They’d roll their eyes, give him half-hearted reprimands, then let him off with no more than a slap on the wrist.
In every one of those experiences, I’d felt invisible. Like I didn’t really matter. Like I was a side character to the main story.
The experience with Beau was entirely different. Finn was waiting for us when we came in. The station itself was bathed in light, cluttered with thriving house plants and a view of the ocean, for heaven’s sake. It didn’t smell like stale coffee and leftover booze from the current residents; it was filled with the aroma of coffee and pastries. People were warm and friendly.
Finn did not take me to a cold interrogation room. He took me to his personal office. It was noticeably more sparse and militantly organized and clean than the rest of the station, but it was no less warm.
Beau had obviously called Finn ahead of our arrival and given him the lowdown on the situation. That should’ve irritated me, Beau taking charge, all my nasty skeletons, still decomposing, being exposed to the sweet-smelling air.
But it didn’t.
Beau had tried to stay with me. But Finn had leveled a hard gaze on the man at my side and said, “You can wait outside, Beau.”
I was staring at Finn, but I saw Beau’s head swivel in my direction. “I’m staying with Hannah.”
“Wasn’t a question, Beau.” Finn’s reply was firm but not unkind. Authority seemed to thread through his voice without effort.
Even though Beau was the strongest and most authoritative man I’d ever met, Finn managed to make him back down.
Beau scowled at Finn, rubbing his jaw before looking at me. “I’ll be right outside.”
I nodded, emotion heating my skin at him reassuring me that he would be there. Waiting. For me.
With sweaty palms and a racing heart, I followed Finn into his office, where he offered me water and a seat.
I doubted one could ever feel comfortable recounting the necessary information to get a restraining order against a man—especially in front of another man. But Finn did his best. I wondered about him and Lori’s situation. He obviously felt something for her, and I knew she felt something for him. I questioned why she didn’t just surrender to it. But then again, she was now pregnant with another man’s baby. Not exactly a simple situation.
I was in the middle of my own not exactly simple situation.
Finn was patient as I catalogued my marriage, asking questions intermittently, but mostly just listening.
“This is my personal cell.” Finn pointed to the number he’d scribbled on the card he gave me. “You call me, text me. No matter the time, even if you think you’re being dramatic.” He leveled a serious look at me. “In my experience, women are rarely dramatic. Don’t second-guess your intuition.”
I didn’t know why, but in that moment, I wanted to cry. Luckily, I held myself back, nodding curtly. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” There was a moment when the stern, reliable expression on his face wavered. “How’s Lori?” His question came in a much softer voice. “I know her morning sickness has been throwing her for a loop. Is she eating better?”
Though I’d been moments away from real, soul-wracking tears, his questions, uttered almost shyly, had me smothering a smile.
“She’s getting better now that she’s in the second trimester. And the nausea is completely normal.”
“How can the baby be getting any nutrients?” His brows knit together. “How canshebe?”
Again, I had to bite back a smile. “Our bodies are incredible things. That baby is being nourished. Lori, well…” I shrugged. “Pregnancy isn’t the easiest journey for a woman, but life rarely is. We continue to endure.” I reached forward to squeeze his shoulder after a moment of hesitation.
“She’s going to be fine,” I tried to reassure him. “She has an army of women who are fussing over her. The baby daddy may be an asshole, but we know how to handle asshole men.” I winked at him. “The good men, on the other hand…”
I trailed off, letting my meaning sink in. I didn’t want to tread over any potential tripwires nor make Lori’s life more complicated than it already was. Their story would play out the way it was supposed to; they did not need me meddling.
Finn tensed under my touch for a moment before he relaxed, his espresso-colored eyes darting to the door.
“At the risk of venturing into dangerous territory, there’s a good man standing outside that door. Who barks like a feral dog but has a good heart. And who cares about you.”
My stomach dipped, and I forced myself to smile and nod, not saying anything. There was no way to explain to Finn thatBeau just felt duty bound to ensure that I wasn’t just another statistic.
We said our goodbyes, and when Finn opened the door, Beau damn near tumbled forward, given how close he must’ve been standing.
His body angled toward me, though his gaze glued to Finn. “Is it done? You going to arrest the fuck?”
