Page 110 of Finn

“Yes. I need to move forward. Do something that gives me joy.”

“Your voice gives me great joy as well,” I murmured, stroking a line up her throat.

“You’ll be there, right?” she asked.

“Always.”

“My, ah, dresses,” she paused and swallowed, the memories of the last time she was in her apartment no doubt racing through her head.

“You’re buying new ones,” I informed her. “I’ll take you down to the boutique later. You pick what you want.”

“I have to go back⁠—”

“No. I’ll have it cleaned out and your personal stuff brought to the suite. You never have to go back there again.” I didn’t want her to face those memories.

She paused. “You told me Tom wasn’t dead, but I haven’t seen him.”

“He’ll be back tomorrow.”

“And you’re sure he’s okay?”

“Yes,” I assured her. “He’s fine. I made him take a few days off, that’s all.”

I practically had to have his wife tie him down, but I kept that to myself.

“Oh, good. I look forward to seeing him.”

“He is looking forward to seeing you too.”

* * *

UNA

Friday night, I sat at the dressing table, finishing my makeup. The soft fragrance of Finn’s flowers drifted over, and I inhaled, stopping what I was doing and stroking the soft petals. The arrangement was huge, and this time, there was a card.

Mo chroí,

Sing for me.

Always, Finn

I stood, crossing to the screen by the door and sliding the new dress Finn had picked out for me over my head. I looked in the mirror. It was a soft green, flowing and elegant. The long sleeves hid the fading bruises, and the delicate shimmer of the crystals drew your attention to the bias cut of the skirt and the swirl of the material that swept the floor. It was modest and pretty, and I felt like a million dollars in it. Careful makeup covered the marks on my collarbones and face. They no longer hurt and would soon be gone.

I only hoped the painful memories would fade as well. The therapist I had started seeing was helping. She was insightful and down-to-earth, and we got along well. She was the wife of one of Finn’s men, so nothing I told her came as much of a shock. And it was nice to say things without filtering them. I didn’t have to worry about upsetting Finn if I was having a bad moment and said what was on my mind.

There was a tap on the door, and Tom stuck his head in. “They’re ready for you.”

Finn insisted on a guard for me at all times. I asked for Tom and had been happy to see him return to my side. We got along well, and I trusted him. I still felt awful about what Brian had attempted to do, but he’d waved me off and we hadn’t spoken of it again.

I hesitated before going onstage, a small flutter of nerves hitting me. I had to remind myself the danger was gone. No one was watching who wanted to hurt me. No one was stalking me.

I took a deep breath and walked out.

I was greeted with a warm round of applause, my eyes widening at the large table set up at the front. Roman, Aldo, Luca, and their wives were all there. Niall and Anna. Finn sat closest, his pride evident, beaming at me, nodding in encouragement. His intense gaze met mine, flooding me with warmth. I felt his love, his strength, surround me.

He was here.

I was safe.