Winner

by Belle Brooks

Is he nervous?

  “I have Tardo,” Alan calls out as he walks towards us, not on crutches, not with help, but on his own two legs.

  “And I had Rance. So number four is Sailor.” Finlay takes one of the key tags, handing it to Alan. “Put your key on this tag,” he instructs.

  “Okay,” Alan says.

  “I had Blocker.”

  “So here is number one’s tag.” Finlay passes it to me.

  Once the right tags and keys are together, we hurry back into the elevator and await the ground floor. It doesn’t take long.

  “I’m so excited.” I’m squirming on the spot.

  “You can’t say anything when they get here. I have a way in which I want this to happen.”

  “Okay,” Alan and I answer in unison.

  “Rose. You need to look less like you’ve won”—he pauses—“the lottery.” Finlay follows this with laughter.

  “Okay. I’ll try.” I’m finding it almost impossible.

  A rickety utility parks next to Finlay’s vehicle, and as each of the boys clamber out from this one car, Finlay takes my hand in his and squeezes.

  “How’s it hanging, Tank?” Blocker chuckles on approach.

  “Little to the right, mate,” Finlay calls back.

  “Right’s good, mate.”

  All four of them are laughing.

  “So I’ve heard.” Finlay places his hand to Blocker’s shoulder when he’s in reaching distance.

  “Al, good-looking legs you have there, mate.” Each of them take turns in patting Alan on the shoulder in what I believe is an offering of their support.

  “Thanks. Picked up this leg today, so it’s my latest accessory.”

  “I’d say they’re pretty good wheels, those legs of yours.” Rance chuckles.

  So does Alan.

  “Okay, we’re here. What work are we doing?” Blocker puffs out his cheeks and follows with a long exhale.

  “Odd jobs they tell me.” Finlay is trying to keep a straight face, but he’s struggling. Letting go of my hand has him reaching into his pocket and removing the key tags. I watch as he discreetly eyes their backs. “Blocker, you take one.” He hands it out. “Tardo, you take three.” He passes another over. “Rance, you take two, and, Sailor, that will leave you with four.” The last two are distributed. “The owner of these condos said there’s a card on a table just inside the doors. Open it up and the jobs needing to be done will be listed on there.”

  “Gotcha.” Rance begins to drag his feet towards the lift and the others follow.

  “Are you coming up to help us, you rich skirt? Or are you too much of a princess to get your hands dirty now that you’re rolling in the money?” Sailor flashes a cheeky grin.

  “Yep. Getting some tools, you tool, and I’ll join you.”

  “Righto,” they say in unison before laughing between them.

  We don’t go up. Instead, the three of us stand in one spot and look at the doors. Finlay’s hand slides into mine, and he squeezes hard.

  It feels like it takes forever, but I’m sure hardly any time elapses before the lift tings.

  Finlay releases his hold on me, and when the doors part the four lads rush towards him.

  There are tears, a whole lot of tears, and watching five grown men break down while holding on to each other is enough to make any person cry, and I do. I cry just as hard as all of them, and so does Alan.

  Chapter Thirty

  Finlay

  It’s been twelve weeks since the incident with Slade, Rose, and Tessa, and I’ve managed to keep Rose safe for now. She hasn’t heard from Slade, but I have, and although Rose’s parents and sisters make many attempts to reach out to her, she ignores their pleas.

  I’ve fallen madly in love with Roselette Horton, and now I’m faced with a problem, because even though Rose has found a life here with Alan, Tessa, Roxie, and me, and every day feels more and more as if this is where she always belonged, Rose can’t stay here. A single red rose with a letter attached was delivered four days ago, and I’m lucky it was me who opened the door, because this one delivery changes it all.

  Roselette,

  You will not make a fool of me or my family, and this is not over until I say it is. Your parents might have returned your ring, but I won’t rest until you are back where you belong, with me, in the life we have made together.

  There are two choices, Roselette: make it easy on yourself or make it hard. You promised to be my wife, and my wife you will be, unless death parts us before you make it down the aisle.

  Money can make anyone disappear. You are no exception.

  Slade.

  Rose isn’t safe here—she never was. It’s why tonight I need to have her for what may be the last time in a long time, if not forever.

  Her auburn hair bounces at the arch of her back as she moves past the bed in nothing but her birthday suit, and as my eyes roam from her head to her toes, I try to capture every perfect bit of Rose in the hope I’ll be able to store it in my memory so even with the passing of time, it won’t fade away. If she’d let me photograph her in the nude, I would, so I could always hold onto to every inch of her image. She won’t. I’ve asked.

  “I’m just going to freshen up and I’ll be with you.” It’s so seductive how Rose says this, and with a forced grin, I try to bury the ache constricting my heart.

  How can I say goodbye? How do I say goodbye when I know she has no idea it’s coming? I’m about to blindside Roselette Horton, and I feel like the biggest dick to walk the planet, yet I must remind myself why I’m doing this—it’s for her. I’m doing this for Rose.

  Listening to the water sprays coming from the bathroom, I think about the conversation I had with Tessa yesterday and how I must approach this situation in the same way as I would rip off a Band-Aid. I guess it will be no different to how I approached dropping my boxer shorts on the night Rose found out I could see through her bedroom window long before I knew it was her. Who am I kidding? It’s going to be much different.

  “Fin, I know you two have fallen hard for each other, and I know you want to keep Rose here with you … or even go to wherever it is Rose ends up, but you can’t. Do you trust me?” Tessa linked our fingers as she sat in front of me.

  “I do, Tess, but …”

  “Finlay, you need to let Rose find out who she is. You need her to work things out with her family, if this is what she chooses, and this will take time. She won’t do this if you two stay together.” Tessa’s eyes were wide, even though her remaining expression was filled with a look of sadness.

  “What if this isn’t what she needs, though, and we’re wrong?” My stomach rolled as if a load of dirty laundry had been set to wash.

  “Rose does need this. You will have to trust me. You already knew this day would come, Fin. How long did you think you could keep playing the happy couple before all hell broke loose again?”

  “I was hoping a lifetime.” My head dropped and with it my shoulders slumped.

  “The longer you wait, the worse you’ll make it for Rose.”

  “I know, Tessa,” I said.

  “What do you think?” Rose laughs, snapping me back into reality.

  “Sorry.”

  Rose stands with her hip pressed forward wearing nothing more than a pair of thin pegged heels on her feet, and when she twirls for me, I perch up on the bed, taking my weight through my knees.

  “You’re fucking beautiful, Rose.” I leap from the bed and proceed to unbutton my jeans before lowering the zipper.

  “Would you like me to keep this outfit?”

  I wish I could keep Rose, full stop.

  “Yes,” I whisper, running my fingertips over her erect nipples and down her core. “You’re a goddess, Rose.” I compliment her before my knees meet the floor and I kiss between her legs.

  She moans with desire and this only has me licking and sucking with more vigour.

  “Stop.” She pants, stepping away.

  “I was eating, Rose.”

>   She smiles shyly before she rests on the edge of the bed and repetitively curls a single finger in indication for me to join her.

  I stop half a metre away. Shifting my jeans off my hips has my erection tenting in my boxer shorts, and when I slowly lower them, Rose runs her tongue along her bottom lip. I love when she does this. Hooking my thumbs into the band of my boxer shorts, I wiggle them off my hips and then back on again.

  Rose again licks her lips.

  “Tell me.”

  “If you’ve seen me naked, then I should see you. Take off your clothes.” She says it just as calm as she did when she learnt I was watching her from my window.

  With one swift movement, my boxers fall to my ankles.

  Rose’s eyes disconnect from mine before scanning downward. “I like what I see,” she breathes.

  “I’m glad,” I growl, closing the gap.

  Her tongue runs down along my length and then back up before wrapping around the tip. I throw my head backwards just as she places her hands on my arse and takes me into her mouth. I groan, because Rose has a mouth that is rewarding.

  I clutch two handfuls of her hair as she works her mouth up and then down. I’m unable to refrain from bucking my hips gently as she goes until I hold her back and bend down, taking her lips to mine. “I want to do so many things to you,” I speak against her mouth.

  Once our lips part, Rose scurries backwards up the bed, and as she goes I crawl towards her.

  “What do you want to do to me?” Her tone is filled with seduction.

  Starting between her legs, I run my tongue in a lick until I’m past her belly button and stopping at one of her nipples. I nip, suck, and kiss over both of her breasts until I continue those kisses up her neck and over her chin, and proceed to slide my tongue between her parted lips.

  Wiggling her hips below me tells me she’s searching for me to enter her, so I arch my back, putting more space between us. This causes Rose to tilt her hips upwards until her arse is no longer against the bedding.

  Taking both her wrists with one hand, I pin them above her head, and with my other hand, I position myself at her opening.

  “Fin, please,” she whispers as I continue to take my time to admire every inch of her face.

  She runs her tongue along her bottom lip, and it’s all I need to launch deep inside of her in one swift movement. Her head lifts until it’s resting in the crook of my neck.

  I take my time, slowing and quickening the pace, and admire how when Rose becomes frustrated, she bucks her hips. I push into her, increasing my pace.

  “Fin. Please.” She’s begging to be tipped over the edge, but I’m not ready for her to leave me yet, so I again slow the pace before taking her mouth to mine. Her moans vibrate in my throat as I speed up my movements and when I release her wrists, she enfolds her arms around my neck.

  Allowing her mouth to be free, I stare deeply into Rose’s eyes and say, “Tell me what you want, Rose?”

  “You.” She pants. “Fin, please.” She’s again begging for relief, and this time I keep thrusting until she closes her eyes and throws back her head.

  The vice-like way in which Rose spasms around me is enough for my own release to follow, and for only a moment I close my eyes and lose sight of Rose. This frightens me because in this moment I realise my life is going to be just as dark without Rose in it.

  After I’ve held on to Rose for as long as I can, we freshen ourselves up, and I tell her to dress because I’m going to take her somewhere. I don’t tell her where, but she appears instantly excited … She shouldn’t be.

  Once she’s clothed in a pair of jeans and a tight yellow Suzuki shirt I gave her from the store, Rose applies a light application of makeup.

  Folding my arms around her waist, I kiss a trail up her neck before taking a long inhale at her hair. She smells as sweet as freshly picked strawberries … I don’t think I’ll ever forget this smell.

  “Rose. Come with me.” Taking her hand in mine, I lead her down the stairs and hold on to her tightly until we’ve reached the front door. She’s smiling at me with full admiration … She shouldn’t be.

  Once the door closes behind us we come to stand by the lit circular garden. “Rose, we need to talk.” I’m not ready for this, and my voice betrays me because there is no masculinity to my tone.

  “About where we’re going?” She’s so naive in this moment, and I almost want to punch myself in the face for doing what I’m about to do.

  “Yeah. About that.” Reaching into the pocket of my jeans, I remove a thin piece of paper. “I need you to have this.”

  “Okay.” She takes it from my fingertips without any need to question me. “A cheque.” Her forehead creases after she opens it out. Flicking her eyes to mine, she seems confused. “I don’t need your money.” And it’s then her confusion turns to what I believe is humiliation.

  “Rose, you will.” Reaching into my other pocket, I retrieve a pile of rolled up one-hundred-dollar notes fastened in a rubber band, and I extend this out for her. “Here, can you hold this?”

  “Why?” She takes them into her possession.

  “Because Rance is waiting for you in the limo.” I point to it in the shadows.

  “Why would Rance be waiting for me?”

  “Rose.” I look at her in a way I hope will spell this situation out so I don’t have to speak the words. She clues on very quickly.

  “This is goodbye, isn’t it?”

  “We both know I can’t keep you safe for much longer, and you need to live your life and figure out what it is you want to do.”

  “I want you, Fin.”

  “I know. I want that …” I stop. Rip off the Band-Aid, Finlay, and do not make this harder for her … Don’t tell Rose how deeply in love with her you are. Don’t tell her how the best part of your day is when you wake up and she’s right there beside you.

  “What? You want what?” Her tone becomes more forceful.

  “For you to be safe and happy.”

  “Come with me and I will be.” She’s as desperate as I am—I’m doing a much better job at keeping mine hidden.

  “I can’t.” I shake my head. “Rance will take you to a private jet. It will fly you out of Hoffman. After this, I have no clue where you will land and where you’ll decide to go from there. You need to cash the cheque before you choose a final destination, and you need to remember to do it, regardless. After you cash the five million dollars, you can go anywhere you want. It’s just safer I don’t know where this place is.”

  A single teardrop rolls from the corner of her eye before hanging in extension from her chin, and I hate myself for what I’ve just done.

  “But ... but, I’m in love with you, Fin,” she sputters, placing her hand on her heart. “Please,” she begs. Her eyes are brimming with fear. “Fin, please, please don’t do this.” Her free hand launches out with urgency, and with a hard swallowing of regret, I step away from her touch.

  She’s not understanding the importance of why this is happening because she has not seen the letter threatening her life, and she can’t see it because I know Rose will go back …. She can’t go back … so I try to convince her using a more hurtful angle.

  “No, Rose, you don’t love me. You only love the idea of who you think you could be with me. I’m nothing more than a loser with a fat bank account.”

  “That’s not true. It’s not true.” Her voice strains with its heightened pinch.

  “You need to go, Rose.”

  “So you’ve been using me?” The look of betrayal in her eyes is almost enough for me to boycott this plan.

  “Yes. Rose, this was fun while it lasted, but it’s all this was … a bit of fun.” It’s the most convincing lie I’ve ever told, and before I let this lie unravel in my expression, I turn my back on Rose. This would have to be the hardest moment of my life, and that’s saying a lot, what with where I’ve come from, but I can’t keep Rose. I can’t always win.

  “No! Don’t do this. Please,
don’t do this.” Her wails grow fainter the more our distance grows. Every footstep I take rips me to my core. “What about my stuff?” she yells.

  “It’s already in the car waiting for you.”

  “Please.” This last cry drifts softly on the breeze. I don’t dare glance back over my shoulder because I know if I do, I’ll never find enough strength to turn Rose away again. I’ll never be able to do the right thing for her.

  When I close the door behind me, I drop to my knees and wish for Rose to have the most amazing life.

  It’s better I had a short time to love Rose, than to never have been given the chance to love her in the first place. I just wish I had uttered the words, “I love you, Rose,” out loud and for her to have heard them spoken from my lips. Now, she’ll never know how I felt because I never once verbalised it in the time we’ve had together, knowing this day would arrive sooner or later. Men like Slade Banter are relentless—I’ve learnt this before, and if they want something they view as their possession back, they’ll do anything necessary to get it. Maybe even take a life.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  One year later

  Finlay

  Her skin is sun-kissed. Her chirpy tone is memorable. And as Lesley chatters without seemingly taking a single breath, I can’t help but laugh.

  The peach sundress adorning her skin lifts high up her thigh when she crosses one leg over the other, and she throws back her head in laughter. I join in and chuckle along with her.

  “It was the most amazing experience of my life,” Lesley gushes.

  “I’m glad,” I reply, handing her a bottle of the sparkling water she’d previously asked for.

  “The things I saw were sacred and hidden paradises, Tank.”

  “Do you think you saw everything you’d hoped to?” I ask, sitting back down on the deck chair across from her.

  “No way. There are so many undiscovered places to explore … I’m going to find them all.”

  “So you’re heading back out to sea.”