Almost asleep, he wasn’t sure if he heard Quinn whisper or if he dreamed it. “You deserve so much better than him, Cade. I wish you’d let me show you that.”
Then he was asleep and there were no nightmares. Just warmth and safety and protection. Because Quinn didn’t let him go.
Chapter 9
Quinn
Quinn woke up feeling as if he were being slowly crushed. He cracked open one eye to find Cade almost on top of him, still holding him tight. Quinn would bet Cade hadn’t let go of him all night. For a little guy, Cade was heavy. Quinn rolled them both onto their sides and took a deep breath, much to the relief of his lungs.
Last night had been hard work all around for them. Quinn hadn’t wanted to go to the club, and seeing Strada there had added to his misgivings. He was just grateful Strada hadn’t caused too much of a scene.
Quinn didn’t want to say, “I told you so,” to Cade, but maybe now Cade would listen to him. Strada wasn’t going to give up without a fight. At least now Strada had seen them together, and Quinn had made his claim. Would that make Strada escalate or would he back down? Quinn had a feeling Strada wasn’t the type to back the fuck off.
He raised his head to take a look at the clock and blinked. Eleven. He never slept that late, although it had been nearly five before they settled down to sleep. Cade’s whispered confessions still rattled around in his head. He’d never met a boy who needed so much nurturing. Would Quinn be strong enough to walk away at the end of two weeks?
Cade grumbled under his breath and pressed in closer. The boy liked his Quinn-blankie.
“Good morning,” Quinn murmured.
Cade smacked his mouth a couple of times and opened his eyes, staring straight into Quinn’s. “Hey.” His voice sounded rusty.
Quinn lay on the pillows, one large hand on Cade’s hip. “Did you sleep?”
“I did. No nightmares. I feel like shite though. What time is it?”
“Eleven. We slept through.”
Cade groaned. “I think I missed a meeting with my PR guys.”
“It’s okay,” Quinn said. “I’ll text Dominic. He can rearrange it for you.”
Dominic was going to be so pleased to act as Cade’s social secretary.
“Thanks.” Cade yawned. “Sorry. I feel like I could sleep for a million years.”
“You need to eat.”
“I don’t—”
“You need to eat,” Quinn repeated as he got out of bed.
Cade grumbled but he sat up, rolling his shoulders and scratching his belly. Quinn appreciated the sight of his broad shoulders and lean muscles. He wanted to lean forward and lick each freckle on his shoulders.
“You know I’m a grown up, yeah?” Cade pointed out. “I can make these decisions for myself.”
Quinn ignored him. “I’ll see you downstairs for brunch.”
He grinned at Cade’s scowl as he left the bedroom. Mogs followed Quinn, probably in the hope of a very late breakfast.
“So much for loyalty, kitty-kat,” Cade muttered.
Quinn’s grin turned into a broad smile. Then his stomach rumbled. He definitely needed food.
He went into the guest bedroom and shrugged on a hoody and sweats, before going downstairs. Mogs yelled at him impatiently until he filled her bowl, then she retreated to the corner with an aggrieved huff to eat her breakfast.
Coffee next. He knew that was going to be the first thing Cade would look for when he came downstairs.
As Quinn waited for the coffee to drip through, he received a phone call. He frowned as he saw the caller ID. Leo North. What did he want?
“Leo,” he said coldly.
“I know you’re pissed with me,” Leo said.
Quinn blinked. Okay, so starting on the offensive. “Yes.”
“Let me explain.”
“Okay.” Quinn wasn’t going to give an inch. He listened out for Cade coming downstairs but there was silence.
“I was shocked at your accusation,” Leo said.
“Shocked? Or annoyed?”
“Both,” Leo admitted honestly. “It’s hard to hear someone I thought a friend being called an abuser.”
Unseen by Leo, Quinn nodded. He could understand that. It didn’t excuse Leo though. “So why’re you calling me?”
“I did some digging. Cade isn’t the first.”
“No shit, Sherlock.”
“Do you want to be pissy or do you want to listen?”
“I’m listening,” Quinn growled.
Leo huffed. “I talked to some of his previous boys. They were reluctant to talk until I assured them it wouldn’t get back to Eric.”
“They were afraid of the repercussions.”
“Yes.”
“So how many has he abused?”
Another long sigh from Leo. “At least four that I know of.”
“What the hell?” Quinn exploded. “Four of your boys abused and no one does anything?”
“How could we do something when we didn’t know? As far as I knew they just dropped out of the scene. I had no idea he’d…”
“Raped them,” Quinn supplied.
“Yes.” Leo sounded as if he’d aged a million years.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ve told each boy if they want me to go to the cops with them, I’ll do that. None of them are keen on the publicity.”
Quinn grunted. Hardly surprising. “What else?”
“Eric is banned from any participation in the lifestyle here. No clubs will accept him. Everyone is gutted. The boys are coming in to talk to me tomorrow as a group. They were reluctant at first, until I told them they weren’t alone.”
“Have you mentioned Cade to anyone?”
“No. I said I’d been approached anonymously.”
“Good. You keep Cade’s name out of this, understand? If this gets out, Cade’s whole life implodes.”
“I get it, Ryder. This ain’t my first rodeo.”
Quinn grimaced. He knew Leo was doing his best to make up for yesterday, but his trust in the man had taken a serious knock.
“Has anyone contacted Eric?” he asked.
“No. Eric hasn’t been back here for months.”
“Okay, if we can keep it that way, I’d be grateful. He’s coming after Cade. I don’t want his attention diverted.”
“You want him to come after your boy?” Leo sounded shocked.
Quinn was about to say Cade wasn’t his boy when he remembered to the outside world Cade was very much his. “I need him to make his move. Then I’m going to gut him.”
Leo was quiet for so long Quinn wondered if they’d been disconnected. “I thought he was my friend.”
“And now?”
“I’ll never forgive him for hurting boys in his care.”
Quinn nodded again unseen. That was the reaction he’d expected yesterday. “You take care of those boys. If they need anything, you let me know.”
“We can take care of our own.” Leo sounded offended.
Except you didn’t. You left them hanging out to be abused.
But he didn’t push it, merely saying, “Just let me know, yeah?”