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Three more erratic contractions, and that was it. Danny and Von had pulled so hard that I could barely place one foot in front of the other. It was worth being totally helpless to get out of labor. I was terrified for when there was no way out. In a month, I’d have to do that all over again, but for longer, and with the pushing part I dreaded.
Boston hurriedly packed Von and me a bag and loaded up the SUV with everything we needed, including a small feast from Lynna. She was still crying, dabbing at her face with Ezra’s handkerchief. She refused to come with us. “I’ll not let my Ezra come to, alone and scared in his house with no family. I won’t leave my boy.” Danny consented, but only if she waited out his transition in the safe room.
Boston raided the fridge once more for the good cheese I knew he liked, while Von and Finn helped me to the car. It was a team effort, and though they both wanted to kill each other, they worked together for the common good. Von got into the car first, and Finn hugged me, letting me rest my tired head on his shoulder. “I’ll stay with Ezra to cut him loose when he comes back to himself. If worse comes to worst, I’ll port Lynna down to Terraway until Ezra’s a person again.”
“Thank you for looking after my dad. And I’m sorry you had to find out about Von and me like this. I can’t believe you stayed with me through the whole thing. You’re a better man than anyone gives you credit for. I don’t deserve how good you were to me up there.”
Finn kissed the top of my head as he held me, ignoring the threats from Von that came from the backseat. “Don’t you know by now? I love you. Even when you’re not mine. Even when you send me away, like you’re about to.” He pulled back, looking into my eyes to see what he’d always known was there. He smelled like the ocean, and I was scared to let him go. I hoped I wouldn’t sink without the green eyes that always adored me, even when I was unlovable. His voice was low and choked with emotion when he finally spoke to me. “Send me away, sinta. Tell me not to wait for you. Tell me you’ll have a good life, and that you’ll call for me when it’s not.”
I closed my eyes and nodded. “It’s time for you to go find someone who loves you the way you deserve. Be a good man, Finn. Listen to your conscience. I always knew it was inside of you.”
“I love you, October.” He brought my hand up between us and kissed my knuckles, scowling at my engagement ring. “My conscience isn’t all that strong right now. How much do you want to bet I could kiss you before your vampire attacked?”
Von barreled out of the backseat, but I was quicker. “Goodbye, Finn.” I stepped out of his grip, reaching for the car to lean on instead. Boston and Mariang helped me inside while Von shouted and Finn snarled.
Danny clapped his hands together after setting the black leather box down on the floor of the car. “Get in the car, Von. Finn, we’ll call you when we figure out October’s dream guy ordeal.” That was the good thing about Danny; he was so surly, people rarely argued with him. He drove us away before I could mess up my life any further.