Bear Trapped (Bear Creek Grizzlies #5)

37. Finn

FINN

H e could have accepted the deal. Finn felt Lauren wavering next to him, wanting to be done with it, and he would have reached out to squeeze her hand if he trusted his balance. But he didn’t like loose ends, and he didn’t want anything out in the universe waiting to spoil their happiness when he finally got her somewhere safe and warm.

“One more thing? Fuck off, dude, my cleaners will be here real soon, so if you’re…”

“The thing she got blamed for,” Finn said. He didn’t look at Lauren as she cringed at the mention of the crime, and he clenched his fist to keep from pulling her in for a hug. Shotgun saw that sort of affection as weakness, and Finn couldn’t risk losing the upper hand. “The two who are actually to blame are still running around free, and organizing a fringe domestic terror group. The cops have enough evidence to convict them, just not their identities. I can give you enough to solve that crime for them, maybe get yourself back in everyone’s good graces.”

Shotgun looked wary. “I’ll look into it.”

“Good. Lauren is free and clear, nothing—not even a fucking misdemeanor or parking ticket—and you’ll get what you need to arrest those assholes. Everything all neat and tidy.” Finn heard the beat of blades overhead and glanced up, relieved beyond words to see the Bear Country Tours helicopter swinging around. “And that’s our ride. We’re going to walk out of here. I’ll give you two weeks to clear everything. If I don’t hear from you by then, I’ll call our friends in the rat squad.”

Internal Affairs had always wanted to nail Shotgun for all the questionable things he did, but the man had never gone as far outside the law as he had that morning, excusing Richardson’s murdering suspects. Finn would have been just as happy seeing Shotgun go to jail for covering for the psychopaths working for him, but it was more important to ensure Lauren was safe.

Shotgun’s eyes narrowed but he stood back, far enough under the trees no one would see him, as Finn turned to Lauren. Her eyes looked more terrified than he realized when he looked at her up close, and he suddenly wasn’t sure she would be able to walk to where the helicopter touched down in the middle of the meadow. Snow kicked up in a white whirl and he carefully nodded toward the open area away from the trees. He totally understood her hesitation, since being out exposed against a white backdrop definitely made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. But there wasn’t anything for it.

It also helped that a massive figure jumped down from the helicopter—Simon, undoubtedly—followed by a slightly thinner figure that had to be Ethan, and marched toward them. Although maybe that was why Lauren gulped audibly and shrank down into herself. Finn forgot everyone else existed as he carefully squeezed her arm, leaning closer to murmur, “You did so good, babe. Just be brave a little longer. We can get in the helicopter and get out of here. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

His whole chest warmed up to be able to say that to her. She was safe with him, and with Simon and Ethan and everyone else in the helicopter. Shotgun wasn’t dumb enough to try anything with that many witnesses—particularly armed ones—with radios and cameras and everything, so Finn felt a lot more confident about turning his back on the fucker.

Until he took a step and his knee wobbled and he almost fell flat on his face. Right. He’d been shot. His chest and side and shoulder flared with pain, though it wasn’t as bad with his shifter healing. He’d still lost a lot of blood. Finn frowned and concentrated on getting his legs to cooperate as he tried to move and still hold the rifle. He was just about to face-plant into the snow when something warm pressed against his side and Lauren leaned against him.

He glanced down and found her focused on the helicopter, although she’d put her arm around him and didn’t seem to mind leaning against his side where the bloody jacket rubbed against hers. Poor thing. He’d have to get her a whole new winter wardrobe. Lots of warm clothes, plenty of layers, all the expensive shit girls liked. His thoughts spiraled out to getting her new fuzzy boots and warm socks, maybe one of those huge shearling coats that were so popular and cost an arm and a leg.

“You’ve gotta help a little,” Lauren whispered. Her arm tightened around his waist and Finn dragged himself back to the present.

He chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders to haul her closer so he could kiss the top of her head, which almost toppled them both over. The pain and cold didn’t matter, he just wanted to be close to her. But he did his best to move his feet and walk them both slowly toward where Simon and Ethan approached. Lauren made herself smaller against his side as the two men approached, and Finn’s bear side wanted to immediately transform to protect her. She didn’t need to fear his friends, but she didn’t know that yet, and her fear triggered the need to safeguard her.

So Finn stopped and said, “Don’t get closer.”

It took Simon a second, but Ethan at least picked up on the issue and caught the alpha’s arm when he would have bulled on. Ethan’s dark eyebrows rose. “There a problem?”

“Send Kira.”

The two shared looks, then Simon gestured for Finn to get closer. “Come on, man. It’s fine.”

“Nope.” Finn shook his head. “Need Kira.”

The alpha bear didn’t like his intentions being questioned, but he also heard whatever it was he needed to hear in Finn’s voice to convince him this wasn’t the time to fuck around. Ethan said something into his radio, and another, smaller figure jumped down from the helicopter to move in their direction.

Good. Kira. Finn took a steadying breath, glad the two men stayed back a reasonable distance. His arm tightened around Lauren. “This is Lauren. She’s my mate and right now she’s scared. She’s had a few rough days, so you gotta take it easy.”

They nodded, though Ethan had an easy smile and Simon still looked pissed. Ethan offered a wave. “Hi Lauren. You okay? Hurt at all?”

She shook her head, then managed to whisper, “No, thank you, I’m fine.”

Finn snorted and kissed the top of her head again, inhaling from her ice-crystal-filled hair. She needed a hat. And better gloves. Jesus. She’d been out in the snow for hours without proper gear. No wonder she shook so much.

When he didn’t speak, she found some bravery and said louder, “Finn was shot. He’s hurt. You need to—he needs help. I’m fine. But he was shot, and his leg was hurt a few days ago but it looks a lot better, but he can’t stand up on his own right now and I think—I think he might fall because I can’t…”

“It’s okay,” he said, squeezing her again. God, he fucking loved her. All the pain floated away in the blissful happiness of having her near. Maybe it was shock or hypothermia.

Ethan wasn’t nearly so pleased, and fixated on Finn. “You got yourself shot? Again? You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”

The bear wasn’t about to tolerate having raised voices around his shivering mate. He tensed automatically, though that made the pain flare up and agitated the bear more. It was about to fly out of control when Kira marched up, clapping her hands. “Okay, all of you. Settle down.”

He breathed a little easier. He trusted her with Lauren. It would all be fine. His legs weakened as he took a step and then he wasn’t entirely sure he was still walking and not falling.