Page 7 of Finn's Future

A broken sound escaped Lucy.

“The last thing he told me was that if I was ever in trouble and couldn’t reach him, I was supposed to find you.” I looked towards Reaper.

Reaper’s expression didn’t change, but something shifted slightly in his eyes.

Lucy wiped at her face quickly. “He didn’t tell me about you.”

“I don’t think he meant not to,” I said. “I think he thought he had time.”

Finn stepped back inside and leaned against the wall by the door.

“What kind of trouble?” Reaper asked.

I hesitated, and Finn shifted slightly. My arms tightened around Noah.

“Like I said last night, my stepfather owes people money. Big money. They started showing up at the apartment asking questions about Caleb.”

Lucy straightened.

“They met Caleb after Noah was born and figured out who he was.” Shame burned hot in my chest. “A Kane. Someone with money, connections.”

Lucy’s expression hardened. “They wanted help?” she asked.

I laughed bitterly. “They wanted money. When Caleb refused, my stepfather got angry. That’s when Caleb moved us out of the city.”

Lucy’s face crumpled again, and she moved to sit beside me.

“He was trying to protect us,” I whispered. She reached for my hand, squeezing tightly.

“What happened after Rosewater?” Reaper asked.

I stared at the floor. “They found us. My stepfather tried to take Noah.” Panic crept back into my chest just remembering it. “Said he’d be safer with them. Said they could fix everything if I’d stop being selfish.”

Finn shifted as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

“But they don’t want him,” I whispered. “Not really.”

“What do they want?” Reaper asked.

“Leverage. They think Noah’s worth money because of Caleb. They think they can use him.” My throat burned. “Sell a story. Demand money. Something.”

Lucy’s grip on my hand was painful now.

“They won’t stop. They never do,” I mumbled, more to myself than them.

A sudden rattling sound slammed against the motel door, and I jerked violently.

Finn moved fast. One second, he was near the window, and the next, he was standing directly in front of me and Noah.

Reaper stepped towards the door immediately.

The handle rattled again, and Finn’s hand dropped towards the knife at his belt.

Another shove hit the door, then a drunken voice slurred from outside. “Oh shit . . . wrong room.” A laugh echoed down the walkway.

Reaper stayed still another second before checking through the peephole. “Drunk,” he said flatly.

But Finn didn’t move away from us.