But if that was so, why couldn’t she just tell him what the problem had been?
Don’t get off track right now, he reminded himself. “Daegan and I appreciate you doing this, Reese. We’ll have to teleport to Ireland to help him.”
“Wow, can I go?” Phoedra asked, now excited at the idea of an overseas adventure.
“Unfortunately not, but I’d like for you to take another trip,” Quinn said quickly, hoping to avoid teen drama.
“Where?” Phoedra’s happiness fled, but she hadn’t pitched a fit. Yet.
“I would love for you to visit Treoir realm again. Lanna is already there. She’d really enjoy the company.”
That created turmoil for Phoedra, based on the confusion on her face.
Reese started to reach for Phoedra then glanced at Quinn. He hadn’t said a word or made any expression, but she seemed to realize she should let Phoedra work through this with him.
She pulled her hand back and waited.
Quinn’s lips turned up. He mouthed the words, “Thank you.”
Her eyes widened with surprise.
Maybe if she’d stop fighting him he’d have a chance to show her he could meet her halfway, more than halfway. He held hope they could finally talk and resolve this friction between them.
A longing for Reese hit him that he couldn’t put into words. He woke up at night missing her and wishing to see her beside him, smiling.
“Sure.” Phoedra started nodding to herself while looking down as she made a decision. Then she glanced over to where that big hairy mutt slept on the sofa. “Gibbons can go with me, too, right?”
Quinn said, “I am certain that would be acceptable if Reese approves.”
“Yes, of course,” Reese interjected quickly. “I’ll be more relaxed knowing he’s with you.”
“Great. How soon am I leaving?” Phoedra asked, now back to being happy.
“As soon as you are packed. We have to wait for you to teleport before we leave to meet Daegan,” Quinn explained.
“Two minutes.” Phoedra ran out of the room.
Reese muttered, “More like ten.”
To Quinn’s great relief, his daughter sounded enthusiastic. He and Reese had not stood alone in the same space for a long time. He hurried to keep the bridge in place that had started between them.
“I really appreciate you doing this, Reese. It means a lot to all of us.”
“Sure, Quinn. Who is Daegan looking for?” Her nervous gaze bounced around, never pausing on him.
He kept his voice down as he explained about Daegan and Tristan traveling to Ireland in search of the grimoire volumes. “Tristan has gone missing. That’s what Daegan needs your help for.”
“Oh, hell.” She finally lifted her gaze to his and nodded with determination. “I’m in. Take me to Daegan. I’ll do anything I can to find Tristan. I’ll do whatever I can to help stop Imortiks, too.”
Did he make her anxious? Maybe this was his chance. “Reese, I’m sorry if I’ve been difficult.”
She held up a hand. “You’re fine. I’m sorry I didn’t take your call. Phoedra might have needed to know if you had been hurt. I won’t avoid answering again. I promise.”
Oddly, he didn’t feel the usual anger that reply would bring on. Instead, remorse filled the hollow place in his chest. He’d failed yet again to fix whatever had broken between them after sharing one incredible moment in time.
While hunting for his kidnapped daughter, they landed in the infamous InchKeith’s realm where Quinn had been desperate to make a deal for the kidnapper’s identity. The realm had a hidden entrance in a New Orleans French Quarter hotel. The InchKieth had tossed him and Reese separately into a living video game environment where they’d been forced to battle their way individually to the end of a challenge.
No one escaped the InchKeith without entertaining him.
Quinn had waited in a cabin inside the game, pleading with the gods for Reese to survive a gauntlet he’d barely finished alive.
When she finally showed up, relief had shaken him to his core.
They crashed into each other’s arms, exhausted and so glad to have both survived. The InchKeith owed them a name, which would put them back on Phoedra’s trail.
A message arrived immediately informing Quinn the InchKeith would send for them, but not before two hours.
Quinn’s self-imposed resistance to Reese fell faster than a house of cards.
That moment of intimacy seemed so long ago, but it had only been a few weeks back.
Every minute since had dragged by for Quinn with missing Reese and Phoedra. They would never have normal lives like humans, but ... he’d once thought whatever form their lives took that they’d spend it together.
He would prefer to keep Reese somewhere safe from demons and any other threat, but he had no say in Reese’s decisions about putting herself at risk.
That didn’t mean he couldn’t be at her side to keep her safe.
She finally looked at him with guilty eyes. “Give me a minute and I’ll be ready to go. Do I need to pack clothes?”
Keeping his tone gentle in hopes to put her at ease, he said, “I don’t expect this to take more than a few hours, but pack some anyhow just in case.”
She started to leave then turned back to him. “I’m glad you sent Phoedra to Treoir so we don’t have to worry about her.”
“We?” Quinn had no chance to hide the longing in his voice.
She almost replied, then shook it off and disappeared down the hall.
Bloody hell. He had to save Tristan and help Daegan lock down these Imortiks, but as soon as that was done he would tackle the only other goal that mattered.
A future with Reese and Phoedra.
He wanted a family and he had one waiting. All he had to do was convince them to let him earn his place with them.
While Reese was gone, Phoedra returned, eyes bright with excitement. She had a backpack strapped on and reached for a leash she clipped to the mongrel. “Up, boy. Let’s go.”
Gibbons stepped off the sofa, tail wagging.
Excitement poured off his daughter. “We’re ready to
