Page 39 of The Lies That Shatter
When I’m not working, or fantasising about being with Finn, I’m trying my hardest not to think about how much shit I’ve got myself into by agreeing to do this job. I knew when I signed up that it might be dangerous. I’ve known the Doughtys all my life, and so I’m aware that Desmond’s associates are not good guys. Hell…he’s not a good guy. But Finn’s my end goal, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be with him.
After Bree found out about my involvement in the job, she arranged a call with me. I thought she was going to try and talk me into walking away, telling me that I’m an idiot for putting myself in danger, but she didn’t do that.
We’d only met once before, at her engagement party, so I don’t really know her, but I quickly learnt that she’s a massive contradiction. To look at, Bree’s a small, almost shy looking girl with fiery red hair, and the sweetest smile. But when you get to know her, there’s nothing sweet and innocent about her.
There’s a reason grown men like Liam, Finn, and Kellan fall in line and do as she tells them… She’s a natural leader. But more than that, if you’re lucky enough to be someone she loves, she will throw down for you. And apparently, because Finn has feelings for me, that makes me family now.
The first time she said that, it genuinely felt like my heart stuttered. I’ve never had a family before. After being thrown around so many foster families, I reached the stage where I told myself I didn’t want a family.
Losing hope was easier than being rejected or let down repeatedly. So when Bree said that I’m family now, I didn’t know what to think. I’ve always seen Finn as my family, but to know that he comes with a proper family, who wants to take me in as well, gave me hope I thought I’d lost long ago.
Bree didn’t try to talk me out of the assignment, she merely wanted to confirm I’d be safe. She needed to check I was doing this for me, and not because Desmond pressured me. When I told her it was all me, she let me know that the Family would be there to protect me at the drop of a hat, if needed. I prayed repeatedly that it wouldn’t be needed, but after meeting Mortimer Whitlock, it’s nice knowing someone has my back in case he becomes a threat.
Today is my first weekday off in forever, and honestly, I’m glad for the time away while Melanie takes her father out for themorning. She’s becoming increasingly more hostile, and even though I’ve got the patience of a saint, her dirty looks and snarky comments are starting to grind me down.
Shouldn’t I be the one that’s pissed off, since she’s datingmyguy? No, apparently the rich bitch is too entitled. She’s allowed to hate me just because Finn was nice to me for a few minutes. We both know he should have stayed in character, but my fragile heart secretly enjoys that he’ll always choose me.
I’m not normally a girly girl, and I typically spend my days off lounging around, catching up on my sleep, and binge watching shows I’ve missed out on whilst I’m at work. But since Aleandro is insisting that we have a night out soon, I figure this is the perfect time to find an outfit to wear.
Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m not secretly going into a lingerie shop to buy something to blow Finn’s mind when we finally get the chance to act on our fantasies in person. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I’ve been wandering around the shops for around half an hour, and because it’s a Thursday morning, there’s only a few people milling around. I like the quiet time, as it means I can shop without being crowded, and I fucking hate queueing. But because there aren’t many people around, it’s a whole lot easier for me to spot something concerning.
As I’m looking through the clothes rack, a strange sensation passes over me as a tingle spreads across my skin, my nerves pricking up as a foreboding feeling passes over me. It feels like someone is watching me.
I discreetly try to look around, but other than a few people nearby, I can’t see anything suspicious. I shrug it off as paranoia and continue shopping, but the feeling never goes away. When I move on to the next shop, it actually gets worse.
I hear footsteps behind me, and I inconspicuously look over my shoulder, trying to see if I can see anything. A large, bulkyguy is a few feet behind me. He’s wearing a black T-shirt, denim blue jeans, and big biker boots. He’s bald, with a bowling ball shaped head. He’s wearing a blank expression, and everything about him screams danger. But I’m not sure if he’s following me or just shopping.
Without thinking it through, I quickly turn into the next shop, which just so happens to be a bath bomb store. I give a small smile to the sales assistant, letting her know I’m just browsing, and she gives me a nod as she leaves me alone.
I’m standing to the left of the door, trying to make it seem like I’m genuinely interested in the products, when really I have one eye trained on the entrance to see what the man does.
He stops outside the shop, his eyes following the direction I took inside, but he doesn’t follow me. I breathe a sigh of relief, acknowledging my moment of insanity.
But that moment is quickly ruined when the bald man presses his finger to his ear. He looks to be speaking to himself, but it’s obvious he has some sort of communication device in his ear. His gaze never leaves the entrance to the shop, although he makes no move to enter.
I stand there for a moment, wondering what the hell I should do? I need to know for certain if he’s following me. I remember that two doors down from the shop I’m in now is the lingerie shop I was originally intending to visit, and a plan forms in my head.
I quickly leave the bath bomb shop, not looking at the bald man as I pass by him, and I walk quickly towards the lingerie shop. As I enter, I smile at the sales assistant again, letting her know I don’t need any help for now, which she acknowledges before she goes back to filling the rack she was working on when I entered. I take up position next to a rail of bras beside the entrance, hidden from the sight of anyone coming in, but with a clear enough view of the window outside.
It only takes a few moments for the bald man to come into view outside the store. Now I’m very fucking certain he’s following me, and my heart races. Black spots fill my vision as panic sets in. Is he going to kidnap me, or harm me? Is he just following me, or will he make a move when the opportunity presents itself?
My mind is whirling a million miles an hour, and I have no fucking clue what to do. I wonder if the man works for Mortimer, and what his motives are for following me. I try to take some big deep breaths, to claw back some semblance of control so I can decide what the hell I’m going to do.
Just when I feel like I’m gaining back some sanity, I’m shocked to the core when Melanie Whitlock appears beside the bald man—she’s clearly the person who hired him to follow me.
Now I’m fucking terrified. It’s no secret Mel hates me, and sees me as a threat to her relationship with Finn. And I may have just made the situation worse by looking at sexy bras that very few single people would give a shit about.
Don’t get me wrong, I want to wear nice bras and panties so I feel good about myself, but I would only buy or wear really sexy underwear if I had someone in mind to take them off.
Without hesitating, I pick up the nearest black bra in my size and head to the dressing room. I choose the cubicle nearest the shop floor, so I can hear if someone else comes into the dressing room.
As soon as the door is closed, I throw the bra onto the seat in the room and pull out my phone. I don’t hesitate to dial Finn’s number.
He answers a lot quicker than I was expecting.“Hey, Mac”
“Finn,” I whisper, my voice sounding a lot more frantic than I intended.
