(Quinn's perspective)
I barely had time to process what was happening before the car jolted to a sudden, teeth-rattling stop. My stomach did a weird flip, and I glanced at Kimmy and Derek, both of them looking just as puzzled as me.
"Everything okay?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.
Before either of them could answer, my door flew open with such force I thought it might snap right off the hinges. My heart leaped into my throat as a hand shot out, seizing my wrist like it belonged to someone who owned the entire world—and everyone in it.
The next thing I knew, I was flung over a broad, very familiar shoulder.
"Luca!" I shrieked, my voice bouncing between shock and pure fury. "What the hell are you doing?!"
He didn't answer—of course, he didn't. My fists pounded against his back, and I wriggled like a fish on a hook, managing to slip free for a second. I landed on my feet, adrenaline spiking. Without wasting a breath, I spun on my heel and bolted.
Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. He caught up with me in two seconds flat, ducking low and sweeping my legs out from under me. I let out a startled yelp as he hoisted me up again, this time securing his arms around my thighs like he was some medieval conqueror claiming spoils of war and suddenly—SMACK! He hit my bum and hard! The audacity!
"OWCH! How dare you. Put me down now, Luca!" I screamed, my voice cracking with frustration.
Nothing. Not a word. He just stormed toward the house like a living hurricane, his grip firm enough to send a clear message: Don't even think about it.
"I swear to God, you're acting like a caveman!" I fumed, my fists thumping against his back. "This is so inappropriate! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Kimmy and Derek trailed behind us, Kimmy's face pale with worry while Derek looked like he was fighting back laughter. God, I wanted to die of embarrassment right then and there.
We burst through the front doors, and my stomach sank. The hall wasn't empty—oh no. Luca's pack members were there, their conversations halting as they turned to gawk at the spectacle. Ethan stood among them, his eyebrows practically disappearing into his hairline.
"Put.Me.Down!" I hissed, my cheeks burning hotter than the sun. "People are watching!"
Still nothing. Not even a flinch.
I was mortified. My voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "You don't get to just haul me around like this! Are you even listening to me? LUCA!"
Snickers echoed through the hall, but Luca didn't care. He didn't even glance at the crowd. By the time we reached the grand staircase, he finally pivoted sharply to face Kimmy and Derek.
"DON'T," he snapped, his voice sharp and commanding, brooking no argument.
Kimmy froze mid-step, her expression twisting into full-on retreat. Derek held up his hands in surrender, wisely keeping his mouth shut.
Without another word, Luca turned back and stomped up the stairs, me still slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
I hated that a small, traitorous part of me—deep, deep down—wasn't entirely mad about the whole thing. That stupid part of me couldn't help but feel a weird thrill at the strength in his movements, the possessiveness in his grip.
But this wasn't like Cale. It didn't feel like a threat or a punishment. It felt like... something else entirely.
Luca stopped in front of a door and kicked it open with dramatic flair. I barely had a second to take in the enormous, luxurious Victorian-style bedroom before he flipped me off his shoulder and onto a bed.
A very large, very intimidating four-poster bed.
I lay there for a moment, stunned, my eyes darting around the room. Dark wood furnishings, deep autumnal colors, warm light streaming through thick curtains—it looked like something out of an old romance novel.
But then my gaze snapped to Luca.
He stood there, breathing heavily, his eyes practically glowing with intensity. His jaw clenched so tight I thought it might shatter.
"I heard everything he said," he growled.
I blinked, trying to make sense of his words. "Heard what?"
Luca's fists curled at his sides. "The little entertaining chat between you and that slick cunt, Alexander! What were you thinking?"
My stomach tightened. Oh, so that's what this was about. "You're seriously flipping out because I had a conversation?" I shot back, sitting up on the bed. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"
His eyes darkened. "It wasn't just a conversation, and you damn well know it."
I crossed my arms, my anger rising to meet his. "Oh, I see. You think you can go around controlling who I talk to now? Is that it?"
He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "When it comes to slimy bastards like Alexander, yeah, I damn well can."