Page 22 of Finn

I blinked at the feelings he evoked. I felt warm, protected, and seen. My dad had been caring, but once he’d shown me how to defend myself, he seemed not to worry. Brian never noticed or cared what I did or where I went. Neither of them thought of my safety the way Finn had. It made me feel loved in a way I didn’t know I needed.

“Thank you,” I murmured, laying my hand over his. He smiled and squeezed our fingers together, then lifted my hand to his mouth, kissing it.

“I’ll always look out for you, Una.”

The warmth deepened.

Our entrees came, and Finn changed the subject. We talked about other things—books, the headlines, music. Any question I asked, he answered. Any opinion I gave, he listened.

“I’m still worried,” I admitted over dessert.

He ran a hand over his face. “I know, but Una, things are not the same as they were in your father’s early days. I know you saw a lot of ugly events. But I run a tight ship. I promote peace, as do others of my generation. We work together for the most part. None of us want our loved ones dead or living under a cloud of fear all the time.”

“There is still violence.”

He sat back, resting his ankle on his knee. “And there always will be. Whether we’re together or not. I try to control the violence. I know sometimes it rears its ugly head, but it’s less than it used to be. Things have changed, Una. What we do, how we do it, has changed. I have more legal businesses than not. I oversee and keep peace in my territory. My crimes involve other worlds. Art. Currency. Machines. And those profits feed the ones I use to keep peace.”

“I swore I would never date anyone in your world. I wanted to get as far away from it as possible.”

A frown marred his face, and furrows deepened on his brow. “So, you’re changing your mind?”

I sighed, tracing my finger over the pattern on the tablecloth. “That was before you,” I admitted. “I feel such a…” I trailed off, unsure how to express it.

“Connection?” he asked quietly, reaching out to take my hand and stop its restless movement.

“Yes.”

“I feel it too, Una. I have from the moment I met you. Your brother and father faded into the background, and I couldn’t have cared less that they were even in the room. I was captivated by the old soul in the eighteen-year-old body. The wise woman speaking in a girl’s voice. I have compared you to every woman I have met since that day, wondering how they seemed so ordinary next to you.”

“I’m sure you didn’t let that stop you from enjoying their company,” I teased, yet hated the thought of him with someone else.

He shrugged. “I’ve never been a monk, but I think you’d be surprised at how few I enjoyed, as you put it. How empty I felt with them. How simply being in your presence tonight has filled me in ways I can’t even explain.”

“Finn…” I whispered.

He gripped my hand. “Promise me you’ll try. If you’re worried, talk to me. Give me a chance, Una. Get to know me. In return, I promise you complete honesty. I’ll never lie or sugarcoat things. You will always know where you stand with me. Honesty is very important.”

His gaze was powerful. Focused entirely on me. I could feel his passion and need. Felt it reflected in my soul.

“Or am I too old for you, Una? Ten years is a lot.”

“No. I don’t care about that. I have never felt my age.”

“Or acted like it,” he agreed. “So, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying yes.”

“I need you alone. Now.”

“I don’t get to finish dessert?”

He was already on his feet. “I’ll get you one to go.”

A knock at my door brought me from my musings. I stood, shifting the blanket off my lap. I set down my cup of cold tea and headed to the door, peering out the peephole. I sighed, resting my head against the wood. “What now, Brian?” I asked.

“Let me in.”

“So you can yell and call me names? Mess up the place some more?”