Page 33 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

Finn and Dex pulled up to the site. There was still much to do to resolve the security issues—motion sensors to install, floodlights to mount and additional cameras to place. As planned, Caleb would take the first watch tonight.

Finn unlocked the gate. They drove through and parked near what used to be the edge of the shed. It didn’t look any better today. In fact, it looked worse—twisted metal, scorched earth, and charred wood. A reminder of how fast everything could burn. Change.

Finn grabbed a pair of gloves from the truck and handed Dex another set. “Let’s get to it.”

They worked quietly, separating what they could. The acrid scent of burnt wood still lingered in the air. Ash stuck to their boots and clogged their noses. Sweat poured down Finn’s back in the Florida heat.

Dex grunted as he pried up a half-buried sheet of metal. He froze. “Finn.”

Finn looked over and stepped in to see what he’d found. Dex tilted the panel just enough to reveal an X burned into the lower corner.

Sharp, not some random scorch.

Not paint. Not part of the damage. Had it been there before and they missed it or added after? The cameras hadn’t shown anyone near the shed since it burned, which meant it had to have been there before.

How the hell had they missed it?

Finn stared at it, his heart thudding. “Shit. That’s two now. This and the one at the bakery.”

“What d’you think it means?” asked Dex.

“Don’t know.” Finn pulled out his phone and took a picture. “Damn.” He sighed. “We can check this later. Let’s get this mess cleaned up.”

But the questions in his mind didn’t go away. Two marks. Same symbol. It wasn’t random anymore.

A while later, Dex wiped his forehead with the back of his arm. “We’re gonna need a dumpster.”

“Yeah,” Finn muttered. “I was hoping we could fit this all in the truck, but there’s too much.”

He pulled out his phone and made a call. “Okay. Good. Thanks.” He hung up. “It’s gonna cost about five hundred dollars. Extra to deliver it tomorrow. I thought we could save Lainey money by doing it ourselves.”

“Nothing we can do about that today,” Dex said, moving toward the truck. “Let’s finish what we can control. We already have one camera in Lainey’s office and two around the perimeter.”

Finn nodded. “We’ll add another at the main gate and one near the equipment trailer.”

He wanted this place covered. No way would whoever was behind this get another shot. Not again.

An hour later, they installed the cameras, adjusted the angles and synced the feed.

“The cameras are covering the whole site now,” said Finn, brushing his hands. He looked over at Dex. “Grab the motion sensors and floodlights, will you?”

Dex headed back for the gear and returned. “I think we should put one over by the trees and another along the back fence.”

They split off, Dex digging shallow trenches to bury the wiring for the floodlights. Finn rigged motion sensors every fifty feet along the perimeter. He mounted them on four-foot-high stakes angled at potential entry points. He even placed a couple on the roofline of the bakery.

By the time they finished, the sun was dipping low on the horizon. The sky was painted in streaks of orange and purple, like the day itself had been in a fight. He still had to write a formal report, but they could stop by Lainey’s and let her know what was finished.

Finn knew she was anxious for an update, anxious for this to be over. But he also wanted to see her again. Make sure she was okay. Make sure she knew she wasn’t alone.

It didn’t take them long to get to Lainey’s townhome on Pinebrook Lane. The pleasant tree-lined street, dappled porch lights, and pastel-painted homes created a peaceful scene.

Finn forced himself to keep his hands steady on the wheel.

Dex was chattering about something—sports or that new bar in town—but Finn had tuned him out minutes ago.

His focus was on the two-story pale peach home at the end of the street.

Finn pulled into the drive behind Lainey’s car and cut the engine. He took a deep breath, but it didn’t help.

What would he do if a guy was there? Lainey and he had never talked about what happened after Richard. Had she found someone else right away? Did she date?

He hadn’t asked, hadn’t wanted to know. They never talked about that last night together. Finn wasn’t sure he was ready to hear the answers.

Dex hopped out of the truck before Finn could stop him. Of course, he did. Finn muttered a curse under his breath and climbed out, too. He’d hoped to see Lainey alone.

Finn ran a hand over his jaw and exhaled slowly. He wasn’t sure which bothered him more—finding another man there or she was completely alone.

Dex stretched and glanced around. “Nice place,” he said, like they were dropping by for coffee and dessert.

Finn shot him a look. Dex gave him a cheeky grin in return.

Bastard!

They walked toward the front door. The porch light glowed warmly. Pots filled with some kind of brightly colored flowers were placed next to the welcome mat.

His stomach tightened. Why the hell was he so nervous? This wasn’t a date. Just checking in, giving Lainey an update. Liar.

“You gonna ring the bell or just stare at it?” said Dex, hands in his pockets like he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Fuck off.”

Dex laughed and leaned in to push the bell.

A soft chime echoed inside.

Finn’s heart was pounding so hard he was afraid Lainey would hear it. What the hell was wrong with him? He’d faced down insurgents with rifles pointed at his head, kicked in doors not knowing what was on the other side.

But right now, he felt like a high school kid going on his first date with a grinning jackass beside him who didn’t know how to shut up.

The seconds dragged. A dog barked somewhere down the street.

No footsteps.

“Maybe she’s not home,” Dex said.

“She’s home, asshole. Her car is here.”

Dex leaned in as if he was going to ring the bell again.

“Don’t.”

Finn stared at the door. What was she doing? Was she in bed with someone making love? What did he care? It wasn’t as if she were with him.

Finally, the soft click of a lock turning.

The door creaked open.

Lainey stood there in black leggings and an oversize T-shirt, her hair in a messy ponytail, and barefoot—her bare toes painted pink and adorable. God, she was beautiful.

She blinked at them, her brows furrowing slightly. “Is everything okay?”

Finn opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Dex grinned, unfazed. “Sorry to drop in.” He nodded toward Finn. “He insisted.”

Finn cleared his throat. “Just wanted to give you an update on the security measures.”

“Great, come in.” She opened the door wider and stepped aside.

The men walked into the house. Finn glanced around the room. Open concept. Neutral walls, soft lighting, a faint hint of … something nice in the air. The kind of place that felt like home. Warm. Welcoming.

“So, have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?”

Dex opened his mouth to answer. Finn elbowed him hard in the ribs. A quiet oof was followed by a dirty look. This wasn’t a social call.

“No, we’re all set,” Finn said. They each sat in a chair.

Lainey took the sofa across from them, curling one leg under the other. “So, what’s going on?”

Finn kept it simple. He explained that they set additional cameras, added floodlights and motion sensors. Also, that the dumpster would be there the next day.

“That’s terrific. I can’t thank you enough,” she said, sighing softly. “Is it enough for me to report to the council?”

“I’ll do a formal report tonight and send it over,” replied Finn.

Lainey nodded. But before she could respond?—

“Mom?”

A small voice came from the stairs.

Lainey’s head snapped toward the sound, her entire body going still.

Finn and Dex followed her gaze.

A little boy made his way slowly down the stairs, holding his stomach, eyes flickering between the three adults.

Luke!

He moved silently toward Lainey, eyeing Finn and Dex with curiosity.

Finn stared at the boy: dark brown hair sticking up like it refused to be tamed, dark brown eyes he saw every time he looked in the mirror, and a little notch in the chin same as the one Finn inherited from his grandpa.

Something punched him right in the gut.

Lainey stood and crouched in front of the boy. “Yes, sweetheart?”

“I don’t feel so good.”

She reached up, brushing her hand across his forehead. “You’re warm.”

Finn hadn’t moved. Couldn’t.

Dex glanced at him, then back at Lainey, brow lifting, but said nothing.

Finn looked at Lainey again. She wouldn’t meet his eyes.

Fuck.

Lainey kissed the top of Luke’s head. “Go back upstairs, sweetheart. I’ll be up in a minute.”

He nodded and headed for the stairs.

Then she glanced at him. Just for a second.

And that was all it took.

Finn saw it.

The guilt. The knowing.

She’d kept this from him.

And now he knew, too.

Finn’s chest tightened, the air in the room growing thick. He couldn’t breathe.

He stood abruptly.

Luke paused on the stairs. Lainey looked at Finn, startled.

“I need to go,” he said.

Dex got up too but didn’t say a word.

“Finn?”

Finn shook his head once. “I’ll send the report ASAP.”

She blinked, color draining from her face. “Okay.”

He turned and headed for the door. Dex followed.

Goddamn it. Brown hair, brown eyes, dimple in chin. The guilt on Lainey’s face.

He yanked the door open, stomped to the truck, his pulse racing.

He heard Dex’s footsteps. Heard the door close.

Heard his heart break in two.