In the weeks since Finn moved to Huntington, I hadn’t had the opportunity to get to know his personal bodyguard well. I guess that’s what made him good at his job. He stayed alert, but in the background. More than once when we were out, Wes maneuvered us through a crowd in a way that kept Finn protected at all times. It was impressive and a testament to his military background. I’d offer him a job if I didn’t know for certain he made more than double what the feds would give him.
The trip to my office was anything but relaxed. Finn drummed his fingers against his thigh, while I stewed. Losing was not a part of my vocabulary. Did it even count as a loss when I’d capitulated to his demands?
I cursed my own stubbornness when we parallel parked in my dedicated spot and all holy hell broke loose. Three news vans had turned to six within a span of twenty minutes. All the reporters, with their perfect hair and perfect makeup, tried to swarm us as soon as Wes shut off the engine. Fortunately for me, my team, along with about a dozen Huntington PD officers in full riot gear, were there to intercept. And leading the pack was none other than Shayne. And she was pissed.
“Back off, Bob. You’re dangerously close to wearing a new set of steel bracelets,” I heard her say clearly as she approached the passenger’s side of the SUV.
“For what?” The question came from a stocky man wearing a cheap plaid suit.
“Interfering with a police officer, since being an asshole isn’t an arrestable offense.”
The rest of the officers formed two lines going from the sidewalk up the stairs and ending at the doors to my office. Duncan and the rest of my team, including Sammy and Nelson, stood in a semi-circle behind Shayne. My heart warmed as I realized they were making a human barricade to block the reporters. It wouldn’t stop the vultures from shouting their questions, but it gave me a clear escape route.
Shayne wrenched open the door with a grimace. “Welcome to the circus. Don’t feed the animals.”
I laughed at her antics. Both Finn and Wes quickly got out and I heard a booming “Move” before Finn appeared in front of me. He slid my briefcase over his shoulder, then interlaced our fingers.
“Don’t leave my side, Way.”
I wasn’t about to argue. Not with the vibes he was giving off. Gone was my carefree Finn, and in his place stood the CEO of a billion-dollar company. The intensity rolled off him in waves. I’d imagine he was this way in the boardroom. Powerful. Domineering. It was sexy as all hell, giving me inappropriate images involving naked time in said boardroom.
Questions were rapid-fired the instant my heeled feet touched the sidewalk.“Did you know about the Senator’s illegal activity?” “Have you spoken to your father since his arrest?”For the most part, I ignored them. We moved as a unit, walking at a fast clip while the words “No comment” left my mouth on autopilot. It wasn’t until I was on the third step, almost home free, when I made a decision. Stopping in my tracks, I turned and held up the same hand I’d usedagainst my father. The swelling was gone; only faint bruising remained. A hush fell over the reporters as Finn let out a growled “Feck” beside me. I fought the urge to kiss him.
“This is the only statement I’ll make, so listen up.” I took a deep breath, sweeping the crowd with my eyes. “While I understand and respect that you all have a job to do, please know, I do as well. Don’t get in my way, I won’t get in yours. Unlike some people, I take the oath I swore seriously. Point-blank, Senator Mitchell and I share DNA, but that’s the extent of our relationship. I know what you know. He’ll be tried for his crimes in a court of law. If you’re looking for insight or an opinion on his arrest, go find someone who cares, because that person is not me.”
Finn
Fire and ice.
My woman was full of both. I followed her into the building where she acted like it was business as usual. Nothing fazed her, or so she portrayed. But I knew otherwise. Underneath her calm demeanor was a woman who was not only hurting, she was disappointed. She had high hopes for a father who fell short time and time again. Was it too much to ask for a parent to love their child unconditionally? That was their biggest job. Even my father, faults and all, loved us in his own way.
Jack Mitchell desecrated the title of father when he blamed Waverly for his wife’s death. He didn’t deserve the oxygen filling his lungs. The world would be a better place if the feds locked him up in some top-secret, black ops prison facility where his filth never sullied another soul. Was I being petty? Feck yes I was. He hurt the woman Iloved. Sue me for wanting to ensure she didn’t have to face him again.
There wasn’t a person in the room who wouldn’t go out on a limb for Waverly; they respected her that much. It was the same with her. I was awestruck watching how she spoke with them. With a few words, she brought the tension down from a raging boil to a slow simmer. Some people were meant to lead, and some were born leaders. She was both and she made my cock hard doing it.
“Don’t you have a job to get to?” Waverly sauntered to my side once her impromptu meeting was finished.
“The boss won’t care if I’m late.” I grinned.
“Well, I need to get to work and you’re a distraction.”
“The good kind or the bad kind?” I stepped closer.
“The best kind.” She reached around, tapping my arse. “Now go.”
“Not yet.” I took her hand, leading her around the corner for a modicum of privacy. As soon as we were out of sight, I kissed her. Fast, hard, and deep with my hand on her arse. “Okay, now I can go.”
“Tease.”
“I’ll text you later.” Giving her one last peck on the lips, I walked away.
Thankfully when Wes and I got outside, there wasn’t a crowd of reporters to wade through. Only one hadn’t taken the hint. It was the same man Shayne threatened, the one in the ugly suit. Bob, I believe she’d called him. He was pacing back and forth, but when he saw us exit the building, he practically tripped over himself racing across the sidewalk.
Wes went on high alert, his hand instantly moving to cradle the butt of the gun he carried at his side. I shook my head. The only threat this man posed was pissing meoff.
“You’re Finnian O’Lachlan,” he uttered, slightly out of breath.
“Are you asking me or telling me?”
