Then she turned, heading toward her office without saying another word.
Finn watched her go, back straight, head high.
But he’d seen her eyes. She was scared and trying hard not to show it.
He turned to Caleb. “What the fuck?”
Caleb didn’t back down. “Keeping her in the dark isn’t a good idea.”
Finn knew that. He agreed with it. In theory. But this was Lainey.
He let out a slow breath and glanced at the two men. “She’s not telling us everything.”
Gus cocked his head. “You think she knows who’s behind it?”
“No. But she knows more than she’s saying.” Finn ran a hand over the back of his neck. “She mentioned something yesterday about not being able to afford security cameras.”
And that had been a difficult conversation.
They had been in her office going over her vision for the project when he asked, “What kind of security do you have? Motion lights? Cameras?”
She’d hesitated. “I’ve put up signs that say the area’s under surveillance.” She blew out her breath. “I plan to install cameras, but … I need to look at the budget. The cost of everything is going up.”
That wasn’t what he had hoped to hear. Not with the threats escalating.
Back in the present, Caleb’s brows drew together. “Seriously. No security, no surveillance and rumors?”
Gus grunted. “Ain’t for lack of trying. She wants it all, but she’s got her hands tied.”
“Tied how?”
Gus shrugged. “You’d have to ask her. Contract’s got rules. Whole thing’s on her shoulders, far as I know.”
Finn frowned. “She’s responsible for the whole project?”
“Yup. Permits, vendors, timelines. Even covering the damage until insurance kicks in.”
Finn shook his head. What the hell was going on?
Lainey said the project meant everything to her. He figured she had a team backing her. A partner. Support.
But the way Gus explained it, not only didn’t she have the support, but she was carrying it alone.
And someone out there knew that, too.
CHAPTER 13
The Brotherhood Allianceoffice was quiet when Finn walked in later that day. He nodded at Jeannie Moon, the office manager, and Ava Curtis, Chase’s assistant, who were chatting in the small kitchen over coffee and something that smelled like cinnamon and sugar.
But he wasn’t here for chitchat or snacks. This thing with Lainey had taken a hard left when he realized she was the one shouldering the entire project.
Chase was in his office, scowling at his computer.
“Knock, knock.”
Chase looked up. “Good, you’re here.” He shut the laptop with a sigh. “Jeannie updated me on expenses, and quite frankly, it’s driving me crazy.”
Finn shrugged. “Glad it’s you and not me.”
