Best I Ever Had by Wendi Zwaduk Page A

his wire-rimmed glasses.
    “Did you hear something?” she asked.
    “No one’s here but you and me.” He nodded to the dining room table. “You heard the newspaper. Breeze caught it.” He stood and crossed the room to where she waited. “Going to use that on the patio? You do realize someone will see you sooner or later.”
    “I’m not worried about someone seeing me. The balcony walls are high enough. They might hear me, but unless you’re coming out to give me a hand, I’m on my own.”
    “You never asked.” Quint touched her cheek. “The three of us could have the best times. All you have to do is say the word.” He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip then strolled back to his position on the couch.
    Emma tipped her head and mulled over Quint’s words. He wanted to fool around? What would Sam say about her allowing Quint into her bed, especially since she knew about Sam and Quint’s affair? She sighed. Even if she let loose with Quint and chanced Sam’s feelings, her situation wouldn’t change. Being in hiding sucked. No matter what she did, the fear never left. He watched her every move, but even the little come-ons didn’t push the anxiousness from her mind.
    Nothing would erase the memories of that night. She rushed back to her bedroom and tossed the toy onto the bed. She scrubbed her forehead with the back of her hand and returned to the kitchen. The same familiar picture glared from his prime spot on the front page. Diego Morales, Cleveland’s top drug smuggler and gunrunner. Still loose, still dangerous and the prime reason she couldn’t leave the apartment.
    Memories flooded her mind. A lousy run for ice cream to deal with her pregnancy cravings. She’d climbed into her car, ready to head home when something caught her eye and she shivered. At the time, she wasn’t sure what she’d seen. Now she knew the man in the shadows was Diego Morales. In the split second before she peeled out of the parking lot, she’d seen his face and the murder of two people. He shot up the store and peppered cars in the lot with bullets. His parting shouts echoed in her brain, “No witnesses.” Morales didn’t back down from anyone, especially not the woman who could put him behind bars for life.
    The threatening letters started two nights later.
    Talk and die.
    I know who you are.
    Sam vowed to nab the bastard and squelch the threats. He pulled every favor to put the best security team around her for protection. The fear ate her alive and the stress caused complications in her pregnancy. She miscarried two weeks later. The memory still stung. Her chance at motherhood was snatched by a bastard with a gun. Would she ever be free to live her life like a normal person? She doubted it.
    Six months of waiting in hiding hadn’t eased her mind. Living in the gated community helped, but if someone wanted her dead, it would happen. Gates and armed guards didn’t stand a chance against a machine gun or whatever served as Morales’ weapon of choice. He wanted her to keep quiet, no matter what.
    No toys or quickies with Quint would erase her pain. “Catch him so it’s all over.” Emma blinked back tears of frustration. “I want my life back.”
    She touched the picture of Sam on the counter. Her heart squeezed in her chest. He didn’t have to go to the lengths he’d gone to for her. I won’t risk losing you. She sighed. What if she lost him in the process?
    “I miss him, too.” Quint placed his hand on hers.
    Emma bumped shoulders with him and wiped her cheeks. “I know. I’m glad you’re here. I’d be stir crazy alone.”
    “Won’t be long, now.” He kissed her temple. “Promise.”
    The words failed to comfort her. “If I’m not safe in the Leatherwoods, I’m not safe anywhere. Do you hear that, Quint? I’m done.” She shoved the newspaper into the recycle bin and headed to the refrigerator. Emma withdrew a half-empty bottle of rose wine. “If I want to sip a glass of wine on my balcony,