Page 18 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

Lainey stared out her kitchen window at the darkened lake. Lights from the townhomes across the way flickered across the water. A half moon hung low in the sky. It was a peaceful scene, but she knew better. Peaceful scenes could hide cracks. Secrets. Moments before everything went sideways.

Nothing about the past few days made any sense. Not vandalism. Not the harassing phone calls nor the destruction of the picture of her and Luke. And she couldn’t dismiss the way Travis had looked at her when she was talking to Gus, like he knew something they didn’t.

She wondered if he knew who was vandalizing the site or if he was going to be the next crew member abandoning ship.

The only good news was that Finn and Caleb had installed security cameras, but only around the block she was actively renovating plus her office. It didn’t make sense to cover the whole project because Lainey wasn’t sure she’d be selected to do that with everything that was going on.

She set her mug on the table and glanced around the living room. A small smile tugged at her lips. Luke had picked up his Legos and put them away like she asked. She promised him he could stay up late and watch a movie with her mom, who would be here any minute.

And still, she couldn’t stop thoughts racing through her mind.

Someone was targeting her. This wasn’t a prank. This wasn’t kids fooling around. It was intentional. The question was, who was doing it?

Who hated her enough to do this?

Maybe it was someone who wanted the project and didn’t get it. But there were plenty of other redevelopment zones around. Why this one?

Or maybe a disgruntled employee or subcontractor with a grudge. George was the only crew member who quit, and he seemed genuinely sorry to leave. And she hadn’t had any problems with subcontractors. Yet.

Oh God, she prayed she hadn’t cursed herself by thinking that.

Or worse, maybe this wasn’t personal but something bigger. A forced buyout. A push to make her quit and walk away.

But again, why?

What was so special about this project?

It was just a rundown corner of town.

Unless someone had insider knowledge. Knew something about it she didn’t.

Lainey blew out the breath she’d been holding. No time to spiral now. The fundraiser tonight was being held at The Foundry, a new event space near the historic district.

Fundraisers weren’t her scene, but Autumn invited her. The event was for the Willow Haven Women’s Shelter, but it was also an opportunity for her to meet people who might be interested in her project.

Before she had time to change her clothes and her mind, the doorbell rang. Showtime.

The Foundry was buzzing when she arrived.

She found the last parking space in the lot, then sat in the car with her hands on the wheel while she gathered her thoughts.

She’d almost said no when Autumn invited her.

Normally, Lainey loved events, meeting people and getting to know them, but lately she hadn’t been in the mood for either.

Still, the fundraiser wasn’t about her. It was about second chances, something she understood all too well.

Finally, she turned off the car, took a deep breath and stepped into the warm Florida night.

Outside, twinkling lights lined the walkway leading guests toward the building.

She stood in the doorway admiring the whitewashed brick, the exposed beams. The soft lighting made everything glow and transformed the empty space into something intimate.

The air smelled faintly of citrus, vanilla and something savory. It smelled like comfort. Safety.

It was beautiful.

She smoothed her hands down the sides of the sleeveless teal green jumpsuit she wore and laughed quietly to herself. She’d changed three times before settling on this. Classic, fitted but not flashy. She added gold hoops and a delicate chain with a small locket her grandmother gave her.

Lainey moved through the crowd slowly, letting her shoulders relax. Small round tables lined the walls, each with little ceramic pots filled with succulents. Tucked next to the pots were small cards featuring first-name stories of women rebuilding their lives.

Powerful. Empowering. And sobering.

She’d never been in a relationship she’d labeled abusive. Then again, that wasn’t entirely true.

Richard was never physically abusive, but emotionally manipulative. Lies. Betrayal. That counted. She trusted him. Because he knew the business. She was new. But if you couldn’t trust your partner to have your back, keep you safe and just be there for you, what would you call it?

Not a relationship.

Oh God , she thought. She was going down a rabbit hole faster than a mouse on crack. Who was she to think she was a bag of chips and all that? To be here. To play the role of a strong, capable woman. Especially with the secrets she was holding on to.

And Finn, he had her back even now. Even though she knew he suspected she wasn’t telling him everything.

Would he still stick around when he found out Luke was his son?

“Lainey, over here.”

The voice yanked her out of her maudlin thoughts. She blinked, scanned the room and spotted Joy, Naomi, Isabelle and Autumn gathered near a dessert table, sipping something bubbly out of glass flutes.

Lainey smiled and walked toward them.

“Glad you could make it,” Autumn greeted her, pulling her into a quick hug. She wore a deep burgundy wrap dress with her camera bag over her shoulder.

“This is amazing.” Lainey gladly accepted a flute from a passing server. Another came by with a tray of mixed hors d’hoeuvres.

“Oh, try the butternut squash tartlets with caramelized onion and thyme,” exclaimed Isabelle. “They’re to die for.”

Lainey reached for one, inhaling the tantalizing scents. “What else do we have?”

The young server smiled and pointed. “We’ve got puff pastry pinwheels filled with goat cheese, sun-dried tomato and basil, and Mia’s signature fig and brie bites in phyllo.”

“Mia’s outdone herself tonight,” said Naomi. “The shelter’s such an important cause.”

Lainey nodded. She remembered Naomi’s story.

She had shared bits and pieces when they all came over.

A friend’s murder. A life on the run. A stalker who hunted her, hurt her.

Naomi survived. She found the courage to move on, start over, and somehow still find the love of her life.

The Hallmark Channel couldn’t have had a happier ending.

The cherry on top was that Naomi was getting her degree in counseling with a focus on empowering women.

The women chatted for a few more minutes before Tessa and Dani joined them. “Emelia is sick and not coming tonight, so Titus is staying home with her,” said Dani. She glanced around the room. “Tessa, you’ve outdone yourself again.”

Tessa blushed and shrugged. “Hey, when you’ve got it, you’ve got it.”

Lainey had heard all about Tessa’s event-planning skills, and they weren’t lying. This event was skillfully put together.

A slender, blond-haired woman approached. “Is everything okay here?”

“Mia!” Autumn called out. “Lainey, this is Mia Whitmore.”

“Everything is delicious,” Lainey said.

Mia smiled and spent a few minutes talking to them, her eyes flicking subtly past them toward the far wall.

Lainey followed her gaze.

Finn.

He was standing with Caleb, Will and several other men she didn’t recognize but had a feeling they were all part of the Brotherhood. He looked relaxed, but the moment he saw her, something shifted in his stance. He nodded to Caleb and started walking her way.

Lainey’s pulse fluttered.

Caleb followed a step behind.

Mia’s brow furrowed for a quick second. “Excuse me. I better check and see if everything is okay.” She scurried off.

Isabelle laughed. “Those two.”

Lainey cocked her head. “Which two?”

“Mia and Caleb,” Tessa said, smirking. “They’ve been dancing around each other for weeks.”

Finn finally reached her and nodded to the other women. Caleb looked disappointed.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Finn said quietly.

“Almost didn’t come.”

“Are you okay?”

Lainey gave him a tight smile. “Of course I’m okay. Just a little tired.”

He didn’t say anything. He didn’t push. But she knew questions were coming.

“Glad you came,” said a voice beside her.

Lainey turned and found herself face-to-face with a no-nonsense petite woman with gray-streaked hair and kind eyes that missed nothing.

“Lainey, this is Lena Morales, Director of Willow Haven,” said Finn. He nodded once to Lena, then glanced at Lainey before excusing himself like he knew exactly what Lena was about to say and wasn’t sure how she’d respond.

“This is an incredible event,” said Lainey, offering her hand.

Lena shook it firmly. “Thank you. We’re proud of it. It’s a lot of work but worth every second.”

“I’m sure,” Lainey said. “Tell me more about the shelter.”

They moved toward a quiet corner and spent a few minutes talking about the shelter. Lena told her about Willow Haven’s mission, the programs, the women.

Then Lena’s expression shifted, still kind but more serious.

“I’m glad you came tonight,” she said. “I’ve actually been wanting to ask you something. Off the record, of course.”

Lainey nodded. “Of course.”

“There’s a building in your project.” Lena hesitated. “Corner of Pine and Third. Used to be a furniture showroom?”

Lainey nodded slowly. She knew which building. Brick exterior, big glass windows, high ceilings, needed work but solid bones. “Uh-huh.”

“We’ve had several women transition out of the shelter lately,” Lena said. “They’ve secured jobs. The kids are in school, but there’s no affordable housing. Everything local is either beyond their means or falling apart.”

Lainey hesitated, pressure building in her chest. She knew exactly where this was going.

“I’m not asking for a free ride,” Lena added quickly. “Just … if you’d consider designating one of your renovations as transitional housing. It doesn’t have to be the warehouse. We’d help with oversight, fundraising, whatever it takes.”

It was a good idea. A great one. It made sense. It was important. Needed.

But it also meant more permits, more red tape, more financial delays. And at this point in time, she was barely holding the project together.

“That building is still in flux,” she said carefully. “We’ve had delays, complications. And honestly, I can’t guarantee when or if it’ll be ready.”

Lena nodded. “I understand. Still, if there’s a chance, even a small one, I hope you’ll think about it.” She gave Lainey a gentle pat on the arm and disappeared into the crowd, already heading toward another donor.

Lainey stood there for a moment, conversations muted in the background, fingers tightening around her champagne flute.

Of course she’d think about it.

Because that building wasn’t just about square footage and ROI. It was about changing people’s lives. A safe place to land when the world had already knocked you down. Proof that starting over didn’t mean starting alone.

And for the women and kids who had already lost so much, it could be the first place they felt seen. Respected.

Not just a roof. But a new beginning.

Lainey exhaled.

This wasn’t just about them. It was also about her.

Finding her safe place. Finding her new beginning.

Even if she wasn’t ready yet, she was getting closer.

The crowd had thinned, tables were being cleared, and volunteers gathered near the back wall, stacking extra programs and chairs.

Mia gave a tired smile as she passed with an empty tray. “Good meeting you, Lainey. Hope to see you again.”

“Same.”

She waved goodbye to several of her friends who were still here and walked toward the exit. The conversation with Lena still lingered.

“Walk you to your car?”

Finn’s voice came from behind her.

She turned. He stood there with his hands in his pockets, his eyes watching her the way they always did.

“Sure.”

They stepped outside into the warm night. The parking lot was mostly empty now. The string lights flickered along the deserted walkway.

“Nice event,” Finn said.

“Yeah, it was.” She let out a breath. “More emotional than I expected.”

He glanced at her. “You mean Lena’s offer?”

“You heard?”

“It’d been mentioned at work.” He paused. “The Brotherhood Alliance does work for Lena. It’s a good idea.”

“I know. It’s complicated right now. What with the vandalism and everything that’s going on—” Her voice caught. “I feel like I’m fighting an uphill battle and losing.”

Finn stepped in a little closer. “You don’t have to do it alone, Lainey.”

She swallowed hard, not trusting her voice.

Finn reached over and opened the car door.

“Text me when you get home.”

She blinked at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You still bossy or just concerned?”

“Both,” he replied, not smiling. “You matter to me, Lainey.”

With that, he tapped on the roof of her car and stepped back.

“Good night, Lainey.”

She slid into the driver’s seat, shut the door and sat there.

You matter.

Two simple words. They shouldn’t unravel her. But they did.

She wanted to believe him.

And that scared her more than she wanted to admit.