Loving Quinn Novel by North Rose
Chapter 79

(Annora)

13 now

Hours later I am sitting in the middle of our bed with my laptop, a notepad and a pen. There is a large glass of wine on my nightstand that is n almost empty, I am in my comfortable lounge wear while I research setting up my private practice in a nearby building.

I called Lorelai when I got home to inform her that I was ready to pull the trigger on that idea. She was happy for me, and we have a meeting scheduled later in the week to go over more details. I also called my mother to ask if she could pick up Grace from school.

When she asked if there was anything wrong, I lied, telling her something had come up at work. I also told her that Quinn and I would both be working late. Thankfully she didn’t ask any questions. She even offered to keep Grace overnight and take her to school in the morning.

Her reasoning was that there were some gifts from our trip that she wanted Gace to help her wrap. She claimed that it just made sense to keep her overnight. So, instead of arguing with my mother, 1 agreed and thanked her for helping on such short notice.

I don’t feel like rehashing everything that happened this afternoon at the hospital. The sadness and anger I felt is still there. I debated on using one of Quinn’s punching bags to work out the anger but decided against it.

My energy is better spent getting my new adventure up and running.

I know it is just an office. That it is only furniture and some books. No one was hurt. At least not this time. I have a terrible gut feeling that today is just the beginning of what is to come.

Quinn and I can weather this storm together just like we did on the previous Dionne Masters crazy train, Unless she is somehow behind this, Would, she hire someone to break into my office? Why? What is the point of destroying my office?

Is she trying to scare me? Does she think if she scares me enough, I will pack Grace up and leave Quinn? I admit that thought crossed my mind briefly after the car accident. However, when that happened, I had reasonable cause to believe there was someone else involved.

As it turns out that was all Lana,

Between the two of us, Quinn and I each have our crazy ex-lovers. The only difference is that I actually married Kyle. Quinn was smart and ran from Dionne. Even though that ultimately bit him in the a**. That woman is relentless.

“Well, don’t you look comfortable and productive?”

Quinn’s voice makes me look up from my laptop. He is standing our bedroom doorway with a single red rose in his hand. His tie is undone and hanging loosely around his neck. I can’t help salivating at the sight before me

“What

u have

you been up to in here?” He asks as he walks towards the bed. Upon reaching my nightstand, he places the rose in my half-empty water battle. “I will bring you another bottle of water.”

“Go take a shower then meet me downstairs. I will tell you about my plans as we eat. You did grah Chinese food, didn’t you?”.

He nods his head then walks into the bathroom. I close my laptop as I watch him walk away. After placing my laptop on the bed, I get up off the bed and head downstairs. The second I step into the kitchen my stomach growls from the tantalizing scents coming from the to-go bags sitting on the

counter.

I didn’t eat much during lunch because I wanted to get the truth out of Shawns about what happened between her and Max. Now that I know what happened between my best friend and my brother, I am not sure that I feel any better about it. If the situation were different, I would be happy for them.

Unfortunately, Max is still a married man who has to deal with his cheating wife and the pain of knowing that her baby isn’t his. I know my brother is strong and can overcome this. I just hope for his sake that he comes out of this nightmare whole. That is don’t take a piece of his soul when it is all over.

“So, Lucas texted me after he made sure your mom and Grace got home sally” Quinn says from behind

I turn to look at him with a surprised expression on my face. “Oh, he followed them from her school?”

“Normally he just waves and heads to his nest job. Today 1 had a feeling you would have your mom pick race up, so I asked him to follow them home to make sure no one was following them. I don’t want to take any chances with her safety after today”

This makes me happy to know he thought of that. He will always think of her safety and happiness. Fatherhood is something that suits him well. it makes me eager to give him more children.

“Oh, that is wise thinking. I was just so f**ed after seeing my office nained that I just wanted to come home.”

I tell him about how Grace will be staying overnight with my parents while we take the Chinese food cut into the living room.

“So, tell me about this idea you have. From what I saw when I came home, I have a feeling that you are past the idea phase and onto the planning phase.”

This makes me laugh. “You should have seen me during medical school. My apartment was always a mess while I was studying. Cleaning afterwards

was never fan”

Quinn nods his head as he sits down on one of the large sofas. I place the takeout bags on the coffee table then dig into them. After opening one container I groan with anticipation as I grab a fork and sit down next to Quinn.

“I should have come to see you like we planned. So much happened during that first tour that f**ked my head up. I am sorry that I didn’t replace you soofer, Annie,”

“Hey, we are together now, and that is what matters. Let’s leave the what it’s in the past, okay? We can’t change the past, but we can make our future what we want

After a minute of silence, he reaches into the bag to grab his dinner, and we both dig in. Once the edge of my hunger has been satisfied, I put the fork into my container and position myself on the couch so that I am facing him. He does the same thing which makes me smile.

I have his full, undivided attention.

“So, my plan.”

“I am all ears. You made me curious with all the papers and maps on the bed when I came home.”

*For the last few years, I have contemplated opening my own private practice have made inquiries about two pediatricians and three or four nurses

to join me.”

Quinn’s eyebrows rise in surprise but then he smiles. “I think that is a great idea.”

We discuss all of my plans, everything Lorelai and I discussed, and the location where I intend to be. By the time I am done, he looks impressed. To my surprise he actually pulled his phone out to take notes while I gave him my spiel

This made me laugh.

“Why are you taking notes?”

“G&C Enterprises actually owns some buildings in that area. So, I will look into the building you are interested in to see if it is one of ours.”

“Then I will just give it to you. If it isn’t, you can have Lorelai handle it from there.”

“If C&C owns the property, I want to buy it. Please don’t just give me a building. This is important to me, Quinn. I want to stand on my own merits with this. That starts with paying for it myself.”

can tell immediately that he doesn’t like that, but he nods his head. I grab his dinner and put both containers on the coffee table. Once his hands are free, I move to straddle his lap then put my arms around his neck.

He leans his head hack a bit as I get comfortable.

“Look, you have given me so much already. You do so much for me and Grace know that you have the money to help me with this, but I need to do that part on my own.”

“I love your need for independence, Annie. Alright, if the building you are interested in is owned by C&C then I will set you up with our lawyer to let you two discuss the bay.”

“Thank you”

He looks like he is contemplating something for a moment. “Did today’s events make you want to do this now even more than before?”

I nod my head. “What did you replace on the cameras?”

I frown at the look on his face. He taps a hand on my leg to show that he wants to stand up, so I move off his lap. He then gets up and walks to the window near the balcony. This is something I have noticed that he does when he wants to gather his thoughts.

“That bad?

? Who was it?+

“We don’t know but we have a name. Well, the name of someone who may have known who it was that broke in

“Wait, what do you mean? Were you not able to see who did it?

Quinn turns to face me and there is a storm brewing in those beautiful sea-green eyes of his. For a moment I feel sorry for whoever it was that broke into my office but then the anger I felt at seeing what was done wipes that away. That person deserves whatever karma they get

“The b***d was smart. He ducked his head when he got off the elevator and never looked up. He also had inside help. Which we have rectified, and the police are looking into it.”

What the heck?

“Someone on staff at the hospital help this guy?”

“Yeah. Well, two people really. Both are security staff. One is now in police custody and the other is in the wind. They were approached at a bar they both frequent by a man calling himself L, like the letter.”

I frown. I don’t know a man with that first initial. How does this man know who I am and what was the point of destroying my office? I am so damın confused. However, one thing is clear to me now more than ever, it is time to distance myself from Mercy General. That is a link between Quinn and 1

that I can break.

“They were both paid to look the other way. Greedy b**ds.”

“Do you think Dionne would be s**d enough to hire someone to do this?”

“No, but I do think she has some other poor sap under her spell. It’s possible be’ll do this to get into her good graces. Quin walks up to me and pulls me up off the couch and into his arms. “If I knew you wouldn’t balk at the idea, I would hire a bodyguard for you.”

e you really think she is crazy enough to come after me physically?”

He pulls away from me and ponders my question for a few moments. “Honesty?”

I nod my head then start cleaning up our dinner since I am no longer hungry knowing someone was paid to let someone else destroy my office made

375

Chapter 79

me lose my appetite. This situation has rained the peace we achieved while on vacation.

“Yes, honestly. Do you think she is that unhinged?

“I don’t know. The woman I used to know abhorred violence. At least that is what she used to tell me. Now? This version of her? Maybe the real version 1 never knew. She could be. I hate that I brought her into your life, Annie.”

We both fall silent as we clean up dinner and put the leftovers in the refrigerator. Together we walk to our room in silence. Each of us is deep in our own thoughts.

1. I don’t say anything as I clean off the bed while he walks into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

When he comes back out, I go in to brush mine. He is leaning his back against the headboard wearing just his boxers when I climb into bed. We have had the same conversation repeatedly about how sorry he is to have brought his crazy ex-fiancé into my life. Each time I tell him the same thing.

“Quinn, I want to make this perfectly clear. Nothing, and I mean nothing she has done to us is your fault. You didn’t know she was like this, and you dn’t have known she would be this crazy. You are not responsible for her being in our lives. She is because she keeps inserting herself where she

isn’t wanted.”

I place my hand on his check to make him look at me.

“Please stop blaming yourself for something

ing that you know isn’t

‘t your fault. It is hers.”

“If I had never gotten involved with her, none of this would be happening.”

“Trup but the what ifs are something we can’t think of. We have the here and now to worry about. We will deal with whatever she throws at us like ye dealt with her crazy a**lawsuit. Together.”

my hand over

His eyes soften as he nods his head. I snuggle close to him then lay my head on his chest after he scoots down to lay flat. When I place my his heart, he sighs in what I believe is contentment.

“When we were teenagers, you used to lay on my chest just like this. I always thought it was cute and a little silly. Now, I replace it comforting and endearing. I want to fall asleep like this with you for the rest of our lives.”

“I missed this for so long. I agree with you. Falling asleep like this with you for the rest of our lives will be amazing.”

“Even when you are heavily pregnant with our next baby?”

1 trail my hand down his chest then tease the taut skin above his bowers, With a smile on my face, I slip my hand inside then grip his flaccid c**k in my hand. It doesn’t stay that way for long as I stroke him.

A squeal leaves my mouth as he flips us over so that he is on top of me. The rest of the night is spent full of passionate kisses, the silky glide of skin on skin, and blissful sighs of pleasure as we make love. I fall asleep with Quinn’s arms around me and my head over his heart.

The steady sound soothes me. It makes me feel complete like nothing else has since Grace was born. With her birth I had a piece of him with me in the Besh every day.

Images of what another baby of his will look like fill my dreams.