Page 80 of The Commander

“Quinn!” Josh yells.

“I have him,” Quinn says, the emotion rich in her voice still. “We’re in the yard next door. He’s alive.”

“We’re ten seconds away. Stay where you are.” Josh ends the call, and as expected, it doesn’t take long before we hear the roar of the engine.

All hell breaks loose, and I tuck us further back into the bush, sticks digging into us, but all I care about is that she is alive and in my arms as I tug her to my chest.

“I thought they’d shot you.” I search in her eyes.

“I thought they were going to kill you.” Quinn plants a hand on my cheek.

“How did you get here?” I frown.

“I leaped onto the tailgate.”

“Jesus, woman.” I shake my head. “Do not do that again.”

“Well, don’t get yourself captured by a gang again.” She frowns, and my grin is so wide it’s painful.

She loves me.

As I’m smiling, tears fill her eyes. “Noah, I need to tell you.”

“Not now, Quinn.” I shake my head. “Just kiss me.”

With live fire going off around us, sirens filling the air and the smell of gunfire in the air, I take her mouth and kiss her like it could be our last chance.

Her arms wrap around my neck, and finally, finally, I feel every last ounce of resistance melt away. Except I know this woman. She will get back into her head and start thinking.

My tongue devours her mouth, taking all that she will give me as my thighs burn from the position I’m holding us in.

It’s then I realize I need to hear her say it. I need her words. Because if I let her go and she starts freaking out, I could lose her.

I straighten and cup her face. “Tell me.”

Catching her breath, her eyes roam my face in question, and I see flickers of familiar doubt.

“Say it, Quinn.”

“I thought you were going to die.”

“You said that. Tell me. Tell me how you feel.”

She swallows.

As I start to look away, my heart sinking, she reaches for me.

“I love you. I love you, Noah.” A tear falls down her cheek. “I’ve loved you for so long, it’s killing me.”

My heart swells to an inhuman size inside my chest, and the desire to pull her out of the bush and carry her down the street and away into the sunset is almost overwhelming.

I need her safe.

I need her in my arms and in my home to keep forever.

“Quinn.” I lift her hand and kiss her knuckles. “I fucking love you. Did you need to wait until we are being shot at to work it out, though?”

Her eyes glisten, but the smile that hits her lips is small.