Lost the Handle (Nashville Assassins: Next Generation #8)

Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

Quinn

I pinch the bridge of my nose as I lean against Emery’s car. I should have gone home and traded out cars, but I didn’t want Emery questioning where I was going. I didn’t want her to know I was going to Ava’s family home for dinner. I didn’t want to see the disappointment in Emery’s eyes or hear it in her voice. I’ve done well to keep my distance, but I know she’s up to something.

Emery is always fucking plotting.

She’s too damn smart for her own good.

I drop my hands to my sides and exhale. I’m overwhelmed by thoughts of her ruining everything for me—and also what Ava’s parents asked at dinner—but I don’t have time for my own mental gymnastics. I’ve got to smooth things over with Ava. She’s pissed at me, and a pissed Ava is not a good time. “I didn’t mean to be so sharp at dinner. I haven’t been sleeping well, and work has been rough.”

Ava’s porcelain skin shines in the dark as she brings her brows in tight. Her hair falls straight and with no wave along her jaw. She wears a burgundy Chanel dress that stops at her knees with modest beige heels. She has no curves, very trim and thin. She has on her glasses today, black-rimmed lenses that make her look older than she really is. “Whatever, Quinn. As I said, once we’re married, we won’t have to deal with my family any longer.”

My stomach clenches. It’s not that I don’t like Mr. and Mrs. Mettison. They’re kind enough. Drunk a lot of the time, but okay people. However, there is this suffocating tension between them and their daughter, and I hate being in the middle of it. While my family isn’t perfect by any means, the love is always there. I don’t think the Mettisons know how to love each other. Or even their daughter. It’s sad, really, and it also gives me anxiety to think of my mom and dad seeing the kind of family I’m marrying into. They’re already unhappy with my choices, and I know once they spend time around the Mettisons, they’ll worry even more.

Unable to respond to her callous answer, I just say, “I’ll get with my parents and see when they have time for dinner. The Brookses are staying with them right now, so I don’t know.”

“Wait? The Brookses? Are those her parents?”

I gaze up at the heavens and pray that my grandpa and grandma send me some strength and grace. Ava has no reason to hate or even give two shits about Emery. This isn’t a love match. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with Ava. Or have kids with her. Or watch her smile. Or have her come apart on my cock as I drive into her.

No. All that is saved for the girl who has always been the one for me.

The one who pushed me away three years ago. But now, I’m doing the pushing.

And it’s honestly gutting me.

I swallow past the emotion in my throat and nod. “Yeah, they sold their house and are staying with my parents.”

She searches my eyes. “That’s interesting.”

“How so?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think my parents would open their home or not go to dinner with my future in-laws because of friends.”

I bring in my brows. “It’s more than friends. We’re a family.”

“It’s weird,” she says, waving me off as she leans into the Bugatti. I almost ask her to get her ass off it. I tell myself it’s because I’m worried about the paint job, but truly, the only ass I want on that car is Emery’s. “But whatever. Fine.” I only nod as she strokes her fingers along the black paint. “I didn’t know you bought a new car. Real nice.”

I don’t lie. I don’t have a reason to. “It’s Emery’s.”

Her brows furrow ever deeper. “Why do you have her car?”

“She came back from California.” More scowling comes from my fiancée. “She knows I love Bugattis and offered to let me drive it while she’s working.”

“When did you plan on telling me she was back?”

I shrug. “Didn’t know I needed to.”

“It would have been courteous of you.”

“She’s back, been back for four days now,” I answer, tucking my hands into my pockets. “She’s staying in Benson’s room since her parents sold her house.”

“Isn’t that convenient,” she muses. I look everywhere but at her, not feeling guilty but feeling used. Ava doesn’t care what I do as long as it doesn’t affect our upcoming wedding. “I don’t like the idea of her living with you.”

My face wrinkles up as a soulless laugh leaves my lips. I meet her gaze with an arched brow. “But it’s okay for Yvette to live with you.” It’s not a question; it’s an accusation.

“We were roommates before you and I got engaged.” I give her a knowing look, and she shrugs. “What? We were.”

“And Emery and I have history, just as you and Yvette do,” I point out, but she doesn’t like it one bit. I can see the annoyance swirling in her eyes, the way her lips press into a tight line, and how hard she’s shoved her shoulders back. It’s her “don’t fuck with me” stance, one I’m very familiar with and not scared of in the least. “It’s nothing. I hardly see her.”

She doesn’t believe me. Hell, I don’t even believe myself. “Yet she’s letting you drive her five-million-dollar car?”

“She knows I like fast cars,” I say simply, and Ava’s eyes gleam with anger.

“Do you have her on a tight leash?”

I guffaw. “There is no leashing Emery.”

But damn if that isn’t a sexy idea. Emery on all fours, collared by me and captive to all my desires. Knowing her, though, she’d bite my dick off if I suggested it. Or tried to collar her.

Though, she does like it when I collar her neck with my hand.

I press my lips together to hide my smirk as I look away, but I feel Ava’s eyes on me. “Does she know?” she asks, catching me off guard.

I shake my head. “No one knows on my side.”

“Keep it that way,” she demands, anger and disdain in her expression.

I hold her gaze, and something breaks inside me. “When did you stop liking me?”

Her eyes narrow. “What? I like you just fine.”

“No. Ever since we decided to do this, you’ve been really bitchy to me.”

“Because you’re dumb,” she throws at me, glaring. “This is supposed to be easy. We go through the motions, we do what needs to be done, yet you keep letting feelings get in the way.” She pushes off the car, crowding my space. “I respect you, Quinn. All I ask is the same in return. You don’t have to like my parents—hell, you don’t even have to like me—but please respect me. We’re almost there. Thirteen months and we’re done.”

Before, it didn’t seem that long, but now, as I stare down at her, it feels like an eternity.

My heart is pounding in my throat. “We don’t have to do it.”

Ava’s eyes narrow to slits. “Oh no, you don’t. You can’t back out now,” she sneers. “You wouldn’t have that residency if it weren’t for my family. You wouldn’t have graduated without me.” Her eyes dance with rage. “I can make it all go away like that.” She snaps her fingers.

“This is getting toxic, Ava?—”

“You’re used to it with that crazy bitch in your life,” she hurls at me, and heat burns through me.

“Don’t speak of her like that.”

She laughs like an evil fucking witch. “Listen to me, Quinn. You needed me, I helped you, and now, you will help me.”

I press my lips together. “If it’s about the money?—”

“It’s not,” she demands, her eyes wild, but I see the tears welling up. “It’s about getting out from under their thumbs, and I need you in order to do that.”

She glares at me, and I swallow hard, but I nod.

“Kick her out,” she demands, and I shake my head. “She’s going to ruin everything.”

“No.”

“What?”

“No, she won’t. And I’m not kicking her out unless you’re kicking Yvette out.”

Her body shakes with rage. “I have lived with her for years. You are trying to hold on to a love that isn’t worth it. She left you. Threw you away like trash. Why do you want her around you?” She steps toward me once more. “Don’t you realize she’s only back to get under your skin and make you fall helplessly in love with her before she’ll ruin you all over again? She’s toxic, she’s fucking crazy, and she’s not worth your time. Stop making dumb mistakes and keep your eyes on the prize.” I press my lips together as she steps around me. “Make sure you talk to your parents.”

I close my eyes. “You could ask at dinner Sunday.”

“Fucking hell, I forgot we were invited. Fine, I will.” I feel her stop beside me, and when I look down, she’s watching me. “Will Emery be there?”

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly, and I sure as shit don’t like the slow grin that moves across her lips.

“Maybe she and I will have a little chat.”

I shake my head. “It’s your funeral.”

Ava’s glare could cut glass. “Think I’m scared of your little girlfriend?”

I don’t even correct her. “It doesn’t matter if you’re scared or not. Emery will always take care of herself and those she loves.”

“Which you assume is you?” She lets out a chuckle. “If she loved you even a fraction of the amount you love her, she wouldn’t have left you.”

“I’ve told you many times,” I say through gritted teeth, “I don’t talk about Emery with you.”

I hate the victory in her eyes. “Fine. Do yourself a favor and rein her in, Quinn. I will ruin you if you ruin this.”

I watch as she walks away, getting into her car before I let my shoulders droop. Deep inside, I know I need to tell Emery what is going on. But I also know telling her will result in her doing whatever it takes to get me out of the situation I’m in.

Problem is, there is just no way out.