“I can’t wait.” If Owen hadn’t been staring at him he would have missed the words. Stephen was a mess. Since Tasha had been diagnosed with preeclampsia, he’d been doing everything in his power to keep her spirits up and her body in bed. Tasha was really going stir-crazy if this mob of strippers was any indication.
If she’d done this for him, what the hell was she doing for Jeremy?
“Owen! You’re missing the show,” Rory called, already grinding between two muscular men wearing little more than thongs and big yellow boots. From the surprised expressions on their faces, they’d been expecting women to be sliding bills into their pants. But neither one of them was moving away. They couldn’t take their eyes off his attractive cousin.
Rory had clearly picked his next victims.
Owen waved him away with his free hand, gave Stephen’s back a firm, comforting pat and excused himself. He needed a minute before he could go back in and be the smiling guest of honor they deserved.
He pulled out his own phone and his fingers were texting before he could stop himself.
A bar full of naked cops and firemen. Top that.
The response came less than thirty seconds later.
Are your cousins drunk again or is it the strippers?
How did you know there were strippers? What did she get you?
We’re just talking here. Clothes on. And eating cakes shaped like my penis.
Owen snorted, moving toward the back door to the alley where he’d demanded Jeremy get on his knees. He’d done it for him again after Owen had proposed. Damn, he wished he were here now. Your penis specifically?
She made the mold years ago. I forgot but she kept it. Top that.
Can’t top it, but I want to taste it. Bring it to me now.
Jeremy responded by sending a picture of Jen and Tanaka taking comically erotic bites of their penis cakes. Hungry?
Cake tease.
Owen sent him the picture he’d taken earlier of the beer Seamus made. This is good but it doesn’t taste as delicious as the real thing. I miss you.
I’m a beer and a cake now? Miss you too. Enjoy the strippers.
As long as you don’t.
I can’t. Tasha sent them all to you so you couldn’t complain.
A silver lining. I’ll call you when I get home.
Owen slid his phone back in his jacket pocket and chafed his hands. He should be inside enjoying the show. What was wrong with him?
“Were you surprised? Your sister-in-law went all out.”
Owen whirled in the alley and saw the tip of a cigarette burn red before it fell to the ground, snuffed out by his cousin. “Hey, James. I thought you quit.”
“I did.” The graveled voice was subdued. “I am. Just needed a break.” He moved into the light, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced back toward the pub. “I’m not big on crowds. Solomon swore this was a family thing. A few friends. He didn’t mention the strippers until we got here.”
You’re not big on family gatherings either, Owen thought quietly. James was always taking extra shifts at the station on Finn Again nights and holidays. He was either the busiest police detective in the city, or he used his schedule to avoid socializing. “Rory says you don’t have to work during the wedding. You’ll be there?”
James looked up and Owen was startled for a second, the way he always was when he saw this particular Finn. He had the same hard expression and strong jaw as Solomon. The same tall, lanky build. But his hair was so dark brown it was almost black, and his eyes were green instead of the usual Finn blue.
“Of course. And so will Elder. I’m taking care of that personally.”
“You actually talked your dad into coming?”
James quirked his lips subtly in a smile that disappeared as quickly as it arrived. “Not yet. But I still have thirty-six hours or so. He’ll be there. I won’t let Shawn down again, though I can’t promise anything more than his presence. He’s made an art form out of being stubborn.”
He remembered the engagement party. James and Solomon had both done their best to drag him to the pub, but Sol refused. It was a miracle the old man had made it to any of the family dinners, Owen knew, but that hadn’t lasted long once Sol realized Shawn wasn’t at death’s door. Still, everything was out in the open now. No more secrets. Owen wasn’t sure if that would help or make things worse. “Thank you.”
“You shouldn’t thank me. He’s not much fun at parties.” James shrugged. “What’s your excuse?”
“What?”
“Why are you out here avoiding your bachelor bash? This is a big night for you.”
Owen smiled and leaned against the brick. “Yeah. She went all out, you’re right about that.” Now that he knew Tasha had been in charge of the planning, he had a good idea about who’d invited his ex-girlfriends to his party. Troublemaker. She was lucky she was so pregnant. “Everyone is great. But this is not the big night. Honestly, I wish it were over.”
James narrowed his gaze. “That’s a hell of a thing to say.”
He held up his hand. “No, I mean I’m ready now. I want to be married now. I need it to be official so nothing can stop it and he can’t change his mind.”
A genuine smile cracked the unforgiving lines of his cousin’s face. “He’ll never change his mind, Owen. A blind man could see Porter’s heart. The man wears it on his sleeve for you.”
“I know.” There was no way he would ever doubt it again. “I’m not changing my mind either. I don’t think everyone believes that yet, but it’s true.”
“I believe it.” James patted his pocket and scowled, flexing his fingers so he wouldn’t reach for another cigarette. “You’ve changed since you two got together. Grown up.”
“It only took thirty-six years,” Owen said mockingly, wondering how James saw this big change when he was never around. “Since it is my party and I’m the guest of honor, can I ask you a question?”
His cousin stilled, already on alert. “I suppose.”
“What’s up with you? Why have you been playing the Finn family ghost? Most of the year, if we’ve seen you at all, it’s for a few minutes at a time before you’re gone again. Did we do something to piss you off?”
James flinched. “I’m just busy, Owen. I don’t have the leisure of taking a night off every time the Finns want to get together.”
Owen snorted. “Everyone works, James. But we make time. Family is—”
“The most important thing? I’ve heard that before and I know it better than most. But you’re forgetting the Finns aren’t my only family, Owen.” James blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m sorry. Younger’s been riding my ass about my absence for a while now. But I am working, and I am trying to spend time with both of my families. Just because he doesn’t want to know Donna doesn’t mean… It’s not a big deal. I’m a jackass.”
“No, I’m the jackass,” Owen grimaced. “I know we go overboard with the Finn obligations. It isn’t really fair to you and Solomon, is it? Hell, it wouldn’t be fair to anyone who married into this mob.” Though so far their significant others didn’t have that much of a family to begin with.
He sometimes forgot that James and Solomon’s mother, Donna, was still around. She’d given up her rights to them after a fight, but that didn’t mean they didn’t know about her or spend time with her now. Sol’s other two wives had passed away, but even before then, his uncle had made it nearly impossible for anyone else to get their hooks into his sons. They were Finns. End of story.
He was a fucked up old man, and judging from his older sons and their tightly controlled personalities, he must have mellowed with age. None of the others were as grim as Solomon and James.
James growled and pulled out his lighter, clenching it in his fist like a talisman. “Don’t apologize. You don’t know what it means to Younger…to all of us to get the chance to reconnect with the rest of you. Just not really used to it. Your dad—You’re lucky, Owen. Your side of the family, I mean. All I am is jealous.”<
br />
“Our family. And James, don’t sa—”
“It’s true,” he said in a low, dark voice. “We are prime examples of that nature versus nurture shit, right? One side is all acceptance and unconditional love. The other…” His laugh was dark. “Let’s just say if the shoe was on the other foot, things wouldn’t be all sunshine and strippers.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean as Shawn’s children you can do anything you want. Love anyone you want. Your brother married a dominatrix with paternal links to the IRA and now he’s the most popular senator in the state.”
Owen frowned at his words. “Technically she’s a switch. And she’s only half Irish. You left out black and Puerto Rican, not that it matters.”
James held up two fingers. “Then your sister falls for two older bisexuals—one of them an ex-con and the other a Kelley. A hard pill to swallow for any family, but every Finn to a man deals and manages to accept them into the fold. Hell, you decide to get married in their house.”
“Have you seen that house, James? I’d be crazy not to. And it wasn’t as easy as you’re making it sound. You know that.”
But he was on a roll. “You also decided you were gay in your thirties and a little over a year later you’re having the most celebrated wedding since the Prince kissed Kate. All this and your father still beams with pride at all of you. Your mother still showers you with affection. Everyone in the city is behind you.”
Owen was bristling now. “And do you have a problem with any of that?” If he did, then he could take another double shift and stay the fuck away from his wedding.
“No, damn it, that’s not what I’m saying.” He swore under his breath. “This is why I don’t like crowds, you know. Or Finn Agains. I’m better with criminals. I’d rather people I care about didn’t realize how much like Elder I’m getting. I have his unique ability of always saying the wrong thing. I’m not judging, Owen. I’m envious. Not an attractive emotion, but there it is. You have a freedom I don’t. I wish… I wish I could be like the rest of you.”
Owen couldn’t decide if he was pissed off or sympathetic. And he wasn’t sure where it was coming from, but it was clear whatever James was going through, he was doing it alone. At least, without the Finn side of his family there to help him through it. “If we’re playing this game, your brother Brady is lucky too.” Owen took a step closer, watching his cousin warily. “He found Ken and we’re all good with it. Great with it. Rory’s inside right now with two strippers who thought they were straight. And if they all moved in together tomorrow? We’d throw a party.”
James snorted.
“We’d feel the same way if you found someone that made you happy, James. And you do have freedom. It’s the freedom not to give a shit about what your father thinks. It works for your brothers. Why do you think it wouldn’t work for you?”
He didn’t answer and Owen swore in frustration. “You are being a jackass, James Finn. And if I hear you talking that shit at my wedding you and I will have words, detective or not. But you’re still a part of this family. I know we’re not the only ones in your life, but we’re here if you need us. You just have to actually show up and ask.”
James pinned him with a gaze so intense Owen wanted to step back. “You say that now,” he said gruffly. “But you don’t really know.” He shook his head. “Do me a favor and forget I spewed all this bile at your bachelor party. Just remember that I truly am proud and happy as hell that you found what you wanted, grabbed on and didn’t let go. I may not be acting like it tonight, but I hope you know how I feel.”
“I know.” I love you too, asshole. Owen tried to smile, putting his hand on a tense shoulder. “Why don’t you come inside and have a drink with me? We can laugh at your brothers together.”
“Not tonight.” He backed away apologetically, still squeezing his lighter. “I’m not in the right place for it. I knew before I did I… I just wanted you to know I was here. Shit, I need to tell Hugo I’m bailing. But I’ll bring Sol to the wedding. I promise.”
“What the hell?” Owen muttered as James disappeared. The usually silent, more usually absent Finn had just dropped a lifetime’s worth of frustration in the alley, but Owen had no idea what to do with it. And who was Hugo?
He hated this. People didn’t usually tell him things. They told Jeremy things. They trusted and confided in his other half because he always knew what to say. Always had the right answers. Videogames and football? Owen was your man. Need a new building put up? Talk to Owen. Want to experiment with paddles and sadomasochism in the bedroom? Again, he should be first on your speed dial. But this? Owen was at a genuine loss.
He turned and went back inside the pub, determined to find Solomon and get a few answers. At the very least, it would distract him from missing Jeremy. And maybe they could bring James back from wherever he was heading. His cousin needed a Finn-tervention.
Chapter Three
1 day to Christmas Eve…
“I can’t believe you ate Jeremy’s penis cake.”
Ken smiled, his long black hair spilling across the pillow as he looked up at Brady with hungry eyes. “Good morning. I was wondering when you’d find your way home.”
Brady just stared until he laughed. “What? I was only trying to get in the familial spirit of things. Tasha was so pleased with herself for making Jeremy uncomfortable I couldn’t resist. It even had filling. How’s the groom holding up?”
Brady grimaced, pulling his t-shirt over his head. “As well as can be expected considering. Still spoiled. I swear he’d be fine if no one told him he wasn’t allowed to see Jeremy until the wedding. It took a lot of distraction and liquor to knock him out after the goodnight call to his fiancé. I left the boys to deal with his hangover, so we won’t have to go back until tonight.”
“We?”
Ken opened his arms as Brady crawled in naked beside him. He inhaled deeply and felt himself truly relax for the first time in hours. “God, you smell good. I missed you.”
“I like hearing that.” Hands caressed and massaged his back, soothing and arousing at the same time. “You said we,” Ken reminded him softly.
“I have best man duties. We have to be there to make sure Owen gets to the wedding in one piece. I don’t trust the boys alone. Not for something this important.”
Noah, Wyatt and Rory were the perfect choices to distract Owen. It was the main reason Brady had enlisted them. They’d drive him so crazy he wouldn’t be thinking about the big day until he was standing next to Jeremy saying his vows.
He’d had no idea James would help him with his plan, however unintentionally. Owen spent hours last night—not enjoying the strippers Tasha had hired for him—but wondering what was wrong with Brady’s brother. Had he been made by the mob? Was he sick and not telling anyone? Pregnant with an alien love child? What? Brady didn’t have any answers, other than the obvious. Hell, he didn’t even know there’d been a question.
“I’m a bad brother,” he mumbled into Ken’s neck, kissing him as his hand started to wander.
“Boy Scout, you couldn’t be a bad anything,” Ken assured him. Brady could feel his heartbeat race against his lips. “What happened? In between the beer and firemen I mean.”
“Something’s wrong with James.”
“Any specifics?”
“I have no idea, but it doesn’t sound good. And if Owen’s drunken ramblings when I put him to bed have any merit, he’s not the only one. Rory’s unhappy too.”
“That’s harder to believe. Someone sent over a picture of Rory last night and he looked like he was having his usual amount of fun. And by that I mean too much with two men.”
“I’m serious.”
Ken wrapped one strong, slender leg over Brady’s hip, squeezing seductively. “And you should have already known your brothers were having problems, because your Finn blood is magically delicious and links you psychically?”
“I should have known because we’re brothers.” He shivered
at the way Ken was scraping his short nails along his skin. He was practically purring he loved it so much. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Ken slid one hand between them in answer and did something that made Brady’s breath catch in his throat. “I know you have a big…hero complex, but you can’t solve all their problems right now. We have the wedding and Christmas to think about first. But we helped one Finn catch his bride. We could do it again if we put our heads together.”
Brady couldn’t help but smile. Ken always took the credit for that. They’d removed the last obstacles sure, but those two were like magnets. Eventually Stephen and Tasha would have come back together with or without Tanaka’s hacking skills. Brady’s fingers circled Ken’s growing erection and tightened on hot, hard flesh. “Our heads? Is that what you’re trying to put together?”
“Among other things.”
Brady stroked him once. Teasing. “So you want to make Sol’s single boys our next project? What if their problems have nothing to do with being single?”
Ken thrust himself impatiently into Brady’s tight fist. Someone missed him. “Ken?”
“Yes,” Ken gasped. “You know I love our projects. And we can solve any problems they have…but we can’t leave Seamus out. He’s the only single cousin you have left and he definitely needs help in the romance department. Oh God, do that again.”
“You’re impatient this morning,” Brady growled, lowering his head to bite Ken’s hard stomach teasingly before flipping him over on the bed and dragging him up to his knees. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“There’s my beast.” Unmistakable satisfaction clung to Ken as he looked over his shoulder at Brady. “I was worried you might be too tired out after that all night stripper party to give me what I wanted.”
Brady’s smile was wicked. “Were there strippers? I didn’t notice. And I could be comatose and it wouldn’t matter if you were around.” Brady lowered his body over Ken’s for a kiss filled with biting lips and tangling tongues. His body reacted the way it always did to this man. Only this man.
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