He shook his head and stepped inside. “Lainey, we’re just trying to keep this project and you safe. I came to give you some news. It’s not necessarily bad but concerning.”
His voice lowered as he stepped closer. “I need to know exactly what happened in Charleston.”
She furrowed her brow. Her pulse quickened. “I’ve already told you what happened.”
“No,” he said firmly. “You told me what the papers reported. Not what Richard said when no one was listening.”
Oh God, she did not want to go there again. But the memory wouldn’t disappear. It never did.
She held the budget report in her hands. The numbers were off. Again.
When she asked about the new vendor and why the invoice was rerouted, he just said, “I took care of it.” As if that explained everything. “You’re worrying too much.”
“But my name is on the paperwork.”
She stared at Finn. He looked so determined, so willing to believe she’d been in the dark, had no idea what Richard was doing. And for the most part, she had.
But it was time to face the music.
“He threatened me,” she said in a whisper.
Finn’s expression darkened. “When?”
“The night I confronted him about missing money. Right before he vanished.” She leaned back in her chair and took a deep, shaky breath. “He told me I’d ruined everything, that I’d live to regret it. That if I tried to fix it…” Her throat tightened. “He’d come for my mother. My son.”
The room fell silent. The only sound was the hum of the AC.
“I was going to go to the police,” Lainey said after a long moment. Why were her hands ice-cold while her pulse was racing? Could she pass out? Please. Anything not to rehash this.
“I had everything ready. But when I talked to a lawyer, he pointed out every contract was in my name. Every signature on any piece of paper was mine.”
She gave a hollow laugh. “So, what would I have said? Richard whispered something vague about ruining me. About hurting my mother. My son. Where was the proof? It was just words.”
Her mouth was dry. “I would have been the one under investigation.”
Lainey swallowed hard. The experience had left a sour taste in her mouth. She’d been so alone, so afraid.
“I paid off the debt, sold my house and moved here.”
Finn sat back, his jaw tight. “I should have been there.”
Lainey blinked. “Finn …”
“No. I left,” he said quietly. “I walked out of your life, and he walked in. And you went through hell alone.”
She shook her head. “It’s not your fault. How could you have known?”
“I should have.” He ran a hand down his face, then through his hair. “I should have.”
A long moment passed. Then Finn leaned forward.
“You’re not alone anymore, Lainey. Not now. Not ever.”
Her breath hitched.
“Richard doesn’t get to take anything else from you. Not your project. And sure as hell not your family.” He reached across the desk, resting his hand on hers. “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
CHAPTER 26
