Page 77 of Black Sheep

My gaze tracks him as he strolls across the bedroom like he owns the place. Which he does, technically speaking, but still.

I purse my lips when he picks up and smirks at the stuffed bear Axel won for me at a fair two weeks ago. I want to jump up and snatch the toy from him, but that would mean leaving the safety of the bed, the safety of Axel’s scent around me. So I sit, crossed-legged, and wait for him to finish his casual examination.

When he turns and fixes his eyes on me, I want to cower under the covers. Instead I raise my chin. “Can I help you, Mr. Rutherford?”

“I hope you’ll learn to call me Finnan. ‘Mr. Rutherford’ sounds like my church organist grandfather, the good Lord rest his soul.” He attempts a coaxing smile.

My hackles rise higher than the tide beating itself to death on the beach. When he perches on the edge of the bed, I want to snap at him to move. This bed is our sanctuary from our families, although privately I envy Axel for the siblings he claims to loathe.

Ronan is super scary, no doubt there. But Troy, despite his caustic tongue, can be charming when it suits him. Although I haven’t seen much evidence of it in the last couple of weeks.

But Bolton is a softie at heart. I frown inwardly. A big softie with a drug problem that will fuck up his life if he’s not careful.

“Cleo?”

Finnan’s voice jolts me into focus. He hasn’t moved from where he sits but his gaze is drifting over me in a way that makes me uncomfortable.

“Yes?”

“I don’t know how to sugar coat this so I’m just going to come out and say it. News has surfaced about your parents.”

My heart drops to my stomach. “What news? Are they okay?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know the full story yet but I have people working on finding out. You’re not blind to the kind of businesses your father and I were aligned with in the past, but we’ve been taking strides to put all that behind us. Unfortunately, not everyone is receptive to that move.”

“Are they okay? Are they…alive?” Axel, where are you? I need you!

He smiles a smile that is meant to be compassionate. It falls laughably short. “Whatever happens, be assured that I’ll continue taking care of you. Like I have been taking care of you these last few months. We’re not blood but I already consider you a part of my family.”

I’m aware that he didn’t answer my question. “I…okay. Thanks.”

He nods and stands. Looks around. “And if anything should happen that upsets the status quo around here, know that it won’t affect the promise I made to your father to look after you should anything happen to him.”

My mind is reeling from what he’s not saying. “What do you mean?”

“I told him returning to Boston wasn’t the best idea. I was quite disappointed about that decision actually. But he wouldn’t be swayed.” He flashes a grim smile that bypasses his eyes. “And when he talked about taking you with them, I know not everyone around here was thrilled about that.”

I frown “He talked about taking me?”

He nods. “Your mother wasn’t too happy about your relationship with Axel.”

My fists clench in my lap. For whatever reason, my mother took an instant dislike to Axel the moment they met. Years later, their relationship hasn’t warmed. If anything, it’s worsened. I’m not surprised that my mother’s been pushing for it. “So why didn’t they take me?”

He shrugs again. “I talked them out of it temporarily. Although…” he stops and looks a little pained. “I’m not sure if I made the right decision.”

“Why not?”

“Axel has been a little…off lately.”

“No, he hasn’t,” I defend hotly.

He reaches out a hand. I cringe from it. He sits back, his expression neutral.

“And what’s that got to do with my parents? What’s he got to do with them?” I press.

“Maybe nothing. Maybe, when you and I go to Boston next week, everything will be fine. I’ve heard your parents were in New Jersey meeting with the head of the Manzino family a few weeks ago but I don’t think that’s true. My contacts in Boston will clear everything up, I’m sure.”

I don’t want to think about going anywhere with Finnan. “I’m sorry, you mentioned Axel. What’s this got to do with him?” I ask again, although my heart is banging against my ribs now. For what reason I don’t know. No, that’s a lie. It’s banging because of the mention of New Jersey. Axel spent the better part of a day there three weeks ago. He grew cagey when I asked him why he went there with his brothers.

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