“Damned annoying, this love thing,” Finn joked.
“Yep. Damned annoying.” Dylan glanced over to where April and Skye stood, quietly talking to each other. “Took a lot of nerve to come and get us. Took a lot to survive this.”
“Yep.” Finn licked his lips. “I like that. I like her. Mac’s talking about offering them a spot in witness protection when the trial’s over. They’ll be safe forever.”
“They’ll be gone forever.” Dylan tilted his head to one side. “You okay with that?”
“No.” Finn sighed. “But if it keeps her safe…” He turned away to be alone with his thoughts.
…
Skye rubbed her eyes, the adrenaline rush trickling away and leaving her hollowed out and exhausted. The reality slapping her in the face was intense and almost physically painful.
Smith was gone.
Robby was awake.
Finn was going to leave.
She was thrilled about the first two, not about the third.
“Hey.”
Dylan stood in front of her. He handed her a business card. “Here’s your lawyer. He’s already on the road and will meet you at the hospital.” He took her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you. Best of luck to you and Robby.”
“Thank you,” Skye said. “I don’t…” She stopped as Dylan held up his hand.
“Pay it forward when you can.” He smiled. “And when you’re in town, stop on by.”
Dylan headed for his car.
“Come on over and sit down.” April reached out to her. “I’ll drive you to the hospital as soon as I make sure it’s okay for us to leave.” She shot one of the SUV’s a dark look. “Looks like I’m going to be out of work for a bit.”
Skye leaned against the side of the building. “Julius helped us take them down. That’s got to count for something.”
“It will,” April said. “Dumb jerk.” She shook her head. “I spoke to one of the agents. The place is going to be locked up for at least a week, if not two. Bright side, Julius’s agreed to let me run it until he gets out or back on his feet or whatever is going to happen. So, I’ve got myself a promotion.” April sighed. “I can’t believe Julius sent Robby to them.”
Skye gave a shake of her head. “He might have pointed my brother in that direction, but Robby made the final decision. He wanted the easy money.” The words pained her, but they had to be said. “He wanted to give me the world, give me some freedom from working all the time to keep us afloat. It was dangerous, and yet he went for it.” She dug her fingernails into her palms. “He shouldn’t have done it.”
“No. He loved you, and that trumps everything.” April put her hand on Skye’s shoulder. “Don’t be too hard on your brother. These parasites prey on people wanting something just out of reach.”
Skye glanced at Finn. “There’s always something out of reach.”
April followed her gaze. “I’m guessing he’s a part of this whole thing.” She chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask for details. Better I don’t know about it anyway. Keep me clear of this mess.” She let go of Skye’s hand. “Let me check on things, then we’ll blow this joint. I’ll drive you to the hospital as soon as we stop by your place.”
Skye frowned.
April gestured at her blouse, still stained with Jake’s blood. “Seriously. You look like an extra from a horror movie. Let’s get you cleaned up, and we’ll go see Robby.”
Skye looked down. “Oh, God…” She brushed her front. “I do, don’t I?”
April nodded toward the car. “You do. And remind me never to piss you off.” She stared over where Jake was still moaning, waiting for the ambulance to leave. “Never.”
Chapter Thirty
After a short visit to her apartment, where Skye showered and changed into a clean blouse, she and April made their way back to the hospital, the black SUV accompanying them into the parking lot. As they made their way up to Robby’s room, Skye was very much aware of the odd stares being tossed her way.
The uniformed man outside the door nodded to her and April before letting them in. Robby lay in the bed, hooked up to various machines yet again. This time, instead of the pale, unmoving man she’d seen so often over the past few weeks, he was smiling and sitting up with a hint of color on his cheeks.
“They told me to take it easy,” he laughed. “I think I can manage easy.”
Skye settled into the familiar chair, feeling the exhaustion starting to drain away the last of her energy.
April grinned and moved to hug him. “Glad to see you up and around. Now, do what the doctors say, and you’ll be out of here in no time.” She glanced at Skye. “Made us crazy worrying for you. Behave and I’ll see about getting some real food brought in for you instead of you having to eat that hospital drek.” She gave him a sly wink before leaving.
Skye tried to force herself to smile but failed. She dropped her chin to her chest, too tired to cry. All she could do was draw deep breaths choked with sobs.
“I’m sorry.” Robby took her hand. “I really screwed up this time.”
“Yes. Yes, you did.” She didn’t have the energy to yell. “But you wanted the best for me. For us. Which means you’re staying here until the doctors say you’re fully recovered. No ifs, ands, or buts.”
“The rent…”
“The rent will get paid. Along with the rest of the bills.” Her mind went to Finn’s hundred dollar bills, safely tucked away in a tea tin in the cupboard. She’d have to dip into that and what was left of her savings now that the diner was closed.
“Don’t be mad at Julius,” Robby said. “I kept bugging him for more work. I pushed him into pointing me to the gang.”
“I’ll be as mad at him as I want to be,” she said. “That trick with the silverware was pretty creative.”
“Wasn’t it though?” Robby laid back and closed his eyes. “As soon as I get better, things will get back to normal.”
Skye put his hand down by his side. “Of course they will.”
She was lying. There was no way either of them could go back to their old lives. That had been swept away like a sidewalk chalk picture in a thunderstorm.
Pat appeared in the doorway and motioned at Skye. She levered herself up from the chair and went into the hall, past the waiting police officer. Pat pulled the door shut, sealing Robby off before pulling Skye into a hug.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
Skye frowned. “For what? If it weren’t for you, Robby might be dead. You’re the one who gave me the card, pointed me toward the Brotherhood.” She glanced at the door. “If you hadn’t, if I had done nothing, he would have woken up and the Wolf would have come for him. And for me.”
“Still.” Pat pressed her lips into a tight line. “I’m glad it worked out.”
“Me, too.” Skye edged toward a chair in the hallway. “I’m going to rest up here for a few minutes if you don’t mind.”
“Take as long as you want.” Pat smiled and moved away.
The chair was typical hospital issue, a thin cushion over polished wood, not unlike the one she’d left behind in Robby’s room.
It was quiet, and she was alone in the hall save for the officer standing guard. It was still early morning.
Whispering Willows was waking up to a brand-new world. A safer world.
Skye tilted her head back and closed her eyes.
It was a damned good day.
“Miss Harris?”
A man in a suit smiled down at her. He had to be in his sixties, the white hair at his temples a stark contrast to his dark hair.
“My name is Matt Cooper. I’m your lawyer.”
…
Finn flinched as hot water sprayed out of the shower head, hitting his sore muscles. He rotated slowly, allowing it to beat on every inch he could expose.
The drive back to Skye’s apartment had been slow and lonely, his mind racing through the arguments he could make for staying in a rela
tionship with her.
Las Vegas wasn’t that far away.
And yet it could be on another planet, for what he had to offer her.
The black SUV in the parking lot had been easy to make, an agent already standing watch in the hallway outside of Skye’s apartment. He’d motioned Finn onward with a nod and a knowing smile—he’d been briefed as to who Finn was and that he should allow him access.
Finn wasn’t going to rush back to Las Vegas. Not before he had a chance to say good-bye. Skye would have to come back at some point, and he was going to be here for her.
For one last time.
The soap stung as he drew it over his body, cleaning the last bits of the fight out of him.
Finn lifted his head to take in a mouthful of water and swished it around his teeth before spitting it out, grimacing as he watched the reddish water spiral down the drain.
His muscles hurt, but he felt good, the fight with Smith a final purge of his worries and concerns about the situation. Now it was time to rest, regroup, and prepare for the next operation.
Without Skye Harris.
His life was in Las Vegas and at the Devil’s Playground. Hers was with her brother, either here or in witness protection.
A burst of fresh air swept through the bathroom, freezing him in place.
“Room for one more?”
Skye’s unabashed inspection kicked his desire into overdrive.
Finn grinned and turned to face her, giving her a full view. “How’s Robby?”
“Fine. Sleeping.” She drew her eyes down his chest, a smirk appearing. “You seem to have stood up pretty well against Smith.”
Finn braced his arms against the tiled wall. “It’ll take a lot more than one tough bastard to bring me to my knees.”
“Funny.” She undid the buttons on her blouse one by one before letting it slide off her shoulders and drop to the floor. “I was just thinking about doing that. The part about on your knees.”
Finn watched, his mouth becoming bone dry with anticipation as Skye discarded her clothing bit by bit, the smooth striptease ending with her underwear flying across the room to land on the stack of clothing.
He licked his lips, resisting the urge to reach down and stroke himself. Despite his exhaustion, he was erect and ready to go, the mere sight of Skye naked enough to send his libido soaring.
“Step back. Here I come.”
“Most definitely.” He pressed his back against the wall, giving her room. “At least once, if I have anything to do with it.”
Skye let a groan as she stepped under the hot water, tipping her head back to let it trickle down her face.
…
Skye hadn’t planned any of this. She’d given a statement to the agents without breaking down, the Brotherhood lawyer a godsend as they maneuvered through what to say and what not to say to keep everyone safe. After it was done, he’d told her to call if she needed anything else, waving the nearest FBI agent over to arrange an escort back to the apartment building.
Now that Robby was awake and the danger past, she just wanted to climb into her bed and sleep for a week.
Until she’d heard the water running in the shower.
She had one chance to be with him before he left.
Taking her heart with him.
Skye stroked his chest. He grunted as she ran her hands through the dark hair, over his nipples and down to take hold of him. His hips rocked forward, thrusting into her grip.
She stroked him from root to tip, her hands slick with the soap and water running over them both. Finn made a noise as she drew her thumb over the tip, a needy noise that shot right to her center.
“I thought I’d lost you,” he said. “When Dylan told me Robby had woken up and Smith had grabbed the two of you, all I could think about was getting to you.”
“But you had to finish the mission,” Skye replied, completing his thought. “I knew you’d do that. Because it’s why you came to Whispering Willows. It’s why Dylan chose you.”
He gripped her hips, moving closer. “Yes. And no.” One hand rose to brush against her lips, his calloused thumb caressing her skin. “I came to tear down the Wolf’s Teeth. And I came because you needed someone like me to save you from yourself.”
She tightened her grip, pulling a groan out of him. “Right back at you. We saved each other.”
He laughed and nodded his agreement before moving in for a kiss, devouring her mouth with a hunger she could only have imagined before Finn Storm came to town.
…
It was late afternoon when Finn woke up, the sunlight streaming through the blinds to spread across the bed.
He lay quiet for a moment, reveling in the simple state of being in bed with Skye. There was no schedule, no timetable, no place he had to rush off to.
He was right where he wanted to be. Where he needed to be.
At least right now.
Skye stirred against him and mumbled something. He dropped kisses into her hair, noticing the looseness in her body.
She hadn’t been this relaxed since he’d arrived.
Finn grinned as he ran a hand down her side, seeing the shivers along her skin.
He knew exactly how to take advantage of that.
A gentle twist had him sliding out from under her, laying her out flat on the mattress. Skye sighed as she stretched out, her toes pointing toward the end of the bed.
He knelt and took one foot in his hands. He began to slowly massage it, his fingers dancing up to her ankle and back down again.
She stirred, wetting her lips.
Finn bit back a groan.
You keep doing that and it’s going to be over before you wake up.
He moved to the other leg and did the same, sliding his hands up to her knee and back down again before dropping a kiss on the inside of her thigh.
Skye shifted her hips, pressing down into the mattress.
Finn allowed himself a smirk before lifting each of her legs to rest on his shoulders.
He reached up and placed his hand on her bare torso, reveling in the soft skin.
Her hands released the sheets and moved to tangle in his short hair, taking a firm hold.
Skye’s eyes fluttered open and focused on him. Her eyebrows rose as she realized where he was.
Good morning.
Finn dipped his head down.
…
She couldn’t remember what she was dreaming, but it was soft and warm and safe. She was loved and was loving and all was right with the world.
The hot, wet kiss on her inner thigh brought her up out of a half sleep. Skye raised her head to see Finn’s mischievous smirk. Her legs were up off the mattress, already curled around his shoulders in anticipation.
She opened her mouth to say something smart and witty but swallowed it back as the first stroke of his tongue sent her flying.
Her nails scratched his scalp as he continued his assault on her senses, putting to good use the last few weeks of learning what she liked. Finn gripped her ass and lifted her up, giving him greater access to her.
Skye clawed at his shoulders and arms, trying to direct him to where he needed to be, where she demanded he be.
Finn rose and laughed, licking his lips. “Patience, love. I’m going to enjoy every little bit of this as long as I can.” A hungry smile appeared. “Then it’s my turn. And I’m going to make you scream like you’ve never screamed before.”
She shivered, knowing he was a man of his word.
Chapter Thirty-One
The sunlight began to crawl back along the sheets, retreating for the day. Finn looked at the clock as he drew long, lazy circles on Skye’s bare back, wondering at the pure, white skin under his fingers.
There was no rush to speak, no need to say anything right now.
The shadows crept in through the blinds.
Skye stirred in his arms. “I need to get up, start packing.”
“What?”
She lifted her head to look at him. “At the
end of the hospital interview, Mac said they want to move me to a safe house, until Smith goes to trial. They’ll keep a guard on Robby until he’s stable enough to be transferred to another hospital, probably in a day or so, but they need me in a secure location.”
Finn frowned. “The agent outside…”
Her cheeks pinked. “I explained I wanted to say good-bye to you. Mac agreed, said he’d keep a man here until you left.”
“Mac’s a good friend. I’ll send him a case of whiskey for this one.”
“When do you have to leave?”
He paused. “Soon.”
“As soon as possible. I can see it in your face.” She laid her cheek down again, pressing it to his heart. “I know you’ve got to. This isn’t where your home is, where your friends are.”
“My home is where I want it to be. And I have plenty of friends.”
“Your home is with the Brotherhood.” She let out a sigh, her arms going around him.
Finn ran his hand through her dark locks, marveling at the softness. “I wish I’d been here earlier. I wish I could have stopped all of this from happening.”
“Like your mother,” Sky whispered.
Finn sighed. “Like my mother.” She understood what had been haunting him for years.
“Listen to me.” She held him tight. “What your mother did wasn’t your fault. Just like Robby, she made a bad choice. I love my brother, and you loved your mother, but they chose poorly. The important thing is that you were in the right place at the right time. You saved him, and you saved this town.” Skye moved up to kiss him. “And that’s all that matters to me.”
“Mac’s going to offer you witness protection.” He drew a deep breath. “I think you should consider taking it.”
She pulled back. “Why?”
“Because you and Robby could be still be hurt by Smith.” He shook his head. “The man’s got connections, even if he’s behind bars.”
“He could go after you,” she retorted. “I don’t see you moving and hiding under a fake name.”
“That’s different.” Finn cupped her cheek. “First, he’ll have a hard time finding out who I am. Second, once he does, I doubt he’ll find too many people willing to take us on.”
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