Page 66 of Dirty Secret Love

River:On it :wink: emoji

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I finishmy chores earlier than usual and head toward Finnegan Gil’s house, hoping he’s still there.

As I’m getting closer to the driveway, I notice he’s about to climb into his car. “Finnegan,” I call out before reaching him.

Finnegan pauses with his hand on the car door handle and turns to face me. “River,” he greets me with a nod and a faint smile. “What can I do for you this morning?”

He waits patiently beside his car as I jog up the driveway to meet him.

“Sutton Asher,” I say. “She’s the librarian in town. Her parents are about to lose their house in Evergreen, and I would love it if you could help me buy the house, so they can head back.”

Finnegan frowns. “You people are so fucking aggravating. The program is pretty simple. You stick to a routine and stay in the shadows of the town. No one is supposed to pay attention to you.”

“What are you growling about?” I hear his wife speak before she climbs out of the passenger seat and shuts the car door behind her.

“The saga of the fake engagement continues,” he tells her with an exasperated sigh.

I sigh too at the reminder of it all. The ring has been burning a hole in my pocket since Sutton returned it. I don’t know what to do with it. I want her to wear it, but how can I convince her when she doesn’t even want to stay? I can’t stand to lose her. Wren said there’s nothing I can do, but I disagree. There has to be a way.

Callahan hated my plan. He said I’m asking for one too many favors from the program, and they might kick me out if I push further. But I feel like I have to try just one more thing. So I explain the situation to Finnegan and his wife without revealing too much.

When I’m done explaining, Finnegan is pacing around looking stressed. Fuck, did I just get us kicked out of the program and put everyone in danger?

“Stop,” his wife says firmly. “You’re not running for mayor, we’re not moving here permanently.”

How did she come up with that? He didn’t say a word. This is so weird.

He runs a hand through his hair. “Fine, but I can help fix this.” Finn glances at me. “So, what exactly do you want me to do again?”

“I’m not sure if you can access my money—I have some offshore accounts outside the books. I’d like to buy their house and set up a trust to keep them away from Sutton.”

Finn nods thoughtfully. “I can do that. It’s easier than using the accounts the FBI is watching.”

“What do you need from me?” I ask eagerly, leaning forward in anticipation.

He grins. “Nothing, I know about the hidden accounts. You all have ‘emergency funds’ that I’ve made sure to keep away from everyone, including the FBI. I can access the money no problem.”

“Why don’t I talk to Sutton about the library?” his wife suggests. “Our foundation can help fund it and even find someone else to help her out. She could use a break or two.”

“Absolutely, please use some of my money for that too,” I urge sincerely.

Finn looks at me sternly. “You and your family have to keep your heads down. I can’t run this program if you’re putting yourself on the map. If a picture of you gets out, we’re fucked.” He points back toward the town. “I swear if it wasn’t because of one of my mentors, I would’ve kicked you out long ago.”

I’m not sure what the relationship is between the mentors and us, but I won’t ask about it today. That’s a problem for tomorrow’s River to deal with. I simply tilt my head gratefully. “Thank you for your help.”

“Jump in the car. I’ll drive you to town,” Finn states. “I need you and Magnus to start working behind the scenes at my company to see if we can find anything new about your father’s businesses.”

“Of course, I’ll let him know,” I say, climbing into the passenger seat. As we drive, my thoughts churn with conflict. I’m grateful for Finnegan’s help with Sutton, but also worried about what we’ll uncover about my father’s corrupt empire. And beneath it all, there’s a persistent ache in my chest thinking about Sutton leaving town . . . and leaving me.

ChapterThirty-One

Sutton

“We have choices,”I tell Daisy. “Apparently, all the Kershaws have a place or two that’s off the radar of everyone—including the FBI.”

“Meow,” she responds from her perch on the back of the couch.

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