Nikita chewed her bottom lip, and Quinn waited her out.After thinking for a bit, she asked Quinn, “You do the research on the computer?”
“Yes.My dad started the company when I was little.When I was old enough, I began helping him with the background checks.That’s the main reason I studied psychology, to help me better understand the people I was looking into.Well, that and to understand my own mental issues.I was a mess for a long time.”
“Makes sense.If I wanted to learn to do the research, would you teach me?”
“I...I’d want you to think long and hard about it.Delving into these people isn’t for the faint of heart.These are the worst of humanity.”
“I get that.But why should you have to be the only one seeing that crap?”Nikita took Quinn’s hand and rubbed her thumb over Quinn’s knuckles.“If you say no, then you say no, but like I said earlier, I’m good with a computer.If not helping you, maybe I could work with Bishop.”
Kyllian tilted his head to the side.“You’re okay with what we do?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?You’re doing the world a favor.Mom killed Stewart all those years ago, and when I was fighting the RC pack, I’d have killed one of them if it came down to it.”She reached for a Dr Pepper and twisted the lid off.“There are some beings who don’t deserve to walk among us.”
Quinn was impressed.She had been afraid their jobs would be a deal breaker.She should have known better; Nikita was her kid.
“You’re something else, Trouble.You know that?”Kyllian raised his bottle, and Nikita tapped hers against it.
“Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about school.I really don’t care if I walk across the stage to receive my diploma.With you doing the mind voodoo on the pack, I don’t want to have to answer all the questions I’ll get about why they aren’t there with me.And there will be questions.Besides, Tarryn is the only real friend I have, and I doubt she’ll be there either.”
“If you’re sure, we’ll handle it.”
“I’m sure.I have a question.What are we going to do about Mercy?You didn’t get a chance to work your voodoo on her, and I’m betting she doesn’t let this go.”
Kyllian leaned his elbow on the table.“It’s not voodoo, it’s called my Gryphon voice.”
Nikita waved her hand in the air.“Voodoo, voice, same diff.”
“I save your life, and you give me sass.I see how you are.You don’t hear your mom giving me sass, now do you?”Kyllian winked, and Nikita giggled.
Quinn let the two of them banter for a few minutes before asking, “Whatarewe going to do about Mercy?She knows where I live, which means Dad could be in trouble.”
“Well, we can all stay at your house with Trenton for a while.He’ll want to meet Nikita and get acquainted with his granddaughter, and you need to pack.I can watch over you all while you take care of that.When you’re ready to move, I’ll have Ryker send a couple of the younger Hounds to guard him if Mercy hasn’t shown her face by then.”
“How far do you live from each other?Just asking because you had all my stuff sent to your house, and I’m gonna need some clothes.”
“Not that far.About an hour.We can stop and do a little shopping for the time being.”
“Really?Can I get whatever I want?”Nikita bounced with excitement.
Kyllian frowned.“Within reason.I’ve seen what teens try to pass off as decent.No hoochie momma clothes on my watch, Kiddo.”
Nikita burst out laughing and fell against Quinn’s side.“Hoo-hooch...”She snorted, causing Kyllian and Quinn to laugh with her.“Hoochie momma.Who even says that?”
“Just for that, I’m buying you the frumpiest granny dresses I can find.”
“No!No, I take it back.Please, oh please, Kayos.Don’t make me wear granny dresses.”Nikita linked her fingers under her chin and batted her eyelashes.
“Trouble, I tell ya.”Kyllian grinned and stood.“Come on, ladies.Let’s hit the road.We still have another eighteen or so hours.We’ll need to find somewhere to stop for dinner.Afterward, we can either drive straight through or stop for the night.Up to you two.”
Quinn sat in the back with Nikita on the next leg of their trip.The three of them talked about everything and anything that came to mind, getting to know each other.She quickly realized she was in trouble with her little family.Both Kyllian and Nikita were snarky and witty.They bantered back and forth, giving each other shit, and her smile didn’t leave Quinn’s face.Not even when Nikita asked to listen to the radio.Her daughter couldn’t sing a lick either.
During their chat, Nikita told them how her life had been.While Blake doted on her, he was the only one.Her two oldest siblings resented that, and Bethany tried to make up for it by taking their sides.Nikita did most of the cooking, since like she alluded to earlier, Bethany was a shit cook.She loved playing softball, but as she grew older and stronger, she wasn’t allowed to play for the school team.Nikita also enjoyed swimming, and Kyllian promised to take her to Lucy’s as soon as the weather turned warmer.She loved to read, and Quinn couldn’t wait to take her to a book signing.It would be a first for them both.She loved all genres of music, which Kyllian gave a dramatic sigh of relief upon hearing.And like Quinn, the girl could put away the food.Quinn chalked it up to shifter metabolism.When Nikita apologized for eating “like a pig,” Quinn oinked at her, smiling.
The more Nikita spoke of her past, the more Quinn realized she had been criticized from those who should have lifted her up.As much as Quinn hated Blake, she was thankful he was the only one who didn’t berate Nikita for every little thing.Quinn wanted Kyllian to turn the car around so she could go back and kick all their asses.
After eating dinner, Kyllian asked if they wanted to find somewhere to stop for the night, but it was Nikita who nixed that idea.Holding both their hands outside the restaurant, she smiled and said, “Please, let’s just get home.”