Page 125 of Wood Riddance
Without a word, Finn got up off the floor, stalked over to me, and took the gun out of my hand. He took the magazine out and emptied the chamber, then he set the weapon on the workbench next to me.
With tears in his eyes, he grabbed my face and kissed me hard. It was hungry and messy and exhilarating.
Then he dropped to his knees, pressed his head to my stomach and hugged me while I continued to cry.
“Anyone want to fill me in on what’s going on?” Paz asked, though the words were more of a demand.
But his rant was interrupted by sirens.Finally.
Chapter44
Finn
“Can you all stop shouting now?” I gritted out. “We’re exhausted.”
We were surrounded by a sea of shocked faces.
After the police had taken Richard away and interviewed Adele and Parker and me, her family descended on the house. It was after ten, but the whole gang was here, shouting and asking questions. He-Man had already escaped. He was hiding under the bed, and at the moment, I wished I could join him.
Adele, always happy to take charge, whistled loudly, and hollered, “Shut up or I’m kicking you out of my house.”
The room instantly fell into silence.
“Sit down,” she said to Henri and Paz.
They were standing on either side of her with their arms crossed like sentries. Loraine was hovering and fussing.
“You too, Mom.”
“Seriously,” Parker said, pushing Paz into a floral-patterned armchair. She dropped into his lap, using her body to confine him.
“Can someone please explain what the hell happened tonight?” Henri asked. “All I know is that Richard tried to kill my sister and Finn drove through the garage.”
“Finn saved my life,” Adele clarified.
“But why was he even here?” Remy shouted. He was sitting on the edge of a couch cushion, crushing a pillow between his hands. “What’s going on?”
Adele let out a huge sigh and regarded me for a long moment. In response, I reached out and took her hand, giving her a reassuring smile.
“Finn and I are together,” Adele said, lifting her chin and pulling her shoulders back. “We’re in love, and we’re not interested in your opinions on the matter.”
“What the hell is going on here?”
“Adele, are you serious?”
“Him?”
“My sister?”
“Stop!” Adele shouted. “I’m not in the mood to tolerate toxic masculine aggression right now. I make my own choices. I live my life. And I sure as shit don’t meddle in your love lives.” She was standing tall, despite the toll this day had taken.
Sliding in behind her, I looped my arms around her middle, wishing I could make this easier on her. Wishing her family didn’t hate me.
Her brothers had gotten more subdued, but there was still quite a bit of grumbling going on around us.
“And,” she added, “I’m pregnant.”
The house fell into utter silence then. Paz’s eyes were blazing, and he was practically baring his teeth. Remy looked like he was half a second from hopping up and bolting. Henri wore a disappointed frown. None of their reactions were anything close to the kind my girl deserved in a monumental moment like this.
