42. Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Finn
A sharp jab to the gut dragged me from my slumber. My annoyance at being woken quickly dissipated as Tessa thrashed beside me, her elbow landing another blow to my solar plexus.
“No!” The panic in her voice sent chills down my spine. “Don’t touch me,” she cried out. Her eyes remained closed, keeping her trapped in her nightmare while my alarm grew with each violent twitch.
Since we started sleeping in the same bed, Tessa had experienced several nightmares, but her current distress was the worst I’d seen.
Shit.
A pitiful whimper fell from her lips. “Please, I don’t want to hurt anymore,” she begged. My heart broke for her while my rage at her ex reached new heights.
Not wanting to make things worse, I gently shook her. Her face crumpled while her mind refused to release her from the prison she was locked in. Hoping to reach her subconscious, I ran my hands along her arms before cradling her face between my hands. “Tessa, it’s okay. You’re here with me. You’re safe, and I promise I will die before I let anything happen to you.”
Her tear-streaked face relaxed, my reassurances seeming to reach her on some level. Gradually, she stopped twitching, her entire body going limp before she sank back into the mattress.
I swiped my thumb across her cheek, wiping away the remaining tears from her flawless skin. Gazing down at the woman who owned me, the need for vengeance clawed at the confines of my chest, my soul howling with a ferocity I’d never experienced, demanding I annihilate the man who did this to her. Anyone who turned this goddess of a woman into the terrified creature next to me didn’t deserve to walk the earth.
Forcing myself to breath and come up with a plan, I continued to stroke every inch of satiny skin I could reach, determined to soothe her demons in any way I could. As I considered my options, I kept coming back to the least sane idea I’d ever had. Despite its absurdity, it offered the best chance at success while minimizing the potential consequences.
After verifying Tessa was sleeping peacefully, I quietly left the bed, grabbing my cell from the pocket of my jeans before heading to my office.
The door snicked shut behind me as I selected the right contact in my phone. Roman’s groggy voice answered after the first ring. “Finn? What’s wrong?”
“I need a favor.”
“Anything,” he replied with zero hesitation.
“I know you have a lot going on in Billings right now, but I need you to come and stay at my place for a few days.” A heavy silence fell across the line, and I knew he was analyzing every possible reason for my request.
Roman’s heavy sigh filled my ears. “I’m not going to like what you’re up to, am I?”
A small smirk crept across my face at his question. The fucker knew me too damn well. “Do you ever?” I replied.
“Jesus fuck, Finn. You call me at two o’clock in the morning and tell me you need me to come and stay with your girl. What the fuck are you doing that requires me to babysit?”
I kept my mouth shut, knowing if I told him everything, he’d talk me out of it.
But letting that happen wasn’t an option.
Clearing my throat, I gave him what I could. “I’ll fill you in when you get here. How fast do you think you can be in Absolution?”
My question was met with silence while Roman tried to decide whether or not to press me for more. Thankfully, he let it go – for now. I wasn’t stupid enough to believe I’d get out of Absolution without filling him in on at least some of my plan.
“Let me wrap up a few things in the office. I’ll head in now, and I should be on the road by four.”
Relief coursed through my body at the realization I had less than six hours before I could put my plan into motion. “Thanks, brother. I’ll see you then.” Roman grunted before disconnecting the call.
Looking around my office, I made a mental list of everything I needed to do before Roman’s arrival. Stealthily slipping past Tessa’s room, I made my way to the master and flipped on the light to my closet, grabbing the suitcase tucked in the corner before tossing it on the bed.
***
The security alert on my phone dinged shortly before eight. Tapping on the icon to view the video feed, Roman’s truck filled the screen while he wound his way up my driveway.
My packed suitcase sat in the entryway. Knowing I only had a few minutes before Roman was at the front door, I headed into Tessa’s bedroom. My eyes fell on Tessa’s still form beneath the covers. A feeling of possessiveness filled my chest at the memory of her agreeing to stay. When I found her packing, I honestly didn’t know if I could convince her to take a chance on us. But she ultimately agreed to let me love and protect her, which was exactly what I would fucking do.
Resolve and determination settled within me as I strode over to her side of the bed to wake her. “Baby, I need you to wake up for a minute, and then I promise you can go back to sleep.”
Tessa’s face scrunched, her eyes squeezing tight while she burrowed further into the pillow. I chuckled under my breath. She was so fucking adorable when she was being woken up against her will. I learned early on that while she wasn’t necessarily a morning or a night person, she most definitely was someone who did not appreciate being woken early from her slumber.
Caressing her cheek with my hand, I raked my fingers through her hair. I pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, then to her eyelids, before landing on the corner of her mouth.
Finally, one eyelid cracked open and glared at me. My soft laugh made her scowl deepen. “I’m sorry, Mo Chridhe . I know you’re exhausted after last night, but I have to take a short trip, and I didn’t want to leave without telling you.”
Tessa rolled onto her back, both eyes opening as she regarded me. The sheet covering her body slid down with the movement, exposing a pert nipple in the process. I focused on her face, fully aware it wouldn’t take much to convince me to crawl back into bed with her.
“Where are you going?” Her voice was heavy with sleep, the slight rasp from how vocal she was the night before causing my dick to perk up.
“Something came up that I need to deal with. I’ll be out of town for a couple of days, three at the most. Roman’s here and will stay in one of the guest rooms while I’m gone. He’ll take you to work and anywhere else you need to go, okay?”
Confusion lined her face. “It’s just a precaution, baby. I know you have your car back now. While I don’t think anything is going to happen, it would make me feel better to know Roman’s with you just in case.” My voice took on a pleading tone. “Please don’t fight me on this.”
Tessa studied me for several long moments. Over the last couple months, Roman made several trips to Absolution. While they hadn’t talked with one another at length, she seemed comfortable enough around my giant of a best friend, and his presence no longer made her uneasy. Eventually, she relented and gave a small nod. “Okay, Finn. Whatever you need. Just be safe, alright?”
She gnawed on her bottom lip. I bent over, gently pulling it from between her teeth, caressing the abused flesh with my thumb. “Always, baby. I have so much to come back to.” I stared into her worried eyes as I made her a promise. “I will always come back to you, Tessa. Always.”
My reassurance seemed to ease the tension in her expression, and she sank back against the covers. Leaning forward, I pressed my lips against hers. “I’ll see you soon, gorgeous. Go back to sleep, alright? It’s your day off so sleep as long as you want.”
Tessa nodded, snuggling back beneath the comforter. Her lashes fluttered shut, and I took a moment to memorize her features. This. This right here was why I needed to do this.
Making my way to the bedroom door, I quietly shut it behind me and headed for the entryway. I was greeted by Roman rearming the alarm, a delighted Luka prancing at his feet while he waited for attention.
He bent over, giving the dog a good rub down before rising, his stare moving to the packed suitcase and garment bag nearby before narrowing on me.
“I have to do this, Roman.” A heavy silence filled the space. “He’s always going to be hanging over our heads. I need to figure out a game plan to take care of the threat he poses once and for all.” Roman scrutinized me, his mouth remaining closed. “She had another nightmare last night,” I gritted out. His expression softened slightly, and I knew this was my opening. “I have to find a way to make her feel safe. I promise, this is just standard reconnaissance. I won’t do anything stupid without a plan and backup. You have my word.”
“I know there’s no talking you out of this, but I am going to hold you to that promise,” Roman said. “If shit gets hairy, you call for reinforcements immediately. We have contacts up and down the West coast that can be there within the hour.”
Pulling Roman into a quick hug, I slapped his back before letting go and picking up my luggage. My anxiety spiked as I rested my hand on the doorknob and turned toward him. “I told Tessa I was going out of town for a few days and that you’re staying in one of the guest rooms. She’s sleeping now, but she’ll let you know if she needs anything. I told her you’ll take her anywhere she needs to go.”
Roman jerked his chin down. “She’ll be fine, Finn. You know I’d protect her with my life if needed.”
Yeah, I did know that, and it was precisely why I called him. There wasn’t anything Roman wouldn’t do for the people he loved. That number may have been small, but I was one of them, which meant Tessa was too, by default.
Giving Luka one last pet, I headed out the door and climbed into my truck. The engine roared to life, my resolve firming as the trees blurred past me on my way to the airport.
I had an arms dealer to destroy.