Page 82 of Burn It Down
My body felt clammy in my sweater and thick leggings. I loved these leggings; the bright pink and green Aztec print was pretty. They were so soft. Finn liked me in leggings. Get a grip, Gigi!
“Gigi Cooper,” Hunter’s deep voice boomed, his southern accent curling his words slightly, “What are you doing here so late, angel?” Hunter adjusted a ball cap on his shaved head, spinning the brim to the back.
“I need Finn. Now. Someone was following me. I think.” The grin on Hunter’s face vanished, and he shoved me inside.
“Finn’s upstairs. Go. Now.” I didn’t need to be told twice.
The steps to my left led to safety. To Finn. I rushed up them, tears suddenly streaming down my face. I heard his laugh from upstairs, and calm replaced the burn of fear and panic.
I didn’t know if my stalker was Bree or Jordan. Or if being followed had anything to do with it, really. I just knew I was scared, and I wanted Finn to make me feel safe again.
“F-Finn…” My throat felt dry; I realized I was sweating from rushing here and my chest pumped for air.
Finn sat at the leather couch, laughing with Levi as they played Xbox. Call of Duty. I wanted to play. Finn’s eyes flew to me and he dropped the controller. I didn’t have to say another word.
Finn’s thick legs carried him across the room and I was lifted against him. Swept right up off my feet. I clutched at him as I sobbed into his neck. We were moving, and then Finn shouted at Levi. The room went quiet for a moment.
“Talk to me, Sweetheart. What’s going on?” I was shaking against him, my fingers clawing at his shoulders.
“I was followed. For blocks, Finn. I was running home because,” I bit back the sour taste in my throat, the taste of a lie, “I was tired of being in Cage and Charli’s way. It’s just a few blocks. Figured I might get home, lock up at your place. No harm. Right?”
“Oh, Sweetheart. Did you see anyone? Did they say anything? Any car you recognized?” I shook my head, burrowing into him deeper.
“No. No. I was almost home. At that bench by the sub shop. I like that sub shop. Can we have lunch there tomorrow? I’m starving now, actually. Can you feed me, Finn?” Gibberish; it all sounded like gibberish because I was speaking so fast, even for me.
Finn chuckled, but closed his arms tighter around me. For a long moment, he just held me. I twisted in his arms to glance up as I heard footsteps on the stairs.
Hunter was there, watching us closely. I suddenly realized something. Hunter had gone out in search of whoever might have been following me. What a brave fellow, Hunter.
“Didn’t see anyone Finn.” I popped up, twisting on Finn’s lap.
“No one? Not Bree or Jordan or…” I trailed off as I scrambled to my feet.
“Sweetheart, calm down. They saw where you were coming, and took off. You’re safe now. Hunter, I’m going to take her back to Cage’s place; is that cool?” Finn stood behind me, wrapping one thick arm around my front, his hand cupping my shoulder.
“Yeah, of course. Just go on call the rest of the night. Take her home; we’ll call you if we need you.” Hunter smiled his bright white smile, but I shook my head.
“N-no its fine. I can take an uber home. Or something. It’s fine.” Why did I say that? I was fucking terrified, my vision blurry from tears and my teeth rattling as I trembled.
“Absolutely not. Thanks, Byrne.” The two exchanged a look, and I was yanked down the stairs.
Following Finn down the stairs and out past the trucks, I was anxious. Worried about what we might find at home. Wondering if I should tell him about the photos. I could not be sure the two were even related, really.
The less detail I had to learn about Finn’s cock being in Bree’s mouth, or elsewhere, the better. Just as we reached his blazer parked in the back lot, he seemed to break.
Finn shoved me against the blazer and took my mouth. I clutched at him desperately, letting him lift me up. My legs went around his hips and my arms lassoed his neck. As my fingers tangled in his thick hair, he groaned and tore his mouth away. We were both breathing heavily, the icy air full of our desperation.
“Why the fuck did you not tell me you were leaving Cage’s? I can’t think about you taking risks like that. Fuck, Gigi. I love you, Sweet Girl. So fucking much. If anything happened to you…” Finn buried his face in my neck and closed his thick arms tighter around me.
“Nothing happened. I came right to you. Like I promised.” I also promised no more lies.
“I feel like something triggered it. Something you don’t want to tell me. You need to tell me shit, Gigi. How can I take care of you if you won’t let me?” Finn sounded frustrated, but his voice was sweet and soothing against my skin.
“I am letting you. Nothing happened. I just went for a walk. I heard footsteps. I got scared. I came to you, Finn.” I was not known for being a dependent person so this in and of itself should clarify I trusted him.
“Let's get home, Sweet Girl. Missed you tonight, you didn’t text me back most the night.” I frowned as I climbed into the truck, shivering without my coat.
Finn blasted the heat as I swiped open my phone, searching for his messages. Nothing. Not even the ones I’d had earlier, before he headed to work. It was too late, and I was too exhausted to consider what that might mean.
