Page 16 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

Lainey knew she was being stubborn and probably wasn’t making sense to Finn, but how could she tell him the truth?

How could she explain how stupid and vulnerable she felt?

In her eagerness to start her career, she was surprised and thrilled to get the contract in Charleston.

It felt like a validation. Like she had a real shot at her passion.

And then Richard happened.

And then everything else.

She put her trust in so many people, only to be betrayed. Richard. The police. The lawyers, with their promises to make it go away. Every time she thought she was doing the right thing. Every time she’d gotten burned.

And if Finn and the Brotherhood got caught in the fallout?

It would all be her fault. Again.

She had already taken the fall once. Her name had been the only one on the contracts. Her signature. Her liability. She believed Richard was the one for her. She trusted his judgment.

And when everything started unraveling, Richard had turned on her. He looked her dead in the eye and threatened her mother. Her son.

Lainey didn’t know where he was now. Didn’t want to know. But she could still see the cold calculation in his eyes and his voice when he said her name like a warning.

She had to stay quiet. Or else.

So, then, who was vandalizing the project?

It felt personal. And she’d kept her word to Richard. She hadn’t said a thing. There was no need for him to retaliate. Was there?

And how would he know? That’s what confused her. How would he know?

“Knock, knock.”

Lainey let out a startled yelp.

She was so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t heard anyone come in.

She turned and saw Autumn in the doorway. “Oh, God, Autumn. You scared me.” Lainey willed her stomach to settle down.

“Well, hello to you too.” Autumn stepped into the room, a small smile on her face. She held up two coffees and a bag. “I come bearing gifts and a proposal.”

Lainey pressed her hand to her chest. “Sorry, I was spacing out and didn’t hear you come in.”

“That much was obvious.” Autumn crossed the room, set the coffee and bag on Lainey’s desk, and sat in the chair across from her.

“I stopped at Lilypad Confections and picked up some Danish and almond croissants,” Autumn said as she placed her shoulder bag next to her.

Lainey gave a soft laugh. “Why do I feel like you’re trying to bribe me with caffeine and sweets?”

Autumn smiled. “Guilty as charged.” She took a deep breath and leaned forward. “I know we skimmed over the idea of me photographing ‘before’ photos of your project. I’m hoping you’ll say yes.”

“Today?”

“Why not?” Autumn shrugged, then reached for one of the cups. “I’m here. You’re here. And…” she motioned outside. “The project is right outside.”

Lainey mentally flipped through which part of the project would benefit from the before and after photos. The crew had started on one of the bigger buildings that would house offices and was still working on the bakery.

She reached into the bag of goodies, pulled out a peach Danish, and took a bite. The buttery, flaky pastry was still warm, filled with fresh sweet peaches, softened with brown sugar and cinnamon. “Yum.”

Autumn grinned. “Am I buttering you up?”

Lainey shook her head, chewing. “Who knew coffee and a delicious pastry were such a good bribe?”

“Okay, after we finish here, we’ll start with Stella’s Bakery.”

“Deal.”

Twenty minutes later, they stood in front of the bakery, the old storefront dappled with the morning light.

The arched antique windowpane over the door, shattered days ago, was still boarded up with plywood. The front door was solid oak. Two front display windows with mullioned panes flanked the entrance. Ivy curled along one side of the brick.

Thankfully, the crew had repaired the damage to the windowsill, the mortar still a lighter shade than the rest.

Autumn raised her camera. “This is beautiful. I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.”

“I know.” Lainey could already see it. The brick would be cleaned.

The arched antique window would be whole again, sunlight streaming through the glass, the gold leaf lettering redone by hand just like it used to be.

The display windows would be lined with wooden shelving, displaying baskets of fresh bread and pastries.

She could already smell the scent of freshly brewed coffee in the air and hear the sounds of people laughing and talking while they enjoyed their treats.

It would bring people together, connecting them to the neighborhood.

Autumn snapped photos from several angles, then crouched to get a shot of the sunflower mosaic tile threshold. “You’re really bringing this place back to life,” she murmured, not looking up.

Lainey didn’t answer. She couldn’t. This was her goal. She wanted that to be true.

But what if she failed?

What if all she did was disappoint one more group of people counting on her? The crew. The town. Herself.

Autumn stood, brushing the dust from her knees. “Hey. So, Mia Whitmore is catering a benefit for Willow Haven next week. I think you should come.”

“I don’t know Mia or Willow Haven,” Lainey replied.

“Mia owns Plated Perfection and is a fabulous caterer. You might have seen her pink van around town.”

Lainey nodded. She’d seen it around town.

“Willow Haven Women’s Shelter isn’t far from here. It’s a Victorian three-story house that shelters women and kids from abusive homes. The fundraiser is for transitional housing and community outreach.”

Hearing that was a surprise, although it shouldn’t have been. Lainey wasn’t so naive that she didn’t know about shelters. She just didn’t think an idyllic town like Haywood Lake would have one.

“It’s a great cause. A good opportunity for you to meet some locals.”

Lainey arched a brow. “You mean potential allies.”

“Or friends,” Autumn said softly. “We all need a few.”

“That’s true,” Lainey replied. “I’ll think about it.”

Autumn didn’t push. She just gave a satisfied nod and slung her camera over her shoulder. “I’ll text you the good shots. And more information about the fundraiser.”

Later that evening, Lainey sat on her back lanai, barefoot, a glass of wine in her hand while watching Luke build a Lego pirate ship.

The evening was cooler, still humid, but the overhead fan helped. The pond was quiet. A soft breeze skimmed over the top of the water, causing little ripples.

For the first time in days, she felt herself relax.

Her phone buzzed. Autumn.

She opened the message to a string of photos and thumbed through them slowly.

The bakery. The cracked threshold tile. The arched front window now covered in rough plywood.

She imagined the first real sunlight streaming through it once it was whole again.

Warm. Hopeful. A reminder that things could be repaired.

In every frame, Autumn captured what Lainey had envisioned.

The last photo was of her.

Unlocking the front door. She was in profile, the sun a halo around her head, one hand braced against the weathered brick.

She didn’t look scared or bitter. She looked determined, like someone still standing.

Lainey swallowed hard. Maybe that was all she had to do.

For now.