Page 47 of Finn
He had to focus, had to be ready for anything if he wanted to bring Finn back from Craven Hill.
His steps were brisk as he headed toward his quarters, already mentally running through a list of supplies he’d need for the mission.
He couldn’t afford any mistakes. Not when Finn’s life was at stake.
The image of Finn, determined, reckless and brave, was seared into his mind as he readied himself.
Yet as he packed, a fierce thought kept gnawing at him. They’d almost discarded Finn, but it wouldn’t be that easy.
Hell would freeze over before he’d let the Guild claim another life from his family.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
FINN
The waiting was unbearable.I paced the cramped apartment, my thoughts racing as if they had their own pulse.
Gabriel had messaged me hours ago, and I could practically feel every second stretching longer than the last.
I checked my disposable cellphone for what had to be the hundredth time, rereading his message:We leave tonight. I’ll grab supplies and meet you back there soon. Stay put. The lions have found Scar’s body.
I stared out the window, the flickering streetlights and looming shadows making the already sketchy neighborhood feel even more sinister.
Every rustle, every faint footfall on the cracked pavement below had my heart lurching into my throat.
It didn’t help that I was already on edge, guilt gnawing at me from every angle.
I’d left the Guild behind, betrayed everything I’d been trained for. Everything I was supposed to believe in.
Part of me wondered if I’d regret this in the end, if Gabriel and I even stood a chance. But then…no.
Maybe we didn’t know what would come next, but for now, we had each other. That was enough.
Finally, I heard footsteps outside the door, silent, almost predatory. For a second, my heart stopped, and my body went tense.
But then the door creaked open, and Gabriel slipped in, his tall frame almost a shadow in the dim light.
Without thinking, I moved forward and hugged him tightly.
He hesitated, then his arms wrapped around me, warm and steady, grounding me.
"Hey," he murmured, pulling back enough to meet my gaze. "You okay?"
"Just been thinking about a lot of things," I admitted, looking down, still gripping his arm as if he might disappear if I let go.
Gabriel’s gaze softened. “I get it. But it’ll be okay.”
He lifted the bag slung over his shoulder.
"Got the supplies. Managed to get us a second-hand truck too. It's parked out back. Once we hit the highway, we’ll swap out the plates,” Gabriel said.
A rush of relief washed over me, but I knew better than to let my guard down just yet. We had to get out of here first. No mistakes.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “Let’s go, then.”
We moved through the darkened apartment, Gabriel leading, his senses sharper than mine even though I was no slouch in that department.
As we slipped down the creaky staircase to the back exit, a prickling feeling ran down my spine, making me slow my steps.
