from the bouncing. I’ve never gotten carsick in my life, and I don’t want to start now.

Since we’re firmly in September, the breeze gets colder each night. I have a light coat to cover both my weapons as well as keep me warm, my eyes beginning to pan the area for any signs of video cameras.

Kane takes a page from my father’s book, spraying the lens of the cameras in the trees with black spray paint. His baby doll is making an appearance tonight now that we’re no longer playing with fire, wrapped tightly to his back. The woven material is dark, even matching his clothing. Baby Rambo it is.

“Quinn, how do you feel about things that go boom?” Kane asks me seriously.

“Explosions?” I ask him. “In what context?”

“Do you want to blow up the house?” Jed asks, brow raised. I suddenly have a feeling that he wants to do exactly that and Jed is giving his brother the space to tell me.

“Yes,” Kane says. “I’m thinking I’ll just casually put explosives throughout the house as we walk through, and then blow it all to hell when we’re done?”

It’s said so eloquently that I can’t replace a reason to say no.

“Do a count to make sure everyone who matters is out, and then have at it,” I confirm, grinning as he quietly whoops. “Did we get all of the cameras?”

Sliding the can into one of the pockets of his utility pants, he shrugs. “For now. I’ll watch for them,” he says.

“This gate isn’t very secure,” Duncan says, shining a laser light that shows that it’s tripped by someone walking through it. “I’m going to cut the wires to give us the ability to walk over all of this onto the property. Watch where you put your feet.”

Quickly and efficiently we cross into Miles Kellogg’s backyard, moving through the woods to his home. Each step is intentional and as silent as possible. Kane is happily spray painting the lenses of cameras as we move, and Duncan crept up on a guard and snapped his neck.

Stupid fucker was listening to his earphones and never saw it coming.

“If you’re going to be a guard, fucking do your job,” Morris mutters. “Incompetent idiots.”

He’s not wrong. It feels too easy, which makes my skin crawl. Miles never was the type of person who suffered fools. I doubt that he’s ever had his security breached either, though.

If you believe you can’t be found, then it’s possible that everyone else around you believes the same.

Duncan picks the locks easily, while Callum and Morris are able to shut off the alarm to only include the doors and windows after we’re inside.

Using their phones, they search the video cameras that they’ve hacked into to replace Miles.

“He’s in the office,” Morris murmurs. “There appears to be someone else with him, guys. Kane, take Damon and do what you have to. Clear the house.”

In rapid succession, we begin to move, and I struggle to stay in the moment. It’s very odd to be in his home, though it’s thankfully not the one where he attempted to strip my humanity and my voice from me.

I think that’s the only thing helping me keep it together.

Christian fitted me with a new harness that goes around my thigh and one at the small of my back. He had me practice pulling from both in the hallway outside of the nest before he was satisfied. I have to admit that I like these better than the others I’ve worn in the past.

I have knives hidden all over my body, with one holding my hair off my face right now. My mother just smiled and told me to be careful. The pink and blonde is covered along with the knife with a hat, so no one can see it, just like Kane is also covering his.

Linus looks every part the spy too, all because of how bright our hair colors are.

It seems like a silly thing to worry about, until you’re spotted by the reflection of light.

On the way over here, we decided I would be the bait, which I have no problem with.

“Hello, Alpha Miles,” I purr, walking into his office as if I own it. Callum and Morris also told me on the drive over about how they’ve already begun to drain his accounts.

Feels fitting since the bastard used my name for his business.

It’s almost four in the morning, yet here Miles is working at the computer with a naked girl on her knees next to him. She’s wearing a heavy iron collar, which chains her and keeps her there. Her eyes are wide and wild, making me wonder if she’s not been here long.

If I were to guess, she appears to be about twelve. Fuck, he’s buying them younger and younger. I wonder if he’ll bother waiting until she’s older or not.

Somehow, I doubt it.

“Who are you?” he asks, his lip curling in disgust. “How the fuck did you get in here?”

“I’m Quinn Kelly, but you met me as little Quinn Hughes,” I remind him. “You can’t tell me you don’t remember me when your umbrella company is named after me. Is he still showing signs of Alzheimer’s?”

I ask the girl on the floor more for theatrics than anything else. She’s shivering and I can smell the scent of piss. Fuck, who knows how long he’s had her there.

It was one of the many mind games he’d like to play. He’d force me to drink water and then refuse to let me use the restroom. Since he beat the words out of me, I’d just hold it. When I started getting urinary tract infections, he called me useless, but stopped that particular game.

Therefore, he’s clearly suffering from memory issues now that’s begun with this bullshit again.

“Traci, did you piss?” Miles yells, his voice making her flinch as she begins to cry. “I’ll handle you soon enough.”

“No, you’re never going to touch that girl again,” I say to him. “Your guards are dead, Miles. Just like you’re going to be.”

Pulling the firearm at my back, I watch him and the girl as the rest of Pack Dresmond files into the room with my pack.

“You’re just a silly little girl,” Miles says. “I broke you, took your voice, and then threw you away. Traci, you know what to do.”

Heart pounding, I glance back at her, gasping as a bullet hits her head. She was pulling her own weapon from under the desk, fully under his control. God, she was never going to have a chance. Angry, I shoot Miles in the shoulder, watching as Jed ensures the girl is dead, and Duncan pulls Miles away from his desk.

There’s no damn way he’s getting an easy death.

“What was she, twelve?” I ask, snarling as I follow Duncan and Miles out of the room.

“Why wait when it’s such a pain in the ass to train them?” the alpha asks with a pained smirk. “You remember how sad I was when I had to sell you.”

The wave of memories threatens to pull me under now that I’m here, and Christian grabs my hand to help ground me.

“Breathe, Quinn. Think about all the things you’re going to do to him. You’re free, and he has no power over you,” he reminds me.

“That poor girl couldn’t have been saved,” Adira adds, having a feeling that’s what bothers me. I was never a mindless toy the way that Traci clearly was.

I just wanted to survive it all so I could possibly have a better life. And I did.

“It’s so unfair,” I breathe as we go down to the basement. Miles had a special playroom in his other house. We’re going to see if he has one here as well.

Sick fucks rarely change their stripes, they just lean into their depravity.