8. Finn

Chapter 8

Finn

After the police officer got our statements, I followed him downstairs, reluctant to leave Lola, but I must ensure Shannon is gone. Ma assures me she's taken care of while a paramedic finishes with Lola. They offer to take her to the hospital, but since Lola says she never hit her head or anything, the paramedic gives us a list of things to keep an eye out for. Which Ma and I are prone to knowing, with me in rugby all my life, but it's different when it's your woman suffering.

I got everything in place with the cop to verify we could rush the restraining order, too. He happily supplied me with all the information I needed, and it's the first thing I do in the morning.

There are still a few patrons in the pub waiting for answers. Connor paces the bar and lifts his brow once I say goodbye to the police officers.

"Well, how is she?"

"She's banged up pretty good. She's angry, so I know she's going to be okay. My firecracker's trying to keep it in check, though. Especially around Ma, since she is spewing a bunch of anger toward Shannon." I sigh, leaning against the bar, and wipe my hands down my face. "I can't believe she went that far. I swear, I can kill the woman right now. Seeing Lola on the ground like that with her on top of her. I've never seen red so badly before in my life." I pour myself a shot and down it.

"I need to get back upstairs. I can't stay away from her much longer."

"Of course, mate. Let's get everybody out of here, and ye can lock up."

I nod and we do precisely that. Everybody is concerned about Lola, which makes me happy. It'll also make her feel good. From what I've learned of her so far, she's not used to feeling accepted or wanted. It's what makes her bond with her sister so tight. I sigh and wonder if I should call her sister, but I don't want to worry the girl. She has enough to deal with, and hearing it from her sister will make her feel better, so she knows she's okay.

Everybody's gone, and I lock the pub up tight. I climb upstairs and hiss as Ma helps Lola change into jammies. There are big red splotches on her back that are going to be some gruesome bruises later on. I clench the banister and try to calm my heart rate down. It's not like I can do anything about it.

Lola's hair is wet so Ma must've helped her shower, and I'm relieved she's helping Lola out. Watching them talk and interact makes me happy because Ma has a heart of gold, but most people take her brashness at face value. Not my Lola. She jumped right into Ma's open arms, and it thrills me to see their relationship evolve. It's another indicator I use to know that Lola is made for me. Ma wouldn't be shy about letting me know if she weren't.

It's like Ma picked Lola for me, and I'm thrilled she did because Lola is perfect.

The two turn around and spot me standing at the landing, watching them. Lola smiles at me. My heart turns over. After everything that happened tonight, she still has a smile on her face. Even though her face is pale, covered in scratches, and she looks exhausted, I can't help but notice how beautiful she still is.

Ma lifts her brow, and I ignore her because she's bound to say some smartass comment about me lurking around.

"Come on, firecracker. Let's get you into bed."

"Do ye need me to stay, lass?" Ma runs her hand down Lola's hair.

"Oh, no. I'm sure you need to get back to work, and then you'll want to go home and sleep in your own bed."

"No, lass. That's not what I want. I want ye comfortable and looked after."

"No worries about that, Ma. I've got it covered. I closed the pub for the night, and everything's locked up."

Lola turns her head toward me and winces at the sudden movement. The paramedic said she should be fine, but she still has a decent headache from being punched and slapped repeatedly. "You shouldn't close the pub. It's business. I'll be okay. I'm going to lay down for a little bit."

I shake my head, step toward her, and grab her hand. "Nope, I'm not leavin' ye alone." I kiss the top of her head, wrap my arm around her, and lead her to her room. She's starting to limp a little. "Why are ye limping?"

"Oh, it's my hip. I smacked it when I fell. It's a little tender."

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from cursing and potentially upsetting Lola more. She's already agitated that I closed the pub for one fucking night. It's not like it'll break the bank.

"Ma, I got Lola. Why don't you go home and get an early night? We can take care of the cleanup in the morning."

"You didn't even do clean up? Finn, that's not like you. It'll make for an even longer day tomorrow." Lola's right. I hate leaving the pub in a mess, but the cook stayed to clean the kitchen, so there won't be much more after that.

"Okay, I'll tell you what. You lay down, I'll go down and get it cleaned up, and I'll come and check on you."

It satisfies Lola enough that she nods and doesn't argue further. Which shows how hurt she is because the Lola I've grown to know would be arguing about helping us clean.

"Lola, ye have my number. Call me if you need me, and I'll be right over."

"Thank you, Aoife. I'll be fine. Go and enjoy an early night in." She smiles and crawls into bed. I kiss her forehead, fluff her pillow, and tuck the comforter under her chin.

Lola sighs and closes her eyes. Ma and I sneak out and I shut the door. We don't speak as we go downstairs.

"Come on, son. I'll help ye get this in order so ye can head upstairs."

I want to argue with her, but I know it's pointless, so I nod. With both of us tackling it, we're done with everything in an hour. I walk Ma to the door and tell her I'll call her if anything happens and see her in the morning.

As soon as I can, I'm upstairs checking on Lola. I don't want to wake her, so I sneak into her room, but unfortunately, she's not asleep.

"Finn?"

"Hey, firecracker." I walk in and close the door behind me. "You should be asleep."

"I can't sleep. Will you hold me?"

Relief has me dropping my shoulders. I planned on sleeping in the chair because I hate the idea of only being a room away. Having her invite me to cuddle with her is ten times better.

"I thought ye'd never ask, lass."

Lola giggles slightly. I smile, strip down to my boxers, and crawl in behind her. Carefully, I wrap myself around her, afraid of hurting her more.

"I'm okay, Finn. I'm not going to break."

"I don't want to hurt ye even more."

Lola snuggles in closer and sighs as she holds onto my forearms and wraps them tighter against her chest. "You can't. This is what I need."

I kiss her neck. "Rest, baby. Get some sleep. I got ye."

"I'm so mad, Finn."

"I know, firecracker. Me too."

"I'm really mad because I wanted to make love to you tonight, and now our night is ruined," she huffs.

My cock hardens as the plans I had for her flood into my head. Ever since that kiss on the sidewalk, I've been playing over the many ways I was going to take her tonight, and knowing she's been as eager as me has me sporting wood like no other.

"Baby, it's okay. It's not completely ruined. We still ended up in bed together." I cup one of her breasts in my hand, and it overflows. My mouth waters at the idea of sucking on one, but I let the image fade for now.

Lola chuckles. "Don't get me wrong, this is nice, but I wanted you inside me first and cuddling after."

I laugh. I love how my firecracker speaks her mind. "Don't worry, babe. I'll be inside ye before ye know it."

"Promise."

I chuckle and kiss her neck. "I promise. Nothing will ever keep me from claiming ye. Now go to sleep."

"Okay."

The room is silent as I hold her close and inhale her lavender scent. I can't remember a time I've been calmed so easily. This woman has put a spell on me, and I'm not sorry for it.