Page 34 of Finn

She searches my face, and I know I bled out too much last night. I let feelings I didn’t know I had take over. I admitted my feelings.

“How are you today?” she cautiously asks.

I avoid her question because I don’t want to lie and tell her I’m fine. I’m messed up, and that’s not what she wants to hear. So instead, I press a soft kiss to her lips and run my thumb down her cheek.

“I’d like to take you somewhere,” I say, keeping my eyes locked with hers.

She smiles, nodding her head. “Alright.”

I force a grin as she sits up. “It’s to meet my mom.”

She reaches over and wraps her small hand around mine. “I’d love that, Finn.”

As she gets ready, I sit at the kitchen table, staring out the front window.

I hope I’m doing the right thing here. Opening the door to my past and letting Mia see the demons up close, it’s a fucking risk. The only time I’ve been back there was when it was for the club. Which is ironic because when I walked out on my eighteenth birthday, it was to join Shattered Souls.

Walking into Souls has my heart pounding. I don’t know how any of this works, but I’m finally considered an adult, and it’s time to find out how I become like that guy that used to drive past my trailer. I’m sure he’s long gone from here now, but he’s the reason I’m here. I want to be like him. I want to inspire a kid one day to keep his shit straight just by watching me.

“Kid, you fucking lost?”

I snap out of my thoughts and realize I haven’t moved since I walked through the door. The guy staring at me raises an eyebrow, and I think I see a lip ring.

I clear my throat and take a few steps in. “No, I’m here to join Shattered Souls.”

He throws back a shot and grins. “Brooks, Enzo, Z, get the fuck out here,” he yells, keeping his eyes on me.

I swallow, shoving my hands in my pockets. They’re gonna try to intimidate me. I know they are, but I can handle it. I’ve dealt with real monsters. I can handle this.

“This better be fucking good,” an older guy says, lighting a cigarette.

The guy with the pierced lip lifts his chin toward me and grins. “Kid came in looking to join Shattered Souls.”

The older guy lifts an eyebrow, moving closer to me. “How old are you, kid?”

“I’m eighteen,” I say.

“Why do you want to join?”

There’s not a shot in hell that I’m telling them the real reason. That’s something for me.

“I want to be a part of something greater than myself. Something that makes a difference. Something that gives back as much as you put in. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of this club. Let me prove myself,” I say.

I’ve perfected keeping my emotions off my face. Keeping my body language neutral. Even though inside I am a raging fire, outside, I appear to be relaxed and confident.

“Shit, the kid should talk us up to everyone with that little speech.” I glance over, and a guy with dark hair is grinning, standing next to the one with the pierced lip.

“I’m Brooks Madden, President of Shattered Souls. This is Enzo Hynes, my VP. That is Zane Madden, my nephew and my SAA. That is Kace Chambers, he’s a member and a hell of a guy.” I look at each of them as Brooks introduces them. They’re studying me, and I just let them. I have nothing to hide.

Brooks continues, “What’s your name, kid?”

“Finn Ganley,” I say, keeping my eyes trained on him.

He nods and pulls out a chair. “Let’s sit down and talk about what’s expected of a prospect, Finn.”

“Hey,” Mia says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I look up at her and grin. A few years ago, walking into Souls, I never thought I’d end up here. “Hey, you look fucking beautiful,” I say, standing and kissing her cheek.

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