Finn (Blue-Collar Billionaires #2)

by M. Malone

  “What’s so special about this girl anyway?” Luke is watching me with genuine curiosity.

  It makes me uncomfortable. Like I’m some kind of math problem that he’s trying to solve.

  “She used to be everything and then she was nothing.”

  Luke is staring at me with newfound interest. “Damn, man. That’s deep. It sounds like she ripped your heart out.”

  “Don’t trust women. That’s what they do. They rip your heart out.”

  “What are you telling my baby?”

  I jump when Anita appears at my elbow. Luke just gazes back at me innocently like this is all on you.

  “Nothing. Just telling him again how lucky he is to grow up eating like this.” I give Anita my most charming smile. She just raises an eyebrow.

  “Are you taking care of yourself?”

  Great, now I have both mother and son watching me like I’m at risk of slitting my wrists any moment. All the hovering is making me claustrophobic. Coupled with all the worry coming my way from Tank, I’m starting to think all this family togetherness has a serious downside.

  I smile up at Anita. “Haven’t you figured out why I’ve been coming here all this time? I’m hoping you’ll take me home with you.”

  “Seriously, you’re flirting with my mom?” Luke looks disgusted. “All right. I’ll meet your brother if it means you’ll stop flirting with my mom. And the other ones. Just don’t expect some big happy family reunion or whatever. I mean, do they even know about me?”

  “Yes, they all know about you.”

  The bell above the door tinkles and I look up. Over his shoulder I see Tank. Then Emma. A few moments later, Sasha follows behind.

  Shit.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Clearly I must have said what I was thinking out loud. So I don’t even try to prepare an explanation. He wouldn’t believe it and I wouldn’t have time to deliver it. Tank sees me and he turns to say something to Emma. We’ve only got maybe sixty seconds before they descend on us.

  “I didn’t plan this I swear.”

  Luke glances over his shoulder. When he turns around, his face has turned to stone. “Coincidence right? Does he just happen to have a pie fetish, too?”

  “He knows I’ve been here bugging you but I didn’t think he was going to just show up. This is not his style at all. It’s probably Emma’s idea. His girlfriend.”

  “Great. He’s staring. Did you tell him I was black?”

  Anita looks mortified. The tops of her cheeks turn red beneath her cinnamon complexion. “Luke! I’m sure they don’t care about that.”

  “Is that why you’ve been holding back? I wish you’d told me. That doesn’t matter to any of us. Not in the way you’re thinking anyway.”

  Luke sits back with a smug smile on his face that looks far too mature for his age. “Let me guess. Some of your best friends are black, right?”

  "Not my best friend but my most beautiful friend, definitely. Actually it's funny you should say that because here she comes now."

  By this time, Sasha has made it to our table. Before I can even open my mouth to greet her she throws herself into my lap. “Finn! I only tagged along because Emma told me you’d be here. Thank you so much for that referral. I got the job!”

  It’s hard to keep track of what’s going on with a lap full of curvy gorgeous woman but I make an attempt to keep us upright. I'm aware the entire time of Luke's stunned silence as he watches us.

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Trust me, I was doing them a favor. They’ll be lucky to have you.”

  Sasha finally releases the stranglehold she has on my neck and slides into the booth next to me. “Still, thank you so much.” She finally seems to notice that we’re not alone. She blinks at Luke and Anita. “Oh, hello.”

  “Sasha this is my little brother, Luke.”

  Luke is still staring at her with his mouth hanging partially open. If his eyes get any bigger, they’ll take over his face.

  “Uh, hi.” He gives her an awkward wave.

  Sasha doesn’t seem to notice his discomfort. “This is your little brother? Oh is this the brilliant one? It’s so nice to meet you!”

  Luke glances over at me again. I decide to throw him a lifeline. “Yes, this is the brilliant one. And this beautiful lady is his mother, Anita.”

  Sasha shakes hands with Anita. “It’s so nice to meet you. I know this is kind of a strange situation, what Emma told me about it anyway. But you couldn’t wish for better relations than Tank and Finn.”

  Surprised, I turn to Sasha. In the beginning I got the impression she wasn't too fond of Tank so it's a shock to hear her speak about him so warmly. “Has Tank managed to trick you into thinking that we’re good guys or something?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Tank is just a big old growly teddy bear. I thought he was so mean when I first met him but he’s not like that at all. And when our boss was getting out of line, Tank showed up and took care of the problem for me. Now, I’m not saying he’s all bark and no bite. But he saves his bites for the people who deserve it and he stands up for those of us whose teeth aren’t sharp enough to defend ourselves.”

  “I’m glad he was there to stand up for you sweetie. Would you like something to eat while you’re here?” Anita has already accepted Sasha as one of her own, I can tell.

  “I’ll have a piece of this pie just like Finn’s having, please. Thank you.”

  Anita intercepts Tank and Emma before they can approach. She smiles at them warmly, holding out her hand to Tank. I can't hear what they're saying but then they all laugh.

  "Your mom is awesome." I look over at Luke. "Seriously, she's handling all of this so well. Does anything faze her?"

  Luke shakes his head. "Well, she had to raise me so what do you think?"

  Tank reaches the table and stands awkwardly by my side. I speak up, hoping that Luke isn't so pissed that he'll be rude in front of Emma.

  "Luke, this is my older brother Tank and the only woman who can make him behave, Emma Shaw."

  Tank scowls at my introduction. "Hey. I know this is unexpected. And I'll leave if you want me to."

  Luke sighs. "I'm already being harassed by this guy so honestly I expected the rest of you to show up at some point."

  That doesn't sound like a welcome to me but apparently he and Tank speak the same language because Tank grins. Sasha hops up so Tank and Emma can sit next to me.

  Then she looks down at Luke. "Do you mind?"

  He moves over silently, watching her with a look of awe as she slides into the booth next to him.

  I have to stifle my laugh with another bite of the pie I've been neglecting. Was I ever this much of an idiot around beautiful women? Then I realize that I'm still that much of an idiot over one woman in particular.

  “Are you okay, Finn?” Sasha is watching me with concern. At her question, Tank and Emma look over at me, too.

  “He’s having girl trouble.” Luke smirks.

  “I didn’t even know you were seeing someone Finn.” Emma looks thrilled.

  Tank watches me with knowing eyes. I’m sure he’s already figured out that the woman screwing with my head is Rissa. Further, I have a feeling he knows my reasons for bringing her back into my life are not at all altruistic.

  “There’s no woman. There’s nothing. Just a nosy little brother with too much time on his hands.”

  As the conversation turns to general things, my mind wanders back to this morning. Despite the fact that she's available, I can't allow myself to get sucked back into Rissa’s spell. It’s time to stop playing around. Maybe I don't need revenge. Seeing her in tears this afternoon wasn't satisfying, it was just sad. My desire to hurt her has morphed into an insatiable curiosity about her life. I want to know if she's happy. I need to know all the things I was too blind to notice when I was teenager.

  Andrew had the means to give her everything I couldn't but yet she still wasn't happy with him. There's a stupid part of me hoping that it was because she
never got over me. The same part of me that once called out for revenge would love to know that thoughts of me haunted her after we parted, providing her with the same torment that kept me in limbo for years.

  But there's another part of me, rooted in the heart that loved her that just wants to understand why. I need to understand exactly what he did wrong and what was missing.

  And I need to understand what it was about me that drove away the only woman I've ever wanted to stay.

  * * * * *

  By the time I get back home, my ears are ringing with unwanted love advice. Emma and Sasha took the opportunity to tell me everything that men usually do wrong in relationships. I tried to tell them several times that I wasn't in a relationship and have no intention of being in one but after a while I just let them talk. My brothers both seemed to enjoy watching the girls school me. Or maybe they were just happy the attention wasn't on them.

  I take a seat on the couch. That's when I notice the catalogue on the coffee table. Did Rissa leave something behind? The women on the cover are wearing lacy lingerie so I figure she must have had this in her bag and decided to look at it while she was taking a break. I feel like a pervert as I open the cover but I can't deny that I'm curious if she's marked anything. The idea of her wearing one of these see through pieces of lace is enough to spike my blood pressure anyway but I really want to see the kind of things that she'd choose for herself.

  Inside the front cover, there is a sticky note with my name on it.

  Finn. Since you asked for help decorating, I decided to pick out a few things for you. I noticed some things in this catalogue that would be perfect for you! Check out the dog-eared pages.

  I flip through the pages until I come to the first folded down corner. To my surprise, this page isn't lingerie at all but furniture. This must be a really diverse company to sell lingerie and furniture. I've never seen anything like it.

  Halfway down the page, she has circled a black chair with black permanent marker. I tilt the catalogue trying to understand what is so special about this strangely shaped chair. Then I read the description next to Item 2453B and my breath catches. It's described as a Tantric chair. Perfect to support more adventurous positions.

  I turn the catalogue over and suddenly the skimpy outfits make sense. Upon closer inspection it's quite obvious that the lingerie is on the risqué side and when I flip back through some of the pages that aren't marked, there is everything from cock rings to giant dildos. I stop on one page and then hastily flip back to the page Rissa marked. I don't have time to think about why any woman would want a giant purple dildo right now.

  Rissa has left another sticky note on the page she marked. I bark out a laugh at the hastily scribbled note.

  - - Perfect for your overnight guests. Especially the one who keeps losing her panties in your couch cushions!

  A few pages over she has dog-eared a section with handcuffs and nipple tassels.

  - - These would be perfect wall decor. Very avant-garde, right?

  I'm chuckling as I page through the magazine, discovering several other colorful suggestions for my home decorating needs. The damn woman is playing by my rules and beating me at my own game.

  I tuck the catalogue under my arm and stand. She's left this for me trying to get the last word. I text Jonah to bring the car around. I know where she lives so I'm thinking maybe I should drop by and let her know I got her message. It'll also be my chance to apologize for making her cry this morning. No woman wants to be reminded of a breakup.

  The ride over to her house is quick but pointless. As soon as we pull up and I see the dark house, I remember that she said she works another job in the evenings. I give Jonah the address to her business office. Hopefully I can catch her before she leaves.

  Someone is stepping out of the front door of the small building as we pull up. I roll down the window slightly. "Rissa?"

  The girl turns and regards the expensive car in silence. I open the door and step out. Her eyes immediately land on my cane before she pulls her gaze away. I smile at her to let her know that I'm not offended.

  "You must be Daphne."

  I know who she is due to my research not because Rissa ever mentioned her. Getting Rissa to open up about anything has been difficult to say the least. But Daphne doesn't know that. She looks startled that I know her name, and then she relaxes.

  "That's me. Who are you?"

  I hold out my hand and she takes a tentative step forward to shake it. "Finn Marshall. I'm here to see Rissa."

  "Well, I'm sorry to tell you that you've missed her. I guess you're stuck with me instead."

  "That's nothing to be sorry about." When I smile at her, she blushes slightly. "Although I was hoping I could catch Rissa before she went home. I wanted to thank her."

  Daphne glances behind her at the obviously empty building. "Home? Oh, she's probably on a job still."

  "Could I go see her there? I don't mind driving over."

  At the look on Daphne's face I can tell she isn't going to give up the location of Rissa's current job easily. I'm happy to see her loyalty and frustrated because she's the only thing standing in my way.

  "She's very lucky to have a friend like you looking out for her. But I mean her no harm. She's an old friend from high school and I'm actually one of your clients. As of last week, anyway."

  Suddenly her eyes swing to my face. "You're the high-rise?"

  I'm not sure why that one piece of information seems so important but if that works for her, I'll go with it. "Yeah that's me. Rissa left some decorating suggestions for me this morning. I wanted to thank her. And I have to admit, I also don't like the idea of her walking alone to her car late at night. I'm sure she'd think that was overprotective but I can't help it."

  Daphne bobs her head in agreement. "She would think it was overprotective. But then she's stubborn like that."

  "When did that happen? She didn't have a problem with me walking her to her classes when we were in high school." The memory makes me laugh a little. Even before we'd been officially dating, I had always walked Rissa everywhere. I wasn't going to take a chance on any of those assholes messing with her when I wasn't around. That had caused problems with the girls I'd dated before her and I still hadn't cared. I'd been a slave to her even then.

  Daphne smiles. “Sounds like you're sweet on her.”

  The description sounds entirely too tame for how I feel about Marissa Blake. I want her, I hate her, I crave her. Thoughts of her have consumed me for years until it seems there's little sanity or rational thought left in me when it comes to her. There's nothing sweet about it. However, there's no expression in the English language that would encompass all that so I just nod. “Yes, I am.”

  That seems to push her into a decision. With one last glance at my cane she says, "She’s at Mercers this time of evening. You know, the big department store."

  I don't shop often but I'm well aware of the store. It's one of the only locally owned department stores left in the area.

  "Thank you for your help, Daphne. Rissa is really lucky to have a friend like you."

  She turns and walks out to the parking lot. I watch as she climbs inside a sporty little green hatchback and then pulls out of the parking lot with reckless speed and seemingly no regard for her personal safety.

  I turn back to the car. At this point, I really should just give this up and go home. The gentlemanly thing to do would be to let Rissa go on living her life with no interference from me. There's no way I can go through with the plan I was so committed to just a few days ago. Because seeing her the way she was yesterday at the furniture store, her eyes bright with excitement just brought it all back in a way that was too real. She can’t be that girl anymore, that happy laughing girl who used to make me so happy. The only way I’ve been able to survive at all is believing that girl never existed.

  And seeing her show up yesterday had been too much.

  But then I look down at the catalogue in my hand and suddenly I'm
smiling. Each day used to be so routine and mundane. I did the same things with the same results. There were no surprises. No joy. Now each morning I wake knowing I'll see Rissa again. I haven't taken any pain pills at all today. The pain is still there, it's just that I'm so distracted by everything else going on. There's no way that I can give this up. I'm having way too much fun to leave her alone.

  I close the door and sit back. Jonah turns around and looks at me expectantly. "Where to, sir?"

  "Mercers. The department store."

  CHAPTER SIX

  RISSA

  I roll my neck, trying to get the kinks out. The floor buffer I’ve been using for the past hour has made my arms feel almost numb. But the floors look shiny and perfect.

  “Good night Miss Blake!”

  One of my new hires, a teenage mother named Carrie, waves as she passes by. Getting a janitorial contract for a big local department store like Mercers was quite a feat for my little company and it meant that we’d been able to hire new people for the first time in a year. For our largest clients, Tara, Daphne and I were always present but we usually handpicked team members to work with us. Carrie was energetic and easy to be around. It had been an easy decision to bring her with me on this job.

  “Night. Get home to that gorgeous baby.”

  At the mention of her six-month-old son Caleb, her face lights up. “Yes ma’am. My mom has already put him to sleep but since I’m getting off a little early, it means I can take a nap before his middle of the night feeding.”

  “Well, good. Give him a kiss for me.”

  I watch as she skips out the door and to her car parked directly in front of the store. This late there’s no cars here except for ours and a dark sedan parked in the middle of the lot. I can’t see what type it is from this far away. I wonder if the owner of the store perhaps got a ride home and left his car here?

  I put away the buffer and do my final walk through. Everything looks perfect. This is my favorite part of the day, when the work is done and I can look at what I’ve accomplished with pride. There are a lot of people who look down on janitorial staff but I have pride in what I do. I make things shine.