Page 8 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

Finn adjusted his rearview mirror as he turned out of his driveway and headed toward Pine Street. He didn’t need to check in again with Caleb, who had already informed him last night that he was on top of everything. It was a relief to have another person he could trust on the project.

Sure, he trusted his crew, but Caleb had far more experience in the overall build, so it was a win-win.

He passed Haywood Lake and took in the early morning mist stretching across the lake. One of these days, he thought, I’ll rent a boat and go fishing. Just me, a thermos of coffee and nature . One of these days when he wasn’t so busy.

Downtown was just coming alive as he drove through. People were walking to work or scurrying depending on whether they were late. Many were holding cups of coffee. And now he wished he had stopped for a cup. Later.

He parked his truck a block away from the project, preferring to get a look from a distance. Sometimes it helped to see things more clearly if you weren’t on top of it.

Finn stepped out of his truck and took in the boarded-up front window of what would be Stella’s Bakery and the whitewashed mural on the side.

Hammers rang out, and saws were buzzing, and somewhere a generator rumbled behind a building.

He noticed the crew setting up scaffolding around one three-story weathered brick building.

Standing in front of it, Gus was talking to a woman.

They hadn’t seen him yet. But he couldn’t stand here forever. Everything looked on the up-and-up. Finn crossed the street. Gus saw him and waved. The woman turned to see who he was waving to. And a whole lot of history passed through his mind, making his stomach lurch and his mouth dry.

Lainey Harper.

The name hit him like a low blow. His breath caught. Even from here, he knew it was her. Dark curly hair and he didn’t need to be closer to know those gray-green eyes of hers recognized him. His gut tightened.

And just like that, the past roared back as if no time had passed at all.

The motel room smelled like sex and sunscreen. The AC clunked in the window.

Lainey had fallen asleep beside him, her hand resting on his chest.

He’d lain there wide awake, staring at the cracked ceiling, listening to her breathing, memorizing the feel of her soft body next to his and inhaling the warm vanilla scent of her hair.

They hadn’t planned for that night. Not really.

Sure, it was on his mind—making love to Lainey was always on his mind.

He also knew Lainey was a virgin. She’d once told him she was saving herself for marriage, for someone she could trust to be there.

But the day after graduation was a blur of bonfires, laughter, too much beer, and music that played long into the night. A shared look turned into a kiss. And the kiss turned into more. And the more turned into one night of incredible bliss.

He knew Lainey hoped it meant forever.

So had he.

But he had deployment orders.

She had dreams, college ambitions.

He left early in the morning. Quietly. Without a note. Or a kiss goodbye.

It was easier, he told himself. Kinder. Make a clean cut so she wouldn’t have to choose between her future and a grunt with no future plans.

When he hadn’t heard from her, he figured she’d moved on.

Maybe she knew that while they cared deeply for each other, it wasn’t enough to build a life on.

Even though he wished with all his heart it was.

Even if, in the darkest of nights, it was her every time he closed his eyes.

Finn crossed the street. Gus stepped forward, extending his hand.

“Appreciate you coming,” Gus said.

Finn nodded and shook his hand. His gaze didn’t leave Lainey.

“Lainey.”

Her name felt strange in his mouth. Familiar yet foreign all at once. He kept his face neutral, but his pulse was thudding too loud in his ears.

Something flickered across her face just for a second—a shadow of surprise and something else.

She didn’t flinch, but her grip tightened on the clipboard. “Hello, Finn.”

Gus glanced between them. “You two know each other?”

“Something like that,” Lainey said, her eyes still on Finn. Her voice was calm, but her jaw tightened.

Finn shrugged. “Went to school together.”

“Small world,” Gus said, rubbing the back of his neck, sensing he’d walked into something personal. His gaze flicked between them. “Lainey, I told you I was going to call a friend to look at what’s going on. Unofficially. Finn, Lainey here is the project manager.”

That was not what he had expected to hear. Although it made perfect sense. She stood like someone used to calling the shots. Confident. Focused. And still holding that clipboard like it was a weapon.

Gus scratched the side of his mouth. “Finn is the friend I mentioned. He came as a favor to me to look around. He has the experience to know what to look for. Plus, he works for a private security team. Former military.”

“I can’t afford security.” Lainey’s brow furrowed. “Besides, we filed police reports.”

“And the police are busy and think it’s kids,” Gus replied, staring at Lainey. “I don’t believe, and neither do you believe, this is the work of kids. That’s what Finn can help with.”

“Lainey, I work with the Brotherhood Alliance. I have a contracting business but take protection assignments when I can.”

Something shifted in her eyes. Recognition.

“The Brotherhood?” She shook her head slowly. “I’ve heard of them. Dani Barlow mentioned her husband worked there.”

“Ryker. Solid guy,” Finn said.

Lainey looked away for a moment, pressing her lips together. “So, what exactly are you here to do?”

“Find out who’s behind the damage and stop it.”

She didn’t argue. Just stood there with those steely gray-green eyes that used to undo him with a single look.

Finn cleared his throat. “Gus said you’ve had multiple incidents. Shattered window, the mural. Anything else?

“A couple of minor things.”

Gus interrupted her. “Missing tools, flat tires.”

Lainey looked at him in surprise. “You never mentioned that.”

“Things happen on a site,” Gus replied. “At the time, I didn’t think it had anything to do with what’s happening.”

Finn nodded. Intimidation. It wasn’t subtle. Sometimes it was kids who were bored especially when school was out. Sometimes something darker.

“Lainey, I’m sure you have a lot to do,” said Finn.

He turned to Gus. “Mind walking me through the site? I want to talk to a few of the crew. See what doesn’t feel right.”

“Works for me,” Gus replied, then paused. “Unless you’d rather show him around, Lainey?”

Finn looked back at her. “Do you mind?”

“I do have a lot to do.” Lainey nodded. “Please don’t make a big deal out of talking with them.”

“Wasn’t planning to.”

“Okay, then,” Gus said, already turning toward the site. “Let’s go then.” He glanced back at Lainey. “We’ll touch base later?”

She nodded and stepped aside to let them pass.

Finn hesitated just for a moment.

Lainey had already turned away but not before he saw the way she pressed her hand to her chest like she needed to catch her breath. The way her fingers trembled on the clipboard.

She was shaken.

And it wasn’t just the vandalism.

It was him.

And damn it, if that didn’t do something to him, too.

The feeling he had buried ten years ago was back, whether or not he liked it.

And louder than ever.