Page 77 of Finn's Future

“I left him upstairs,” she sobbed. “I ran outside and I left him alone.”

“Kate—”

“I should’ve taken him with me.” Panic poured out of her in broken gasps. “I should’ve known something was wrong. I trusted this place, and now they’ve got him because of me.”

“No.” The word came out harsh.

“Yes!” she cried. “I opened the door. I left him there, and they took him.”

Her wail tore through the night and straight through me.

Her legs gave out beneath her. I caught her, but not fast enough, and we both went down. I held onto her as she sobbed into my chest, the sound breaking something deep inside me. I could hear Reaper talking, but I couldn’t make out the words.

“We’ll get him back, Kate,” I said, my voice rough. “I promise you. We’ll get Noah back, and we’ll make them pay for what they’ve done.”

“Finn, get her inside,” Reaper called.

I pushed to my feet and lifted her into my arms. She weighed almost nothing. I carried her inside and settled her onto the sofa, grabbing a blanket from the back and wrapping it around her before pulling her back against me. Her cries had softened into broken sniffles, but every ragged breath tore at me.

I got lost in my own head until I heard the front door open. Lucy and Maria came in carrying cups of coffee. They handed them to me and Kate first before passing the rest around the room. Now, all the brothers stood in my living room.

Reaper, Riot, Keno, and Spider stood in front of the fireplace, while Link sat in front of my coffee table with his laptop open.

“Right,” Link started, turning the laptop so we could all see. “This guy is Vincent Moretti. He’s linked to the Crown Casino outside of town. Not the owner, but a big player. Sometimes acts as a loan shark. I’m still digging.”

“You think this is who they owe money to? The one Volkov is working for?” Reaper asked.

“It seems likely. He keeps most of his business off the grid. Volkov is an independent. Works alone for the highest pay cheque.”

“Keno, Spider, you two head over to Moretti’s office. See what you can dig up.” Reaper nodded at them, and they both glanced at me and Kate before heading out.

A phone ringing shattered the silence, making Kate jump, her eyes wide.

“It’s just a phone,” I murmured. “You’re safe.”

“But Noah isn’t,” she whispered, her voice breaking as she dissolved into sobs again.

“Hello? How did you get this number?” Lucy asked, turning away slightly.

“Wow . . . now, hang on . . .” Her voice trailed off, and I saw something click in her eyes.

She waved her hand at us, signalling for quiet, then placed the phone on the table and hit speaker.

“What are you talking about, Mother?” Lucy snapped.

“You and your worthless child. You honestly think we’d give you a cent after what you’ve put us through?”

“You’ve heard from the kidnappers?”

At that, Kate shot upright, but I quickly covered her mouth, holding her close as Lucy gave her a pleading look.

“Stay quiet, Kate,” I murmured into her ear. “Right now, they think that baby is Lucy’s. It’s better that way. I’ll explain later.”

She stiffened, then slowly softened, burying her face into my chest.

“What was that?” Lucy’s mother asked.

“I’m at the clubhouse. Just noise in the background,” she replied smoothly.