Page 21 of Finn's Future

Lucy had taken the truck back to the clubhouse with Noah, which meant I had to ride on Finn’s bike. I’d done it once with Caleb and had not enjoyed it at all. Caleb had laughed afterwards, saying I’d nearly cracked his ribs from how tightly I held onto him.

With Finn, it felt awkward. I wrapped my arms around him carefully, not nearly as tight as I wanted to even though fear raced through me every time the bike leaned into a turn.

Finn took it slow. Slow enough that eventually I stopped tensing every second and rested my forehead carefully against the back of his kutte.

When he slowed near a familiar street, I lifted my head slightly and looked around. We weren’t far from the clubhouse. Close enough that if something happened, the club would get there fast.

That made me feel better. So did knowing Noah wasn’t far away.

Finn pulled into a small driveway beside a neat two-story house with pale siding and a trimmed lawn.

No rusted junk, overflowing bins or broken windows. It was not what I expected, and the thought made shame heat my cheeks. What had I expected? Grease-stained walls? Beer cans everywhere? A mattress on the floor?

Idiot.

Finn killed the engine, and I climbed off quickly, trying not to look as flustered as I felt.

Inside, the house was bright. Sunlight poured through wide windows onto polished wood floors. The air smelled faintly like coffee and laundry detergent. The couch was clean, a cream throw lay over the back of the black leather, the kitchen counters clear, everything in its place. The only personal items noticeable were photos of him and other club members.

I stood there a little too long staring.

“You can look around,” Finn said.

“I wasn’t—” I stopped myself. I had been staring. Judging. Assuming. “It’s nice.”

He gave a faint shrug. “It’s home.”

Finn gestured down the hallway. “Bathroom’s there.” Then towards the stairs. “Spare room’s at the end. I’ll take that. You and Noah can have my room. It’s got its own bathroom.”

“You don’t have to give up your room.”

“It’s all good,” he replied easily. “Mine’s bigger. Better for the kid.”

My chest ached painfully at the quiet kindness of his offer.

“You should sleep,” Finn said.

“I don’t think I can.”

“You can,” he replied. “And you will.” He led me upstairs without waiting for an argument.

His bedroom looked exactly like the rest of the house, clean and tidy. The bed was neatly made.

I got in, knowing it was no use arguing, and I was exhausted. I knew I needed to take advantage of not having Noah for afew hours. My head sank into the soft pillow, which smelled like his aftershave. Warm, spicy, masculine. It made my heart skip a beat and settled my nerves at the same time.

"Just rest," Finn said before stepping back towards the door. He paused with his hand on the handle. "I'll grab you a bottle of water and some painkillers."

"You don't have to—" Before I could argue, he'd disappeared downstairs.

I settled back against the pillows, but sleep refused to come.

A few minutes later, voices drifted through the open bedroom window. One belonged to Finn. The other... A woman.

Curiosity got the better of me. I slipped quietly from the bed and crossed to the window.

She stood beside a sleek black Mercedes at the end of the drive. Tall and beautiful, her dark hair was pulled into a glossy ponytail, with oversized sunglasses resting on her head despite the fading afternoon sun. Even from upstairs I could tell her clothes were expensive. Tailored and elegant. The sort of woman who looked like she'd stepped out of a magazine rather than wandered into biker territory.

She didn't look like one of the women I'd seen at the clubhouse.