Page 40 of Redemption

Carys

Iflingopenthecloset doors and flick through the dresses, skirts, and tops hanging on the racks. They didn’t spare any expense. Eerie how they’ve managed to pluck items from the brands I love without duplicating anything I already own. When I turn to say something to Finn, he’s staring into the top drawer of the dresser.

“They know too much.” His tone matches the unease spidering along my limbs.

I check the tags. Every brand is sized correctly, and I’m not a universal fit across these companies. “How long are we going to be here?” I whisper. “Do you think they’ll let me go home to see Lucas at some point?”

“If you want out, I’ll go tell him now you’re leaving. I’ll do or say whatever I need to get you outta here.” His gaze is locked with mine.

With a deep sigh, I turn to the closet. “We’re a bit like flies in a trap, aren’t we?” When I look over my shoulder, he’s grimacing.

“Not gonna lie. They’ve got the upper hand. I don’t understand why they really need me. No idea on timelines or what they’ll ask me to do.” He rubs his forehead. “There’s something about his girlfriend too…”

“She couldn’t stop looking at you during lunch.” The few times we made eye contact, there was a glint in her eyes that didn’t sit right with me. Was it that her gaze devoured Finn and an old sense of competition rose in me? “Did she look familiar to you?”

I unpack my bag from the hotel. I can’t go if he’s in danger. The deal the FBI offered him is too good to survive whatever is coming. If I leave and never get to see him again, I’ll regret it. Lena and Sofia promised lots of video calling. Lucas is young. I’ll have to pray we bounce back from the time we’re separated. It’s too dangerous for him here. If I dwell on my decision too much, my heart cracks in half. Lucas and Finn. I want them both. Staying here seems like the only way I might grasp my family… someday.

“Did you think so too?” He picks up personal care items laid out on the dresser. “They even bought my deodorant.”

I gloss over his astounded comment. They’ve placed my face creams in the bathroom, including the toothpaste I favor. Unnerving. Frightening if I let it be. “Yes. I’ve seen her before somewhere. Maybe years ago? It’s a vague memory, I think. I can’t dredge it up.”

Finn’s lips tilt up, a hint of a smile. “I’ve got lots of gaps in my memories.”

“Almost dying tends to do that.” My mind fumbles for wherever I’ve seen Jade before. “I want to unscrew my head and extract the memory. Is the remembrance important? It bothers me I can’t remember.”

“Those gaps are a bitch.” He sighs. “They almost let me get taken down.”

I can’t help my laugh. “Shedidtake you down.”

He shoots me an annoyed look.

“I saved you.” I wander over to him and cup his cheek. “Could have been worse.” Though both paths—the warehouse shootout and my rescue—ended up leading him to jail. No point in rubbing salt in the closing wound. We get however long we get together before he’s back inside. I’m not going to waste a moment.

He tugs me flush against his body, and his head dips toward mine, and our lips connect. Our tongues tangle, and I fall into the pit of desire. Despite the circling danger, the joy of being this close to him propels logic out. I slide my hands up his taut sides, reveling in the skin-to-skin contact. His shirt is gone, and mine is over my head before a knock sounds.

“Go away,” Finn calls out, his lips trailing along my neck.

“You’re wanted in the war room.” Lorcan’s thick Irish accent pierces the heavy wood.

Disappointment rushes into the places desire had already seeped in. I wrap my arms around Finn’s middle and put my ear against his chest. His heartbeat is so solid and strong—one of my favorite sounds.

“Give me a sec.” His annoyance is obvious.

“Is his timing always this terrible?” I sigh.

“Not when I’m in charge.” He kisses my crown and draws away to pick up his shirt. He tugs it over his head and then stares at me for a second. His hands slide along my cheeks before he drags me into a long, passionate kiss that leaves me breathless. “Something for you to think about while you unpack.” He brushes his lips against my temple one more time before throwing open the bedroom door. “War room, huh?” Finn says to Lorcan as he shuts the door.

As uneasy as we are about the current situation, the hint of excitement in his voice at the suggestion of violence is unmistakable. He loves a riddle and a worthy adversary. Will they prove to be more than he can handle? Strangely, having his brother at his side gives me more confidence that between the two of them, they’ll figure out how to get a step ahead of the PLA. It’s a matter of time—both a blessing and a curse, with Lucas growing older each day I’m away from him.

When the last piece of my clothing is unpacked, I check my phone to see a video message from Lena of Lucas in his play area, Rosa passing him toys. My heart softens at the familiar sight. We need to make it out of this alive, and then we’ll eventually be together as a family.

There’s a knock at the bedroom door, and I exit my messages before cracking it open. Kim stands on the other side, her hands shoved into the pockets of her jacket. We were such good friends for a while that her appearance brings me up short. My instinct is to lean into our old friendship, despite her betrayal. If she goes after Finn again, it’s the same as going after me. Can she be trusted? His family is so connected with Kim’s. The smallness of the world amazes me.

“Did you need something?” I ask.

“Pierre-Jacques hauled Jay, Finn, and Lachlan into a strategy meeting. No women allowed.” She rolls her eyes. “He asked me to keep an eye on you… though he wasn’t too thrilled about asking.”

“That’s because he doesn’t trust you.”

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