“You,” he said, looking at him.
Finn rolled his head, stretching the aching muscles of his neck. His wolf wanted to shift, demanded he shift. “I’m here.”
He nodded. “You’re here, protecting her brother from me.” His anger was barely controlled. “And you have no idea where she is.”
Finn’s heart stopped, turning frigid. She was safe. With Brown. But the victory in Thomas’s eyes had doubt pressing the air from his lungs.
“You haven’t heard from her? She didn’t make it to Houston.”
His skin bristled, the wolf forcing his way out. He pressed his eyes shut, reaching for the medallion that no longer hung about his neck. Jessa had it… Jessa. His fingers popped, the joints dislocating, adjusting for the shift. His arms shook, trembling with restraint. He couldn’t lose it now.
“Okay,” Harry said, coming into the kitchen. “I have never seen a red sweater, but she had this red sweatshirt so—” He broke off. “Where’s the gas company guy?”
Finn’s eyes popped open and he pushed off the counter. Where was he? He ran down the hall, slamming out the front door. No Thomas. Finn needed to know the truth. Once he had that, he would enjoy tearing the fucker’s throat out.
“Finn?” Harry followed him onto the front porch. “You okay?”
Finn spun, staring at him. “Yeah,” he managed, ignoring his rage and pain and fear. “But I need you to do something for me. No questions.”
Harry frowned. “I don’t work for you, Mr. Dean—”
Finn shook his head, running his hand through his head. “Harry, please don’t push me right now.”
“What the hell is going on?” Harry asked. “I appreciate you giving my sister a promotion. I do. We need the money. But I’m starting to get a different vibe. What, exactly, are you paying her for? Because, as big and powerful and rich as you are, Jessa’s my sister, and it’s my job to protect her.”
Finn deflated. “I love your sister, Harry. She’s everything to me. And protecting her is exactly what I’m trying to do.”
Harry blinked, crossing his arms over his chest. “She needs protecting?”
He nodded, glancing at his watch. Where was Mal? Maybe he was tracking Thomas? He could hope. He leaned forward, waving at Gentry. “In a few minutes, an SUV will be here. From now on I need your word that you will not go out alone, no matter what, no questions asked.”
“Dude, finals are in a few weeks—”
“I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t serious, Harry. I’ll make sure you don’t get penalized for this.” He paced the porch, unwilling to leave Harry unprotected. Thomas was messing with him, getting in his head. It was an effective way to torment his enemy.
“You can do that? Just like that?” Harry asked.
“Money can do just about anything, Harry, except keep you safe.” He stared at
the young man, recognizing the way his forehead furrowed—just like Jessa.
“Safe?” Harry asked.
Finn nodded.
Harry sighed. “Shit.”
A car pulled up and Gentry got out. Finn met him on the curb, hoping to keep Harry as clueless as possible.
“Mal tailing him?” Finn asked.
Gentry nodded. “He went out the back window. Mal was almost on him at the corner. I would have taken the shot but Mal was in the way.”
Finn swallowed down his frustration. “Take the Talbots to my apartment. Extra security, lock-down until I figure out where to send them.” He pulled out his phone. “I need to contact Brown.”
Gentry nodded.
Brown’s phone rang and rang, ratcheting his unease up to full blown panic. Had he been played, lured from Jessa, leaving her vulnerable? He didn’t want to believe it. But his wolf wanted blood.