Page 23 of For Your Love

“How did you feel when you saw him?”

“Angry. Really angry. My father lost money on a phony investment with Finn’s father. I was a real bitch to Finn,” she said with a big exhale.

Jalane gave her a small tilt of her head but remained silent.

“But I was a little excited, too.”

“Why?”

Colleen reflected on his comment about being a queen. Something stirred deep inside her, demanding her to pay attention. She lifted her chin and said, “Because he knows who I am.”

CHAPTER 8

FINN

Finn dashed up the steps and out of the 14thStreet Station. Dodging pedestrians, strollers, and a dog walker holding onto several dogs, he jogged two blocks, and burst into the Willis Building. He waved to James, the security man, and punched the elevator button.

“You’re going to be late,” a familiar voice said behind him.

Finn said over his shoulder, “That makes two of us, Carmen.”

Carmen Zapata, the executive secretary and gate keeper of the Family Dignity Foundation was never late for anything. Carmen directed everyone at the busy nonprofit like a pit boss in a Las Vegas casino. Lucky for Finn, Carmen had a soft spot for him.

“I won’t tell, if you don’t tell,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper. The elevator doors opened with a swoosh.

“After you.” Finn gave Carmen a small bow and ushered her inside the elevator, pushing the button for the sixteenth floor.

Intimidating to the uninitiated, Carmen was petite, with short, curly salt and pepper hair. Her posture was ramrod straight and the fifty-something woman scrutinized him with the practiced eye of a mother of three kids. “You look tired. Why did you only take a few vacation days? You still have two weeks of vacation left.”

“I missed you too much to stay away,” he said with a wink.

“Diosmío.” She fanned herself with a hand and let out a throaty laugh. “Do you flirt with all the girls like that, or just women who are almost old enough to be your mother?”

The elevator doors opened on their floor and he walked with her to the offices of the foundation. As soon as Finn opened the door, Carmen was bombarded with questions from her assistant.

“See you around,” Carmen said. “The meeting starts in ten minutes.”

After a quick stop at his office, Finn stepped into the conference room with his coffee, tablet, and three minutes to spare.

Finn took his seat, while the rest of the staff filtered in chatting about their weekend.

Mary Sherman, the president of the foundation, took a seat next to him, her dark hair styled in a no-nonsense bob with short bangs. Her blue suit was impeccably tailored which matched her reserved personality. Finn knew she was in her early sixties and was married but never had children. The foundation was her life. She’d hired him directly from law school. She must have known about his father, but she’d never asked. For that reason alone, he admired her discretion and willingness to take a chance on a young attorney.

“Good morning,” Mary said, “Okay, Jamal, what do you have to report?”

Finn listened closely as each of his co-workers gave their reports on affordable housing, youth programs, and workforce development.

Mary turned to Finn. “Anything to report about legal issues?”

“Before I left town,” Finn said with a nod. “I was able to negotiate a restraining order for Mrs. Callahan and her kids. They’ve been moved to a safe house, where they’ll remain until Mr. Callahan’s trial is over. The DA is confident he’ll get a conviction and he’ll never leave jail; the restraining order is a precaution. So, everything is good, except Mr. Callahan was the breadwinner, so—”

“She and her kids will need secure housing soon,” Jamal said, making a note.

“Yeah,” Finn said, running a hand through his hair. He knew very well how difficult domestic violence could be on the entire family. “The whole family will also need therapy. It was a violent situation.”

“Let me see what I can do,” said Rebecca Martin, the head of the Wellness Committee. She glanced down to her computer screen and then looked up and said, “I have a new therapist contact, I’ll be happy to call her and see how soon she can arrange an appointment for them.”

“That would be great. His trial begins next month, and I know the family could use some assistance managing their stress.”

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