Page 125 of Finlay

Riley swore under his breath while Danny shook his head slowly. “I take it Evan didn’t realise he was being abused?”

“No. Evan was made to believe that Reid had been injured falling out of a tree. He did take his concerns to the boy’s father, Clyde, but he brushed them off. Said the boy was prone to lies and dramatics.”

Riley’s nostrils flared. “And he believed him? Is he a fucking moron?”

Danny sighed. “It’s not as simple as that, Ry. In clans, the innocent are the most protected members, especially children. It makes sense that Evan wouldn’t have thought anything more of it.”

“Given they were the clan responsible for what happened to Maria, I can’t believe he’d have bought that.”

Danny and I both flinched. Riley was right—they hadn’t respected Maria’s innocent life, so why would they have cared about Reid?

“Evan didn’t know about the Clarkson Clan’s involvement,” I said heavily. “That information is only disclosed once someone joins the inner circle.”

Riley stared at me in disbelief. “Why the fuck doesn’t everyone know?”

It was Danny who answered him. “For clan harmony, Ry. We have to coexist with other clans peacefully. Making an enemy of the Clarksons among our people would’ve led to nothing but fear and animosity.”

He sniffed. “Still think it’s stupid, but go on.”

The two stayed quiet through the rest of the story as I explained how Reid came back into our lives via Chester. His reunion with Evan, which went so painfully wrong. The guilt Evan carried thanks to everything he’d learned since.

I got all the way up to Clyde going to Chester’s home before Danny interrupted. His bones were cracking ominously, and I could’ve sworn I could see his wolf staringback at me. “Before you finish the story, please tell me Clyde’s dead.”

“Oh, very,” I said. Danny relaxed back in his seat, his wolf retreating. “Logan even performed his new favourite trick.”

Riley shuddered and turned a delicate shade of green. “How someone so lovely and funny can enjoy skinning people is beyond me. Dude’s one of my best friends, but…gross.”

“Gross but effective,” Danny said. “Sends a message.”

“Aye, that’s part of the problem.”

Danny’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

“The Clarksons have used Clyde’s death as an excuse to declare war.”

Danny’s confused expression didn’t shift. “But he violated the treaty. He came onto our land and threatened a human. Worse, he tried to kidnap him with the intent of holding him hostage. What the fuck were they expecting to happen?”

“No idea,” I said honestly. “They’re also determined to get to Reid still, and we don’t understand what they want with him either.”

“Fuck.” Danny carded his hand through his thick chestnut waves. “Okay. What can I do to help?”

Chapter 36

Chester

Bailey and I chatted idly as we made our way down the street and into a local park. Even in the depths of winter, it was a beautiful place. Huge amounts of green space were surrounded by tree lined walkways and various shrubs and flowerbeds hinted at a riot of colour during the spring and summer months. The florist in me was dying to go and investigate some of them closer.

“This is beautiful,” I said to Bailey as we made our way along one of the paths. “Much nicer than Pompey.”

“Don’t let them hear you say that.” Bailey chuckled. “Never known a rivalry quite like the one between Portsmouth and Southampton.”

I laughed along with him, shoving my hands into my pockets to try and stave off the cold. It was milder than the Highlands, but still bitter enough to make me regret not bringing gloves. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

Bailey answered my question with another. “Am I right in thinking you’re in a relationship with Finn, but that you’re not his mate?”

My guard went up immediately. “Yes. We’re not matesyet, but that doesn’t change anything. I love him with everything I am.”

Bailey hummed. “I’m guessing you’re holding off on the mating bond because of what you went through with Matt?”