Page 157 of Manacled Hearts

“Turn the fuck around now! Your building is being stalked. Two of our men are down. They’re waiting for you,” Vincent urges.

“Shit. Where are you?”

“Loading up, underground. There’s something else.”

“What?” Finnigan asks, a deep frown settling between his brows.

“It’s happening. Bartiste is coming for us.”

CHAPTER 38

FINNIGAN

Fucking finally!

This bastard evaded us for too long, and no matter how much of his operation we have destroyed so far, the satisfaction is never going to come until Roberto Bartiste is dead.

“Perfect!” I exclaim, stealing a glance at Evelyn who frowns at my reaction, her gaze switching between the phone screen, the paperwork, and me.

“Okay, I’m turning around.”

“Morrigan and Loreley are joining Maya.” Vin’s avoiding saying where. I wonder if he thinks someone could be listening.

“I’m taking her too. Text me where to meet you.”

“No!” Evelyn’s words rush out as I end the call.

“There’s no time to debate this.”

She’s pressed back into the seat as I turn the car around, earning some angry honks from other drivers. I speed up, weaving through the evening traffic, and I head back toward the edge of town.

“Exactly. There is no time. Do not waste it by driving back to Mamaw June’s.” She shoves the paperwork back in the envelope and pops it back in the glove box.

I clench my fist around the steering wheel and press harder on the gas as I force myself not to raise my tone at her. “That’s the best place where you can be right now—safe. With your sister.”

“I appreciate that, but it makes no sense. Let’s just go meet the others.”

“You heard Vin, the others are going there as well,” I retort.

“You know I meant Vincent and the others, not the girls! Why are you being like this?”

“I’m not discussing this anymore. There are loads of security around the forest and Mamaw June’s, it’s safe there.”

“Security? I managed to sneak past them.”

“Trust me, Vincent almost chopped a few heads because of that. No one goes through anymore.”

“Oh, god,” she whispers to herself, probably wondering if anyone’s hurt because of her, then shakes the thought away. “It’s too far, Finn. Please, we have to go after Bartiste.” She wraps her small hand around my thigh as her eyes plead with me.

“No, I have to go after him. Me, not you!” Holding my tone back didn’t last long, not when she insists on being so damn stubborn.

“Finn, plea—”

“Listen to me, Evelyn!” I roar, tires screeching as I pull over, turn in my seat, and grip her sweet face in my hands. “I will not risk your life! Over and over, you underestimate just how much you mean to me. What I’m willing to do to keep you safe. I can’t lose you, damn it. Don’t you understand? I fucking love you, Evelyn!”

Her plump lips part on a soft gasp, and her eyes are like saucers as she takes in my words.

“You mean too much. So fucking much…” I whisper now, brushing the tip of my nose to hers, and lean my forehead against hers.

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