Out of Mind (Out of Line #3)(53)
Author: Jen McLaughlin

“Shh.” He kissed my head, his arms going even tighter around me. “I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you. Ever.”

I nodded, burying my face in his chest. “Don’t leave me again. Swear it.”

“I swear. I’ll never leave you again,” he whispered brokenly. His heart thundered against my cheek, and I hugged him as hard as I could. He didn’t seem to mind. If anything, it made him kiss me even harder the next time. “Even when you’re with someone else, I’ll take care of you. I love you so damn much.”

I shook my head. Didn’t he realize what I was saying? I was his, and always would be. “There’s no—”

A cop cleared his throat. “We need to speak with her, please?”

Finn tightened his arms around me. “If she’s ready.”

“I’m r-ready.” I let go of Finn reluctantly, but entwined his fingers with mine. “Stay with me?”

He gave me a sad smile. “Always. But what about Riley?”

I looked at Riley. He was talking to an officer and walking toward a paramedic. “He looks okay, right? They’ll fix his arm in the ambulance.”

Finn nodded, looking confused. “Yeah, but…”

“He’ll be brought to the station, too,” the officer said, motioning toward his own car. “Let’s get her somewhere safe and then they can reunite in the station.”

I nodded and took a deep breath. “All right. Let’s go.”

“Just you, ma’am,” the officer said, eyeing Finn. “He can follow in another car.”

“He stays with me, or I don’t go.” I hugged his arm close to mine, gripping his biceps with my free hand. “He’s with me.”

Finn flexed his jaw. “I go with her if she wants me to.”

The officer sighed. “Who are you?”

“Her bodyguard,” Finn said, before I could open my mouth to answer. He cocked his head toward the van. “I’m the one who tied them up.”

“Oh. Good.” He opened the back door. “We need to talk to you, too.”

Finn slid into the backseat, not letting go of me. “I’m all yours,” he said softly.

I swallowed hard, clinging to him.

Had he been talking to me or the officer?

Chapter Twenty-Four – Finn

Hours later, and a million questions later, I finally got released from the interrogation room. I don’t know if that’s what it actually was, but man, it had felt like it. They’d asked me so many questions, over and over again, that my f**king head hurt more than ever. I rubbed my temples, wanting nothing more than to lie down in a dark room for a whole day.

“Griffin.” A door opened beside me and Senator Wallington stepped out, looking as impeccable as always in his gray three-piece suit. “A word?”

Shit. “Yes, of course.”

I followed him into the empty room…well, almost empty. Mrs. Wallington stood in the corner, watching me cautiously. “Griffin.”

“Mrs. Wallington.” I nodded at her and turned back to Senator Wallington. “You two got here way too fast. Or was I really in there that long?”

“We were actually in Arizona for a meeting. We arrived a little more than an hour ago.”

“Oh.” I dragged my hands down my face. “You’re here to ask me to leave Carrie alone, I assume?”

Mrs. Wallington stepped forward. “Griffin—”

“Wait, let me talk first.” I lifted my chin. “I was a mess before, and I know it. I wasn’t worthy of Carrie like that, but I got better. I’ve been going to therapy, and I don’t take pills or drink.”

Senator Wallington shook his head. “But you left her. Walked away and didn’t even care.”

“I cared.” I fisted my hands. “I cared way too much.”

Mrs. Wallington nodded. “You did. I know that. But what makes you think you’re better for her now?”

“Because I’m me again, and I love her more than anything. I love her enough to walk away when I needed to. I’m not walking away again, not if she wants me.” I met Senator Wallington’s eyes. “She doesn’t forgive me yet, but if she ever does, you can be damn sure I will never break her heart again. I’ll cherish her till I die. She’s…she’s my life.”

Mrs. Wallington’s eyes filled with tears. “I believe you.”

“Margie,” Senator Wallington hissed. He gave her a long look before turning to me with hard eyes. “Why were you there today?”

“I know I shouldn’t have been there, since I don’t work for you anymore, but I was—and that’s a good thing. I was able to help Hernandez.”

“I heard.” He crossed his arms and studied me. “You look better. Less…”

“Messed up?”

He nodded. “Yes. That.”

Mrs. Wallington gasped. “Don’t be rude, Hugh.”

“He’s right, though,” I said, smiling at her. “I am less messed up now.”

“Good.” He stepped closer, his gaze dipping over me. “I won’t pretend you’re my choice for her, but if you make her happy, and keep yourself in check, I’m willing to give you a second chance. I might even approve of you, over time.”

“Me too,” Mrs. Wallington said, resting her hand on my arm. “I know how much you love her, Griffin.” She cocked her head. “Finn, I mean.”

I blinked, my hands hovering at my sides. What. The. Fuck? “Ma’am…?”

“It’s what she calls you, right?” She smiled at me, her eyes tearing up. “If you’re going to be with her, we should call you that, too.”

Senator Wallington cleared his throat. “I saw what happened to her when you left. I don’t want to ever see that again.” He held his hand out for mine, waiting. “I’m willing to accept you not because I have to, but because I think in the end…you just might be the best partner for her. You’ll die for her. Live for her. Do anything to keep her safe.”

I swallowed hard. “Always. But sir, she’s with Riley now.”

“No, she’s not. We tried to urge that along, but it’s not going to happen.” He frowned at me. “You better love her the right way this time, because I’m determined to see her happy again. No drinking. No drugs. No punching walls.”

“I’m better now. Still not the same guy I used to be, and I don’t think I ever will be, but I love her with all my heart.” I tugged on my hair, eyeing Mrs. Wallington. “I only left her because I wasn’t good for her. I—”