Page 114 of Finlay

I’d addressed Logan, but it was Evan who answered. He laughed bitterly, not taking his gaze from the window.“Turns out Reid was more cut up about losing his dad than we thought he’d be.”

That surprised me. From what Reid had said, I’d truly thought he’d be relieved. I guessed grief did funny things to you.

“We can just add it to the list of other shit he blames me for,” Evan said darkly. “At least this one I won’t lose any sleep over.”

Finn and I exchanged a look. The last thing Evan needed was more guilt where Reid was concerned.

“I can watch over him,” Evan continued.“He’s got a warrior out there now, but I want to take over.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Finn said.

Evan finally looked away from the window, meeting his leader’s gaze coolly. “I insist. If I’m going to keep fucking up where he’s concerned, at least I can make sure he’s safe while I do so.”

Finn studied him for a few moments before nodding. “Okay, but if you need to switch out at any time, just say.”

Relief flashed over Evan’s face briefly before thedarkness crept in again. Once more, he turned his face to the window.

“Calan, Logan, you’ll stay here and guard the clan,” Finn said. “Calan, I want you to double up the training protocols. Logan, brief the council. Remind them we don’t need their permission but keep them informed.”

Wicked delight lit up Logan’s eyes. “It’ll be my pleasure.”

Finn sighed and turned to me. “I hate to ask, but can you be away from the shop for a few days?”

My brow crinkled. “I mean, yeah. We don’t have any massive orders this week, and I’m confident Reid will manage if he’s feeling up to it. But why?”

“Because I want you to come to Southampton with me. After today, I don’t want to be far from you.”

Without the mating bond.I could almost hear the unspoken words. This was where I was supposed to say maybe we should do it. We loved each other, so what was the point in waiting?

For some unfathomable reason though, I stayed silent.

“Plus, I want you to meet Danny.” Finn lowered his voice as he ran his knuckles along my cheek. “You’re the most important person in my life now. It feels wrong that you haven’t met him.”

Southampton’s only fifteen minutes from Portsmouth. What if I run into Matt?

I pushed that fear away. I’d be with Finn. He wouldn’t let anything happen to me.“I’d love to.”

Chapter 33

Finn

Not wanting to waste any time, Chester and I caught the first flight out of Edinburgh the next morning. Reid had agreed to watch the shop for Chester. According to Chester, he’d been subdued on the phone but insisted he was okay.

Time would tell as to how honest he was being.

We were in the air for less than ninety minutes. It should’ve been easy, but it was by far the smallest plane I’d ever been on. I wasn’t good with flying at the best of times.

Thank fuck I’d been born a shifter and not an angel or a demon.

“Those seats weren’t built for men our size,” Chester muttered, stretching his back as we made our way down the staircase to the tarmac. Southampton Airport was convenient for our needs, but tiny. So tiny, in fact, that you walked from the plane directly to the terminal without the need for tunnels or buses.

“You’re telling me. I could’ve stretched out my arms and touched both sides of the plane.” I pressed my hand againstmy stomach, willing the nausea to subside. “Felt like we were in a tin can bobbing in the sea.”

We hadn’t bothered checking luggage. So long as Danny was fine, we planned on travelling home on the next available flight.

I’d tried him several times over the past twelve hours but his phone was still off. I knew Logan was doing the same with Riley. Every time a call failed, my anxiety notched up a little more. What if something had happened to them?

“Do you have Danny’s address?” Chester had the Uber app open and was looking at me expectantly.

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