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firmly in his. They should be checking in as we speak.
It only took a second to see Canin towering over everyone else in the crowd. Many of
Quinn's employees were here, not only for the wedding, but as a bonus vacation of sorts. Among
them Kasey, of course, and her brother, Nate. Logan Jeffries, a former Chicago detective and
good friend of Rhone's and Canin's, was also a guest. The crowd parted then, and Adam's heart
stopped at the sight of a short, plump Hispanic woman, her black hair sprinkled with silver.
Adam's aunt Loretta stood a dozen feet away from him, and Adam couldn't hold the soft,
keening noise of need inside.
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Cameron Dane
He never thought he would see her again.
She looked up right then, and tears quickly filled her eyes. Mijo?
Tía? Adam took a tentative step forward, but he abruptly stopped and automatically
sought the safety of Rhone.
Rhone looked only at him, and he had never looked so beautiful in Adam's eyes. My
wedding gift to you, Rhone said, his voice rough. His jaw clenched, and he looked like he
fought tears too. Surprise.
Quinn Security: Saying I Do
47
Chapter Five
Rhone's heart constricted as he watched Adam process his aunt's standing in this hotel, as a
guest for his wedding. The man took another step toward Loretta but turned and flew into
Rhone's arms instead. Rhone took the impact without wavering and crushed Adam to him as
tightly as Adam held him. After imagining this moment a hundred times during his conversations
with Loretta over the last few months, Rhone found he had as much trouble choking down his
emotions as he knew Adam did.
He rubbed his hand into the small of Adam's back and pressed his lips to his temple. It's
okay, honey. Rhone kept his voice low. She's really here. You can go talk to her; she's not
going to disappear.
Adam stepped back a sliver, and his dark gaze, still full of shock, found Rhone's. How did
you do it?
We'll talk about that later. Rhone brushed his knuckles down the warmth of Adam's
cheek and felt like a goddamned hero as he always did when Adam leaned into the contact.
Rhone reluctantly let go and nodded his head in Loretta's direction. Go on.
A visible, unsteady breath moved Adam's chest under his snug black sweater. You come
too. He wrapped his hand around Rhone's forearm and didn't give him a chance to object.
Not that Rhone would have done anything of the sort.
Adam's hand shook as he reached it out to greet his aunt, once again tugging at Rhone's
heart. Tía? Rhone could almost taste the fear in that one word from Adam.
Loretta clasped both of her fleshy hands around Adam's. Oh, mijo. She touched his face,
drew him to her shorter frame, and engulfed him in her arms. I have missed you.
Me too, Tía, Adam murmured. So much.
Adam towered over his aunt, but he stooped to accommodate her and hugged her with a
fiercely tight hold. Adam held on to Loretta in such a way that made Rhone feel like he looked at
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a sixteen-year-old boy desperate for love. Only this time, his aunt embraced him, rather than
turning away from a frightened nephew whose own parents rejected him for his sexual
preference. His father violently so.
Someone nudged him on the shoulder, and Rhone looked up to find Canin's ice blue gaze
on him.
Hey, Brother, Rhone said. He took a moment and waved at the rest of the group milling
or waiting in line. Glad to see everybody made it safely.
Check-in is covered, Canin shared. Reception is assigning room numbers and handing
out keys as we speak.
You didn't have to do that. Guilt edged Rhone's words. His and Adam's shower or
rather, Rhone's soaping Adam up in some choice areas had taken on a life of its own and
pushed them to the limit of their morning schedule.
Not a problem. We got here a little early. Canin looked to Adam and Loretta and
bumped Rhone with his shoulder again. You did good there. He slung an arm around Rhone
and kissed the side of his head. I'm proud of you.
Rhone chewed the inside of his cheek as he watched his partner. No longer embracing,
Adam held his aunt's hands and conversed in such soft tones, Rhone couldn't decipher the words.
I didn't do much, he said.
Canin's gaze once again strayed to the pair a few feet away. I bet Adam would disagree.
His aunt too.
Speaking of Kasey sneaked up to them and reached across her husband's front to
Rhone here's her key card for her room.
Hi, Kase. Rhone squeezed Kasey's hand. Let me take care of this, and then I'll come
back and start making proper hellos to everyone.
Rhone moved to Adam's side and got his attention by putting a hand on the small of his
back. He wasn't sure how Loretta would respond to actually seeing her nephew with another
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