Free Under the Gun (CEP Book 3) by Harper Bentley Page B

hard.
    “That little asshole,” Daphne spit angrily. “Not as if you had enough to deal as it was.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Does this genuinely scare you? You think you should contact the police?”
    Quinn shook her head. “No, no. I think he just wanted to wield whatever power he thinks he has, over me, you know? I know they’re all grieving. He was just acting out.”
    Looking at her coworker, Quinn saw that Daphne understood, meaning, she understood things could go either way. The kid could’ve just been blowing off steam or he very well could’ve meant what he said. Only time would tell which.
    “Keep me informed, okay? Remember, I’m off the rest of the week for Todd’s surgery,” Daphne said as she straightened the collar on her trench coat.
    “Will do. Yes, I remember and I’m very jealous. You guys doing anything tonight?”
    “Emmalynn has a piano recital at six then Drake has a Karate promotion at seven.”
    “Well, good luck with getting to both places at once!” Quinn remarked laughing.
    Daphne rolled her eyes. “It’s been this way for three years now. We’ll both go to the recital then Todd will leave a bit early to get to Karate and Em and I will follow when she’s done. Afterward, we’ll grab a bite to eat at some shitty pizza place the kids like then we’ll drop them off at my mom and dad’s so I can take Todd in for the vasectomy tomorrow.”
    “Is he scared?”
    “He keeps saying he’s afraid his penis is too big and will get in the way,” Daphne said with a snort.
    “Oh, gosh. Typical man,” Quinn said laughing.
    “Tell me about it.” Daphne rolled her eyes as she chuckled. “Okay, I’m out. You need me, I’m around.”
    “Thanks. And back atcha. Tell Todd good luck! And that I hope his dick’s still attached when he wakes up.”
    “Yes, Dr. McDonnell, I’ll be sure to do that.” Daphne rolled her eyes then laughed. After giving Quinn a quick hug she was gone.
    Quinn stayed another hour entering the notes from her last session, then she pulled up the encryption app and had just sat back in her chair to stretch when her cell rang.
    Rod. Great.
    “Hey,” she answered.
    “Hey. You still at the office?”
    “Yeah.”
    “How’d it go with the parents?” he asked.
    Although patients’ cases were confidential, she’d shared this one with Rod when she’d been upset after a particularly brutal session with Ben. She’d asked Rod’s advice on how to proceed because she hadn’t been sure at the time. She knew she’d probably crossed a line ethically, even though she’d mentioned no names, but he’d helped her break through a bit the next session and it had been worth it.
    “As well as can be expected, I guess.”
    “Did the punk stepbrother show up?” Rod queried.
    “Boy, did he. Threatened me and everything.”
    “Hm.” He did his signature pause that was beginning to wear on her before asking, “So can I take you to dinner?”
    “It’s after nine, Rod. I’m tired. Maybe tomorrow?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to continue seeing him any longer and maybe by the next evening, she’d know how to tell him.
    “Tonight.”
    She sighed. He always tried pulling this dominant crap on her. And where it’d been hot with Gunner, with Rod it just fell flat. “I can’t. I’m tired.”
    “Goddamn it, I said tonight, Quinn.”
    Her temper flared and she’d had it. “No, Rod. I don’t want to go to dinner. Matter of fact, I don’t want to see you anymore. It’s over.”
    “What?” He laughed. “ You’re telling me it’s over? That’s some pretty funny shit right there. Let me see. You fucked another man at the party and I’m still talking to you.” He chuckled. “All right, look, Quinn. I’m being the nice guy here, inviting you to dinner. If you promise not to screw up again, I’ll forgive you. Otherwise, we’ll have to find another way for you to make it up to me.”
    “I’m sick of your manipulation, Rod. You know what? You can stick all that