Page 130 of Finlay

Finn had been right. By the time we finally got out and dried off, the tea was stone cold.

Neither of us regretted it one bit.

Chapter 37

Finn

Leaving Chester the following morning had made me physically ache. It was the first time we’d been apart since the Clyde incident. Chester might have been safe from him, but who knew what the Clarkson Clan had planned next?

Still, it was that very reason that made parting from him necessary. I’d driven him to his shop and walked him inside, then I’d waited until Logan arrived, only leaving when I was certain they’d be safe. He’d decided to join them in the shop for the day, something I was grateful for.

Chester didn’t seem to mind, simply kissing me on the cheek and wishing me luck for this morning. He knew I was going to meet with Calan and Evan to go over what had been discussed with Danny. Hopefully, at the end of it, we’d have something resembling a plan.

“I’m sorry if Logan is a nuisance,” I’d whispered just before leaving him. “I can make him wait outside if it’s easier.”

“No, it’s fine.” He smiled and kissed me once more. “Maybe Logan can tease a smile out ofReid.”

We both glanced at Chester’s assistant. He was being uncharacteristically quiet, his head bowed as he concentrated on his work. The bags under his eyes were so dark they almost looked like bruises.

“I hope so,” I’d replied. “We’ll all be there for him, just as we are for you.”

An hour later, I was in the clan house having given Calan and Evan the full rundown. “Realistically, Danny doesn’t think it’ll come to an attack either. If we suspect that’s going to happen, he’ll be flown up by one of the demons. They can have him here in under fifteen minutes.”

Calan frowned. “A demon?”

I raised a brow at my enforcer. “Do you have a problem with demons?”

“Course not,” he said gruffly, his cheeks turning ruddy. “Just wasn’t expecting them to be involved, that’s all.”

“They’re a big part of Danny’s social circle,” I reminded Calan as he scowled at the floor. Why was he being so odd about this? He’d never seemed particularly bothered by the mention of them before. Harlow looked after his money, for fuck’s sake. “His best friend is mated and married to Ferry.”

“The Grim Reaper?” Evan’s eyes went round. “That’s so fucking cool.”

“I don’t think he’s the reaper anymore,” I said. “From what Danny told me, he lives a quiet life with his mate down in Southampton. But he’ll come and fight for us if needed.”

“Well I don’t give a shit who comes to fight for us, so long as they help,” Evan said, fixing Calan with a determined glare. “You got something to say, Calan?”

He huffed and rolled his eyes. “Course not. I don’t have an issue with demons. It’s just…Never mind.”

He clamped his lips shut. Evan shot me a questioninglook but I shook my head. I knew my brother. Once he closed up about something, nothing would make him talk. In a way, it was a positive trait. If you told Calan that something was a secret, you could be certain he’d never share it.

Just as he’d never shared my love for Sarah.

But it was obvious that whatever his issue was, it was bothering him. Given how he’d encouraged me to take steps towards happiness a few months ago, you could rest assured that I’d be doing the same for him. He might not want to tell me what was going on, but that wouldn’t stop me keeping an eye on him.

If something, or someone, was upsetting Calan, that in turn meant they were upsetting me.

We talked a little longer, discussing what further information to disclose to the council. Logan had given them the bare essentials already, but more was needed. None of us wanted to give them the full story though.

After what they’d put us all through, our trust was something it would take them a long time to win back.

With Evan tasked with doing that and Calan agreeing to step up the training programme with the younger wolves, that just left me to write to the Clarkson Clan.

“Better you than me,” Calan muttered. “I don’t have the patience for any of that diplomacy bullshit.”

“Which is why I sit behind the desk instead of you.”

“And thank fuck for that.” Calan stretched and yawned. “Can’t think of anything worse, to be honest.”

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