Page 75 of Lies & Deception

Finn hated the fact he wasn’t allowed to speak up on Mitch’s behalf at the departmental inquiry, but he understood the whole situation was complicated. It took weeks to sort out his own role in the whole debacle. Mitch was astounded and overjoyed to find out Finnwas the person passing over confidential club information. Finn and Pete decided together they wanted to bring the club down—Pete because he wanted to make amends for getting involved in a drug running operation, Finn because he hated everything the club and his brother stood for. Thankfully Finn was able to strike a deal for his testimony.

He was seeing a counselor, someone to help him cometo terms with not only the events of that day, but everything that had happened leading up to the siege. Unsurprisingly, he was dealing well with the death of Rocky, but old wounds had reopened when information came to light after the arrests of a number of the Soldiers. There was still no concrete proof and it was largely hearsay, but Rocky had bragged to fellow Soldiers about killing their father.There was enough substance to the story for the police and Finn to believe it was most likely true. Carl’s death was still unclear, but it reopened old wounds and Finn grieved for his loss of family again. But how he had hope.

“So—what now?” Finn asked.

“Now we have probably a year until we testify and get this thing over with once and for all. Then we do anything we want. You, me. The world’sour oyster.”

Finn pressed close to Mitch. “I’ve been thinking about that conversation we had, the one where you asked me what I’d do if I didn’t have to stay with the club, if I could do anything I wanted to do.” He paused, listening to Mitch’s strong and regular heartbeat under his ear. “I think I’m ready to have those dreams now. Forusto have our dreams come true.”

Finn could hear the smilein Mitch’s voice. “I’m so glad to hear that. Starting with the coast?”

“Uh-huh. Then working on the other things—you know, the white picket fence?” Mitch hugged him tighter at those words. “Maybe we can stay right here.” Finn looked out the window at the crashing waves below.

“Anywhere you want, Finn. Anywhere you want.” Mitch pressed a kiss to the top of his head. And Finn realized that solong as he was with Mitch, he didn’t care where they were. His place was with the man he loved, and that was all that mattered.