Chapter 25 FINN
FINN
The faint stench of curry still clung to my skin even with the mango wash I had lathered myself up in during a second shower.
The wee hours of the morning didn’t end the way I needed them to.
Knowing that Killian was ultimately running this show hurt but there were more important things to deal with.
Like The Unknown, where Nala’s body would be found, and the looming conversation that I would have to have with my father when I got home.
Not even sleeping with all of my men in Samael’s bed had alleviated my nerves.
Maybe Samael or Slash would be up for a date so that I could avoid my problems in reality and focus on their bodies instead.
Because the moment I started thinking too long, the easier it was to step into that room and the harder it became to step back out.
Where are we going?
“To the café to meet Jade,” I whispered, bowing my head low as I crossed the street. Samael offered to drive me to work but since I was the threat they had been protecting me from, there was no need. I also didn’t want my men to meet Jade just yet.
Talking out loud to me is a bold choice.
“And yet, it’s getting harder to come back if I talk to you like I usually do.
” This was the same problem Killian had had when I was resurfacing.
However, this time, this was just an aggravated symptom of HMD.
We would slowly lose our mind to the darkness and the inability to separate fact from fiction.
Eventually, we’d choose the solace in our head rather than the outside world, much like my mother did.
The few alters that slipped through were incoherent toward the end and it’s a future that might be much closer for me than it was for my mother.
All of the excitement of toying with my men has taken on a new path, a new urgency as I might not have the time to draw it out.
I let out a deep breath, pulling out my phone just after it started vibrating.
There were several newly missed calls from my father and more panicked texts, all of which I’d deal with later.
A number scrolled across the screen and I stared at it, confused about who would have this number.
“Yeah?” My pace slowed a few feet from the café when I realized just who it was.
Runo’s delicious voice came over the speaker, my heart warming as I grabbed onto the wall for purchase. “Hey, buddy.”
I hadn’t heard that kind of endearment in years from him, but it didn’t matter. I loved hearing his voice all the same. “Trading more yogurt?” I joked.
“Yeah. My lawyer appealed my case. I’m getting out.” I was nearly vibrating as I gripped the phone a little tighter. “This weekend, Finn. Get ready.” The call went dead but I didn’t need anything else.
For nearly ten years, I had suffered without my best friend—a man I adored and looked up to, even if he was a tad bit crazier than I was. This weekend was days away and there was so much to prepare. I hadn’t explained everything to my men and Jade needed to know her part in my plan.
He’s getting out?
Killian sounded worried but I didn’t care.
Runo’s safety and freedom meant more to me than anything else in this world—other than my men.
I threw my hands up and wiggled my ass before entering the small café.
Needing complete anonymity, I chose one miles away from Tyrone’s cute shop so that there weren’t any distractions.
The coffee was mediocre here and there were no little meat pies but it would do.
Jade excitedly waved from her seat, a small round table by the windows in the back.
“Hey! I had been worried all night. Your dad was a little weird when I walked in the house because I thought you were going to come back and sleep.” Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout that old me would have gladly sucked into my mouth.
Now, there was just the temptation to rip it off.
Our first reconnection had been because I needed my dick wet.
The second one was part of the plan.
There would be no third time.
“Yeah, well, my dad is always weird. He’ll get over it. Thanks for the delivery.”
Her head cocked to the side, Jade studying me. “You seem… colder? What is this all about? I thought you just wanted to send them a message.”
I sighed, sagging back in my chair. I knew Jade well enough to know that she was waiting for some big confession—whether it involved her with my men or just her.
She wanted to be part of my shenanigans again but it couldn’t happen.
The version of me in college was nothing like the one now.
My penchant for darkness would drag the life out of her eyes and I didn’t want that for her.
I also didn’t want her.
“Message was received loud and clear. A lot of things happened? Also, Runo is getting out.” Those last words put a smile on my lips.
“The rest of the plan has to happen before Runo is out this weekend. I have to pick him up. Maybe in that new car Dad bought me? Fuck, we’re going to have so much fun. ”
Jade’s face contorted with confusion and concern. “Runo? The guy that always calls you from jail? Finn, that’s not… he’s not…” She stumbled over her words, obviously trying to get something out but if it had anything to do with who I shouldn’t be hanging out with, I didn’t want to hear it.
“I get that you don’t approve of him but he’s my best friend, long before I knew you.”
She threw me a small smile. “Whatever. Where does this leave us? Because I’m not walking back into your house if you’re going to be doing sleepovers with The Three Terrors.
” The way she said that made me feel like she was stockpiling information for when I dropped her ass.
She knew this was a means to an end, that she was never going to be in my life long, and yet, I could see her making her own file for when I pissed her off.
“You’re still part of the plan, Jade.”
“And this is why I said you came back colder. I’m no longer the girlfriend, just a part of the plan.”
I frowned. “Jade, you were never my girlfriend. You were my ex. I didn’t call you to come back to be my girlfriend.
” I asked her if she wanted to have some fun, not to restart my relationship.
Apparently, my father’s reaction to her existence made her think this was more.
Well, fuck. “Jade—” I reached across the table and she stole her hands into her lap.
“Don’t placate me and my feelings, Finn.
I should have known how it works with you.
It’s always about plans. Even when we were together.
” She folded her arms across her chest before gesturing to the door.
“I know I’m just the first stop of your morning so grab a coffee and keep going.
Call me when you need me for the next part of your plan, Finn. ”
She spat the words out like they were poisonous to her but I wasn’t going to stick around if she was just going to dangle our past relationship in front of my face. Just as I pushed to my feet, she asked one last question.
“Also, what happened to your eyes? The gray looks so… dull.”
“Don’t remind me,” I pushed out. “I’m trying something new.”
She’ll see right through that lie, Finn.
I shrugged as I headed for the newspaper, forgoing a cup of shitty coffee. I hadn’t expected Jade’s attitude but it was for the best that she knew where she stood. I didn’t want any surprises later.
What are you going to be doing today with our body, Finn?
I ignored Killian’s question, wondering where all this confidence was coming from.
He was the original, so that made sense but I used to be his confidence.
So did Daemon for that matter. But he wasn’t drawing from either of us.
It was as if my appearance had brought back parts of him that he had hidden away.
I don’t like surprises, Killian. What’s going on?
I thought you liked playing games.
Not with you.
That’s too bad. You’ll just have to wait and see.
“Does this have to do with Runo?” I asked aloud, not caring who was around me to hear. Silence met my question for several seconds before Killian finally answered.
Actually, yes. I just want to warn you that Runo might not be the person you think he is.
You don’t even know him.
Are you sure about that? I blocked him for a reason, Finn.
I waved my hand in the air as if that would get rid of Killian in my head. I hated not knowing what was going on with things I thought I was in control of. Runo not being the man I knew wasn’t allowed to happen.