“Nothing we can do about that today,” Dex said, moving toward the truck. “Let’s finish what we can control. We already have one camera in Lainey’s office and two around the perimeter.”
Finn nodded. “We’ll add another at the main gate and one near the equipment trailer.”
He wanted this place covered. No way would whoever was behind this get another shot. Not again.
An hour later, they installed the cameras, adjusted the angles and synced the feed.
“The cameras are covering the whole site now,” said Finn, brushing his hands. He looked over at Dex. “Grab the motion sensors and floodlights, will you?”
Dex headed back for the gear and returned. “I think we should put one over by the trees and another along the back fence.”
They split off, Dex digging shallow trenches to bury the wiring for the floodlights. Finn rigged motion sensors every fifty feet along the perimeter. He mounted them on four-foot-high stakes angled at potential entry points. He even placed a couple on the roofline of the bakery.
By the time they finished, the sun was dipping low on the horizon. The sky was painted in streaks of orange and purple, like the day itself had been in a fight. He still had to write a formal report, but they could stop by Lainey’s and let her know what was finished.
Finn knew she was anxious for an update, anxious for this to be over. But he also wanted to see her again. Make sure she was okay. Make sure she knew she wasn’t alone.
It didn’t takethem long to get to Lainey’s townhome on Pinebrook Lane. The pleasant tree-lined street, dappled porch lights, and pastel-painted homes created a peaceful scene.
Finn forced himself to keep his hands steady on the wheel.
Dex was chattering about something—sports or that new bar in town—but Finn had tuned him out minutes ago.
His focus was on the two-story pale peach home at the end of the street.
Finn pulled into the drive behind Lainey’s car and cut the engine. He took a deep breath, but it didn’t help.
What would he do if a guy was there? Lainey and he had never talked about what happened after Richard. Had she found someone else right away? Did she date?
He hadn’t asked, hadn’t wanted to know. They never talked about that last night together. Finn wasn’t sure he was ready to hear the answers.
Dex hopped out of the truck before Finn could stop him. Of course, he did. Finn muttered a curse under his breath and climbed out, too. He’d hoped to see Lainey alone.
Finn ran a hand over his jaw and exhaled slowly. He wasn’t sure which bothered him more—finding another man there or she was completely alone.
Dex stretched and glanced around. “Nice place,” he said, like they were dropping by for coffee and dessert.
Finn shot him a look. Dex gave him a cheeky grin in return.
Bastard!
They walked toward the front door. The porch light glowed warmly. Pots filled with some kind of brightly colored flowers were placed next to the welcome mat.
His stomach tightened. Why the hell was he so nervous? This wasn’t a date. Just checking in, giving Lainey an update. Liar.
“You gonna ring the bell or just stare at it?” said Dex, hands in his pockets like he didn’t have a care in the world.
“Fuck off.”
Dex laughed and leaned in to push the bell.
A soft chime echoed inside.
Finn’s heart was pounding so hard he was afraid Lainey would hear it. What the hell was wrong with him? He’d faced down insurgents with rifles pointed at his head, kicked in doors not knowing what was on the other side.
But right now, he felt like a high school kid going on his first date with a grinning jackass beside him who didn’t know how to shut up.
The seconds dragged. A dog barked somewhere down the street.
