Indefinite (Salvation #6)(54)

“It wasn’t respectful,” I say under my breath. Quinn’s hand squeezes, letting me know he heard me.

Quinn starts again. “I understand if you’re angry, and I—”

Daddy’s hand flies up, and I wait for him to backhand Quinn. That would be fine too.

“You two are back together, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And you’re having a baby together?” Dad asks again.

I answer. “We are.”

He looks to my mother and then to us. “Okay then.”

Okay then? “Okay . . .”

“Okay you’re going to have a baby, and at some point, you’re going to get married.”

“Not any time soon,” I clarify.

“Oh, it will be soon, my darling daughter. You have a few months to get your heads on straight before this baby comes.”

I close my eyes and will myself to stay calm. “Daddy, when and if Quinn and I get married—”

“When,” Quinn cuts in.

“If,” I say for emphasis. “It will be on our terms. Right now, we’re finding our legs in this entire relationship thing, so slow your roll on the marriage.”

Mom is still clutching her chest. “But you’re having a baby?”

I nod. “Yes.”

Her smile widens, and her eyes fill with tears. “My baby is having a baby.”

“Out of wedlock.” I want to drive that home, but she doesn’t seem to care.

She gets to her feet and comes around the table. “You’ll have to go to confession about it because, right now, I’m just so happy.”

Who knew my mother would like babies more than weddings?





27


Quinn





“Is Ashton with Natalie and Gretchen?” Mark asks, throwing his feet up on his desk.

“Yeah, she took a few days off so she could tell her friends about the baby.”

He shakes his head. “Kids. I hope you’re ready.”

Liam said the same thing, and I’m starting to wonder what the hell we’re in for, but it’ll be fine because Ashton and I will figure it out.

The big hurdle of telling her parents is out of the way. They took it great, and I’m glad. I love her family. In the last few years, they’ve been better to me than my own. I called my mother last night and let her know on her voice mail. God only knows where she’s living or if that is even her number anymore.

Our relationship is unsalvageable. She only calls me when she needs money. I never answer, and around and around we go.

I was more worried about telling my friends than her. Liam laughed, got me a beer, clapped me on the back, and told me to “be ready.” Now, I’m getting the same sentiment from Mark, who is officially my boss.

God help me.

“I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”

“Let me give you some advice: let Ashton make all the choices. It’s so much easier. Oh, did you guys decide on a wedding? I know a great minister.”

“That was a mistake I witnessed firsthand, and I won’t be making the same one,” I say, cutting off that line of thinking.

Mark may be ordained, but he’s not officiating my wedding. I’m happy to let Liam and Natalie be the only ones to know that joy.

“Suit yourself. Did you review the packet I emailed?”

I nod. “You’ll want me here fifty percent of the time.”

“At least. We haven’t been doing a ton of protective details lately. We started to pull back after we realized that’s where a lot of the issues were stemming from.”

I lean back. “Yeah, you guys have had your share of bad luck.”

“Thank God we’ve managed to avoid anything serious.”

“Right. Still, have you gotten any closer to finding out where the leak and issues are coming from?”

Cole Security has had its share of bad luck. There is a breach that continues to cause issues. They thought they had it figured out when they found out who kidnapped Mark. Turns out, they weren’t home free. As of late, they’ve had other things happening and hired Gretchen to come on and look over some of the legalities.

I’m now here to make sure there aren’t any holes in the mission security, which was what Aaron was supposed to be doing.

Mark shakes his head. “We have our suspicions. Gretchen uncovered an issue with our legal team, but that guy was terminated and hasn’t been seen since.”

I feel for them. Mark and Jackson started this company as a way to handle their departure from the navy. Since then, they’ve hired other SEALs who the navy has discharged for mostly ridiculous reasons. To have to watch them constantly deal with that betrayal really sucks.

“What about Aaron?” I ask.

“What about him?”

“Where is he?”

For the last six months, he’s been on an assignment for Cole Securities that no one talks about. Liam, Mark, Jackson, and Natalie are tight-lipped, even to me. When I asked Liam the other day, he said it was under control.

“He’s fine,” Mark says with a finality I know all too well. Mark and I held the same position when we were active. I’ve used that voice many times.

“Roger that.”