Page 103 of Finlay

Naturally, he ignored us both. “You look like shit, Evan. You have done for weeks now. Killing yourself trying tofigure out what’s going on with Reid and his clan isn’t going to fix that.”

Evan’s voice dropped into a murderous register. “Fix what?”

“The guilt you’re carrying around about Reid.” Logan didn’t seem fazed by the death stare the other wolf was giving him, nonchalantly sipping his lime green monstrosity. “You won’t feel better until you sort shit out with him.”

I braced, waiting for Evan’s explosion. Beside me, I knew Calan was doing the same.

But it never came.

Instead, he slumped lower in his chair, looking more miserable than ever. “He won’t speak to me. And I don’t blame him.”

“You’re not to blame—” I started, but Evan cut me off with a lazy wave.

“Save it,” he said, exhaustion heavy in his voice. “I’ve heard it all before, and it won’t change how I feel.”

Calan sat forward. “Are you really going to sulk forever?”

Evan glared at Calan. “No, I’m going to figure out what his family wants with him.” He paused, taking in each of our dubious expressions and sighing. “Then I’ll go back to sulking.”

At least he was willing to admit there was an issue. Often, that was half the battle. Besides, I couldn’t see Reid staying mad at Evan forever. Now that Chester and I were…involved, he was bound to become a bigger part of our lives, especially given his links to the shifter community.

“Are you sure I can’t take over a shift watching him?” Evan turned to me with pleading eyes. “I won’t interact with him, I swear.”

I rubbed a hand over my jaw as I debated it. “Do ye really think it’ll help?”

Evan blinked sluggishly. “I just need to see him with my own eyes. To know he’s safe.”

Calan sent me a look that suggested I’d be mad to agree, but I felt for Evan. It hadn’t been too long ago that Buddy was dragging me through the trees to watch over a man we barely knew. If Evan was fighting a similar battle with his wolf, it must have been making his life a nightmare.

“Okay,” I said finally. “You can be added into the rotation.”

“Really?” Evan shot upright, life finally sparking in his eyes again. “You mean it?”

“Yes. But you aren’t to talk to him underanycircumstances. Understand?”

His head bobbed rapidly. “I promise.”

He practically skipped out when the meeting was over, oblivious to Logan’s teasing voice following him.

Calan let out a long-suffering sigh. “That’s going to come back and bite us somehow.”

I grunted in agreement. “If it does, it’s on me.”

“I think Evan will take the blame regardless. Seems to be his go-to where Reid is concerned.”

“I’d probably feel the same,” I admitted. “It’s hard enough knowing Chester was abused, and I didn’t know him then. But Evan did know Reid. Worse, he was a child. A child who asked for his help. That’s bound to fuck a guy up.”

“Do you know who abused Chester?”

“No,” I grumbled. “I’ve got a first name, but that’s it.”

Calan got to his feet and stretched before clapping my shoulder. “Well, if you get any more, I’ll delight in tracking the fucker down with you.”

I patted his hand. “Thanks, brother.”

Love and murder—keeping supe families together since ancient times.

Chester’s smile when he first spotted me was rapidly becoming my favourite sight.

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