Finn Read online

  “Oh God,” Haley whispered.

  Alyssa pushed them through a large department store in the center of the mall.

  “What are we going to do?” Haley whispered.

  Alyssa pulled out her phone and dialed the only person she knew who could handle this.

  “We keep moving,” she said. “And we make sure there are always people around.”

  Alyssa shook so bad that the phone at her ear rattled against her head.

  “Finn,” she sighed onto the phone when he clicked on. “We’re in trouble.”

  “What?” She could hear him jump up from whatever he was doing.

  “Someone’s following us,” she said quietly as they exited the store.

  “How close?” he asked.

  Alyssa chanced a look behind her and found him a few stores behind them but gaining.

  “A few stores away, but he’s getting closer,” she whispered.

  “Where are you now?” His voice jostled, and she heard him start his car.

  “Just passed the yogurt place and moving toward the pet shop.”

  “It’s a dead end,” Haley whispered to her.

  “Fuck,” he yelled. “Here’s what you’re going to do, loop around at a kiosk. Pause just long enough for him to get a little closer but don’t let him near you.”

  “What happens if he gets near us?” she whispered, fear in every word.

  “Don’t let him,” he said firmly. “I’m close. I’m so close.”

  She pulled Haley to a nail stand. The man moved closer. His tattooed hands stayed close to his side, and his cold black eyes stayed fixed on her. Alyssa watched closely as he passed a group of teens. When he moved to the side, she found what she suspected to be true.

  She breathed heavy, still on the phone, and urged Haley to move again. He was closer now, and the last thing she wanted was to be within reach of him.

  “Breathe, Alyssa,” Finn said calmly into the phone.

  “He’s got a g—” she started.

  “Don’t!” Finn said quickly. “Haley can’t take this. She’s not as tough as you.”

  He was right. Innocent little kindergarten teaching Haley was about as sweet as they came. From Alyssa’s last foster family in a long line, Haley was the best friend she’d ever met.

  Alyssa rubbed her friend’s hand. Her sore shoulder twitched from using it so long to hold the phone, but she ignored the pain and soldiered on.

  “What next?” she whispered. Alyssa glanced behind her again. Her stomach bottomed out when she realized he was no longer behind her. “Shit,” she said, stopping to scan the area.

  “What?” Finn said, panic rising in his voice.

  “He’s not behind us,” she said. She breathed hard as she swung her head back and forth.

  “Turn around,” Finn said quickly. “Alyssa, turn around and run.”

  “Where?” she said into the phone. Sweat made the plastic slick in her hands.

  “Just fucking run!” he yelled into the phone.

  Alyssa grabbed Haley by the hand and yanked hard. She turned to run and spotted him on the other side of a bench, just feet away from them. Not really having a plan, she pulled until they came to a hall at the end of the strip.

  Being short worked in her favor for once. Their small sizes made it easy to slip through the crowd. He was quickly gaining, but they still had a chance of escaping.

  “Finn,” she nearly cried into the phone.

  “The service elevator,” Haley said beside her.

  “Can you meet us at the service garage on the north side?” she said into the phone.

  “Yes,” he said. She could hear the engine in his car kick into the next gear.

  They punched the button. And waited. Any second and the tattooed man would be rounding the corner.

  “Come on. Come on. Come on,” she chanted into the phone.

  The door dinged, and they slipped inside. Haley hit the basement button as he came around the corner.

  She stared into his dead eyes and watched in slow motion as he pulled out the gun. This wasn’t her first time facing down a barrel, and much like last time, she wasn’t afraid. Fear gave such men what they wanted.

  He smiled when Haley screamed, just as the doors closed. She fell to her knees.

  Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief.

  “You okay?” Finn said into the phone.

  She had been so focused on the man with the gun that she had completely forgotten Finn was there with her.

  “Yeah,” she said softly.

  She crouched down and wrapped an arm around her friend. “Haley,” she said coaxingly. “I really need you right now.”

  It was a long shot, but it was no time to break down.

  “I can’t,” she whispered.

  “You can,” Alyssa said firmly. “You have to, or we’re going to die.”

  “Over my dead fucking body,” Finn shouted into her ear. She ignored him and went on.

  “Now stand up, Haley,” she commanded.

  Haley stood and stared at her.

  “When this door opens, you’re going to make sure they stay open while I grab something to keep them that way,” Alyssa explained.

  “What if he’s down there?” Haley sniffed a few times.

  “No way,” Alyssa said. “Only exit on this side is the basement.” He’s going to have to go half-way down the mall to get to the nearest exit.”

  She nodded and seemed to perk up.

  The elevator dinged, and Alyssa waited for the doors to open. When there was enough room, she shot through.

  “How far are you?” she said into the phone.

  It crackled, and she cursed.

  “…outside…” Finn said.

  “All I’m getting is outside,” she shouted into the phone as she rummaged through a pile of junk.

  He crackled back, and she felt her resolve crack. Either he was saying don’t go outside or to go outside. One mistake could cost them everything.

  “God, Finn, I really need you,” she whispered into the phone. “We’ll meet you outside. Please be there.”

  She clicked it off and carried the chunk of wood back to the elevator. With Haley’s help, she wedged the wood between the doors.

  “Is he coming?” Haley asked. Her face was pale, and Alyssa knew she wasn’t far from cracking.

  “He’ll be here,” she said with more conviction than she felt.

  They ran through the large basement, dodging pallets and various debris. She sighed when the red exit sign came into view and hoped that Finn would be waiting for them. Not thinking, she hit the door with her bad arm and cried out in pain.

  “Alyssa,” Haley said and wrapped an arm around her. “Can you keep going?”

  Alyssa took a few deep breaths to steady herself. She nodded and moved forward.

  Her arm burned now in a way that she knew couldn’t be good, but there was no choice. The scanned the area and groaned. Finn wasn’t there.

  “Five minutes,” she said to Haley. “We wait five minutes.”

  She pulled out her phone to call when she heard the squeal of tires around the corner.

  “Hide,” she shouted to Haley and shoved her toward the door.

  “What about you?” she asked.

  Alyssa looked back to her friend and smiled. “He’s only looking for me.”

  “No way,” Haley ran over and pulled Alyssa by her good arm.

  Reluctantly, she followed.

  “Alyssa!” she heard Finn shout. She nearly cried.

  She turned around, and there he was, gun in hand and ready for battle.

  Without even thinking, she ran to him. Never in her life had she been more happy to see another person. Forgetting the pain in her shoulder, she threw her arms around him and let him carry her weight.

  “I got you,” he whispered.

  She jumped at the sound of a car coming around the back.

  “It’s okay,” he whispered in her ear. “Noel is here for backup.”
/>   Noel parked near them and climbed out. Without a word Haley went to the front seat and stared out at Alyssa.

  She released Finn and grunted in pain.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked in concern.

  She placed a hand on her shoulder and winced. It was hot to the touch and throbbed.

  “I have to talk to her,” she said. She stared at him for a moment, willing him to understand. He nodded, dropping his arms from her waist.

  She watched her best friend through the front window of the car. Her eyes were glassed over, and she looked like she was shutting down.

  “Haley,” she said when she reached the door.

  Her friend turned to look at her. “You’re in danger, aren’t you?”

  Alyssa thought about lying for a moment but nodded.

  Haley closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. When she opened them again, they seemed cleared and more focused.

  “Will he keep you safe?” Haley nodded to Finn.

  Alyssa looked over at him. He and Noel watched them from Finn’s car. Every now and again, one would scan the area.

  “Yes,” she said firmly.

  Haley sighed and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “For once in your life, Alyssa, don’t be stubborn.”

  She frowned at Haley. “What?”

  She pointed to Finn. “If that man can keep you safe, you do what he says.” Haley turned to face Alyssa, the unshed tears pooled in her eyes. “I can’t lose you,” she said quietly.

  Alyssa bent down and pulled her into a tight hug. “You won’t,” she said. When Haley started to sob, she rubbed her back.

  After a few moments, her friend’s sobs decreased, and Alyssa leaned back. “You go home and relax. It’s all over now. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Haley sucked in a deep breath and nodded.

  Not giving her time to back down, Alyssa walked back over to the passenger side of Finn’s car.

  “Are you taking her home?” she asked Noel

  “I’ll make sure we aren’t being followed, and then wait for some men to bring her car back,” he said. “I’ll guard her place tonight just in case.”

  She smiled at him. “Thanks,” she whispered.

  Tired and aching, she climbed into the car. Noel shut the door behind her, and she closed her eyes. Alyssa had experienced some shitty days in her time, but this one took the cake.

  She chuckled. It seemed to be saying a lot when getting shot wasn’t your worst day.

  They drove for a bit before Finn spoke. “Are you okay?”

  She eyes opened and stared out the front window. Okay seemed like such a faraway idea. She lolled her head to the side and looked at him for a moment. Jeans and a sleeveless white undershirt. Still clean-cut as always.

  “I’m…I’m alive,” she said.

  Finn gave a nod and tightened his hands on the wheel.

  They drove a little longer before she bothered to even ask, “Where are we going?”

  He nodded ahead. “My house,” he said. “No way I’m taking you back to your place after that.”

  Everything in her said to fight it, but all her fight was gone.

  She watched as the nice suburbs passed them by. Homes became further apart, and the houses grew in size. She knew he had money, but this was the kind of money most people dreamed about.

  They slowed down and stopped outside an iron gate. Finn pushed a button, and the gate swung open. Alyssa marveled at the size of the place. The home wasn’t just large. That was insufficient to describe it. There were more rooms there than anyone could ever use.

  “This is where you live?” she asked.

  Finn looked from her, to the house and back to her.

  He shrugged, and she watched as he climbed out of the car. She stared at the house for a few seconds more before he opened her door. Alyssa turned to him and took his outstretched hand. Gently, he guided her into the house.

  They made their way through the halls, and she stared around her. It was a nice combination of dark wood old world and somewhat modern decoration. They followed the hall into the living room, and she sighed when the couch came into view.

  “You sit down, and I’ll get you something for your shoulder,” Finn said.

  Alyssa sat hard onto the couch and sank into the soft brown fabric. The adrenaline from earlier was starting to wear off, and the longer she sat, the more her shoulder hurt.

  Finn came back with a flat, long cold pack that he gently placed on her shoulder. He handed her a bottle of water and shoved some pills into her hand. Alyssa looked up to him.

  “Ibuprofen and some pain killers,” he said

  Alyssa stared at her hand and wondered if she should take them.

  “It’s the same stuff you were taking in the hospital,” he said gruffly. “Take them.”

  She looked back up at him and nodded before taking the pills. Anything would be better than the pain she was in.

  Finn pushed the remote to his mammoth TV into her hand.

  “I’ve got to meet with the others,” he said. She could feel his unease with leaving her.

  “I’ll be fine,” she said and gave a tiny smile.

  Finn frowned and scrubbed a hand across his face. “I won’t be long,” he said and swooped down next to her. “I swear you’ll be safe here.”

  Alyssa nodded and watched as he stood. Men were pouring into the house, and she vaguely wondered what they would talk about, but the longer she sat, the more tired she became.

  Through heavy eyes, she watched Finn’s back as he left the room. Her rescuer.

  Chapter Six

  Finn scanned the room and frowned. There were fewer men than expected. Apparently, the problem with Ennis was worse than he thought.

  Conor came to stand by him.

  “Four,” he said. “Four haven’t shown up.”

  “How long?” Finn asked quietly as the men chatted in the room. Several cast him glances as they huddled in small groups.

  “Only today,” Conor replied. “Several work near the mall, and we thought we’d be able to get ahold of them to help. Their numbers had been disconnected.”

  Finn gritted his teeth. Ennis was certainly picking them off to make an army. The question was only when he would strike, not if.

  “Do you have a plan?” Conor looked to him with concern in his eyes. For the first time in forever, Finn wasn’t sure what he was going to do. Half his men wanted to keep making money like they had with his father, regardless of the path they were led down. It was easy for them. Make a few deals, and they never had to deal with the woman and children shoved into metal crates, shipped off to god knows where doing god knows what.

  His fist clenched. It was one thing to take out a bad guy or two. After all, they all knew what they were getting into. Live by the sword, die by the sword. But the people who would be trafficked, that the Russians had already been trafficking, were just average people trying to live a happy life. He couldn’t tolerate that. He wouldn’t tolerate that.

  “We’ve got to get this shit with the city council figured out,” he said. “If we can start pulling in more money, the men will see how easy things can be.”

  Conor nodded. “So we wait on Claire,” he sighed. “She’s gotta love that.”

  Finn looked over at him sternly. “I think you’d be surprised with how much she actually cares.”

  Conor cleared his throat and nodded. Finn didn’t care if they two of them wanted to continue with their silly spat, but he wasn’t going to let them sit around and talk badly about one another. They were good people, and the sooner they each realized it, the better things would be.

  “Settle down,” Finn said loudly into the group. The men turned to him. Some were faithful and waited for his orders. Others stared with mild disinterest, and a few looked at him with open contempt. He knew that this wasn’t the last discussion they would have about defectors.

  “Boris has made himself known today,” he said. A murmur spread in the crowd. �
�He’s ruthless and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Be vigilant in everything you do because there will be no deals with him.”

  Finn paced around the room, looking each man in the eye as he went. “We’ve fought against some mighty families, but this one man differs from them all.”

  He paused and swept around to look at them. “This man doesn’t negotiate. It’s all or nothing, and he has no problem tossing aside anyone who might think about selling us out.”

  His attention lingered on several men who stared at him with open contempt. “Make a deal with the devil, and there’s nothing, and no one, to stop him from dragging you to hell.”

  The largest of those glaring glanced away at his statement. He wanted it clear. If they were going to sell him out, let it be to Ennis. Boris was not the man he wanted knowing details of his life.

  “I’ll be leaving the details of your orders with Conor,” he said. “You are to defer to him if I’m not around.”

  He turned to Conor, who looked surprised. It was his first real appointment in a more official capacity. Finn hated that it came in this way, but he could trust Conor and knew him to be someone that would follow his word.

  Several men talked quietly about the news. It was unusual to pick a second in command that wasn’t blood related.

  “For now go home and be ready.”

  He walked out the door to his office, Conor not far behind. Inside, Liam sat at his desk, waiting for him.

  “You skipping the meeting?” Finn said and leaned against his desk.

  “Figure I heard all I needed to.” He nodded to Conor.

  “Seriously,” Conor said, moving to stand before Finn. His face was red. “What the fuck?”

  Finn frowned. “I thought you made the best sense. I don’t understand the problem here.”

  Conor paced the room and glanced over at him.

  “This isn’t the position I expected to be in,” Conor said and wiped a hand over his face.

  “Well maybe not, but you are the most qualified,” Finn said.

  “What about Liam?” Conor swung a hand in Liam’s direction. “Isn’t this something you’d normally go to blood for?”

  Finn narrowed his eyes. “I pick who I want to, and blood hasn’t been the best indicator of reliability.”