Finn watched Derek settle back into his workstation. In a way, Elena was protecting him. She was keeping him out of their admittedly insane plan to go after one of the most influential and powerful men in their industry. Not everyone signed up for that kind of risk with their 9-to-5.
Hours went by as Finn dived into the research archives from the previous trials. However, it only took him all of five minutes to discover the pattern. Protocol after protocol, they all had dismal success rates. 15%, 12%, 18%.
He thought about his brother. About how his trial had failed. He’d always assumed that it was bad luck, or maybe the treatment just wasn’t developed enough yet. But his experience was… universal. Every protocol. Every trial. Hundreds of patients across multiple studies, all showing the same abysmal results. His brother hadn’t been unlucky. His experience wastypical.
Finn’s hand tightened on his mouse. All those families. Allthe people who’d hoped for help, who’d trusted the system to do right by them.
“How’s it going?”
Finn jumped at the simple greeting to find Elena standing beside his desk. He had been so absorbed in the files that he didn’t notice her approach. He took a quick glance around the lab; it had emptied besides him and Elena. “Good. You?”
“Good. Miguel is sleeping over at his friend’s place tonight, so I am going to try to make some headway on the financials.”
“Find anything yet?” Finn asked.
Elena shook her head. “Not yet. Still sorting through budget reports. You?”
“Yeah actually.” Finn leaned forward, lowering his voice even though they were alone. “I’ve been looking at the previous trials and the results across the board have been?—”
“Wait,” Elena interrupted. “We should probably take this somewhere else. Somewhere we can speak freely.”
Finn understood immediately. Even though the lab had cleared out, who knew what the computers might track. If they were going to build a case against David Turner, they needed to be careful.
“My apartment is only five minutes away,” Finn said, before he fully considered the implications of his offer.
Something unreadable flashed across Elena’s face. She didn’t answer.
“Or we could go to a coffee shop,” he added quickly.
“No. Your apartment.”
Finn nodded. “I’ll drive.”
They didn’t say much on the walk on their way out. Finn tried to stay focused on the work that they needed to do. But his mind just kept landing back on one thing. He would be alone with Elena Herrera in his apartment tonight.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
ELENA
Finn unlocked the door and held it open for her. Elena hesitated a moment before entering. This suddenly all felt more real. She was going to be alone with Finn tonight. In his apartment. After she gathered herself, Elena stepped inside and took in the familiar space. Somehow, all of his plants were still alive and thriving, even though they had been working more than ever lately.
"We can set up here," Finn said, gesturing to the coffee table. "More space to spread out than at my desk."
Elena set her bag down, took a seat, and pulled out her laptop.
“Need something to drink?” Finn asked from the kitchen.
“Please. Water?” Elena responded.
Finn returned with a glass of water. Elena didn’t realize how thirsty she had been until she took a drink. Apparently, she had been so lost in her work today that she had neglected basic human necessities.
Finn was setting up his materials as well, when Elena noticed his hand tugging at his collar. "I’m going to change into something more comfortable," he said, as he undid buttons on his shirt.
Elena glanced up from her screen. "Go ahead."
Finn disappeared into his bedroom, and Elena tried very hard to focus on the financial reports she was supposed to be opening. And to not focus on the fact that Finn was taking off his shirt in the next room. Unfortunately, thoughts of Finn’s body were beating out financial documents.
A couple of minutes later, Finn came back out. He was wearing joggers and a plain gray t-shirt that fit him perfectly.
