Page 69 of The Lies That Shatter
After that, we fall into an easy rhythm of kissing and chatting, as we relax in each other's arms. It feels so natural being around each other now, almost like the time apart didn’t happen. We talk like the best friends we used to be, only now there’s so much more between us. Maybe even the word I’ve been so scared to use—love.
Finn fills me in on what’s been happening with Mel, and searing anger flashes through my veins as he confirms everything I’ve long suspected. Mel is just as evil as I thought, but now there’s proof.
My heart breaks as he tells me about Mia, and the atrocities she has been through at the hands of the people who are supposed to love her the most.
I didn’t exactly have the best childhood, and I have no biological family members that I know of, but I can safely say that I’d rather have no family at all than one who would inflict that level of pain and trauma on their kid.
I don’t know Mia, but I vow when this is all over to get to know her. I don’t exactly have many friends, so it might be good for me to make the effort. It sounds like Mia and Kel are going to be together long term, and I have no intention of ever letting Finn go after this, so we’re going to be family. I’ll make sure Mia knows that she can always talk to me, if she needs to.
My heart fills with so much hope when I think about the family I may finally have when Finn and I are able to really be together. I’ve known the Doughty siblings for most of my life, but now most of them have families of their own, and I want to get to know them all.
Finn jokes that Bree likes to collect strays, and is creating one big family of our own choosing. Belonging to a family is something I haven’t dared to dream of in a very long time. Being with Finn is a prize in itself, but getting my own family alongside it would make my world complete.
The best part is that we only have one more week. Seven more days of pretending and then we can shatter all the lies surrounding us. We can bring down the Whitlock’s and move forward with our lives. One more week and I will have everything I’ve ever wanted—a life with Finn. I can’t fucking wait.
Initially, when I heard I only had one more week until I could claim back my life, I thought it would be easy. Seven days would fly by, as I had so much to look forward to. Every night, I would fall asleep with McKenna in my arms as we talked about our plans for the future. Each night we would admit more and more to each other.
When I learned that all she’s ever wanted in life is a family, my heart broke for her. I know all about her history in foster homes. Hell, I helped rescue her from most of them, so I knew she had no relatives. What I didn’t know is how much it bothered her.
I probably should have known, but she’s always portrayed it as something she doesn’t give a shit about. She’s never knowna real family, so she can’t miss what she’s never had. But now I know that was all bullshit. A way to protect her broken heart from the hope that shattered with each new foster family that lets her down.
I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I will not be the next person to break her trust. She is my family now, and I’m hers.
Letting her into the Doughty clan will be easy. Bree loves collecting strays, and she’s already insisted that we move into her house for a bit when this is all over. Even though we have plans to take out Whitlock, we aren’t sure how far his reach goes, and until we know, Bree wants to make sure we’re both safe.
My family is most definitely not normal, and if you’d have asked me a couple of years ago, I would have told you that I didn’t want McKenna anywhere near them. But a lot has changed since then. We’ve all grown up. Most of us have found people we love, and our family has expanded in so many ways. But more than that, we’re stronger and closer now than ever before.
I can’t speak about Desmond, as I’m not sure my relationship with him will ever improve, but I’m trying to make more effort with Mum. And as the bond I share with my siblings grows, I’m happy to share that with McKenna. I just don’t know if she’s ready for their brand of crazy.
Obviously, she knows we’re not a normal family, and she knows the baggage that comes with being a Doughty, yet she still wants to be part of it. She won’t take an active role in the criminal side of our Family, and I’ll take a step back from it all until I find my place within our family business that doesn’t involve me selling my body.
But McKenna has made it clear to Bree that she is happy to use her medical knowledge, and her nursing skills, to help in any way she can. We obviously have private doctors that work for us,but having Mac on hand for smaller medical issues will no doubt be useful.
Mac’s offer shocked Bree, as it did me, but McKenna explained that she wants to be useful to the Family, and this is something she can help with.
My feelings, and the awe I have for her, grow every fucking day. She really is something else, and even though I haven’t said the words aloud yet, I know I love her. I’ve loved her since I was a kid, and the feelings have only strengthened since she came back into my life.
I thought all these amazing feelings would make the week fly by, but if anything, it’s fucking dragged. Each day, Mel’s texts got more and more insistent, demanding that I meet her. She started to imply that I was just like every other guy, ghosting her after getting what I wanted—sex. Which isn’t completely incorrect, but I can’t have her believing that.
So, I make up excuse after excuse about how I’m busy with a big project at work. When it becomes obvious she’s not buying it, after five days, I agree to a date. It’s two days earlier than planned, but I can’t stall her anymore. She’s insisting we meet tonight, or it’s over between us.
I want nothing more than for this to be over, but we have a very strict plan, and I need to stay undercover, just in case. In two days, Shane will meet with Bran and Whitlock, hopefully exposing their scheming, and from there, the rest will fall into place. I’ll just have to go out with Mel tonight and dump her in forty-eight hours. Anything to keep her quiet so I can complete my assignment.
As I rush out the door to get to the date I don’t want to fucking go on, I send Kel a message, letting him know that I’ve had to change my plans tonight.
FINN
Hey, Kel. I’m gonna have to take Mel on a date tonight. She’s getting whiny and I can’t stall her. Mac’s at work, and I’ve let her know, but if you can keep an eye on her, that would be great. Sorry for the last minute text, I will ping you my location when I get to the restaurant.
Followed by a quick one to McKenna.
FINN
Hey, sweetheart. I’m having to take Mel to dinner tonight. Sorry. I will be thinking of you the whole time. See you tonight when you’ve finished work. K is looking out for you. Call if you need anything xxx
As I go to put my phone in my pocket, I notice Kel hasn’t read my message yet, which is very unlike him. He’s usually super quick to reply, but as I slide the phone into my trouser pocket, I push the niggling concern from my mind. Hallie is probably distracting him…or Mia is. Either way, the guy deserves a break. He works more than all of us…but he loves it.
I arrive at the restaurant that Mel picked out, wrinkling my nose at the fancy exterior and the French name I can’t even begin to pronounce. I pull my phone out and shoot Kel a pin with my location, like I always do when I go out. It’s our family safety net, to take care of each other.
