Page 5 of Finn's Future

Finn was on his feet. One second, he was half asleep, and the next, he was standing between me and the door with his hand near the back of his jeans.

He checked through the peephole before relaxing slightly.

“It’s Maria,” he said, opening the door just enough to let her in.

Maria stepped inside carrying a bag and smiled warmly when she saw Noah. “Clothes,” she explained, “and supplies for Noah.”

Emotion clogged my throat. “Thank you.”

She waved it off like it was nothing and started unpacking things onto the small table.

Diapers. Formula. Even a set of clothes for each of us. Things I hadn’t realized we needed yet because my brain was still stuck somewhere between survival and panic. I’d just grabbed the go bag I kept ready and bolted.

“We’ll get you sorted,Mija,” Maria said gently.

Then, she squeezed my shoulder and left. Finn locked the door again immediately after she was gone.

I changed Noah first, then myself, my hands trembling less than they had the day before.

By lunchtime, the motel room already felt too small.

I kept catching Finn watching me when he thought I wasn’t looking. Not in a creepy way, but more like he was trying to figure me out.

Another knock sounded at the door later that afternoon. Finn muttered a curse under his breath and checked the peephole.

“Lucy,” he said before unlocking it.

Lucy stepped inside first. Reaper followed behind her, and the room suddenly felt smaller with him in it.

Lucy’s eyes landed on Noah immediately, softening as she crossed towards us, but Reaper stayed near the door, arms folded, watching everything.

“How are you holding up?” she asked.

“I’m okay,” I lied.

Her expression said she knew it was bullshit.

Finn moved back towards the wall beside the window, giving Lucy space while keeping himself between us and the door.

“We need details,” Reaper said bluntly.

Lucy shot him a look. “Jay.”

“What?” he replied evenly. “You think whoever’s after her stopped looking?”

I tightened my hold on Noah. “I already told you what happened.”

“You told me enough to know there’s a problem,” Reaper replied. “Not enough to know what kind.”

Lucy sat carefully on the edge of the second bed. “Kate, we’re trying to help you.”

“I know.”

“Then help us do that.”

I stared down at Noah instead of looking at them. My son blinked sleepily up at me, completely unaware that my entire world rested on keeping him safe.

“Where’s Caleb?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.