Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(99)

“I don’t like seeing you behind bars, Quinn.” George shook his head sadly. “Not after all you two have been through.”

“It’s okay,” Santi said.

“Until I feel like I’m truly in control of my power, I’ll feel better behind bars,” Quinn insisted.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been able to use my power without permission. I just don’t think either of us trusts ourselves yet,” Santi added.

“Well, don’t tell Seamas I’m the one who locked you up,” George said. “My husband would have my hide and I’d like to have a peaceful night when all of this is over. You are free to go whenever you like. All you have to do is ask and we’ll let you right out.” He closed the gate to their shared cell with a clang.

George had just secured Livia in a highly magnetized cell, ending her control over them and anyone else as soon as she stepped inside. But Santi and Quinn still didn’t feel fully in possession of their power and suspected they needed to wait it out for her residual influence to fade completely.

“What can you two tell me about a young Immortal man traveling with a little girl?” George asked, glancing down at his phone. “Our sentries found them at the docks and they’re asking for you.”

“James and Lennox!” Santi cried. “Please bring them here. They’re our friends.”

“The girl suffered an early Awakening,” Quinn said. “She’s an amazing kid, but she grew up in Soma and never had a family.”

“She has one now.” George smiled. “At least as far as Seamas is concerned. He’s the one who found them. I can’t believe it, but my husband is now a father. He bonded with her the moment he laid eyes on her tonight. I’m not sure she’s reciprocated yet, but it’s been an eventful night.”

“Thank God. That’s just what she needs!” Santi smiled. “Thank you so much.”

“I’m anxious to meet her,” George said. “For years we’ve been talking about adopting, but it was never a good time. I just can’t imagine what she’s been through. What all of you have been through.”

“She’ll have what she needs now,” Quinn said. “Seamas will know better than anyone how to help her recover.”

“What about James?” Santi asked.

“He’s not really a kid, but he could definitely use some parenting,” Quinn said. “Or some brothers to beat some sense into him.”

“He will have a home here,” George said. “He can stay with Scott and Darius in the loft for the time being.”

“And my family?” Santi asked.

“We need to get Santi’s family out of Atlanta as soon as possible,” Quinn said. “I know that’s asking a lot, but I promised. I—”

“Don’t worry, son. We’ll take care of it,” George said. “You two just get some rest, and don’t worry about a thing. Now I’m going to go meet my potential new daughter, but I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.”

Quinn paced the cell after George left, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that something was missing.

“How are you … yourself?” Santi finally asked. She bit her lip nervously.

“Sasha. I think. Something about seeing her again snapped me out of it.” He stopped beside the cot where Santi sat.

“I’m glad.” She hesitantly grabbed his hand. “We’re free.” Her smile was just as hesitant.

“Funny thought considering we’re in a prison cell.” He crouched in front of her, taking both her hands in his. “What happened after she broke me? How did the Coalition become involved?”

“That was something we hadn’t counted on. I’m so sorry, Quinn.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I wouldn’t have taken such a risk with your family if I’d known she was going to come against them with such a force.” She shook her head. “I’m so sorry about your grandmother and Ju Long and Lu Li. Our freedom wasn’t worth the cost of their lives.”

“Shhh, Mina, it’s not your fault.” He moved to sit beside her on the cot.

“It was my plan.” She leaned into him.

“No one could have anticipated that would happen. We knew we were taking a risk.” If it was anyone’s fault, it was Quinn’s. He didn’t want her blaming herself for things that were out of her control.

“I think Livia was afraid of you,” Santi whispered. “She couldn’t seem to control you or predict what you would do. She called in her team and a legion of the Coalition just to be sure she would have the numbers on her side. After she forced James to tell her what he knew of Allie’s whereabouts from his prophecies, she was like a woman possessed.”

“Was I that awful?” He wasn’t sure if he even wanted to know what his madness had done.

“It wasn’t you, Quinn. Your madness was a little more than we expected.” She shivered.

“Did I—Did I hurt you?” He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close to his side.

“No. But it wasn’t like I thought. You were so insane. Nothing like the person you are in here.” She tapped his chest with her fingertips.

“I’ve conquered him before. I can do it again, but he’ll always be there, lurking inside of me.”