Page 71 of Finn's Future

Chapter 32

Finn

It had been another two weeks and still no sightings, no leads, nothing on Kate’s parents. They had disappeared.

I stood outside watching Kate play with Noah on the front porch, trying to pretend everything was normal, when my phone rang. The same number as before. I swore under my breath, turned my back to Kate and clicked accept.

“Finlay?” The sugary sweet voice I’d tried so hard to forget came down the line.

“Yep.”

“We need to meet. We have things to discuss, darling.”

“Look, I’m on a job at the moment. As soon as I’m off it, I’ll call and we’ll sort something.”

“Just make sure you do, sweetie. As soon as you can. This is important.”

I clicked off the phone and turned back to Kate. She hovered behind Noah as he tried to walk on the uneven ground. The simple act of watching them just be normal brought a smile to my face, and a warm feeling settled in my chest.

My phone rang again, and I caught the worry on Kate’s face. I smiled at her to reassure her that everything was okay.

Riot’s name flashed across the screen.

“Riot?”

“Pres wants you back. Both of you. Prospect’ll ride your bike back so you can take the truck with her.”

I glanced at Kate, smiling as Noah gripped her finger and toddled along.

“Is it safe?”

“Haven’t seen them since the day you shot out of here like a rocket. Every lead’s been a dead end.”

I exhaled slowly. “Alright. I’ll pack up. See you tonight.”

We packed quickly. Kate didn’t complain, but I could see her nerves in the tightness in her shoulders, the way she kept checking Noah like she was bracing for something to go wrong.

We made good time on the road, one prospect in the truck with us, another riding my bike behind. The closer we got to town, the more on edge I felt, eyes constantly flicking to the mirrors, scanning, checking, then drifting to Kate’s reflection in the rearview mirror. She caught me once and gave me a small smile. I didn’t believe it. Fear still lingered in her expression.

“Can you think of anything, no matter how small, that your parents have said or done? Anything that can lead us to them?”

Kate shook her head. “I’ve been thinking. That’s all I’ve been doing at the cabin.”

“Wait,” she called out, and I slammed on the brakes.

“Are you okay?” I scanned the area and all I could see was a couple walking out of Burger King, holding the hands of a child wearing a paper crown.

“Yes. Yes. You can carry on driving.”

I signalled to the prospects that all was okay and indicated I was pulling back off.

“I just remembered, they were arguing a few days before I left. They mentioned something about Marchetti Crown. Do you know what that is?” She glanced over at me.

“No, but maybe one of the brothers will.”

The second the engine cut in the clubhouse lot, the front door flew open. Lucy ran out, Maria right behind her, both heading straight for Noah, their voices soft as they cooed over him.

Riot stood in the doorway, tracking them before his attention settled on me. “Pres wants us in church. Now.”