12. Finn
Chapter 12
Finn
T he back room of Velvet Lounge reeks of spilled liquor and cheap cologne, the bass from the main floor thrumming through the walls like an artificial heartbeat. It’s barely big enough for all of us—me, Stone, Jax, and the four Ashgrave alphas who stand like statues on the opposite side of the room, watching us with predatory eyes.
Outside, betas and a few omegas dance for dollar bills and drunk alphas pretend this is their first time here. In here, we’re negotiating something far darker than a private dance.
The scarred one—Riordan Ashgrave—leans against the wall, eyes never leaving us. The scar bisecting his right eye pulls his face into a permanent half-snarl. Beside him stands the broad-shouldered alpha with a jawline like granite, arms crossed over his chest. He’s been introduced as Declan. The third, taller than the others with dark eyes that miss nothing, is Ellis. And the fourth, the one who unsettles me most with his pale, almost colorless eyes, is Connor.
They look different from how they did at the gala in their perfect tuxedos, but no less dangerous. Maybe more so now, in this environment that feels closer to their natural habitat.
I dig my nails into my thighs as Ren’s voice cracks through the speaker. That broken, raw tone I’ve only heard once before, when he pulled me from the wreckage of his car two and a half years ago.
“If I don’t make it?—”
My breath stops. The scar along my hip throbs where the seatbelt nearly gutted me that night, like my body remembers before my mind does.
No. Not again .
Jax cuts him off before he can finish, but the unspoken words hang in the air between us all the same. An apology. A goodbye. The last fragile thread of the man who used to press against me in the nest at night, whispering promises against my hairline while I pretended to sleep.
The Ashgraves don’t react, but Stone’s knuckles form into fists. Even now, after everything, Ren still thinks he has to face the dark alone. Still thinks he deserves to.
The phone clicks off.
Silence.
For a moment, no one speaks. The information we’ve just received hangs in the air between us: Ren is alive; he’s found Hailey; but he’s in pursuit of Caldwell alone while Heath is still out there.
Robert fucking Caldwell has my mate. If when we’d seen him at the gala I’d known… But I can’t dwell on “ifs”. Ifs won’t get my Hailey back.
“So,” Riordan finally says, breaking the silence. His voice is rougher than gravel. The Ashgraves smell…dangerous. Gunpowder, whiskey, and old blood, all wrapped up into something feral—a combination that makes my omega instincts prickle with warning. “What’s in this for us, Ironwood?”
Something inside me snaps. I’ve been holding it together—barely—since Hailey disappeared, and now this alpha, this stranger, wants to negotiate while my mate is in danger ?
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I step forward before I can stop myself. I feel Stone tense beside me. “ What’s in it for you? ” I continue, voice rising. “How about stopping a goddamn trafficking ring? Is that not enough? Do you need payment to do something decent for once in your miserable lives?”
The room goes silent. I can feel the shift in energy, the way all four Ashgrave alphas focus on me with sudden, sharp interest. Stone and Jax move subtly, positioning themselves closer to me.
I don’t back down. I’m tired of playing the part everyone expects—the gentle omega, the one who needs protection. Not when Hailey is out there somewhere, terrified and alone.
A low, approving growl rumbles from Jax’s chest, barely audible but unmistakable. Heat rises to my cheeks, but his support emboldens me.
Declan, the broad-shouldered alpha, looks me up and down, his lips quirking into something between a smile and a smirk. “Adorable,” he mutters, just loud enough for me to hear.
My eyes narrow. “Try that again,” I warn, voice low and steady despite the anger churning inside me.
Stone steps forward, his massive frame radiating barely-contained violence. “You heard him.” His golden eyes burn with protective rage. “Say it again. I fucking dare you.”
Declan smirks, but his pack leader raises a hand, stopping whatever he was about to say.
I bare my teeth, stepping closer. “Listen well. I’m finished with alphas who think omegas should be seen and not heard. This is about Hailey.” My heart cracks as I say her name. “She’s out there with a monster , and you want to talk about what’s in it for you?”
Stone steps partially in front of me—not blocking me entirely, but establishing his presence. It’s both protective and supportive, a gesture I appreciate even as part of me bristles at needing protection. Jax comes up on my other side. The three of us. All that’s standing here out of our shattered pack. But for the first time in a long, long time, we feel like a pack again. We feel united.
“Finn’s right,” Stone says, his voice calm but carrying an edge. “We know what Ren did for you. He told us everything.”
The atmosphere shifts perceptibly. All four Ashgraves straighten, their expressions darkening in unison.
“About how he helped rescue one of your cousins,” Stone continues, “when he took down his own parents’ operation.”
Riordan’s jaw tightens. The scar across his eye seems to pulse with tension. “Yes,” he acknowledges after a moment. “That is true.”
He pushes off the wall, taking a step toward us. “But that debt has already been repaid.”
“How?” Jax asks, arms crossed over his chest.
Connor, the pale-eyed alpha, speaks up from where he’s leaning against a dingy filing cabinet. “We’ve been trailing people on a long list Ren gave us for weeks now.” His voice is softer than I expected, almost musical, which somehow makes it more unnerving. “How do you think we found that facility that eventually led you to your omega?”
Jax’s jaw tightens visibly. “She wasn’t there.”
Connor shrugs, a dismissive gesture that seems to light a fuse in Jax.
It happens so fast I barely register the movement—one moment Jax is standing beside me, the next he has Connor pinned against the wall, forearm pressed to the alpha’s throat.
I’ve never seen Jax act like that. It sends a thrill through me that shouldn’t exist in this situation.
Everyone tenses. Ellis and Declan shift their weight, hands moving toward what I assume are concealed weapons. Stone steps fully in front of me now, his posture ready for whatever comes next.
“Listen carefully,” Jax says, his voice terrifyingly calm despite the aggression in his stance. “This is my pack we’re talking about. My family . And I know that even though the Ashgraves don’t take sides, you’re one thing above all else. Loyal. You understand what that means.”
Connor doesn’t struggle against Jax’s hold. His pale eyes flick briefly to Riordan, then back to Jax. There’s no fear in his gaze, just a cold assessment.
“We understand loyalty,” Riordan says from behind Jax. “Better than most.”
Jax holds Connor against the wall for one more beat before releasing him and stepping back. Connor straightens, adjusting his shirt collar with slow movements.
“Alright,” Connor says, seemingly unruffled by the confrontation. “Point made, Ironwood.”
Ellis, who until now has been the quietest of the four, steps forward. His height is more noticeable as he moves into the center of the room. “We’ll take Heath down,” he says, “but not because we’re helping you, Ironwood.”
Stone’s eyes narrow. “Then why?”
The Ashgraves exchange glances, some silent communication passing between them. I’ve noticed they do that—speak without speaking, especially when questioned directly.
“That’s our business,” Riordan answers flatly.
The tension in the room ratchets up again. The air is thick with alpha pheromones—aggression, territoriality, dominance— all swirling around me. I focus on keeping my breathing steady, refusing to be affected by it.
“Fine,” Jax says after a long moment. “Your reasons are your own. We need to move now. We’re running out of time.”
We begin gathering our gear—the weapons we brought from a stash that apparently belonged to Ren (the fuck should I know). Jax checks his phone, and I see the Ashgraves check theirs as he sends the coordinates Ren gave us.
“Wait,” Riordan says suddenly, holding up a hand.
We all stop, the silence stretching taut between us.
“We want something else,” he says, eyes fixed on Jax.
Stone’s posture stiffens beside me. “Name it,” he says before Jax can respond.
Riordan’s lips curve into a thin smile. “A stake in Iron Fitness’s expansion to Burlington.”
The request surprises me. I knew the Ashgraves had business interests beyond whatever shadowy operations earned them their reputation, but this is unexpected.
“A stake?” Jax repeats, his expression carefully neutral.
“A stake,” Riordan confirms, completely impassive.
Stone frowns, glancing at Jax. “Business partners?”
All four Ashgraves smile in unison, and there’s nothing friendly about it—just teeth and hunger, predators who’ve spotted an opportunity.
“Partners,” Ellis says, the word lingering in the air between us. “Of a sort.”
Jax studies them for a long moment, weighing options. I can almost see his mind working, calculating risks against rewards, time against strategy.
“Fine,” he agrees finally. “Ten percent.”
“Thirty,” Connor counters immediately.
“Twenty,” Jax says firmly. “And that’s being fucking generous.”
The Ashgraves exchange another series of looks. Riordan, apparently their spokesperson in this negotiation, nods once. “Agreed.”
“Well then,” Declan says, rolling his shoulders like a fighter preparing to enter the ring, “let’s go kill a bitch.”
We move toward the door, equipment bags in hand. I check the gun strapped to my hip one last time, making sure it’s secure. The weight is reassuring, grounding.
As they reach for the door handle, Riordan looks back at me. “You’re bringing your omega?”
I freeze, my hand still on the gun. The way he says “your omega”, like I’m some fragile thing, makes my blood boil all over again.
I look up, meeting his gaze. “My name is Finn,” I say clearly, “and I’m not just an omega. This involves Hailey, my mate , and I’m coming too.”
“This isn’t a game,” Ellis says, his deep voice resonating in the small room. “What we’re walking into?—”
“You think I don’t know that?” I cut him off. “You think because I’m an omega, I can’t fight?”
“Finn can handle himself,” Stone says, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Better than most alphas I’ve seen,” Jax adds, and the pride in his voice makes my chest warm despite everything.
Declan still looks skeptical. “If he slows us down?—”
“I won’t,” I interrupt, meeting his stare. “Worry about keeping up yourself.”
A tense silence follows my challenge. For a moment, I think I’ve pushed too far—these aren’t just any alphas; they’re Ashgraves, known for their ruthlessness.
Then Connor laughs—a short, surprised sound. “I like this one,” he tells Jax, who doesn’t look amused.
“Look,” Stone says, pulling on tactical gloves, “we need to move. Ren’s tracking Caldwell. We hit the facility. Heath is the priority.”
Jax nods, his expression hardening. “She doesn’t leave that building alive.”
“Agreed,” Riordan says, and for the first time, I sense genuine alignment between our goals.
“Let’s be clear about one thing,” Jax says, stopping us before we can exit. “This is a partnership of necessity. We work together, we complete the objective, we get our people back. But if any of you puts my pack at risk , our business deal will be the least of your concerns.”
It’s a bold threat to make to four Ashgrave alphas. The air in the room seems to still, heavy with potential violence.
Riordan studies Jax for a long moment, then nods once. “Understood, Ironwood. The same applies to you.”
“We should split up,” Ellis suggests. “Two teams. More efficient coverage.”
Jax shakes his head. “No. We stay together. I don’t trust you enough to divide forces.”
“Smart,” Connor murmurs. “Doesn’t trust us not to complete the job without him.”
“Can you blame him?” I ask, unable to help myself.
Connor’s pale eyes fix on me again, that unnerving gaze that seems to see more than it should. “No,” he says simply. “I can’t.”
“Then we’re agreed,” Stone says. “We move together. Get to the facility, neutralize Heath, find Ren and Hailey.”
“And anyone who gets in our way?” Declan asks, a hint of eagerness in his voice that makes my skin crawl.
Jax’s expression is cold. “Do what you do best, Ashgrave.”
We exit the cramped back room, filing into the dim hallway past the main floor of the club. The contrast is jarring—out there, music pumps through speakers, dancers spin around poles, patrons drink and laugh. None of them aware of what’s happening just beyond their peripheral vision.
A bouncer gives us a questioning look as our unusual group moves through the service corridor, but one glance from Riordan has him stepping back, eyes averted.
Outside, the night air is sharp with coming rain. Two black SUVs idle in the alley behind the club, engines running. The Ashgraves move toward one while we head to the other.
“One more thing,” Riordan says, pausing before climbing into their vehicle. “This Heath woman. What makes you so certain she’ll still be at the facility?”
It’s a good question. After what Ren told us, Heath must know her operation is compromised.
“Because she’s arrogant,” Jax answers. “And because she’s cleaning house. Ren escaped, but there will be others who need to be silenced.”
“And if she’s already gone?” Ellis asks.
Stone’s expression darkens. “Then we’ll hunt her down. But we start with what we know.”
Riordan nods, seemingly satisfied with the answer. “We’ll follow you,” he says to Jax. “Lead the way, Ironwood.”
As Jax leads us toward our SUV, I catch a moment of stillness in his expression when he thinks no one is watching. His shoulders drop just slightly, the mask of confidence slipping to reveal a raw vulnerability I’ve rarely glimpsed.
“Jax?” I ask quietly.
He straightens immediately, the pack leader returning. “I’m fine, Finn.” His gaze sweeps over me, protective and worried. “How’s your head?”
“Better than yours, I think,” I reply. “What’s going on in there?”
For a moment, I think he’ll deflect again—it’s what he does, carrying burdens silently to spare the rest of us. Instead, he exhales slowly, raking a hand through his hair.
“I’ve failed you all,” he says quietly. “Failed the pack.”
The admission stuns me. “What are you talking about?”
His eyes meet mine, and I’m struck by the pain in them. “For two and a half years, I’ve been trying to hold everything together. Trying to keep Stone from spiraling, trying to give Ren space to heal, trying to…” His voice breaks. “Trying to be strong for you.”
I reach for his hand, and he allows the contact, fingers curling around mine.
“But I didn’t see what was happening right in front of me,” he continues. “Didn’t see how isolated we’d all become. How much Ren was carrying alone. How much you were hurting.” His jaw tightens. “And now Hailey—our Hailey—is paying the price for my failures.”
“This isn’t your fault,” I insist.
He shakes his head. “I’m the pack leader, Finn. It’s my job to protect all of you.”
“And it’s our job to protect each other,” I counter. “That’s what pack means.”
Something shifts in his expression. He just looks at me for a long moment as we stop at the SUV. “You’re right,” he says softly. His fingers tighten around mine. “You’re right. I won’t make that mistake again.”
The determination in his voice, the fierce protectiveness—this is the Jax I fell in love with.
“We’ll get her back,” he promises. “And then we start rebuilding. All of us.”
I nod, believing him with every fiber of my being. Because when Jax sets his mind to something, nothing in this world can stand in his way.
As we climb into our SUV, Stone turns to me in the back seat. “You okay?” he asks quietly.
I nod, but my hands are trembling slightly. Not from fear, though there’s plenty of that, but from adrenaline. “I’m okay. I will be. When we get her back.”
“We will,” Stone promises. His gaze meets mine, then Jax’s. “We will.”