Page 98 of Finlay

“Sarah was Danny’s wife,” he explained, his voice barely above a whisper. “Maria his daughter. I was their guard.”

Fuck.It was no wonder he blamed himself for their deaths if his job had been to protect them. That didn’t mean itwashis fault; he hadn’t been here.

I knew Finn didn’t see it that way though.

“I loved them both in a way I shouldn’t have,” he continued, tears thickening his voice.

I suspected I knew the answer, but I asked the question anyway. “Did any of them know?”

“Fuck no. I kept my feelings buried. They weren’t mine to love, but I did anyway.”

My heart was breaking for him. “You can’t help who you fall in love with, Finn. The heart chooses, not you.”

“Danny said something similar to me last year,” Finn murmured. “I think he finally realised what I’d kept from him all this time.”

“Was he mad at you?”

Finn shook his head. “Not for loving them, anyway. I think he was a little pissed that I’d hidden my grief fromhim though. But they weren’t mine to grieve any more than they were mine to love.”

I snuggled into Finn’s side, offering him my support. “I’m so sorry, Finn. I can’t imagine how hard it was for you.”

He leaned against me. “It’s got easier. Mostly because of you.”

“Because of the memorial I made for them?”

“No.” Finn gave a small smile. “Well, that helped too, but just meeting you, spending time with you, has helped. I’ve been so frightened of falling for someone that I’d closed myself off.”

I was confused. “Why would you do that? Surely if you fell for someone who was single, you wouldn’t be caught in the same trap as before?”

“That’s not what I’m afraid of.” He turned so we were facing each other, cupping my face as he stared into my eyes. “I’m not afraid of unrequited love, Chester. I’ve survived it before and, as much as it sucks, I know I can do it again if necessary.”

Love.Was that something I wanted with him? Was it something I was even capable of after Matt?

Fuck. I hoped so.

“I’m afraid of loss,” he confessed. “Of loving someone only for them to be taken from me. That’s why I’m not introducing you around the clan. I don’t mind them seeing you, but the less they know about you the better.”

“How does that tie into losing me?”

“Because not everyone here can be trusted,” he said heavily. “Danny was betrayed by members of our own clan. Last year, it happened again, and his human mate almost paid the price.”

My eyes bugged wide. “Are they still part of the clan?”

“No,” he said darkly. “They aren’t part of this plane or any other.”

The meaning behind his words sank in. It didn’t shock me. If anything, I was relieved that Finn didn’t have to share his lands with those who would commit such atrocities.

“That doesn’t mean to say there aren’t others who are looking for an opportunity to oust me,” Finn said. “Our clan is the most powerful in Britain, and there are always those seeking leadership. It means Calan, Logan, Evan and I all have targets on us. We have to be constantly aware of any threats that might make themselves known.”

“But you more so, right? Because you’re the leader?”

“Aye. And if I have a weak spot? That’s what they’ll target. Or rather, who.”

I flushed as I realised what he was getting at. “I’m your weak spot.”

He winced. “Well, I wouldn’t put it that way. But yes, I’m afraid that if they realise what you mean to me, they’ll target you. And as you’re human…”

“It’s not a fight I’ll come off well in.” I finished the sentence for him. “But you said Danny’s mate survived, right? Isn’t he human too?”

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