Chapter Twenty-Eight

Finlay

 

I’m finding it hard to concentrate on anything and everything. I know the lads have figured something is up with me, because every chance they’ve had to prod into my personal business, they have.

I can’t tell any of them I slept with Rose, because not even I know how this happened and if it will ever happen again. Plus, if I was to say something to them, they’d only have a mountain of questions I don’t have answers to.

Where will it go from here?

Part of me is worried that when I return home this afternoon, Rose will be gone. The other part worries she’ll be there, asking herself the same things I am.

Reaching into my jeans pocket, I remove my phone and set about sending Rose a message. This is probably the sixtieth time I’ve attempted to do this today, and just like the previous times, when the screen displays I allow it to remain blank before closing it down and placing it back into my pocket.

“Tank, I’m heading out to get Al from school, and then we’ll both come straight back here. Do you need me to get anything for you while I’m gone?” Rance interrupts my internal battle, alerting me to the time of day. It must be near three.

“No, I don’t need anything. Do you think you lads will be all right if I take off for the rest of the afternoon? I have some things to sort out.”

“Sure. No worries, mate. We don’t need you here anyway. You just take up space, you big lug.” Rance flips me the bird, causing me to half-heartedly laugh in response.

“Go get the kid, will ya?”

“I’m on it.” One hard slap to my shoulder sees Rance on his way out the door, and after I hunt down Sailor, Tardo, and Blocker to inform them I’m leaving for the day, I head towards my utility, which is parked out back. I stop only when I hear Blocker calling after me.

“Mate, you forgot your wallet.” He’s laughing on approach.

“Shit. Where was it?”

“In the office. You need to be more careful,” he instructs, outstretching his hand.

“Yeah. I’ve been off my game today.”

“I know that you fucked Rose, Tank. Shit, every one of us had you figured out the moment you arrived at the store this morning.”

I open my mouth to speak.

“No point denying it. You’re wearing the most obvious I-got-laid face I’ve ever seen.”

I punch Blocker hard in his chest.

“Settle down, fucker,” Blocker grunts, rubbing his hand in a circle over the tender area. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Tank.”

“I’ve got no fucking clue what I’m doing.”

“Figured. You’ll be all right. Just go with it, but keep your distance.”

“She’s not Penny.” Am I trying to convince him or me?

“Didn’t say she is, didn’t say she isn’t. But there are similarities. After all, Rose is running away. Mate, it came out of her own mouth last night, and you don’t need to be Rose’s landing pad.” Blocker places both his hands, palms facing out, in front of his body. “Tank, it’s all I’m saying on the matter. Well, apart from have some fun with her and then give her some space.”

“I’m not using her like that, Blocker. No!”

“It’s not using her. It’s guiding her. You said after Penny died you wished you’d helped get her away from her family, whilst also helping her to leave the slums of Hoffman. You didn’t have the money to do that then, but you do now.” He lowers his hands to his sides and cocks his head. “Rose can’t stay in this town—you know this and I know this. You need to get her the fuck away from here. I’m not saying you shouldn’t go with her or whatnot. I’m just saying if she really wants what she said it was she wanted last night, it’s your duty to help her to disappear.”

“Yeah,” I mumble. “Are you guys coming around tonight?”

“Nah. Sailor’s place got broken into last night. He was at his aunt’s and when he dropped home this morning, it had been trashed, so we’re going to go help him sort it out.”

“I wouldn’t bother,” I huff.

“What? We’re not all loaded like you, arsehole.”

“Tomorrow he won’t need to worry about it no more.”

“Huh?” Blocker’s face scrunches.

“You’ll see. Have a good one, hey?”

“Whatever,” he grunts, kicking one of the utility’s tyres as I climb in.

Taking the now-familiar roads as they wind up the mountain, all I can think about is what Blocker said. I know he’s right, but there’s a part of me that wants to be selfish. I want Rose. I’ve wanted her since she was a mystery woman standing naked in a window.

As I enter the driveway, I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit how disheartened I’m feeling, and for a moment I dwell in self-pity. That is until I flick my eyes to the circular garden and see Rose being yanked by her arm towards a black SUV.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I shout, leaping from the ute looking in the direction of where I clearly see Slade.

“It’s nothing that concerns you.” A tall, dark skinned man who’s built like a brick shithouse steps in my way, blocking my path. Who is this fucker? I’ve never seen this man in my life.

“Tank, you need to stop Slade.” Tessa is puffing as she shouts. It sounds like she’s near the front door, but I can’t see Tess, and instantly, the heavy sensation of dread rushes through my limbs.

“Tess!” I bellow.

“I’m fine.” She’s so breathless. “Get Rose.”

“Get out of my way,” I shout, puffing out my chest to increase my size, hoping to intimidate a man I’ve never seen before today.

“You put hands on me and I’ll kick your arse,” he spits.

“Don’t give a fuck. Kick my arse. Slade is not taking Rose anywhere. I’ll only keep getting up to get to her.”

The sound of a slamming car door has me ramming my shoulder into this burly prick and running in the direction of the noise. “Rose.” I’m panicked, because Rose is nowhere to be seen.

Slade rushes from the passenger side of the vehicle to the driver’s side and as he moves in one direction, I head in the other. I know he’s had to force Rose into the car if he’s coming from the passenger’s side. I need to get Rose out of the SUV.

Clutching the door handle, I pedal my feet backwards. “Slade, you fucker!” I roar as the car beings reversing out. With sheer desperation, I manage to swing the door wide and move into the narrow space. Rose sits frozen. I grab her arms and lift her out and onto my chest.

Her body trembles as she howls hysterically, and all I can do is hold Rose and run towards the house as she bear-claws me.

“Tess. Where the fuck are you?” I shout as I place Rose just inside the front door. “Rose, go upstairs, lock the bedroom door, and do not open it for anyone but me. Do it now,” I command in a strained whisper.

Rose doesn’t hesitate to sprint away.

“Tessa. Tessa. TESS!” My heart leaps in my throat as I turn in circles. “Where are you?”

The sound of wheels screeching down the driveway has me following with my eyes. Is she in the vehicle? Flicking my sight in the direction of where I shoulder-charged Slade’s muscle man, I realise he’s not there.

“TESS! Answer me.” My heart thumps loudly, and my hands are clutched so tightly from my rage, I swing them wildly into thin air.

“TEEEESSSSSA!” The entire length of my throat burns from this primal roar of her name.

“Tank, I have her. I have her.” Caterina is shaking as I turn to look at the front door and race to her aid.

“Where’s Tessa?” I’m clutching Caterina’s shoulders, almost ready to shake her from my worry.

“On the floor in the kitchen. I managed to get her back inside and I’ve called for an ambulance, but I really could do with your help.”

“Oh fuck!”

Tessa’s frail body is the shade of a blueberry when I rush to her side. “Where’s her fucking oxygen tank?” I shout.

“I don’t know. I’d not long arrived before the commotion started. Deidre never made it into work today.”

“What?”

“Tank, I don’t know what happened, but as soon as the agency rang me to say my fill-in wasn’t coming, I came straight here. We need to get Tessa to the oxygen machine in her bedroom, but I can’t lift her.”

Sliding one hand under Tessa’s head and the other under her knees, I carry her with haste, and the entire time I whisper, “Tessa, wake up.”

She doesn’t.

When I gently lay her on the bed, Caterina places the almost astronaut-looking mask over her mouth and nose.

“This isn’t good, Tank.” Caterina’s pulled-tight face only escalates my concern.

“Please, Tess.” Laying my head to her chest, I will it to rise and fall with more pressure, but it doesn’t. She’s hardly breathing.

The sirens blast loudly and as they grow nearer, I hold my breath and hope to hell they can give her the air she needs. “I’m going to direct the ambulance.”

“I’ll do it,” Caterina says.

“No. I can’t stay here. I feel useless.” I run at full pace, and by the time I make it to the doorway, the paramedics are rushing in. “That way.” My hand trembles as I outstretch it in the direction they need to go. I don’t follow the paramedics in. Instead, I pace a track back and forth in front of the lounge chair, hoping they will see her safe.

Tessa is rolled past me on a long stretcher, and as I walk by her side, it’s clear to see she has a much better colour about her, but still looks an awful fright.

“I’m riding with her, Tank. Are you following?” Caterina yells in passing.

“Yes.”

The room is spinning, and I’m trying to compose myself, but the need to cry is creeping from my heart to the back of my eyes, growing stronger with every passing second. I don’t think I’ve shed a tear or two since Penny died.

“Finlay.” It’s a soft whispering of my name, and when I shift my eyes in the direction of the staircase, I spot Rose.

“Are you okay?” I march towards her.

“Is Tessa?”

“I don’t think so.” I’m struggling to control the wave of emotions crashing through me.

“I’m so sorry.” Rose bursts into a flood of tears as I pull her against my chest.

“Rose, I can’t keep you safe here,” I whisper.

“I know.” She sobs.

Rose’s eyes are bug-wide and her lips shiver as if she is cold, although she isn’t cold to touch, and it’s over thirty-degrees outside, so I think it’s from shock. “I’m so sorry, Tank.”

“What happened?” My tone is anger-fuelled even though I try to tame it.

“I answered a knock at the door, and Slade was standing there. He grabbed my arm and said I had to go with him. Tessa tried to get Slade to leave, but he wouldn’t go without me.” Rose’s teeth chatter as she speaks. “He dragged me out and I saw Tessa chasing us ... I told her to go back inside. There was someone else with Slade, and he was the one who threw Tessa’s oxygen tank into the hedge out the front. I saw him do it. After her tank was gone, she fell to the ground. I somehow managed to twist out of Slade’s grip and run back to her, but I was soon dragged away again.”

“That’s when I turned up.”

“Yes,” Rose whispers. “Tank, if you hadn’t arrived when you did …”

“You’d be gone and Tessa would be dead.”

“Yes.” She cries.

The constant beeping of the machine tracking Tessa’s heartrate beside her bed tells me she’s alive. Her warm hand, which is tucked into mine, calms my panicked state because it indicates she’s getting sufficient oxygen supply to sustain life.

I just wish she’d wake up. The doctors reassure me it shouldn’t be much longer until she does.

Staring into space, I think back to the hurried conversation Rose and I had on the way to the hospital. I had no choice but to bring Rose with me—I couldn’t leave her alone in the house fending for herself after today’s stunt. Who knows what else is to come or what Slade is capable of?

“Finlay.” Tessa’s husky voice is weak.

“You silly old bird, why did you try and be a hero?” I’m relieved, until my jaw clenches and my heart races with the want to wring bloody Tessa’s neck to teach her a lesson.

“Did you get to Rose?” Tessa’s free hand lifts until it rests against the mask covering her nose and mouth.

“I did. She was here at the hospital, but I thought it best that she goes back to the house with the boys. She’s safe at home. Rance and Blocker are staying with her until I return home.” I stroke my hand through Tessa’s hair with one hand and squeeze her other hand gently.

“Oh good,” she breathes.

“Tess, you shouldn’t—”

“I did what I had to.”

“No. You almost wound up dead.”

“It was worth it.” There’s slight laughter in her tone.

“How are you feeling?”

“Okay, I think. Was I asleep long?” Her dull eyes search mine.

“A while.”

“Okay.”

“Close your eyes, Tess, and get some more rest.”

Tessa ignores me. What’s new? Bloody woman never listens to a word I say. When she lifts the mask off her mouth, I try to put it back on.

“Stop. I need to tell you something important.” There’s urgency in her voice.

“Nothing is more important than air. I can hear you speak through the mask, so let me put it back on.”

She allows me to slip it into place.

“You once asked why you were the only one to never leave me in foster care. Do you remember?”

“Yes.”

It’s a long pause. “I once had a child, Fin.”

I go to speak. My lips part. My tongue reaches my pallet.

“Don’t say anything—just let me tell you the story first.”

I nod.

“I once carried and gave birth to my own baby, Finlay. It was with a man I thought I loved, but he wasn’t good to me … He was a lot like Slade.” A small tear falls from the corner of her eye. “My baby was taken away from me the day after she was born, and although I fought for her, I really fought for her, Finlay, eventually I had to give up my fight, because I knew even if I did win, I wouldn’t be able to keep her safe.”

“Tess.” It’s all but a hush.

“When you turned up at my door, I knew you, Finlay. I knew your face. It didn’t take long for me to learn your mother was the baby I’d no choice but to say goodbye to.”

I’m stunned into silence.

“My little girl also ended up being fostered out when her father no longer wanted her … I never knew this had happened to her back then.”

My heart thuds one intense beat before I say, “Tessa, are you my …”

“Grandmother? Yes, Finlay. I am. I know I told you I didn’t know who your parents were or where to find them, but I do know.”

“Where are they?” I’m not even sure if I want to know, but without thought, the question passes through my lips.

“West Hoffman Cemetery. They both died in an alley from a heroin overdose when you were six years old.”

“Tessa, I’m so sorry you lost your daughter.”

“It’s me who should be sorry, Fin. I’ve kept this from you for a really long time. I just thought if you didn’t know—”

“Tessa. Why are you telling me now?”

She seems too weary to answer. “I planned to tell you on my death bed, but I’m realising that day can come at any time. I guess I was afraid you’d hate me for …” She stops speaking.

“I’m glad you did—tell me, that is. But knowing or not knowing would never change the way I feel about you. You’ve done more for me than any person in my life, and to find out you’re my blood, my grandmother, is just icing on the cake at this point. I can never repay you for what you’ve given me.”

“That’s what grandmothers are for, Grandson.”

And without warning, liquid spills from my eyes as I lay my head down on my grandmother’s chest and silently sob.

I’ve always had a guardian angel protecting me, and she goes by the name of Tessa.