Well, wasn’t that just dandy? And not a thing like the Finn she knew. The man she remembered had been selfish and self-centered. Generous to a fault with those around him, but only because being charming was innate, not because he gave a damn about anyone else. Even now, she’d bet everything she owned that his generosity had nothing to do with Genevieve’s comfort.
Finn DeLuca wanted something—something more than access to her son. She just hadn’t figured out what. Yet.
At least she could guarantee he no longer wanted to use her for her access to the Reilly estate. He had to be aware of her change in circumstances. In fact, the tiny shreds of the check he’d sent, which were sitting on top of her dresser, were proof that he knew her grandfather didn’t support her anymore.
Like Finn could buy his way back into her life. Or Noah’s life. She didn’t need his money and wouldn’t have taken it even if she had. Noah might not have boarding school in his future, but she could afford to provide for her son without Finn’s tainted offering.
“Genevieve?”
Hell, this was really happening. She’d spent the last couple months hoping this day wouldn’t come. She’d refused to allow herself to contemplate the possibility that it might. So, she wasn’t prepared.
“Tell him to come by my place Saturday morning. Ten o’clock. We’ll figure out what to do from there. But he isn’t taking my son anywhere without me. Not until I know for certain he’s capable of caring for him and keeping him safe.”
“I’m fairly certain Mr. DeLuca will agree to whatever you want.”
That was a lie. Because if it were true, Finn would have respected her wishes and disappeared from her life for good.
Finn DeLuca stared at the file spread across the desk in front of him. His feet were kicked up onto the hard surface beside the eight-by-ten glossy of his son being pushed on one of those baby swings in the park.
He looked exactly like Finn’s younger brother had at that age. Before everything went to hell.
Noah’s pale blue eyes were alight with pure joy as wind ruffled his dirty-blond curls. His cheeks were chubby and pink and the perfect bow of his mouth was open on a peal of laughter.
This wasn’t the first time Finn had seen the photograph. Or the first time he’d found himself staring at it, lost in a complex web of emotions he didn’t have the experience to unravel.
He wasn’t used to giving a damn about anything but himself.
But from the first time he’d seen a picture of his son—the one the hospital took when he’d been born—Finn had been lost.
No, that wasn’t entirely true. He’d had a similar response the first time he’d laid eyes on Noah’s mother. Genevieve...perplexed him. Enticed him in a way no one else ever had.
Unbidden, Finn’s gaze traveled to the image of the woman standing behind Noah. Her arms were outstretched, waiting for the swing to return so she could push him again. Her flame-red hair had been pulled up into a tight knot at the top of her head, but the few strands that had fallen down were fluttering around her face.
He knew it was long...when she chose to let it down. Which was oh-so-rare. He could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen it in anything aside from a knot or a tail. And those few times had been because he’d asked her to leave it free.
He remembered running his fingers through the soft strands, reveling in the silky texture of it. Spreading it out across his pillow. The soft, blurred expression in her pale green eyes with the evergreen ring as his fingers played across her naked skin.
Dammit, he had to get control of himself. Sporting a half-hard erection at the mere thought of Genevieve’s head on his pillow wasn’t going to get him very far with her. In fact, it would have her building her walls even higher and faster.
And he needed her buy-in to have access to his son.
Shaking his head, Finn shuffled the photograph beneath the report he’d just been handed.
“Thanks, man. What do I owe you?”
Across the desk, Anderson Stone frowned at him, clearly perturbed at the question.
“Nothing. You know I’d do anything to help you. I’m just glad you’re finally getting the chance to meet him. It’s been a long six months.”
It had been, but things were finally coming together. He might be reckless, but Finn had always understood the benefit of patience and laying the groundwork for success. Part of what he’d loved most about pulling off heists was the planning and anticipation.
Not to mention the adrenaline rush of triumph.
Running a finger over his lips, Finn sent his friend a chiding glance. “You know, the purpose of running a business is to make a profit.”
“I’m aware,” Stone drawled out.
“Apparently not, since I’m unaware of any other clients you’re currently assisting. See, how it works is, when you provide services you request payment from those who benefit.”
“Oh, is that how it works? Remind me, which one of us holds an MBA?”
Finn scoffed. “Just because I don’t have an overpriced piece of paper with my name scrolled across it in fancy font doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m talking about. Conversely, it doesn’t make you an expert.”
“I’m not hearing any complaints about the information you’ve been provided.”
No, and he wouldn’t complain. Finn was grateful for everything Stone and Gray, the other leg in their tripod, had done for him.
Who would have expected them to go into business together? Opening Stone Surveillance had seemed unexpected when his friends had first told him they were going to do it. But once he began thinking...it made sense. Both of them had this drive to help people, a need to right wrongs.
Maybe because they’d both been wronged.
Finn, on the other hand, had never felt the need to assist anyone in his life. People got what they
