Page 38 of Finn

We sit down around the table, and it’s strange to have Mia sitting in this room. She looks even smaller and more innocent against the leather chair.

I rest my hand on her thigh and squeeze, letting her know I’m right here as she stares at Porter.

“Mia, I’m sorry this is how you ended up finding out about me. I’m sorry that I wasn’t in your life, and I’m sorry that I’m going to give you truths that you probably never wanted to know,” Porter says.

He looks broken, and it’s a strange look on him. I’m in a shitty position. I feel bad for Mia and Porter. Neither of them deserves any of this.

“You’re not sorry. If you were sorry, you would’ve come looking for me,” she whispers.

Porter looks at me, and I nod. It’s time to tell her.

It’s time she learned the truth.

12

Mia

I’m staring at my birth father, and I feel nothing but anger. He’s apologizing for shit that he could’ve prevented, and I hold him completely responsible for fucking up the life I thought I had.

Finn’s hand squeezing my thigh is the only thing keeping me seated. I want to get up and walk out before he even says another word.

Porter clears his throat and nods. “Mia, I don’t know what your mom told you,” he begins.

Mia slams her fists on the table and leans over the best she can. “Don’t blame my mom. I know you treated her badly. I know she had no choice but to run. She’s the victim as much as I am,” I growl.

I don’t trust anyone anymore. I’ve been lied to so many times I don’t know which way is up.

“Like I said, I don’t know what your mom told you. But I’m not here to give you anything but the truth. You gave her the opportunity. I’m just asking for the same,” he says, folding his hands on the table.

I lean back in the chair, crossing my arms. “Fine,” I mumble.

Finn rubs my thigh with his thumb, and I realize he’s trying to get me to relax and listen. I glance over at him, and he searches my eyes. He gives me a small nod. I’m not entirely sure if that means I can handle this or that he’s right here, but I find myself looking back at Porter and waiting.

“Your mom and I dated for a while before I finally got the nerve to ask her to marry me. She was different from anyone I’d ever met before. So full of life. Wanting to take risks. Loving the adrenaline rush. She fit into this club perfectly. She was good friends with Nora, Adalyn, and Gloria.” His eyes flash to Finn’s, and he sighs.

“Gloria was Brooks’ wife. A huge loss to the club, almost as much as her betrayal,” Finn says.

“What happened?” I ask him.

Finn’s eyes lift to Porter, and I hear him say, ‘go ahead’, and Finn looks back at me. “Gloria betrayed the club and Brooks. She lost her life because of it.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper, covering my mouth.

They killed her. What the fuck?

“It’s been a horrible loss,” Finn says.

I close my eyes and try to remember what Gillian said to me. The club killed her sister, and she was able to forgive them. I suddenly feel the need to talk to her about Gloria and see what her opinion is.

“Anyway, it was Gloria who told me to stop dragging my feet and marry her,” Porter says, chuckling. “That woman was a force.”

“Sure was,” Finn agrees.

“Okay, so you were pushed into marrying my mom,” I say.

Porter sits up straighter and drags his hand down his beard. His eyes lock with mine, and I see something flash in them. Sincerity?

“I loved your mother. I never loved a woman before her, and I never loved a woman after her. No one forced me to marry her. I had the ring for months before I was man enough to propose. I got down on one knee and promised to love her for the rest of my life. That’s a promise I’ve never broken,” Porter says.

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