Quinn was right. Mr. Winters wasn't as scary as he tried to make himself out to be. He put on a good show of being terrifying, but after they had eaten together and the tension had faded, Quinn didn't have his guard up as much.
He was finally able to ask some of the questions that Noah hadn't confirmed.
Mr. Winters didn't seem offended by any of the questions, and even followed Quinn's lead when he tried to keep things vague. He seemed to understand that Quinn wanted to make sure that very few people would be able to understand what they were discussing, and while he was smiling the whole time they continued to talk, he didn't make anything obvious.
Quinn appreciated that, and it made him relax a bit more.
He ate a bit of what Mr. Winters had bought for them, but his stomach turned at everything. The only thing that seemed to be okay was the peppermint drink that he had, and Mr. Winters seemed to notice.
He bought Quinn two more of them. Quinn was a bit embarrassed by his actions, but also grateful. He knew it wasn't a good thing that he wasn't eating as much as he should, but there was very little he could do. He had too many options for what it could be, and too little time to find out the truth.
Quinn learned that it was a house that they hosted it at, so of course there were plenty of rooms. There were a few 'main' rooms as he referred to them, where food could be found, along with protection and anything else they desired. Most attendees were like the two of them and they all wore wristbands to tell others what was okay. There were some people who went just to watch, and some people who went and as Quinn assumed, went crazy.
Quinn tried his best not to blush when they were speaking.
Mr. Winters realised, belatedly, that he hadn't asked Quinn if he had any allergies and he apologised if that was the reason that Quinn wasn't eating anything. Quinn laughed, shaking his head. That was one thing he'd been blessed with. He didn't have anything he was allergic to, but his older cousin was allergic to peanuts. Mr. Winters pulled out his phone and made a note of that. Apparently that was something that they also kept track of. It made sense.
If they were providing food for everyone at the party, they would need to know people's dietary concerns. It felt ridiculous to even think of it that way, but at least Quinn knew they were good hosts? Quinn wasn't even sure what to think when it came to that.
Mr. Winters also said that if at any point Quinn felt uncomfortable or wanted to leave, they had their own security team that was paid very well and signed several NDAs so that they wouldn't speak of what they witnessed. If he needed help, they would be there to escort him out. Quinn appreciated that he was being honest and open about this, and that he was speaking as if it was certain that Quinn was going.
God, Quinn was going to go. It hit Quinn as he was speaking to Mr. Winters about it. Quinn was going to go to this ridiculous event with Noah to help him out, and maybe so that Quinn could see that there were better people out there. Quinn's heart pounded in his chest.
Mr. Winters clarified that no mind-altering drugs or anything of that sort would be there, but alcohol was permitted only in certain areas. Smoking was permitted, again, in certain areas, and there were also a few places in the home that were set up as an…introduction space. Sometimes people got nervous when face to face with others, so Mr. Winters had set up these spaces to help others relax. Quinn nodded, the terms he was using to describe it going straight over his head.
He supposed he would understand more once he saw it.
As they continued to talk, Quinn's stomach grew more and more upset, his body going from a normal stomach ache to something that had Quinn fighting bending in half. He tried his best to not draw attention to himself, but Mr. Winters had probably watched him start sweating, his face contorting into pain and had ignored it for Quinn's sake.
Quinn eventually had to excuse himself to go to the bathroom, thinking that was the problem, but when it wasn't solved, Quinn just put his head in his hands in the bathroom and sighed. What was going on? He couldn't go if his stomach was upset like this, both literally and figuratively.
Something was clearly wrong, with the frequent headaches and now stomach pains along with his lack of an appetite. He'd have to go to the doctor, and soon. He didn't want to be a burden on his team because of his work while they also had to deal with Michel opening his damn mouth and saying whatever came to mind.
Quinn wasn't sure how long he stayed there, but it was long enough that Mr. Winters came knocking. God, this was embarrassing. Quinn couldn't believe that this was how he was meeting him and speaking to him for the first time.
"Mr. Rivers? Is there anything I can do to help?" Mr. Winters asked, sounding very concerned. Quinn wanted to laugh.
"Do you have any pain medication on you?" Quinn asked. "My apologies. I thought my stomach was upset for a particular reason, but that doesn't seem to be the case." Quinn wanted to save some of his reputation in front of this man. He couldn't exactly say he thought he was constipated or had diarrhea.
"I don't, but I'll get some." Mr. Winters promised before he was gone. Quinn wasn't sure how long he was gone for, his mind foggy from the severe amount of pain he was in. Honestly, maybe he should go to the hospital if he was in this much pain?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, his body rejected it. No, he couldn't do that. Not to his family. They were already dealing with his grandma being in the hospital, they would not be able to handle even hearing that Quinn went to the hospital for any reason. He would just get through this with pain medication and a strong will.
He could do it. He'd done worse things and he'd gotten through harder things. It just hurt a lot because it was his body reacting like this. He'd be fine.
Quinn left the bathroom after cleaning himself up and noticed just how pale and sweaty he looked. He didn't look well, and when he stepped out of the bathroom, Mr. Winters was on his feet in a heartbeat.
He looked worried, very worried. He did ask Quinn again if he had any allergies but Quinn was certain it wasn't because he was having an allergic reaction. He just wasn't feeling well, hadn't been feeling well for a few days actually. When Mr. Winters heard that, his jaw tightened. He didn't question Quinn further, but he did start texting on his phone.
Quinn hoped he wasn't texting Noah. If he was, Quinn was going to get a verbal beating for his behaviour.
A few men showed up a few minutes later, all in rather nice outfits, thick winter coats, and Quinn noticed the earpieces that they had. They must be security of some sort, but Quinn wasn't sure until they moved towards Mr. Winters.
"Of course he had security. He was a rich dominant alpha, that made sense."
Mr. Winters chuckled, even in the tense situation.
"Mr. Rivers, please. Don't be cute while you're unwell or I really am going to have a hard time." Quinn had no idea what he was talking about as Mr. Winters reached into a bag offered to him and pulled out two pill bottles. Both were familiar to him as the more common brands that handled pain management. Mr. Winters took a look at Quinn and went for one of them. He uncapped the bottle, punctured the top and then went about getting two out before handing them to Quinn along with a glass of water.
Quinn took them, swallowing them dry but chasing them with the water. Mr. Winters watched on, worried. His jaw was tight, his brows drawn together. Quinn liked him more when he smiled. He looked more handsome.
It took a while, but Quinn noticed that the edges of his pain were fading. He could think better, his mind was clearer, and thank everything holy, he was feeling more like himself.
"My deepest apologies, Mr. Winters. I have no idea what came over me." Quinn apologised sincerely and Mr. Winters, and his security, stared at Quinn. He was sure he still didn't look well and that was made clear by Mr. Winters getting to his feet and then helping Quinn up. He helped Quinn get into his winter jacket, much to his embarrassment, but Mr. Winters thought nothing of it.
"If it's not too much of me overstepping, I would like to make sure you get home safely. I think you're too unwell to drive yourself home and I'm sure you'd worry about your car. How about we drive you home and have one of my security team drive your car behind us so that both you and your car get home? If you don't, I will have to call Noah." It was a threat, but one that didn't hold any weight. The man had already dressed Quinn, what more could he say?
Quinn didn't normally let people help him like that. Quinn chuckled, feeling better but still feeling ill and just shook his head. He raised his eyes to Mr. Winters and gave him a bitter smile.
"I'm in your debt, Mr. Winters." Quinn said and watched as something crossed his face before he cleared his throat.
"You aren't putting up much of a fight, Mr. Rivers. I thought that you would." He said, before glancing at all the food left behind. "Would you like any of that packed up before we leave?" He asked and Quinn shook his head.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to partake. I just-" Mr. Winters reached out, squeezing Quinn's shoulder comfortingly.
"Don't apologise. We all have moments when we don't feel well and we can't control them. It might not be a fair comparison, but I've always had a rather terrible rut. I am usually bedridden for days because of the side effects of the medication I take. Don't worry, I am a rich dominant alpha with an empathy center, Mr. Rivers." Mr. Winters told him and Quinn snorted, unable to help himself.
"That would explain why Noah still called you a friend." Quinn told him, and watched as Mr. Winters' expression brightened. Mr. Winters grabbed Quinn's bag, slinging it over his own shoulder as he placed a hand on Quinn's lower back and slowly began to navigate him towards the door.
Quinn was sure they made quite the sight, but he tried his best not to think about it. Instead, he tried to enjoy this moment. How often would he be escorted like this? Probably never again.
Mr. Winters was thorough, and kind. He helped Quinn home, had his men park his car in the right spot, and even escorted Quinn up to his apartment. He didn't seem to judge Quinn and where he lived, which was another bonus for him, and he made sure that Quinn knew he would message him later with more details.
However, if Quinn was still feeling under the weather, he would like to know for Quinn's sake. Not because that would mean Quinn couldn't come. He just couldn't stand the idea of not knowing that Quinn overcame this cold or stomach bug. It was very sweet of him and Quinn ended the day thankful that he'd met the man instead of feeling regretful that he had.