Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(87)

“That’s more like it.” Livia smiled as he stood up. But she looked hesitant, as if she saw something in him that frightened her.

You did it, Liv. I’m a broken mess in here and a madman is in charge now. I hope you’re ready to bring this bastard to heel.

“Do you know how long we’ve been dying to get out and stretch our legs?” Crazy-Quinn laughed, cracking his neck and shaking his hands. “Man, it feels good to be in control.” He paced like a predator, eager to pounce on anything that moved.

“But you’re not,” Livia said.

“Semantics.” Quinn shrugged.

“You’re a little bit crazy, aren’t you.” She took a step back.

“Lady, we’re insane!” He crossed the room and bent over Lennox. Her eyes glazed over, unblinking, as her tormentor examined the results of his power like a proud student. “Let’s make her squeal some more.” He reached for Lennox again.

Don’t you dare touch her. Quinn itched to wrap his hands around the psychopath’s neck, but he was locked inside the insanity of his own mind.

It’s okay … it’s okay … it’s okay, Lennox murmured.

“Don’t touch her.” Livia grabbed his arm. “You do nothing without my permission.”

“Buzzkill.” Crazy-Quinn stood to his full height and wrenched his arm away from Livia, knocking her to the floor.

Livia seemed to get a clear picture of what she was dealing with now. She scrambled back to her feet, her eyes blazing with silvery fire. “Kneel.” She pointed at the gym floor, pushing crazy-Q back into his place. Reminding him who was in control. He resisted, but in the end, Livia won the battle of wills, exerting the dominance of her gift to bring him to his knees.

“You know the kid’s a telepath?” Quinn cackled like a maniac, still staring at Lennox like he wanted to devour her. “Kinda useless if you ask me. She only gets part of the conversation. Let us have another taste.”

“Enough.” Livia pulled a chair into the center of the room. “We have a few things to discuss. Questions you will answer.” She sat down, keeping Quinn on his knees before her.

“I’m an open book, Liv, baby. Ask away. You’re kinda hot when you go all dominatrix on us.”

Don’t be a douche, you idiot. But crazy-Quinn wasn’t listening. Quinn wasn’t even sure his alter ego could hear him anymore.

Oh, we’re just ignoring you the same way you’ve ignored us for years.

Fine by me, but you know what we need to do to get out of this place, right?

We’re up to speed.

And?

And we won’t dish on the plan. But we’re in control and once we’re out of here, we make the decisions. Deal?

Deal.

“Let’s be clear, crazy-Q,” Livia said. “I’m in charge. You will answer my questions. Pull any bullshit and we go for round two. And you don’t want me to break you twice.”

“What you wanna know?” Quinn eased back on the floor, leaning on his elbow like he was having the time of his life.

“Tell me about your family first. Then we’ll see if I believe you.”

No. Quinn’s heart clenched in fear.

Quinn, let it happen, Lennox said. This is what we want.

She was right. This was their plan. His only job was over now.

I believe in you, Quinn, Lennox whispered.

“Mom used to be a pirate and tops the Margrave’s most-wanted list,” crazy-Quinn blurted. “Dad’s a wreck and kinda useless since he was in a Coalition prison for most of his life till Mom broke him out. Little brother’s a pain in the ass, but he’s a talented techie. You know that. He’s practically the poster child for what Soma wants in their young Immortals.”

“What exactly does Graham do?” Livia leaned in close, eager for the answer.

“He talks to machines or some shit like that. Put a computer in front of him and he could take over this place in an hour.”

This was all going exactly as planned, but Quinn didn’t have a shred of control over what came out of his mouth. All his family’s secrets would lay at Livia’s feet the instant she asked.

“And Allie. Tell me about her?”

“She’s like a homeless stray some friends took in last year. Didn’t even know what she was till her Awakening hit her. She’s an unknown.”

“What is so significant about her?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He cackled at his own joke. “We weren’t paying attention. She was into the other dude. She’s crazy powerful but hasn’t got the sense God gave dirt.”

“I want to collect her. And you’re going to lead me to her.”

“What’s in it for us?”

“Absolutely nothing,” Livia said. “But you’ll do it anyway. Tell me where I can find her.”

“Kelleys Island, Ohio. But you can’t step foot on the island without an engraved invitation from the Great Lakes Governor. It’s protected. Even Allie doesn’t realize how protected she is.”

“So I’ll grab her from school.”

“Can’t do it, Liv, babe. From the moment you took off with our buddy, Quinn, the other kids have been under constant supervision. You can’t touch her. Not without our help.” He gave her a manic grin that would have scared most people.