Page 83 of Finn's Future

The officers stepped out behind me, their eyes flicking towards Reaper and the brothers waiting outside. Tension hung heavy across the space between them, but then another man stepped forward.

“All right, that’s enough,” he said calmly, flashing his badge. “I’ll take it from here.”

The officers hesitated then nodded, stepping back.

The plainclothes officer’s gaze softened slightly when it landed on me. “I’m Marc. I work with Reaper. Go on. Your baby is inside.”

I didn’t wait. I ran.

The doors slammed open under my hands as I rushed inside, my eyes darting wildly until I saw Lucy standing near the bar, and in her arms was Noah.

A broken sound left me as I rushed forward, my legs almost giving out when I reached them. “Noah.”

Lucy didn’t hesitate, placing him straight into my arms.

The second I felt him against me, warm and safe, everything inside me cracked. I dropped my face into his hair, my body shaking as sobs tore out of me.

“I’ve got you,” I whispered over and over, holding him closer. “I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you.”

My hands moved over him without thinking, checking, needing to know.

“Is he okay? Did they hurt him?” My voice broke on the words.

“He’s okay,” Lucy assured me. “He missed you, but he’s okay.”

Relief hit me so hard, it almost made me dizzy, but it didn’t last. My eyes lifted again, searching.

“Where’s Finn?” I looked around the bar but couldn’t see him.

Lucy hesitated, and that was enough.

My stomach dropped.

“He’s still with the police,” Maria said gently.

“Still?” I repeated, my voice quieter now, uncertainty creeping in. “They took my statement. They saw what happened. It was self-defence . . . he saved Noah.”

“They said they just needed to ask a few questions.” A cold knot formed in my chest. “They’ll let him go,” I said quickly,more to myself than anyone else. “They have to.” But doubt had already crept in, poisoning the edges of that thought.

“He’ll be okay,” Lucy said, stepping closer. “Reaper and the others are handling it.”

The lump in my throat grew larger. “He was covered in blood,” I whispered. “He lost control. What if they don’t see it the way we do?”

What if they only saw violence and didn’t see why? Fear wrapped around my chest, my breaths growing thinner. I pressed Noah closer, grounding myself in his warmth.

“He won’t be alone,” Lucy said firmly. “Not ever. He’s one of ours, and so are you.”

“Come on. Let’s get Noah into bed,” Maria suggested softly, placing her hand on my arm and giving it a little squeeze.”

I nodded, but it didn’t settle the storm inside me. I forced myself to move, carrying Noah upstairs, needing to see him somewhere safe, somewhere untouched by everything that had happened.

I’d refused the hospital. I wanted to get back to Noah, and honestly, I’d had worse. My stepfather had made sure of that over the years. A bruise and a split lip didn’t matter. Not tonight. Not when Noah needed me and I needed him.

I laid him down gently, hovering over him, watching his chest rise and fall like it was the only thing keeping me standing.

“You’re okay,” I whispered. “Mama’s right here.”

I brushed my fingers over his tiny hand. “Your daddy . . . he was a good man,” I murmured. “He didn’t get enough time with us, but he loved you. I know he did.”