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He kissed her cheek, leaving his hand on her belly. Being close to her was like touching a live wire. Every synapse in his body fired with yearning and desire. He had relished holding her Christmas night. But he’d also returned to his parents the next day not wanting to push her. He’d be patient for as long as it took to show her he was trustworthy. “Be right back.”
Finn disappeared out of the main room, firing off a text to Mason to keep an extra eye on Charli while he was gone.
He passed through the storeroom before opening the back door, which was surprisingly already unlocked. The frigid temperature blasted through his body, offering relief to the rising panic, grounding him. Exhaling, his breath became a fog carried away by the wind. He stepped out and shut the door. The motion-sensor light switched on, illuminating the delivery bay as he sat on the steps. A dumpster and recycling crate stood off to his right.
Finn ran a hand over his beard before resting it over his thigh. A flash of light drew his attention to the gravel. He inched forward, picking up the cigarillo butt from the ground. Who was smoking out here? Something about it was familiar. He brought it closer to the light and froze. The smoked-tobacco-melded-with-cherry filled his nostrils. The memory pummeled over him like a freight train.
Darkness. So much darkness. A puff of smoke bloomed in his vision. A man. An arrogant voice eerily familiar setting Finn on edge with his pulse racing.
Finn reached out, swatting the smoke away, but it only seemed to make it worse.
“You have a lot of people counting on you, Major Reed.”
“How do you know who I am?” Finn heard himself ask.
It was like the car dream all over again—he had no control.
“I know a lot of things about you. Like you and your pretty wife run the bar. Your parents’ address. And we have a mutual friend who assures me you can keep your mouth shut.”
“Are you threatening me?”
The man gave an amused laugh. “I don’t make threats. I make promises. Think about it. You’re gonna need a side hustle if you want to buy that house.”
Finn stiffened. How did he know Finn and Charli were trying to buy a home? “Look, buddy, I don’t know who you are or what you want, but I’ll take a wild guess and say it isn’t exactly above board. I don’t want any part of it. And you ever come near my family and you’ll regret the day you were born.”
Another puff of smoke. Finn coughed, nearly choking on it. Menacing laughter rang out, growing with each second.
“You don’t know who you’re dealing with. But you will. You don’t turn down mi familia. Carelli doesn’t ask twice.” The man’s brown eyes locked on to him.
His face was still shrouded by darkness, but those eyes. He knew them.
Just as soon as it had started, the flashback evaporated, leaving nothing but the subtle hints of smoky cherry in the wind.
Finn shot to his feet and bent over at the waist, sucking in icy lungfuls of air. “Fuck!” What the hell did I get myself into? Rage boiled in his veins as much as dread. Because he was positive Charli’s attack was, in fact, because of him, and now he knew the answer of who’d done it was locked inside his memories. But why? Because Finn turned down something? Who was Carelli? This guy sounded like a mafia wannabe. He closed his eyes, willing the memory to return, reaching for the flashes of the past. They slipped through his mind’s fingers, disappearing into wisps of nothingness. Finn’s blood turned to ice.
“Charli,” he gasped, running up the steps and pulling the door open. He halted, fear crashing over him.
If she knew without a doubt it was his fault she was attacked, she might leave him for good. Before it had just been a guess, but now . . . now Finn was sure. Charli would be scared for her safety and the baby’s, and rightfully so. If he kept this to himself, maybe he could enlist Bently’s help and protect her without her ever having to know.
“No.” As much as it was going to kill him, he’d have to tell her so she could make the choice. He’d promised her. If it took him peeling back the layers of his flesh until he was exposed as the cause of her pain, he’d face it. Because Charli deserved better—even if that meant it wouldn’t be him. He loved her enough to give her everything and let her make her own decision. It just might tear him apart in the process.
Finn walked back inside, his shaky steps purposeful and determined. Charli’s spine was stiff. A scowl marred her gorgeous face as her eyes narrowed across the bar. Finn followed her line of sight. Laura leaned over the bar, shouting over the noise to Charli with an evil grin he hadn’t seen before. There was nothing but malice in her eyes.
“I don’t see how Finn can stand to look at you. It’s no wonder he’s back at his parents’. Word around town is y’all are finally getting a divorce. I’m sure he’ll need someone familiar to ease his broken heart.” Laura sneered.
Finn moved at lightning speed, catching Charli’s fist before she did something she couldn’t take back. He wrapped his free hand around Charli’s head and pulled her into a kiss that they usually saved for behind closed doors. Charli squeaked with surprise before she melded into him, the tension draining from her limbs as she relaxed against his embrace. Finn backed away, staring into her eyes glazed with want. It was gasoline thrown onto the fire that had been building between them during this separation.
Finn spoke to Charli, not bothering to look at Laura. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. My goddess. And I’m yours, always and forever.”
Charli looked up at him and grinned, gratitude and pure adoration pouring from her. The beauty of the moment was tainted by the knowledge that once he told her what he’d remembered, she might never look at him the same. His hand squeezed the back of her neck, holding on just a little longer.
Laura made a disgusted noise.
Finn turned to her, his rage boiling to the surface. He’d never lay a hand on a woman, but boy did this one test those limits. He pointed towards the door. “Don’t ever speak to my wife like that. Don’t ever contact me again. Get the fuck out of our bar, and don’t even think about coming back.”
Laura’s mouth dropped open, her eyes widening. “But, Finny. I—”
“Shut your fucking mouth and leave, bitch,” Charli snarled, her arm wrapping around Finn’s waist.
