Page 119 of Finlay

Istared at the handsome stranger in utter bewilderment. “I’m sorry, have we met?”

“Yes.” He took a step forward. “I mean, no. Well, we have, but you won’t remember it.”

Finn got to his feet slowly. “I think ye better start explaining yourself, Calix.”

“What?” Cal’s eyes widened in surprise as they darted between me and Finn. “Are the two of you together?”

“Aye.” Finn’s hand rested protectively on my shoulder. “And I think we’d both like to know how ye know Chester.”

Cal seemed to regain his composure, straightening his jacket before closing the distance between us. “My apologies, but it’s a long story and really, not fully mine to tell.”

Danny straightened up. “Hang on, is thistheChester?”

“It is.” Cal grinned broadly at Danny before turning back to me. “I have to say, knowing you’re with Finn is the best news ever.”

Finn glanced down at me helplessly. “Are you keeping up with this, m’eudail?”

I shook my head mutely. Danny clapped his handdramatically against his chest. “Oh my god, stop. You’re calling him ‘darling’?”

Finn flushed as he glared at Danny. “Thank ye for that.”

I got to my feet to kiss Finn’s cheek. “It’s okay, I may have googled what ‘m’eudail’ means a while back. I think it’s sweet that you call me that.”

Cal was on his phone, his shoulders twisted away from us. “Yes, Harlow. He’s here in The Closet. Can you ask Bailey what I can tell him?”

Bailey.Why did that name ring a bell? I knew why Cal’s did—that was my great-uncle’s name. But Bailey was familiar too…I just couldn’t put my finger on why.

“Fine, see you in a few minutes.” Cal sighed, hanging up his phone and turning back to me with a kind smile. “I know you must be confused, but I promise it’ll all make sense shortly.”

Finn tensed beside me. “Is this an explanation that’s going to be pleasant?”

“Very.” Cal patted Finn’s shoulder reassuringly. “Well, you’ll think it’s pleasant, Chester might have other opinions. Regardless, he’s not in danger.”

“He’s right,” Danny said. “Chester’s been under Cal’s protection for a while now.”

The floor seemed to tilt under me. “I’m so fucking confused.”

Finn caught me under the arm to steady me. “M’eudail, are you okay?”

The door banged again and River swore. “Might as well have put a fucking revolving one in.”

“Where is he?” A petite guy dressed in a cropped shirt and tiny shorts raced in, hands going to his hips. “Where’s Chester?”

I waved my hand, slightly dazed. “Um, here.”

Once again, I found my arms full of a stranger, and he had a hell of a grip for such a little bloke.

“I’m so glad to see you,” he croaked in my ear. “You have no idea.”

“Low, you’re choking the poor fella.” I looked up to see a man about my size and build smiling at me sympathetically. Unlike the others, he looked strangely familiar. “Have they explained anything to you yet?”

“That’d be a no,” Finn said, extracting the man from my arms and fixing him with a glare. “Someone better start talking, and fast. Clearly there’s something going on that Chester’s not privy to, and I won’t have him mucked around like this.”

Several of the men winced, but it was the familiar one who spoke. “Sorry, Chester. They all seem to act without thinking. It’s a family trait, I’m afraid. Anyway, I’m Bailey, and the one who tried to cuddle you to death is my mate, Harlow.”

“Bailey,” I repeated, shaking his hand as the pieces slid into place. I’d seen photos of this man before. Photos of him smiling tightly beside someone I’d rather forget. “You’re Matt’s ex.”

Finn drew in a breath and gathered me into his arms. We were several paces away before I’d even realised we were moving.

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