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“It’s so late now. Why don’t you just stay over and get an early start in the morning?” Cam asked.
“I’m going to miss you too,” she said, giving him another hug. “So, Christmas, my place in Atlanta in three weeks?”
Cameron shrugged. “Yeah. I’ll be there.”
As Briana pointed her van west, she wondered if Sebastian’s group had planted a tracker on it or a listening device inside it, maybe even a camera. They’d had access to it. Was she being overly paranoid, like Cam thought?
She’d be passing through Chicago on her way to Michigan. There was someone there who could help determine if her van had been fitted with any devices. She’d helped his sister, and he’d promised that if she ever needed anything vehicle-related to let him know. She’d taken him up on his offer several times in the past, and he always came through for her. And it would be a good place to spend the night.
He picked up the call on the fourth ring. “Lisa O’Conner, this is a pleasure,” he greeted.
“Hey Finn,” she replied. “I need a favor.”
“Anything, beautiful.”
Several hours later, she called Finn when she arrived outside of O’Shaughnessy Automotive in the Morgan Park neighborhood on Chicago’s far south side. Immediately, the garage door rolled up, and she pulled the van into the bay. The garage had closed hours before, but Finn lived in the apartment above it, so he was always onsite if he wasn’t at his favorite local tavern.
He closed the door after her van was inside and met her as she exited the van, Miss Mittens in her arms. Finn greeted her with a hug and a kiss on her cheek. “Are you staying the night?”
“If I can,” she answered.
“Oh, darling, you know you and your feline friend are always welcome.”
“Thanks, Finn.”
“So, what’s wrong with the van?”
She looped an arm around his and led him towards the stairs to the loft apartment. “Let’s talk upstairs.”
Once behind the closed door, she sat Miss Mittens down on the couch and then she gave Finn a full body embrace. When she stepped back, she gazed over his attractive face. His features were what always drew her eye. If only he was straight.
Finn O’Shaughnessy was the fourth generation O’Shaughnessy owner of the garage, inherited it when his father passed away. The O’Shaughnessy clan was a large, hardworking, heavy-drinking, Irish-Catholic family that upheld traditional American values, God, guns, marriage, strong work ethic, and honesty. The problem for Finn was, they also didn’t accept lifestyles out of their norm, like being gay. So, Finn hadn’t told any of the family except for his sister, Colleen, who Briana had helped to disappear from an abusive husband.
Only then did Briana realize the resemblance between Finn and Sebastian. Holy shit! Yes, she had a type, and Finn and Sebastian were her type.
“What’s the matter, Lisa?” he asked.
“I’m sorry. I hate to dump on you, but I need your help.”
“Yeah, I know the van. That’s why you’re here,” he said with a laugh.
“Can you inspect it for a tracking device? Like under the frame? I’ve already looked inside and don’t think there is one there, though I know they can be quite small these days.”
“The expensive ones, yes. Why do you think there’s one on your van and who do you think put it there?” he asked, becoming concerned.
“Feds,” she said. “I had a little run in with them. They had nothing to charge me with, but I’m not convinced they’re not watching me still.”
“And you possibly led them to me?” Finn asked.
“Relax, you’re not doing anything illegal by helping me, a mechanic helping me with my vehicle and a friend, giving me a place to stay overnight.”
“Lisa, you know I adore you and can never repay you for helping Colleen, but I have a couple side hustles going that I really don’t need the Feds finding out about.”
“I can appreciate that,” she said. “I promise, they aren’t looking to jam you up. They had nothing to charge me on and released me with a promise I wouldn’t continue with my business as usual. If anything, stopping here reinforces that promise.”
“Are you getting out of the helping people in danger business?”
“No,” she answered with an attitude that screamed he was crazy for even suggesting it.