Page 69 of Endure the Pain

“Where’s Vincent?” I asked, eyes scanning. The living room was a decent size and the furniture was minimal.

“In his cave,” she replied as she tilted her head toward a hallway.

I had no doubt that he was glued to his computer. “Do you have everything you need?”

She nodded. “Vincent has two spare rooms. Thank you for the furniture and everything else. Everyone seems to be doing better now that we each have our own space.”

After she had told me about having to sleep in Vincent’s room while he and Finn had camped out in the living room, I had done a lot of online shopping. “Can I ask how you are doing?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I’m happy that my mother is getting help, but I don’t think I can go back to that house even after she gets better.”

“No one said you had to go back.”

“So you’re not having Finn teach me things so I can fend for myself when I have to return?” she asked, staring down at her lap.

“Don’t ever drop your eyes,” I said firmly. “If you’re going to speak, do it with confidence. The moment you show your fear, you give others power over you.”

She leveled her gaze with mine and I gave her a nod of approval. “My protection doesn’t have an expiration date. I’m having my goons show you how to defend yourself because I feel everyone should know how to do that and you asked me how to be strong. Learning from them is the first step.”

Looking relieved, she said, “Okay.”

“While you’re living here, I don’t want you to think about the family, your mom, and certainly not Dylan. Focus on yourself, stay on top of your schooling, learn what you can from Finn and the others, and think about your future.”

Brenna went quiet, absorbing what I had said. I stood from the couch. “We should probably eat the food before it gets cold. Would you mind dragging Vincent from his cave?”

Agreeing, Brenna disappeared down the hall while I ventured into the kitchen. I found all four of my goons standing in there, leaning against the counters, talking amongst themselves.

“Are you four gossiping like a bunch of school girls?” I snickered and smiled brightly at Dean, Will, and Finn’s grumpy faces. Asher was the only one who wasn’t fazed.

I pulled an envelope from my purse and held it out to Finn.

He took it with a frown. “What is this?”

I set my purse on the counter. “The deed to your house. I paid it off for you,” I said and started lifting lids off of the large tin containers of food. It looked like Jeana had made barbecue. There were ribs, chicken, corn, coleslaw, and baked potatoes. To anyone else, I was sureit looked appetizing. For me, the smell made my nose scrunch and my stomach churn.

“Why did you do that?” Finn demanded.

Ignoring his question, I stepped away from the food and started looking in the cabinets for plates. “I know this weekend, you were supposed to have your son. Asher has graciously agreed to come stay here while you take a few days off to be with him.” Once I found some paper plates, I grabbed a stack of them and set them on the counter next to the food, then began searching for silverware.

Finn stepped in front of me, glaring.

I frowned. “I did it as a thank you. I know it’s a lot to ask you to stay here and protect Brenna.”

“It’s my job,” he grumbled.

I released a heavy sigh. “Did I emasculate you by paying off your house?”

If looks could kill, I would've been a goner with how Finn was scowling at me. “I don’t want to owe you anything.”

“I don’t know how you function with your head so far up your ass,” I grumbled, shaking my head. “We may not be blood, Finnegan, but we’re still family. Forgive me for wanting you to have one less thing to worry about whileyou were here.” I didn’t realize I was crying until a tear dripped off my chin and hit my hand.

Finn appeared taken aback.

I quickly wiped at my face and looked down at my wet hands, baffled. “Congratulations, Finn. I think you managed to hurt my feelings.”

A hand came down on my shoulder. It was Dean. Beyond embarrassed, I stepped out of reach of his hand. “Please find silverware and serve yourselves some food before it gets cold,” I ordered and went to leave the kitchen. I passed Brenna and Vincent on my way out. “Bathroom?” I asked both of them, not caring who’d answer.

Brenna noticed the streaks on my face, then glared into the kitchen. Vincent pretended not to notice as he said, “Down the hall, first door on the left.”