Page 3 of Protecting Jess

“Great. Good to know. I guess I’ll be going then,” Finn grumbled, annoyed he’d gotten dressed up for nothing. Although, part of him was relieved he didn’t have to walk into that theatre and see the show.

“No!” Oak shouted.

He turned, arching an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest. “No? You want me to play third wheel on your date?”

Oak shrugged. “You’re here. Seems a waste to head back to base to stare at the ceiling of your room.”

Finn lived on base. It was easy and convenient. It wasn’t like he couldn’t afford to purchase a house. He had a trust fund that had many zeroes in it. He just didn’t like to touch that money.

He preferred to live off what he earned. His parents were proud of him for doing what he was doing. No way would they have any issue with him using his trust fund to make his life more comfortable.

But the last thing he wanted to do was throw his wealth around, although all his teammates knew who he was and who his father was—Brodie Spelling, tech billionaire turned rancher and volunteer firefighter/paramedic.

“I don’t know. My ceiling is pretty entertaining,” Finn drawled.

“I’m really sorry about Marian, Finn. I had no idea she was still talking to her ex. Otherwise, I never would’ve suggested Oak ask you to come along this evening. But...” Sylvia fluttered her eyelashes. “You’re here, and we have a ticket. I’ve heard it’s a really good show. It’s been getting rave reviews.”

He didn’t care if it was getting bad reviews. He’d rather be anywhere else than standing in front of a theatre, dumped by a woman he’d never even met.

It shouldn’t bother him, but it did. Finn had always wanted the type of love his parents shared, but his occupation made it hard to make a relationship stick. Most of the women he met were only interested in sleeping with a SEAL.

Part of the reason he’d agreed to the date was because Sylvia wasn’t that type of woman. She seemed to really like Oak, and his buddy liked her too.

Oak caught his eye. “Come on, Hive. Maybe you’ll catch the eye of one of the dancers. Or patrons.”

Yeah, Finn wasn’t looking for a hookup, but he could see the desperation shining in his friend’s eyes. Oak wanted to be there as much as he did. This was one of his brothers. He’d give his life for him.

Finn supposed he could give a few hours. “Fine. As you said, I’m already here.”

“Excellent.” Oak’s relief was stamped all over his face.

“Shall we go in?” Sylvia took Oak’s arm and headed toward the large, open doors.

Finn took a deep breath and followed. There was a low buzz of conversation as they crossed the threshold, where people milled together. They all looked excited and happy to be there.

He wished he had some enthusiasm, but he didn’t. Being back at a theatre, about to see a dance show, was messing with him. It was bringing up memories and feelings he’d long ago buried.

Everything about this night was annoying but confusing at the same time. Annoying because he’d readied his mind to meet a total stranger. Confusing because of being back in a world he’d avoided because it reminded him of the one person he shouldn’t want.

A person Finn had tried hard to forget, even though it was virtually impossible, considering their familial relationship.

A person whose smiling face was gazing down from the large banner hanging from the ceiling.

“Jess.” He whispered her name from the depths of his soul. Finn skidded to a halt, staring up at her image.

The four years since he’d last seen her dropped away and, even though he was looking at a picture, he was back in the bar in New York, holding her as she danced. Laughing with her. Kissing her and almost losing his mind with need.

In this photo, she was even more beautiful than she had been that night. Her hair up in a tight bun. Her red-stained lips stretched wide. Jess’s eyes sparkled, as though she’d been laughing only seconds before the image had been captured.

“Hive? You good?” Oak’s voice dragged Finn back from his memories, and the chatter from the patrons seemed louder than it had when he’d walked in.

“Yeah, I’m good. Sorry.”

Oak studied him, and Finn kept his face neutral—at least he hoped he did.

During his time as first a combat medic and now a SEAL, Finn had learned to keep his face emotionless. It wasn’t always easy passing on bad news, not to mention giving himself a modicum of separation from the injured person he was treating.

“Do you know her?” Oak asked, pointing to Jess’s picture.

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