Seduction and Surrender (The Billionaire's Temptation Series) (17 page)

“I won’t. I promise. But it’s late and I just want to check on the Old Port and then crawl back into bed with you. It’s my last day off and I want to make the most of it.” She ran her fingers through his hair, as he turned them away from the coastline and towards the center of town. “Crap. It totally escaped me that you probably don’t have tomorrow off. Sorry…I can head home when you take off in the morning.”

“I took the day off since I didn’t have any meetings of importance, but even if I did have to go into work, my place is now your home. Remember? We’re living together, darling.” He twined her fingers with hers and brought her hand to his lips, loving the fact that they were now living together. “We should move your stuff in later today. Once you have your things with you, it’ll feel more like home.”

“You do realize that your house is nothing like any of the places I’ve ever lived in, right?”

“Don’t worry, kitten. By the time I’m done fucking you in every room and on every surface, it’ll feel just like home.” His mind was already there—when sirens and bright flashing lights distracted him.

A horrible sinking feeling overcame Quinn, his worst fears coming true as they pulled down the road where her restaurant was located. Flames could be seen pushing against the black of night as firefighters ran towards the building—his building and her restaurant—to put out the fire.

And above it all, were Emma’s heartwrenching cries as all her dreams and hard work went up in an inferno.

Chapter Fifteen

Already out of the car, Emma tried to break free of Quinn’s grasp as he held her to him, her heart shattered by the loss and devastation. Everything she was, all her hopes and dreams, were tied to the Old Port, and it was all going up in flames. Tears streamed down her face as she stopped her struggles, and instead, resorted to sobbing in Quinn’s arms.

“We’ll rebuild it, Emma. I promise. And whoever did this to you will fucking pay. I swear, love, I won’t rest until then.” His entire body reverberated with anger as he held onto her.

“Your building—and your project. I’m so sorry, Quinn.” It was a huge loss for both of them, and yet somehow, knowing she wasn’t alone in all this helped.

“If Capaldi is behind this, then I’m going to fucking murder the bastard.” He huffed out one ragged breath after another, nestling her against his shoulder as she wept. “What’s most important is that we’re both safe and there shouldn’t have been anyone in the building, given the late hour. We still have each other, love, and that means we can get through anything.”

She nodded, hoping he was right, squeezing her eyes shut against flashing lights. Smoke and steam filled the air as the firefighters pushed back the flames, and ash drifted down like the first snow of winter. The police and fire department had questions for her, and somehow, with Quinn’s help, she managed to get through them all—no, they hadn’t been open for service that day and no, there hadn’t been anyone at the restaurant; yes, everything was up to code and she had a sprinkler system in place; yes, she did know of someone who’d wish her ill.

By the time they wrapped things up, the sky was shifting towards dawn. Quinn pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head, though she felt completely numb, as if she were floating outside her body.

“Will they let us go in to see how bad the damage is?” Not knowing the extent of the damage to her restaurant was killing her. She’d seen the flames at the front of the dining room, but was hoping it’d somehow stayed contained, that she’d manage to salvage something…anything.

When she looked up at him in question, he cupped her cheek, his brows drawn over darkened eyes. “I’m sorry, love, but no. They’re still investigating and it may not be safe. But eventually, they’ll give us the okay—and no matter what we encounter, we’ll deal with it. We’ll get it all back, better than new. You have my word. Let’s go home, love. It’s been a long night.”

With a final glance at the burnt-out shell that once housed her dreams, Quinn drove them home.

***

Emma had barely managed a few hours of sleep when Jake showed up at Quinn’s home after hearing about the fire on the local news and calling her cell. The moment Quinn opened the door, Jake crossed to her side and pulled her into a tight hug, holding her to him as the dogs circled, sniffing curiously and wagging their tails. “Em…I was so worried about you.”

The familiar feel of him and the emotion in his voice set off her waterworks again, even though she didn’t think she had a single tear left in her. Somehow she found the strength to pull away and dry her eyes. “We don’t know how bad the damage is yet.”

Quinn stepped to her side, possessiveness in the gesture. “There were sprinklers in the building, but with the fire still raging, I’m starting to wonder if some sort of accelerant had been used. Emma mentioned there’ve been other incidents.”

Jake gave the dogs a scratch, and then stuffed his hands in his jean pockets, his gaze shifting from her to Quinn. “Yeah. But small things. Nothing like this.”

“Jake…I don’t know how long it’ll take to get back up and running. If you have to go elsewhere for work, I’ll understand.” She couldn’t swallow down the lump that lodged itself in her throat. After so many years of working together, the thought of cooking without him at her side was inconceivable to her, and yet she couldn’t expect him to stick around.

“Don’t go worrying about me, Em. I’ll manage just fine, okay? Besides, I can’t imagine cooking anywhere else. And if you need anything…I can help.” He started to shift towards her like he wanted to pull her into his arms, but with Quinn at her side, he hesitated.

Quinn tangled his fingers with hers, though it was Jake he was addressing when he spoke. “Finn Scott will be re-opening his own place soon. If you’d like, I can see about getting you a job there until the Old Port is back up and running.”

“Yeah, maybe. Just to keep me busy. I appreciate it.” Emma could tell that Jake hadn’t been expecting Quinn to help. And yet the way his gaze shifted from her to Quinn, it was clear he still didn’t like the thought of her dating Quinn. “I’m going to get going. Keep me updated, Em. And if you need anything at all, call.”

“I’ll see you out.” She gave Quinn’s hand a squeeze and then let it go, heading out the door behind Jake, with Thor tagging along as they stepped out into a bright sunny day.

“Who’s this guy?” Jake leaned against his car and gave her dog a good scratch behind the ears.

“Thor. He’s mine, actually. We volunteered at the shelter yesterday and he decided to come home with me.” Thor leaned against Jake’s leg to have his back scratched. “He likes you.”

“Glad to hear it, since he could probably make a meal of me. He’s practically the size of your apartment though, Em.”

She wanted to groan, though there was no point in avoiding the inevitable. “They’re renovating my apartment building, so I’ve moved in with Quinn for now.” Or longer…

“
Em!
” He shook his head and scowled. “Damn it… What the hell is it with you and this guy?”

“He’s a hell of a lot nicer than you give him credit for. And yeah, things are moving fast between us, but he makes me happy.” Jake was her best friend, and she needed him to like Quinn or she’d constantly feel torn between the two of them.

He pulled her into his arms and held her in a long hug, before letting out a big huff of breath that held a note of finality. “Then I suppose that’s all that matters, though you know I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

“I know.”

She saw Jake off with a wave, when an SUV pulled down the driveway. Gabe. She tried not to groan, but she had no desire to be around him after he’d stormed off yesterday at the shelter, making it all too clear what he thought of her. Thor let out a low rumble but Emma quickly shushed him.

“Hey, Emma.” Gabe stopped in front of her, looking almost apologetic. “I’m really sorry to hear about the fire—and I’m sorry for being an asshole yesterday. It’s just that we’re a tight-knit family, and the women Quinn normally dates…” He let out a shrug and a sigh.

“Well, I’m nothing like them. I don’t want Quinn’s money, nor his help for that matter, though I’ll be damned if I can get him to listen to me.” Emma appreciated that Gabe was trying to make amends, though she had to wonder if it was because Quinn had said something to him. She was quickly realizing just how protective Quinn was of her, and she knew he hadn’t been too happy with the way Gabe had treated her, even if she hadn’t told him what had happened. “I do appreciate the apology. I love your brother, and family’s important.”

It felt odd to make that sort of declaration out loud, and to Quinn’s brother no less. But it also felt right. She loved Quinn. Without a doubt.

“Now all I have to do is get this dog to forgive me.” He gave her a charming smile that reminded her of Quinn, as he put out his hand to give Thor a chance to sniff him. “I can’t believe Quinn adopted him.”

“Actually, he’s mine.” She ran a hand over her pup’s big head and tried to set him at ease. “It’s okay, Thor. Go on.” Her encouragement was all it took for Thor to forgive Gabe.

They found Quinn in the kitchen, brewing a pot of coffee. It was a good start, but they’d yet to have breakfast after the morning’s commotion, and coffee alone wasn’t going to cut it.

“Why don’t I cook us some breakfast? Gabe, have you eaten?” Emma let Quinn pull her close and kiss her temple, making her want to linger in his arms, his touch comforting after such a devastating night.

Gabe leaned against the counter, shifting the leather messenger bag on his shoulder. “Actually, I haven’t. But…do you mind if I steal Quinn for a minute? I know you guys have been through a lot, but I’ve got some work stuff I have to go over with him, and I’m afraid it can’t wait.”

She didn’t quite understand the look Gabe gave Quinn, but she let it go, too exhausted and mentally drained. “He’s all yours.”

Emma focused on her cooking to keep her mind from straying to her restaurant. And yet it was hard not to think of it.

Quinn’s fridge was nearly as large as the one she had at her restaurant, and though it was stocked with more than enough junk food and beer, there was also plenty of fresh and healthy food for her to work with. Asparagus, farm fresh local eggs, goat cheese, bacon, chives. Perfect for an omelet.

She started her prep, though she didn’t start cooking, not wanting the food to get cold if the boys were going to be awhile. Luckily, it didn’t take them too much longer to wrap up whatever it was they were discussing. And yet, their mood, already somber due to the fire, had shifted to something even worse.

Something was wrong. She just didn’t know what that something was.

Quickly cooking up their meal, she got everyone fed, and though they seemed to enjoy the food and declared it to be delicious, little else was said.

Emma cleaned up as Quinn saw Gabe off. Yet once Quinn returned and wrapped his arms around her waist, she couldn’t help but ask. “What’s wrong, Quinn?”

“Just some complications with a project. Nothing you need to worry yourself about, sweetheart. These things always sort themselves out.” He cupped her face and kissed her. “About your restaurant—I’m happy to help you rebuild, since the insurance money might get tied up in red tape if it turns out to be arson.”

“I hate having to ask you to loan me any money, Quinn, but…crap. I might have to. Rebuilding is going to take long enough as is, without having to wait for the insurance money to come in.” She got the sinking feeling this was all going to be a nightmare to deal with. And what if they decided not to pay up? Did her policy even include arson?

“What if we moved the restaurant to a new location just around the block? I have another property that could easily be turned into a restaurant. We could have it up and running in no time at all, and your customer base would be the same since the location wouldn’t really change much.” His worried eyes searched her face before kissing her, though she was too distracted to enjoy herself.

“Quinn…I appreciate the offer. It’s way too generous, but I can’t. You’re already doing far too much.”

Chapter Sixteen

Quinn didn’t know what the hell he was going to do. Gabe had
not
brought him good news. Despite the fire and Gabe’s attempts to get a new set of plans passed—plans that would keep Emma’s restaurant in its current location—his investors were refusing to approve the change now that the original plans had been put through.

It was why he hated working with investors—especially powerful ones. At the time, it’d seemed like a good strategy for building allies. Now? It might end up ruining the one relationship that truly mattered.

Though Emma was putting on a brave face, Quinn knew she was barely holding it together, and it was absolutely killing him, especially when he had to leave her and go to work. It’d been a few days since the fire, and she looked lost—lost and heartbroken. It didn’t help that they’d yet to hear back from the arson investigator or the insurance company, which were both still compiling their reports.

Quinn looked over the plans for Rush Street again, trying to figure out a way around his problem when Gabe walked into his office and dropped himself in a chair, undoing the buttons of his suit and loosening his tie. “I’m telling you, Quinn, the only hope you have of keeping the Old Port in its current location is to find a way to get Sullivan to agree to your new set of plans. He’s the one with the most to lose since he’d planned on putting his nightclub in that spot. The other investors don’t care much, as long as it doesn’t increase the cost or cause more delays.”

Quinn knew Gabe was right. But Sullivan was a stubborn bastard and would dig his feet in just to be a pain in the ass. “I’ve got an appointment scheduled with him later this afternoon. We’ve got that property by the waterfront that’s a far more valuable location, so I’m hoping I can convince him to shift his club to that location since he’d be getting a better deal.”

“It’s only a few blocks away, so he might go for it, though damn, Quinn. That’s a huge loss, seeing that the property is waterfront and worth twice the money. And for what?” Gabe shook his head, his gaze far too judgmental.