Page 10 of Finn

He was there. As he always was, sitting in the dark in the back alcove, watching me. I sensed his presence even if I couldn’t see him. The same way I knew he was observing me at the front desk. I could feel his eyes on me. There were times when I was sitting by the waterfall, and I knew he had zoomed in on me with one of the security feeds. Or spotted me while walking through the lobby. He rarely stopped, and if he did, he was courteous, polite, and distant. The consummate boss.

Exactly what I requested of him, even if it made me sad.

Finn O’Reilly was everything I wanted in a man, except for one thing.

His ties to the underworld and the violent environment he chose to live in. I had been forced to live that way my entire life, hating every aspect of it. I swore once I was old enough, I would leave it behind me and find a regular life. One not filled with blood and fear.

And every day, I strove more and more toward that goal.

I finished my set, bowing to the applause. The green of my gown shimmered in the bright lights as I stepped from the small stage, heading toward the private room in the back. I planned to have something to eat, sip some tea and honey to soothe my throat, and rest until the next set at eleven.

It was the same every Friday and Saturday night. The moments I lived for. I loved to sing and had since I was a child. It was the one thing no one ever criticized me for.

I wasn’t the world’s best singer. I had no aspirations of a career in the music industry, but I loved the chance to lift my voice and make people smile. Here at O’Reilly’s, I was given that chance every week. They had other performers the rest of the time, but Friday and Saturday were mine.

A gift from Finn. One of the few I would accept since I knew how much he enjoyed my performances. I felt it was an equal partnership. He took what I could give, and I did the same by accepting the spots.

In my dressing room, I ran my fingers over the blossoms that waited. They arrived every Friday without fail. Without a card. But I knew who sent them and why. I felt the sadness seeping into my chest, and I shook my head to clear it of the morose thoughts.

I had made my choice.

A knock at the door startled me. Few people were able to get back this way. I had tried to mingle with patrons at first, but a few were too handsy. Too close. I learned quickly I needed to isolate myself to rest and to stay safe. I didn’t like being touched by strangers.

I stood, going to the door. “Hello?” I called.

“It’s me,” a voice said quietly, the low tone and Irish brogue instantly calming me yet causing my heart to race at the same time.

I opened the door. Finn stood on the other side, tall and broad, his hair glinting in the lights. He wore it tied back today, the waves still evident in the sweep of the knot.

I stepped back, silently bidding him to enter. He brushed past me, and I felt the heat of his body, his scent hitting me, masculine and enticing. I breathed him in deeply, shutting the door and giving myself a moment to school my features.

“Mr. O’Reilly.”

He clasped his hands behind his back. “Finn,” he replied with a frown, waiting.

“You’re my boss.”

“I’m also your friend. I am Finn to you when we’re alone.”

I hated the way his voice sounded as he said, “when we’re alone.” It was an unspoken promise that stirred memories I refused to think of. Instead, I cleared my throat.

“Is there an issue?”

“You looked tired. I wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re not overdoing it.”

I sat down at my makeup table, and he perched on the large chair in the corner. It wasn’t a big room, and it now seemed minuscule with him in it. His hands rested on his thighs and he looked casual, but his fingers were knotted in a fist, and I saw the tic of his jaw as he waited for my reply.

I waved off his concern. “I’m fine. It was a busy week at the desk. I was worried about Brian, so I didn’t sleep well. He didn’t come home for a few days, but he texted me earlier and said he was fine.” I shrugged. “I guess he was off doing whatever it is he does for you.”

I hated that he worked for Finn. That my brother was a part of that dark world I was trying to get away from. I couldn’t escape it yet, but soon, I would. I would leave it all behind me.

Finn shifted, looking uncomfortable. “First off, as much as I would like to point out your brother is a grown man and should be living on his own, not sponging off his younger sister, I will refrain.”

“Thank you for your restraint,” I murmured, trying to resist rolling my eyes. I knew Finn’s thoughts on Brian.

“Second, your brother was not working for me the nights he chose not to come home.” He took a deep breath. “I need to tell you something. Something you’re not going to like.”

“Is Brian okay? Is he⁠—”