Mia snarled at him but he ignored her. His only thought was to get to Addie.
Once Luke threw a punch and Ronnie covered his face to block it, Finn ran to the mattress. He gripped James' collar and lifted. His muscles strained, the guy was pure muscle, but he didn't let go.
"What the fuck?" James spun around, landing a hit to Finn's jaw.
Finn's head snapped to the side but he didn't stop. He hit James in the gut, knocking the breath out of the guy. James may have been tall and thick, but Finn was fast. He didn't slow down, hitting James over and over, going for his nose, face, and kidneys. Behind him he heard Luke and Ronnie fighting, but blocked it out. The rage he felt wouldn’t be satisfied until James was deadweight.
When James landed a few hits of his own, Finn didn't feel them. His adrenaline was shredding through his veins and he let out every ounce of his anger and grief into each hit. Addie had to be safe, be avenged, and so did Kelsey.
"You stupid whore."
Finn heard Mia's venom filled voice and looked around James to see her grabbing Addie by her hair. He took a step, eyes locked on Addie, when James swung at his face. The hit connected with his cheek bone and pain blossomed. He didn't miss the sudden rage that filtered onto Addie's face or the way that Addie grabbed at Mia's legs and pulled her down onto the mattress.
That's my girl.
Knowing that Addie could handle Mia one on one, he focused on putting James down. He kept moving and only stopped when James' eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped to the floor.
"You stupid bitch. One, I'm not a whore." Addie punched Mia in the face as she straddled her on the mattress. "Two, you don't hurt my man's sister." She threw a harder punch. "And three, you don't murder women from my town."
Finn let her have a few more punches and when he heard Nick calling out to them, he pulled her off a listless Mia.
It hurt to draw in breath now that the fight was over. Now that he had Addie back in his arms. He looked at her, saw her messy hair, the blood that trickled from her mouth, the numerous bruises forming on her skin. Her clothes were torn and in disarray but all he really saw was the relief in her dark blue eyes.
"Baby, it's okay." Finn reached a hand underneath her neck and knees and pulled her onto his lap. "They won't ever touch you again." He ran his hands over her, making sure she didn't have any worse injuries. His heart pounded in his chest and his hands tightened on her.
Krakowski handcuffed the two men and Mia, calling for backup and paramedics on his radio. He looked relieved that Addie was found and took a deep breath.
"Thank you." Addie whispered against Finn's chest.
He kissed the top of her head in answer.
"Hey, Addie." Luke knelt down beside Finn and gave Addie a small smile.
Addie nodded toward Luke and Nick. "Thanks, guys."
"You're welcome, sis." Nick's eyes softened when he looked at her. "I'm going to call the family and let them know you're okay."
Finn listened to them talk but only focused on Addie. She was alive, he could feel her chest rise and fall in ragged breaths. Jesus Christ, what if they hadn't gotten there when they did? What had Mia been thinking?
Sirens burst through the night, heralding the arrival of backup and ambulance. The paramedics rushed in after the police and it was hard for Finn to hand Addie over to them. When they took her out, he followed them, not willing to let her out of his sight. He tossed his keys to Luke, walking out into the cool night.
Exhaustion washed over him as the ambulance swayed, driving toward the hospital. He watched as the paramedics did their thing, thinking of Kelsey and Addie and how much they went through because of him. Because of his crazy ex. He hadn't been there to protect them. His past had muddied his relationship with Addie. Would she still want to be with him after this? After Mia?
They took Addie to the ER and put them in a tiny, curtained area. She looked so small in the bed, so fragile. Finn swallowed the lump in his throat and interlaced their fingers.
"I knew you'd come." Addie's eyes cracked open. "I knew you'd figure it out."
"Shh, you need rest." Finn pressed a kiss to her lips. "We can talk when you wake up."
She nodded softly and in the next instant her breathing evened out.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Addie
When Addie woke up, the first thing she noticed was the pain. Her head pounded, her body was sore, and her cheek hurt like hell. She tried to whisper for Finn, but her mouth was dry. The lights from above seared into her brain and she moved an arm to cover her eyes.
"Addie?" Halle's voice echoed a little, then strengthened. "Here's some ice water." Halle helped her sit up and handed her the Styrofoam cup with a straw.
"Thanks," Addie said after taking a few sips. "Where's Finn?"
"He had to go down the hall to give his statement to the police. Luke and Nick are taking their turn in a minute."
"Hey, you." Victoria grabbed Addie's hand as she stood on the other side of the hospital bed. Her cheeks were tear-stained and her eyes puffy.
"I'm okay." Addie squeezed her hand. "I'm just glad they found me when they did." Her voice wavered, but she forced the dark thoughts out of her head. She didn't want to think about that right now. She wanted to focus on her family and the fact that James hadn't gotten any further. Tears pricked hot against her eyelids and Addie swallowed a few times to keep them back. Her family looked scared enough as it was and she didn't want to freak them out anymore. “Where are the girls?” An inane question but she needed something normal to focus on.
“Charlotte has them. They're fine, don't worry about them.” Victoria pressed a kiss to her cheek. “They can stay as long as we need.”
“Are they okay? They're not scared, are they?” Addie struggled to sit up and Halle helped her, placing pillows behind her back.
“No, sweetie. They're just happy you're okay,” Victoria told her. “Everyone is.”
Addie tried not to let memories of that night flash into her mind. Would Finn think of her differently since all this happened? The thought of him leaving her hurt more than all her physical injuries combined. It didn't surprise her as much as overwhelm. She hadn't thought she was that in love with him.
“Baby, are you okay?” Her mother came in, fluttering nervously, followed by her dad, who was steady and calm.
It steadied her, in turn, having them here. It made her feel more sane. She could push what happened out of her mind. For now that would have to do, she could deal with the emotional scarring later. “I'm good, Mom.”
Cecilia kissed her face several times, then leaned back and looked over her. “Do you need anything? A drink, some food, some medicine?”
Addie laughed softly, ignoring the pain that shot through her body. “Mom, I'm okay. I promise.” Laughing helped dispel some of the melancholy that hung in the room. Her sisters smiled and her dad even cracked a small grin.
A few minutes later Finn walked in. At the intense look in his eyes, Addie's breathing hitched. He was bloody, dirty, and looked like he'd collapse from exhaustion any minute. That he came to see her caused a warm sensation to start in her chest.
“Can I talk with her for a minute?” Finn looked over the family.
“Sure, sweetie.” Cecilia kissed his cheek. “Anything for you.”
Wes patted his shoulder on his way out and the sisters followed, leaving Finn and Addie alone.
“Hey.” Finn shoved his hands in his blood and dirt caked jeans.
“Hey, yourself.” Addie cracked a wobbly smile. Why was it suddenly so awkward?
He stepped next to the bed and looked at her. The way his eyes roamed over her face, the heat in them, warmed her like nothing else could have. The chill of fear and survival lessened until it was gone. She reached out and interlaced their fingers, loving how strong and steady he was.
“I'm sorry this happened. I'm sorry that I wasn't there to protect you.” He brought her hand up and kissed the back of it. His lips sent a shock
through her and her heart melted at the same time.
“It's not your fault your ex was bat shit crazy. She definitely needs some mental help.” Addie leaned her head back to look him in the eyes. He still frowned. “Seriously, Finn. It wasn't your fault. We all thought that it was over, once Aaron died, so how could we anticipate this?”
His jaw clenched. “Damn it, Addie. They could've killed you. Or worse.”
At the worse, Addie shuddered. “I know. But you and Nick and Luke found me. You saved me from that. Don't beat yourself up.”
“I still wish I could've done more. Could've been there that night with you.”
“What would she have done then? Just killed me right then and there? You don't know what could've happened if things were different.”
“I was so worried,” he said. “So worried I wouldn’t get there in time. That she was torturing you. I know how I felt when Kelsey was taken, but with you it was entirely different. More of an agony in my soul. Addie, if you hadn't survived, if I hadn't found you, I would've died along with you. I don't know how you did it, but you've slipped behind enemy lines into my heart. I don't think I'll ever get rid of you. I know I don't want to. But, if this has changed how you feel about me, I'll understand. I'll be miserable, but I'll understand.”
Addie's eyes misted with tears. She wasn't normally the go-for-the-romance type of girl, but damn it, he'd said such pretty words with such sincere meaning. “I love you, too, you idiot. I'm not going anywhere. This. Wasn't. Your. Fault.”
When his lips twitched, her heart lightened. “That's my fighter.”
She smiled back. “Now, you were talking about getting a place, right? Because I don't think I can go back to that apartment. It won't feel safe anymore. Oh, God! What about Harlow?”
“She's with the twins and Nick's mom. We have everything covered. All I want you to do is focus on being okay.” Finn brushed back her bangs. “I'll look for something after my shift tomorrow. Chief gave me today off.”
“That was sweet of him.” Addie rubbed her hand over Finn's now infamous tattoo. “I didn't know Isaac, but I think he would be very proud of you, and happy that you met someone as fabulous as me.”
He laughed, and she felt weightless. It was a beautiful sound. “He would've loved you.”
“Thank you.” Addie made sure she poured every once of sincerity and gratitude into that phrase.
“Anytime, fighter.” He kissed her softly.
§ §
Addie stood on the balcony of her and Finn's new apartment and sighed at the starry night above. Three weeks after the incident she couldn't be happier. Once in a while the nightmares would surface, but Finn would hold her and let her cry it out, or distract her with sexy time. Waking up next to him every morning or doing the more mundane things like grocery shopping together made each day all the more sweeter.
She really sounded like a romantic now, but being in love did that to a person.
“What are you doing out here?” Finn wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.
“Waiting on you to get home.” Addie turned her head and smiled. “How was game night with the guys?”
“Good.” He kissed the back of her neck and she shivered. “If I didn't know better, I'd say Luke's in love with Halle. Nick was talking about her and Victoria and Luke's face just lit up.”
“Man, it has to be noticeable if you figured that out.” She giggled when he nudged her.
“Hey, I have a brand new respect for love now.”
“Me too.” She sighed, still watching the stars. She never thought she would be this content. It had a weird calming effect on her. She knew it calmed him, too. He had his own nightmares from war, and she did her best to help soothe them. She'd finally talked him into going to a therapist and as he worked with it, he seemed to get a better handle on the PTSD. They both knew it might not ever fully go away, but at least they had ways to deal with it when it surfaced.
“Let's go inside.” Finn spun her around, pulling her gently toward the door. “I want to make love to my girlfriend.”
She followed, glad she'd been brave enough to take the heat.
Author's Other Works:
The Kismet Series
Crossing the Line (Book 1)
YA Paranormal Series
Awakening (The Guardians, #1) free!
Sacred (The Guardians, #2)
Turn the page to read the first chapter in Crossing the Line
Crossing the Line
Book 1 in The Kismet Series
Chapter One
Victoria stretched to ease the stiffness in her back and looked around the combined living room and kitchen area of the condo. The work made her proud. Color and life, furniture and art now filled the previously hollow room.
Rachel would sell this condo in a flash now.
Her cell rang from inside her purse and she dashed to the bar in the kitchen and dug until she found it. She bit back a curse when she saw the display.
Roger. Roger, who was supposed to be picking up Lucia and Helena from school today. Roger, the ex who wanted to "go find himself" and decided a wife and family weren't part of that. He'd only waited two days after the divorce was finalized to date a socialite.
She reminded herself that the divorce was a year old and that bitterness didn't suit her. "Yes?" If she answered the phone with a little bit of bite in her voice, it didn't make her bitter. It showed how tired she was of him bailing on her.
"Hey, babe." Roger still didn't get the fact that he couldn't call her babe. Ever.
A headache started at the base of her skull. "What is it? I'm busy." She needed to meet her dad and the contractor at her new office.
"I can't pick up the girls from school. I'm having dinner with someone and I'll be late if I don't leave now."
"Roger," she sighed and looked at her watch. The girls needed to be picked up in ten minutes. "You promised me you would get them. Plus, I'm on the other side of town. There's no way I can get there in time." Sanctuary Bay wasn't a large town, but tourist season had started, so traffic would be heavy.
"I'm telling you ahead so that you can make arrangements."
Temper ignited at the exaggerated patience in his voice. "You're telling me ten minutes before they're supposed to be picked up. That's not telling me in advance."
"Look, babe. I can't make it. Give my love to the girls."
Victoria glared at her phone when he hung up. She closed her eyes and took three deep breaths. There was a way to solve this situation without maiming her ex. She'd just have to call one of her sisters.
She dialed her youngest sister, Addison, with her fingers crossed. Addie taught at a school not far from the girls. If there were no meetings, Addie should be able to pick them up.
"Who's my favorite sister?" Her voice dripped syrupy sweet when Addie answered.
"God, what? You only act like this when you need something." Addie said.
Victoria heard the smile in her sister's voice and took heart. "Can you pick up the girls?"
"Did Roger back out again?"
"He decided to have dinner in the city." She leaned against the counter and surveyed the condo again to prove to herself that she'd moved on after the divorce. That she was better off. That her girls were better off.
"That douche. I'll leave right now. But you owe me dinner."
"Thanks, Addie."
After she hung up, she changed into a black pencil skirt, a white button up shirt, and red pumps for the meeting. She pulled her black hair into a sleek ponytail, dressed her brown eyes in natural makeup and mascara.
The drive to the ocean front office on the boardwalk took an extra thirty minutes. It didn't bother her, though, because the warm air smelled like the sea, and she enjoyed every minute of it. She pulled her SUV into the shopping center and spotted her father's truck parked close to the office he'd helped her buy. Being a retired contractor, he recommended a friend of his to redo the inside to fit her needs. She
had high hopes on the outcome.
"Hey, sweetie." Her father stood outside the door, his salt and pepper hair close cropped. He shared his sloe eyes with his two eldest daughters, and they warmed when he saw his oldest. "How was the staging?" he enveloped her in a tight hug.
"Great, I finished the condo for Rachel and I have consults tomorrow for a few personal interior designs." Victoria looked at the door. Her stomach tightened in excitement. An office of her own. She wouldn’t have to work out of her house anymore. "Let's go in. I want to see it again."
Her father gestured toward her oversized purse. "If you can find the key in that suitcase of yours."
Victoria laughed. "Lucia and Helena bought it for me for my birthday. It's a little big, but they were so excited when I opened it. I think they combined both their allowances for a month to buy it."
"Your mother helped them with some." He said as she pulled the key out.
"See? Only took a minute." With a quick smile she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Wallpaper hung from the walls in tatters, the carpet smelled musty and had black and red stains all over it. A receptionist counter covered in chipped black and white Formica was the only furniture in the room, thank God, Victoria thought.
"Needs a lot of work."
"I know, Dad. Did I make a mistake? Picking this place out?" Worry clouded her excitement.
"Do you know how you want this place to look?" He looked at her and she saw the faith in his eyes.
She regarded the place and imagined what she wanted. Dark hard wood floors, antique furniture, some potted plants. Graphite colored walls with white trim. Elegance and style. "Definitely."
"Then there's no mistake. You're going to build a business here. You're already doing great out of your house. You'll be able to accommodate more clients out of a real office. You can even get an assistant for scheduling and stuff."
Her father was the driving force behind her confidence. Whenever she couldn't imagine herself with her own business, he built her up. Pushed her toward better things. He looked in the direction of the parking lot at the sound of a truck door shutting. "Here comes Nick now."
Taking the Heat Page 18
