Paragon

⊰❉⊱ 76 ⊰❉⊱

I walked through Quinn's office courtesy of her temporary security pass. Considerate of her to remember how I despised taking their minds for no reason other than necessity. The pizza filled the confined space of the elevator immediately, so I didn't breathe until I reached her floor. When I emerged, the receptionist smirked at me and nodded. I returned it and strode past to find one lawyer in particular. Quite a few of them still lingered on their work. I'd counted around a dozen heartbeats on this floor and more below... typical London.

I pushed her door open with my shoulder and saw her turn from the window mid-conversation. She beamed and rushed towards me.

I thought I was about to receive the most affectionate embrace–when really a ravenous lawyer went straight for the first slice in the box instead whilst she pressed the phone against her shoulder. I smirked, shaking my head as she winked at me and approached her desk.

"–that's what we're thinking. Yes, well if he wants to take you on he should have thought of a better story–or lawyer." She added with a smug look, eyeing the slice in her hand while she listened to her client.

I could practically see her wanting to end the call for the demands of her stomach.

I lay the box down safely on her desk and walked around it to take a seat in her chair. Quinn turned her head as she listened to her client with faux insult painted on her features. I leant back into it and appraised her bookshelf inside her office.

Another glass paperweight caught my attention. I swiftly rose from her chair and picked it up to appraise the miniature wagon wheel caught against a tumble weed.

Texas. It read.

I smiled, placing it carefully back in front of her many copies of law hardbacks. Then I caught sight of something far more valuable. A framed picture of her graduation, passing the bar and–her rumoured adoptive parents that shared none of her features but all the emotion the real ones would have had.

They were well into their forties but still had the tan from their adventures around the world. I wondered what careers they pursued... I was sure it wasn't just Quinn providing for them.

Quinn wrapped up her call as I savoured the grin she held with her family. Then she quickly approached my back and kissed the back of my exposed neck.

"What was that for?" I murmured, suddenly distracted by her floral perfume.

"Pizza." She groaned, taking a huge bite and walking back to her chair. I turned and crossed my arms as I watched her satisfaction. "–I haven't eaten since breakfast."

I frowned, "I think we both know it's against the law not to provide lunch breaks."

"Too busy." She answered, sinking her teeth into another mouthful. I was too busy watching her lips to notice the sudden pause in all her other movements. She rose out of her chair, dropping the slice back into the box, and stared at my waist until she was a foot from me and poked her finger through my shirt.

I glanced down. Shit.

So, Mack had got one on me. I hope he didn't have the satisfaction of noticing while my coat was over it.

"What the hell is that?" Quinn, demanded.

"It wasn't a real round." I answered.

"You were in a meeting!" Quinn accused.

"Which is what I expected... until they flew me south for the day–"

Quinn palmed her face and looked at me again, "Part of their recruitment process is shooting at you?"