If that was true, Finn wasn’t just in the way. He was a threat. The kind of man who could ruin everything.
Travis made a mental note to dig deeper but keep his distance.
He didn’t know what the end game here was, didn’t care. Only that he was paid extremely well to make things happen. It was a skill set not many had or were willing to use.
Travis walked off toward the bakery, casual, unnoticed.
Exactly how he liked it.
Finn didn’t say anything.He wanted to. Oh, hell yeah, he did.
He wanted to ask about Richard. Ask what happened in Charleston. But he didn’t.
Not yet.
She wasn’t ready, and pushing would only make her shut down.
Still, the facts didn’t sit right. Richard had skipped town. Why? That was the kind of thing only a guilty or scared person would do.
And now this. Cigarette butts? Graffiti? Crew quitting? Her hands shook when she thought he wasn’t looking.
Telling her he knew about Richard wouldn’t fix the fear in her eyes and sure as hell wouldn’t earn her trust.
So he said nothing. Yet.
“The cameras are already ordered. They’ll be installed by the end of the week.”
She blinked. “What?”
“The additional security costs are also covered.”
“What do you mean, covered? I can’t afford it.”
Finn didn’t flinch. “It’s handled, Lainey.”
Lainey pushed out of her chair. “You can’t just come in here and do that. You don’t even work for me.”
“You’re right,” he said, staying calm when all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms. “I don’t work for you. I work for the Brotherhood, and we’re not letting you do this alone.”
“I didn’t ask for help.”
He crossed his arms. “Maybe you should have.”
“Low blow, Finn.” Her lips pursed. “This is my project.”
“I know,” he said. “And you’re doing a hell of a job keeping it afloat. But you’re one person. And this…” He motioned toward the hallway. “This isn’t normal jobsite drama. Something darker is going on, and I’m not going to stand by and watch you get hurt.”
She swallowed hard. “I can’t afford cameras.”
“You don’t need to.” He stepped in closer. “The Brotherhood has a line item in the budget for keeping our people safe.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I’m not your people.”
Not yet, Lainey. But Finn knew he’d do whatever was necessary to convince her she was.
“Maybe not officially,” he said softly. “But you are now. Whether you like it or not.”
Lainey turned but not before he saw a tear slip down her cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered, then louder, like she needed to reestablish her footing, “This is still my project.”
