Page 94 of Exile and Embrace

Finn’s been worried about his father for the last week.

While I know there is reason to worry, especially with Declan, I don’t think his father wants much to do with me.

Finn drums his fingers on the wheel. The muscle in his jaw clenches. “I’m working out some business with Cillian that would upset my father. If he finds out, he’ll want to do something to hurt me. Taking you is pretty much the only thing that would do that.”

My heart skips a beat as I lean over and kiss his cheek. “You don’t have to worry. I can pretty much promise you right now that Camila is going to make sure one of her men is with me all the time. She’s not going to let anyone get to me, especially once I tell her what’s going on with your father.”

Finn turns off the highway and onto the road that leads to the airport. “I know. It’s not going to stop me from worrying about you the entire time you’re gone.”

“I’ll call you, and we’ll text. Hell, you’re probably going to get irritated with how much I text when I’m away from people.”

He laughs and follows the signs that lead to the hangars. “I doubt that.”

Finn stops in front of the hangar at the very end.

A sleek white plane sits outside, the metal shining beneath the bright sun.

Camila and Ruben sit on the stairs that lead up to the plane, lounging in the sun.

I grin as I get out of the car. I’ve missed the two of them more than I thought I would. “I can’t believe you decided to come all the way to Portland to see little old me.”

Camila laughs and races down the steps. “I’ve missed you so damn much! Club nights haven’t been the same without you.”

Ruben follows after her. “I didn’t think that I would see the day when you lived somewhere it rained all the time.”

I smile and hug both of them. “I know. I didn’t think that I would love it here as much as I do.”

Finn hangs back, hovering near the car as he gets my bags out.

Ruben goes to help him while Camila wiggles her eyebrows at me.

My cheeks are on fire. “Why are you giving me that look?”

“Because the man you ran away with is fine as hell.” Camila loops her arm through mine, pulling me away from the men. “You look like you’re half in love with the man already.”

Butterflies beat against my stomach. “There's something there. I really do like him, and being away from him for the next few days is probably going to be hell, but everything is going to be fine.”

“Is it? He’s a Byrne. Which is something you conveniently left out on the phone.”

I shrug. “I didn’t think it mattered much. He’s nothing like his father or brother. Finn is a good man, and he’s been nothing but kind to me since we came out here. Although, there’s a problem.”

“What do you mean?” Camila stops at the bottom of the stairs. “What do I need to know?”

“His father might be coming after me. Apparently, Finn is going to be doing something that pisses him off. It's enough to give Finn reason to think that his father might try to get to me.”

Camila purses her lips and nods. “Alright. I’ll make sure that you have someone with you at all times.”

I bump my hip into hers. “So, you and Ruben? When did that happen? When I left Tennessee the two of you were still dancing around each other and pretending that you weren’t sleeping together.”

Camila’s face is bright red as Ruben and Finn come over.

Ruben coughs as Finn starts laughing.

Smirking, I take my bag from Finn.

Ruben climbs the stairs to the plane with my other bag. “And on that note, it’s time to get going.”

I grin as Camila scurries up the stairs after him, leaving me outside with Finn.

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