And my father knows that as well as I do.
Questions remain.
But as I walk into the garage and slide into the driver’s seat of my brand-new silver Maserati, I wonder just how Bradford Thorne is going to wrangle his way out of the shitstorm that’s about to hit us.
11
JARRED
When Finn returns from his meeting, I’m in the shed. I spend my time in here, hidden away from the prying eyes of the rest of the staff. Joy is the only person I really get on with.
When Finn saunters in, breaking into my thoughts, he glances at the smoke that hangs between my lips. He’s dressed in his black slacks and white shirt. The tie he has wrapped around his hand catches my attention first.
He stops just inside the doorway, blocking the last remaining light. He looks like an avenging angel come to drag me to hell. And honestly, if he was, I would go. Anything to escape the monotony of life on the manor. Granted, I’m lucky to have a roof over my head and a job, but knowing that Finn isn’t truly mine doesn’t ease the ache of an easy life.
“You look fucked,” I remark as I pull deeply on the cigarette and allow the smoke to fill my lungs. The nicotine, however, doesn’t quell my need to relax because of him being here. We’ve had words over the past few days, and even though Finn has assured me that he wants me, there’s still a niggling in my gut that tells me he may not.
While his brothers lived at home, I would hide. They were larger-than-life characters, and not because they were mean, but they didn’t really take notice of the staff who worked on the property. It was always only Finn. And the only reason he noticed me is because I made him look.
Of the three Thorne brothers, he was the one who caught my eye and I never looked at anyone else. And now that he’s engaged to be married, my abandonment issues have sprung up like a volcano.
“I am.” He moves closer, but doesn’t come to me. “The meeting took far longer than I expected,” he tells me, but his eyes don’t meet mine. It’s strange. He’s always been honest with me, and right now, I have a feeling he’s lying.
“Sorry to hear that,” I say, but there’s nothing more I can add because I don’t know about the meetings he attends. He’s told me about the family business, but because it doesn’t involve me, I’ve only ever focused on the parts that involve him.
I watched him leave this morning, pulling out of the drive in his sleek new toy. And when his taillights disappeared in the distance, I got to work. The sun shone down on me all day, which tired me out. And now that the night has stolen the light, I’m exhausted.
“We leave in a couple of days. You need to pack a bag,” Finn says suddenly, before he flops onto the makeshift chair made of hay. The horses are in their stables, but we keep the feed in the shed. He looks so out of place in here, I almost laugh, but his words sober me.
“What?” Confusion creases itself over my face as I regard him. He must be tired because he’s not making any sense. I wouldn’t leave Thorne Haven unless his father told me to. But also, I’d walk out if Finn confessed that he no longer wanted me around.
“My father has given me a job to complete, and you have to come with me,” he says before running his fingers through his dark hair.
This time, I do laugh because I’m sure he’s joking around. I work on the grounds. I don’t do fancy meetings and shit like that. “Why would I go with you?”
“Well, you’ll be with Zaria and me. But, my father knows,” Finn admits, his eyes landing on mine for the first time since he walked into the shed. Even in the dim lighting, I can see every flicker of fear and anguish that’s written on his face.
“Your father knows what?” This time, I push to my feet as I saunter over to where Finn is lounging. My eyes are glued to his movements as he unbuttons his shirt and settles back when I straddle his waist. “That I do this to his son?” I taunt as I run my finger along his angular jawline. The usually smooth flesh darkened with stubble. He’s been growing out his beard, and I have to admit, the dark edge to his rigid face is attractive.
“Yes,” Finn hisses when my thumb circles his nipple. He grinds his teeth when I twist it slightly, and I can’t help but grin when I feel his cock pulse against me. “He told me he’s not stupid and he wants me to take you with me on a trip to Tynewood.”
All movement stops. I can’t go with him. There’s no way I can walk back into that town and not allow Finn to learn about my past. That’s why Bradford wants me to go with his son. If my secrets come out, he’ll never forgive me for coming here and not telling him the truth.
“What’s wrong?” Finn asks, and I realize I’ve been frozen in time for a few moments too long. Finn is perceptive. He can pick up on my moods, and the changes that occur when I’m down or frustrated so easily, it’s like he’s reading a book. He knows every page of my story, except for the one chapter I’ve kept hidden.
“Nothing,” I say, hoping to seem calm and relaxed. Shrugging, I continue, “I Just don’t know if it’s worth me traipsing around the country with you doing something I don’t understand.” The lie burns on my tongue like acid.
I should have fucking told him when I arrived.
I should have told him before we kissed.
Before we fucked.
But my fear held me back, and now we’re here.
“It’s not that bad. You can chill out with Zaria while I finish up a few things. It won’t take long, and maybe we can head down to the coast. My father didn’t specify when we needed to be back.”
He’s serious. Dead. Fucking. Serious.
I open my mouth to respond, but I can’t find words. I’m speechless for the first time in my whole damn life. When I ran away from Tynewood and found my way to an even smaller town, I thought I’d forever be safe from the past. At least, I’d hoped that nobody would ever come looking. I can’t walk back into town and expect nobody to notice me. Because they will.
I lean in, my mouth inches from Finn’s. “Why don’t you and the little princess go,” I say. “And I’ll be waiting here for you when you get back.” Even though I say it, I can already see the wheels turning in his head. Finn may be the only son who doesn’t want to be a businessman, but he thinks like one. It’s all those years of training his father put him through.
“I have to go, and so do you,” he tells me with finality. “I have to go and find out about this fucking Sovereign shit,” he muses with a grin.
My heart stutters in my chest, banging against my ribs. “The what?” I pray to the heavens above that I sound as confused as I hope my face looks. I know all about that fucking society, which is exactly why Bradford figured it would be a good idea for me to go.
Maybe he wants me to face my demons. Perhaps he wants Finn to see the real me. Whatever the reason, I’m fucked either way because the look on Finn’s face tells me he’s not letting me stay behind while he heads off with Zaria.
“The Gilded Sovereign,” he tells me. “Some secret society that apparently I have to impress. My father gave me a crown today.” This time, he smirks. I’ve known Finn for long enough to know that the bit of pride his old man showed him today is enough to keep him grinning like that for a few weeks.