by T. J. Finn
“It’s over, you know that don’t you, Corbin?”
“It’s far from over. I’ve been doing this a long time. In fact, did O’Reilly tell you I was the one who killed his momma? It was her pelt that started it all. It made me rich overnight, and it was the beginning of a very profitable business.”
His confession felt like a hard punch to the throat, taking her breath away. Finn had mentioned it but hadn’t gone into details. He probably hadn’t even known that his mother was Corbin’s first kill. Claire’s lips pulled back in a snarl as rage burned inside of her. This man had taken so much from so many people and she had to be the one to end it.
We see you.
Grace’s voice echoed in her head again, but Claire ignored it. With a flick of her wrist, the gun heated up in Corbin’s hand, turning red, burning his skin as he held it. When the heat finally registered, he yelled, cursing as he dropped the gun to look at his hand. Claire advanced on him, raising her hand again and with a flick of her wrist he went flying back against Fred.
“You deprived a little boy of his mother, scaring him for life and setting him on a path of revenge. Who died and made you God?”
Corbin pushed away from the Jeep; his eyes boring into her. She grabbed her head, crying out when it felt like hot pokers were stabbing into her brain. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she nearly doubled over from the pain. Pushing it all down, she straightened to the best of her ability and started twirling her hand, watching a dirt tornado form between her and Corbin. Dust and debris started flying around them and she pushed the whirling dirt devil at Corbin. The white-hot pain came again, and she lost control of the spell, dropping to her knees.
“You can’t defeat me, Claire! Your mind is too fragile. I’m not even breaking a sweat here. Getting into your mind is as easy as slipping a key into a lock and clicking it open.”
Claire grabbed her head again, screaming from the pain. It felt like her skull was cracking open from the inside and her brain was on fire. Corbin moved toward her, the closer he got the more pain she felt. Slowly she stood, her legs wobbling, but they held her up. Rage continued to swell within her, and she took shallow breaths, her chest burning from the effort. Holding up her hand, Claire closed her fingers as if she were squeezing a lemon. Corbin stopped in his tracks and grabbed at his throat, clawing at his skin as he tried to gasp for breath.
“I can defeat you, Corbin.” She could hear several vehicles sliding to a stop and car doors opening. “I can defeat you.” Closing her hand, she watched as his eyes seemed to bulge and his face went red. He dropped to his knees, still clawing at his skin, blood flowing down his neck from the gouges he’d dug into his skin. Looking up at her in disbelief, she watched as his eyes rolled back into his head and he fell forward.
Since the goal wasn’t to kill him, Claire opened her hand, releasing the pressure on his throat. She knew he had passed out from lack of air, which had been her plan. This way the police could take him into custody without getting hurt. The voices hit her then, invading her mind all at once. She grabbed her head, closing her eyes, trying to slam some sort of shield back into place.
Claire heard the sound of running feet as she stumbled, her foot catching on a rock, causing her to fall backward. Strong hands caught her. When she opened her eyes a little, her heart seemed to skip a beat. Beautiful gold rimmed eyes looked down at her as Finn dropped to the ground, gathering her into his arms. The last thing she remembered before everything went black was Finn caressing her cheek as his lips brushed against hers. Was it real or was she dreaming? She didn’t know and before she could figure it out, she had passed out.
Chapter 16
Finn
Finn sat next to the bed where Claire lay sleeping. Her face was nearly pure white, and she had dark circles under her eyes. He used his wolf’s hearing so he could listen to the rhythmic beating of her heart and soft, steady breathing. He hadn’t left her side since they had brought her back to her parents’ house except to eat with her family, meet with his brother Sean, and talk to the police about Corbin.
Once they’d all made certain that she was still alive and breathing, they’d searched and found Corbin missing. Claire’s Jeep was still there, so he hadn’t driven off, and just about everyone there used whatever skill or gift they had to search the area.
James Corbin was nowhere to be seen.
Several people continued to search for Corbin while he got Claire to safety. Finn had to bite the inside of his cheek when he watched Claire’s sister, Grace, go up to her Jeep and start talking to it.
After a few moments, she came back to him, smiling. “Fred will let you drive him. He knows you are with Claire and you don’t mean her harm.”
There was something different about James Corbin that Finn couldn’t quite put his finger on, but he’d find out. When Claire was feeling better and they’d returned to her cabin, he planned on setting out with his brothers to hunt the bastard down.
Leaning over, he lightly brushed her forehead with his fingertips, willing her to wake up. He would never forget the sight of her standing toe to toe with that monster. When he’d arrived with Sean and Claire’s family, it looked like she had been choking the man. Corbin’s face was purple by the time he had passed out. Finn had never seen anything like it. His heart had felt like it was going to explode in his chest when he saw her, then it had stopped beating when she started to fall.
Finn thought she had died right then, but when he’d reached her side and gathered into his arms, he had been elated. Her heart was racing from her exertion and her breathing was ragged, but she was breathing and alive.
“Finn?” The sound of Claire’s raspy voice had him moving to sit on the bed next to her. When he reached out to caress her cheek and she took his hand in hers. “You’re not dead. Corbin told me you were dead.”
He shook his head and gave her a soft smile. “They tried, but I’m tougher than I look.” His smile wavered, then fell away. “I thought you had died when you collapsed.”
A tear slipped out of the corner of her eye and fell to the pillow. “It was the voices. Corbin had done something with my mind. He hurt me so when everyone got there I couldn’t stop their voices. It was horrible.”
Finn leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “Your mother has put up a temporary barrier around this room so that the only voices you hear are from those that come in and we have limited visitors to your sister Grace and the rest of your family, although everyone is worried about you.”
“Did I hear someone call my name?”
Finn looked over his shoulder as Grace walked in the door. The woman was slender but, like Claire, had great curves. She’d pulled her long, dark auburn hair into a ponytail and it bounced a little as she walked in and around to the other side of the bed.
Grace sat down and scooped Claire up, wrapping her arms around her sister. “Tell me Fred helped you.”
Claire started laughing as she pulled away and sat up in the bed. “I didn’t think he was going to, but finally he did. Almost killed us both the way he stopped, though. I think we need to rework that spell.”
Grace waved her hand in the air. “Already done.” Claire smiled and nodded.
“Thank you for that and well, for everything. So where is Corbin?” Finn and Grace exchanged looks. “What?”
Finn took Claire’s hand and squeezed it. “He’s gone. He just disappeared and we can’t find him.”
“What do you mean he’s gone?” Claire looked at them both in confusion. He was passed out on the ground by Fred. Finn shook his head.
“He’s just gone but don’t worry. As soon as you’re better and we get back to your cabin, I’m going to help my brothers find him.”
Claire sighed and leaned back against the headboard. “I can’t believe he’s just gone.”
“We’ll find him, baby. I promise.” Grace looked between the two of them and smiled.
“So, I was speaking to Finn and Sean. Finn said you can’t hear his thought
s.” Claire and Finn both nodded.
“It’s the strangest thing. I can hear everyone. Even when they try to block me, I can still pick up some stuff.”
“Sean was telling me that his mother was a powerful telepath as well and that Finn was with her when Corbin killed her. I hear Corbin is a powerful telepath as well.”
Claire nodded. “He hurt me. It was like white hot pokers stabbing me in my brain. I’ve never come up against that before.”
Grace took a deep breath as she nodded. “I think before she told Finn to run and before Corbin killed her, his mom did something to protect Finn’s mind. A shield if you will, so that Corbin couldn’t hurt him. I think it’s stayed with him all these years and that’s why you can’t hear him.”
Claire looked at Finn, then back to Grace. “I suppose that would explain it. I can’t get so much as a peep from him.”
Grace smiled and stood. “Well, that’s a good thing since the two of you are meant for each other.” She started to leave, then stopped by the door. “We’re having a BBQ with just family and Sean and Finn, of course. If you’re up to it, why don’t you join us. It’ll just be the family and it would be great to visit some more before you head back to Colorado.”
Claire smiled with a nod, then turned to Finn when Grace walked out of the room. Finn squeezed her hand, then brought it to his lips and kissed her palm. “So, Grace says we’re meant for each other. What do you think?”
He heard her heart rate quicken and saw her beautiful, smooth cheeks flush. “I love you, Finn. I want you to come back to my cabin with me, stay there with me. If you go out with your brothers to hunt Corbin, I want you to come back then too.”
Finn smiled big as he gently wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him. He kissed her softly on her lips, his hand moving around to cup her neck and hold her close. When they finally pulled away, he nipped at her bottom lip then laid his forehead against hers.
“Claire, I love you too. My wolf has been trying to tell me from the moment I saw you in your kitchen you were my mate. I want to make a life with you, at your cabin. It’s not that far from my pack, so if I’m needed, I can go. Claire, I want you to marry me.”
Claire sat back, her eyes wide and blinked rapidly for a moment, His stomach sank as he watched her. She was going to tell him no. He knew it. But then she smiled the most heartwarming smile he had ever seen, tears dancing in her beautiful emerald green eyes. “Yes, Finn. I’ll marry you.”
Finn grinned and pulled her back to him, molding her chest against his. His lips claimed hers again in a hot, wet, passionate kiss that stole her breath away. She was trembling and breathless when he finally lifted his head, a wicked smile tugging at his lips.
“Do you think your family will understand if we skip the BBQ tonight? I don’t want to leave this room or you. I want to lock the door and strip you naked and devour every inch of you.”
Claire grinned and shook her head. “I don’t think she’ll mind at all. Why don’t you go lock that door and we can get started on this devouring right now?”
Finn stood, chuckling as he locked the door, then turned and started undressing. “Baby, you have the best ideas, you know that?”
About The Author
TJ Finn loves reading, writing, stalking other authors that she can fangirl over on Facebook, dogs, and non-hoppy beer.
She's the author of super sexy paranormal romance and can't wait to get her next book out into the world for her brand spanking new raving fans.
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Books By This Author
Dangerous Decisions
Dangerously Scrooged: A Wolf Creek Pack Christmas Story
Dangerous Love: A Wolf Creek Pack Short Story
Writing as D.T. Strange
https://www.amazon.com/Fated-Treasures-Paranormal-Dating-Agency-ebook/dp/B07G1JKYBH
Fated Treasures - Fianna Arden is a witch that seeks ancient lore and treasures. When she learns of Gerri Wilder’s Paranormal Dating Agency, she discovers Gerri’s reputation as an expert matchmaker and decides she has to look into it. After all, love is the stuff legends and lore are based off of. That and Fi needs to know how she does it. But will being matched up with jaded wolf shifter, Cameron Bishop on a mock double date end up being more than she bargained for? Or could it be possible, that a fated treasure will help both Fianna and Cameron find, not only what they are looking for, but also what they never expected to find?
