He stepped back and looked at what they’d accomplished so far. All the permits had been pulled, inspections scheduled, and site walk-throughs with the owner were done.
Today was demo day. He and his crew spent the day ripping out old cabinets, cutting away damaged drywall and tagging outdated, unsafe wiring. A lot of work remained before they could go to the next step of reinforcing rotted sections and sagging supports.
Pulling a rag from his pocket, Finn wiped the sweat from his brow. Construction in Florida in the late summer, beginning of fall was no joke. It could be brutal—hot, humid, and unrelenting. They started early, clocked out at three, and drank gallons of water. Pissed half of it out by noon. Good times.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Chase Maddox!
“Yeah?”
“Hello to you too,” Chase said dryly. “Listen, everyone else is out on a job. Can you stop by tonight? I have a time-sensitive job for you.”
Damn. Finn groaned. Not the best timing, but that’s what he signed up for. Contracting paid the bills. The Brotherhood work fed the soul. Jimmy and the crew could handle the demo tomorrow. They didn’t need him.
“What time?”
“Within the hour.”
“I’ll be there.” He hung up and shoved the phone back in his pocket, made a last-minute walk around, double-checking that all the doors and windows were locked, picked up his tools, and walked to his truck.
He climbed into the cab and cranked up the AC. Sat there for a minute, letting the cold air spill over his sweat-drenched shirt. His body ached, but it wasn’t unfamiliar. It actually felt good to use those muscles again. Reminded him that he was still standing. Still here.
Then he shifted into drive and turned his truck toward Hatcher Avenue, toward the ranch house he shared with Dexter “Digger” Drum.
Dex was a buddy he’d met during a joint op overseas and a brother in every way that counted when Finn was still an active-duty SEAL. At the time, Dex was running point with the Army Rangers. Different branches. Same mindset. They hit it off fast. It was Dex who turned him on to the Brotherhood. Best decision he ever made.
He pulled into the cracked driveway and parked just as Dani Ward-Barlow got out of her car and waved to him. She unbuckled the baby from the back seat. Jack and another boy yelled hi and then ran around to the backyard.
Dani and Jack used to live in this house before she hooked up with Ryker Barlow, another Brotherhood member, and nowthey were married with two kids with a life that looked settled. Happy.
Dex’s truck wasn’t there, which was fine by Finn. He wasn’t in the mood for conversation. All he wanted was to take a cold shower, change, have a quick beer and then drive to the Brotherhood Alliance to find out what Chase was throwing his way.
It took him no time to strip out of his dirty clothes and wash the dust and filth from his body. Then he changed into clean jeans and a fresh tee.
He popped the top off his beer and stepped out onto the back patio. It wasn’t much, but the yard was fenced, and Dani had left her patio furniture. And it was almost quiet. Just the laughter from the little boys next door.
He tipped his head back and let himself enjoy a moment of stillness.
Finally, he finished the last of his beer in one long gulp and stepped into the kitchen. He threw the empty bottle into the recycling bin, grabbed his keys, and headed out.
The Brotherhood Alliancewas located in the Paws for Caring building off Ironwood Drive, not far from downtown or his house.
He turned down the dirt driveway, passing the small house that Liam McBride and Joy Maddox shared. Joy was Chase’s sister and had donated the land to establish a place where foster dogs could train to be companions. After Chase took over as director, he established the Brotherhood Alliance.
A few cars were parked in front. He climbed out and stepped inside. It was quiet today. Sometimes Melissa Doherty, thedirector of Paws for Caring, had classes running and there’d be lots of dogs barking.
He peeked into the kitchen. Melissa was in the corner talking to Zachary “Buck” Rodgers. Everyone knew the two were sweet on each other, but Zach was too shy to ask her out. Finn thought he suffered from PTSD, which was why Zach was living in one of the on-site cabins the Brotherhood provided to help vets find their footing.
There were two other ex-military guys living there as well. He didn’t know Caleb Jennings or Nate Kinney, who was starting soon.
He walked down the hall to the library. The sliding bookcase was open.
When the Brotherhood took on covert jobs, the bookcase was closed, but since they’d been taking on more opportunities that were less under the radar, it stayed open most days. Besides, the once-hidden room wasn’t a secret anymore.
Finn stepped through the threshold.
Chase sat at the long conference table looking at his computer. He stood when Finn walked in, and they man-hugged.
“Sit and I’ll catch you up.”
