Page 120 of For Your Love

When Colleen got outside, she spotted Alfie sitting next to an agitated Ryan. What a hilarious contrast. The small white terrier next to her burly, cop-brother.

“Alfie!” Colleen squealed, hurrying to scoop the dog into her arms, covering him with kisses. “I can’t believe you brought him with you.”

Ryan gave her a hug. “Thanks for rescuing me from babysitting this pain-in-the-ass little dog.”

Colleen laughed. “He’s really sweet once you get to know him,” she said, catching Finn’s grin.

“How are you?” Ryan asked, his tone serious.

“I’m good. Thanks for supporting me, Ryan. It means a lot.”

“Anything for you, Coll. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I do.” She kissed him on the cheek.

“And thanks for reaching out to me,” Finn said, shaking Ryan’s hand. “And for keeping Alfie company.”

Colleen looked between them, confused. “Ryan contacted you?”

“I sure did,” Ryan said, standing proud with his arms across his broad chest. “I told him to get his shit together and come to California.” He pointed a finger at Finn. “You better be good to her, or else I’m coming after you.” Ryan’s words were tough, but his eyes sparkled with humor.

“Duly noted, Officer Murphy. I promise I will do my best to keep your sister happy.”

Finn leaned in to give Colleen a kiss.

CHAPTER 53

FINN

“Someone make me stop eating these,” Sean said, grabbing another potsticker.

Eileen took a sip of wine. “Thanks for picking up the food, Aidan.”

“No problem,” Aidan wiped his mouth with a napkin. “It’s too bad Ryan couldn’t stay another night.”

“Yeah,” Sean said around a mouthful of food, “he should be here, but he’s working nights now.”

Aidan returned his attention to Finn. “I keep meaning to ask you. What happened to the man who shot you?”

Finn pushed his plate away and took Colleen’s hand. “His rich uncle hired a high-powered attorney, so Cole will probably stay out of jail with some form of insanity plea.”

“How did he know your father would be at the gala? Was it a coincidence?” Aidan asked.

“Cole crafted a clever plan. My father had returned to New York, but he hadn’t been invited to any social events. Cole did some research and learned my father had attended the gala in the past, so he intentionally lured my father there.”

“How?” Sean asked.

“Cole was a volunteer on the gala committee. He sent a separate invitation by courier directly to my father’s home. It was a fatal collision course. Cole was determined to get his revenge, and my father’s narcissistic need for attention meant he wouldn’t refuse an important invitation.

“And what about your father?” Eileen asked. “Have you spoken with him?”

“I’m not ready to have any contact with him yet.” His stepmother had been sincere in her apology, but he wasn’t ready to forgive his father.

“So, you’re a hero now,” Sean said. “The press has been raving about how you protected your father with your own body.”

“That’s the story,” he hesitated before being completely honest, “but it’s not true. He’d been rude to Colleen,” Finn said, squeezing Colleen’s hand, “and I wanted to throttle him, not save his life.”

Everyone was quiet for a few moments until Aidan said, “You wouldn’t have been able to hurt him, and you wouldn’t want anyone to hurt him, either. That’s not who you are, Finn. Give it time. Forgiveness is solely up to you.”

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