Elena lifted her head to look at him. "This isn’t going to be easy," she said. “Us, I mean. It’s… complicated.”
"I don’t care." he said, looking at her. "I'm not going anywhere."
She wanted to believe him. The certainty in his voice was making it easier.
"You understand I'm a single mom, right?" she asked after a moment. "Miguel and I are a package deal. He means everything to me."
Finn looked at her like she'd said something ridiculous. "So?"
"So... that's a lot to take on."
"Elena." He propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at her with genuine confusion. "Miguel's great. He's smart, he's funny, and he’s the only one that can get you to leave the lab. Why would he be a problem?"
The casual way he said it surprised Elena. She'd been bracing for hesitation, for the moment when reality set in and Finn realized what he was signing up for. Instead, he seemed almost confused by her concern.
"I just... I needed you to know what you're getting into," she said.
"I know exactly what I'm getting into," Finn replied. His hand moved to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "I’ve spent months working with you. There hasn’t been a single day where you haven’t impressed the hell out of me.”
Elena felt tears prick at her eyes before she could stop them.
Finn continued “And yeah, your son has a debilitating Mountain Dew addiction. But that is something we can work through. I’m sure there is some kind of rehab facility that specializes in?—”
"I love you," she said, the words slipping out suddenly.
Finn went very still. "Yeah?" he asked, his voice quiet.
"Yeah," she confirmed, reaching up to touch his face. "I love you, Finn Cochrane."
"I love you too, Elena," he said, the words coming out in a rush like he'd been holding them back. "So much."
He kissed her then, his hand cradling her head. When they broke apart, Elena settled back against his chest, his arms wrapping securely around her.
For a moment, she let herself imagine it. A future where this wasn't complicated or risky or potentially career-ending. Where she could wake up next to Finn every morning. Where he just fit into her family seamlessly without fear of consequences.
But first, they had one thing to finish.
David Turner.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
FINN
"As per institute protocol, this presentation will be recorded for archival and quality assurance purposes," Paul recited, eyes never leaving his checklist. "All participants have been notified of this policy via email. Recording will commence once the presentation begins and continues through questions and board deliberation."
Finn barely registered the words. He’d heard them at every team meeting. His attention drifted to the board members seated across the room. They looked bored. This was just another Tuesday afternoon for them.
Elena sat beside him, spine straight, hands resting on her meeting materials. If she was nervous, she didn’t let it show. Finn was trying to keep his composure, but it was difficult with everything that was on the line. He felt his heart hammering in his chest and wondered if anyone could hear it.
They’d spent all week preparing for this. The long hours were almost exciting. Two people with a plan, gatheringevidence, building their case. But it was more than that. It was the shared fantasy of watching David Turner’s smug expression crack. Of confronting the corrupt multi-millionaire who had made their lives hell. Of seeing him suffer in the way that he had made so many people suffer.
But now, in this fluorescent-lit conference room with nine board members who were definitely not on their side, this all suddenly felt terrifyingly real. Elena had everything to lose. And they were betting it all against the man who had all the power. Finn had read enough books to know how these stories ended. It felt good to watch David beat Goliath. But in real life? Goliath just kept getting bigger and stronger.
He looked at Elena, her head held high. They were going to try, anyway.
"The board will have fifteen minutes for questions following the presentation," Paul continued, checking another box on his clipboard. "After which, they will deliberate privately on funding recommendations. Researchers will be notified of decisions within?—"
The conference room door swung open, cutting Paul off mid-sentence. David Turner strode in, phone pressed to his ear, free hand gesturing emphatically as if the person on the other end could see him.
