Page 11 of Finn

Finn cut me off. “He’s fine. A little bruised. His ego wounded more than anything.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Your brother got himself into trouble. He gambled where he shouldn’t and racked up a bill he couldn’t pay.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. Finn leaned forward. “I paid the debt, Una. He owes me now, and he will work it off fairly. But I had to teach him a lesson.”

“You’re the one who bruised him?”

“Yes. I wanted to tell you before you saw him and he told you whatever bullshit story he made up about why.”

“You hurt him.”

“Not as badly as he would have been hurt by the man he owed money to. Money he didn’t have.” He sat back, serious and unrepentant. “I couldn’t let it go.”

“You mean you wouldn’t.”

“You know the message it would send out if I did, Una. I didn’t break anything. He’ll be sore for a few days, and he’ll remember what happens when you disregard the rules and run up bills you have no way of paying.”

“How much?”

“Pardon me?”

“How much is his debt?”

“I paid off thirty-five thousand.”

The sum shocked me. I knew Brian liked to bet on horses, play some cards, but thirty-five thousand dollars? I looked down at my hands that were now shaking, knowing what I had to do.

“I will pay you.”

“What?” Finn hissed.

I lifted my gaze to his. “I have twenty thousand saved. I will pay you. The rest you can dock my wages.”

He shook his head, leaning forward. “Over my dead body. This is not your debt to pay. Stop saving him, Una. He is not your responsibility.”

“He is. He is my brother.”

“Your older brother. It’s his job to care for you—to look after you—not the other way around.”

“I will pay his debt. I don’t want us owing you anything.”

He stood, fury dripping from his tone. “You don’t owe me anything.”

I stood as well, suddenly weary. “You know, I tell myself that all the time. But it’s a lie. I owe you everything, don’t I? You gave me the job in every hotel you own so I could learn how to run my own place. You let me sing because it makes me happy. I know you helped with the apartment I found. The driver that you insisted all the late-night employees get, yet I seem to be the only one who has it. I owe you for all that. And now Brian owes you money.” I met his angry gaze. “I will pay that debt, Finn.”

“You know why I do all those things, Una. You owe me nothing.”

“I can’t give you what you want.”

“I know, mo chroí,” he murmured sadly. “But it doesn’t change my feelings.”

“Please leave,” I whispered, my throat suddenly thick. It always affected me when he used that term. “I’ll get the money to you.”

“I will not accept it. This is Brian’s obligation. I only came to tell you so you knew the truth. I promised you the truth always.”

“I know.”