Finn Again (The Finn Factor Book 5) (5 page)

Seamus disagreed. “Are you willing to tell the bedridden senator’s wife carrying my nieces and/or nephews that she can’t have anything she wants? Because I’m not.”

“I’m definitely not,” Stephen spoke over the music, frowning as he looked down at his phone. “She said I’m not allowed home for another hour, but Jen’s been sending me text updates and I have Trick on standby in case she needs anything.”

Seamus frowned. “You should have invited him to the party, Stephen. Especially since Declan couldn’t come.”

“Shit.” Stephen paled. “You’re right.”

“Relax, Stephen.” Owen put his arm around Stephen’s shoulders and squeezed. “He knows you’re distracted. You can buy him a drink later, and before you know it you’ll be holding two new Finns in your arms and Tasha will be causing more trouble than you can handle.”

“I can’t wait.” If Owen hadn’t been staring at him he would have missed the words. Stephen was a mess. Since Tasha had been diagnosed with preeclampsia, he’d been doing everything in his power to keep her spirits up and her body in bed. Tasha was really going stir-crazy if this mob of strippers was any indication.

If she’d done this for him, what the hell was she doing for Jeremy?

“Owen! You’re missing the show,” Rory called, already grinding between two muscular men wearing little more than thongs and big yellow boots. From the surprised expressions on their faces, they’d been expecting women to be sliding bills into their pants. But neither one of them was moving away. They couldn’t take their eyes off his attractive cousin.

Rory had clearly picked his next victims.

Owen waved him away with his free hand, gave Stephen’s back a firm, comforting pat and excused himself. He needed a minute before he could go back in and be the smiling guest of honor they deserved.

He pulled out his own phone and his fingers were texting before he could stop himself.

A bar full of naked cops and firemen. Top that.

The response came less than thirty seconds later.

Are your cousins drunk again or is it the strippers?

How did you know there were strippers? What did she get you?

We’re just talking here. Clothes on. And eating cakes shaped like my penis.

Owen snorted, moving toward the back door to the alley where he’d demanded Jeremy get on his knees. He’d done it for him again after Owen had proposed. Damn, he wished he were here now.
Your penis specifically?

She made the mold years ago. I forgot but she kept it. Top that.

Can’t top it, but I want to taste it. Bring it to me now.

Jeremy responded by sending a picture of Jen and Tanaka taking comically erotic bites of their penis cakes.
Hungry?

Cake tease.

Owen sent him the picture he’d taken earlier of the beer Seamus made.
This is good but it doesn’t taste as delicious as the real thing.
I miss you.

I’m a beer and a cake now? Miss you too. Enjoy the strippers.

As long as you don’t.

I can’t. Tasha sent them all to you so you couldn’t complain.

A silver lining.
I’ll call you when I get home.

Owen slid his phone back in his jacket pocket and chafed his hands. He should be inside enjoying the show. What was wrong with him?

“Were you surprised? Your sister-in-law went all out.”

Owen whirled in the alley and saw the tip of a cigarette burn red before it fell to the ground, snuffed out by his cousin. “Hey, James. I thought you quit.”

“I did.” The graveled voice was subdued. “I am. Just needed a break.” He moved into the light, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced back toward the pub. “I’m not big on crowds. Solomon swore this was a family thing. A few friends. He didn’t mention the strippers until we got here.”

You’re not big on family gatherings either
, Owen thought quietly. James was always taking extra shifts at the station on Finn Again nights and holidays. He was either the busiest police detective in the city, or he used his schedule to avoid socializing. “Rory says you don’t have to work during the wedding. You’ll be there?”

James looked up and Owen was startled for a second, the way he always was when he saw this particular Finn. He had the same hard expression and strong jaw as Solomon. The same tall, lanky build. But his hair was so dark brown it was almost black, and his eyes were green instead of the usual Finn blue.

“Of course. And so will Elder. I’m taking care of that personally.”

“You actually talked your dad into coming?”

James quirked his lips subtly in a smile that disappeared as quickly as it arrived. “Not yet. But I still have thirty-six hours or so. He’ll be there. I won’t let Shawn down again, though I can’t promise anything more than his presence. He’s made an art form out of being stubborn.”

He remembered the engagement party. James and Solomon had both done their best to drag him to the pub, but Sol refused. It was a miracle the old man had made it to
any
of the family dinners, Owen knew, but that hadn’t lasted long once Sol realized Shawn wasn’t at death’s door. Still, everything was out in the open now. No more secrets. Owen wasn’t sure if that would help or make things worse. “Thank you.”

“You shouldn’t thank me. He’s not much fun at parties.” James shrugged. “What’s your excuse?”

“What?”

“Why are you out here avoiding your bachelor bash? This is a big night for you.”

Owen smiled and leaned against the brick. “Yeah. She went all out, you’re right about that.” Now that he knew Tasha had been in charge of the planning, he had a good idea about who’d invited his ex-girlfriends to his party. Troublemaker. She was lucky she was so pregnant. “Everyone is great. But this is
not
the big night. Honestly, I wish it were over.”

James narrowed his gaze. “That’s a hell of a thing to say.”

He held up his hand. “No, I mean I’m ready
now
. I want to be married
now
. I need it to be official so nothing can stop it and he can’t change his mind.”

A genuine smile cracked the unforgiving lines of his cousin’s face. “He’ll never change his mind, Owen. A blind man could see Porter’s heart. The man wears it on his sleeve for you.”

“I know.” There was no way he would ever doubt it again. “I’m not changing my mind either. I don’t think everyone believes
that
yet, but it’s true.”

“I believe it.” James patted his pocket and scowled, flexing his fingers so he wouldn’t reach for another cigarette. “You’ve changed since you two got together. Grown up.”

“It only took thirty-six years,” Owen said mockingly, wondering how James saw this big change when he was never around. “Since it
is
my party and I’m the guest of honor, can I ask you a question?”

His cousin stilled, already on alert. “I suppose.”

“What’s up with you? Why have you been playing the Finn family ghost? Most of the year, if we’ve seen you at all, it’s for a few minutes at a time before you’re gone again. Did we do something to piss you off?”

James flinched. “I’m just busy, Owen. I don’t have the leisure of taking a night off every time the Finns want to get together.”

Owen snorted. “Everyone works, James. But we make time. Family is—”

“The most important thing? I’ve heard that before and I know it better than most. But you’re forgetting the Finns aren’t my only family, Owen.” James blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m sorry. Younger’s been riding my ass about my absence for a while now. But I
am
working, and I
am
trying to spend time with both of my families. Just because he doesn’t want to know Donna doesn’t mean… It’s not a big deal. I’m a jackass.”

“No, I’m the jackass,” Owen grimaced.  “I know we go overboard with the Finn obligations. It isn’t really fair to you and Solomon, is it? Hell, it wouldn’t be fair to anyone who married into this mob.” Though so far their significant others didn’t have that much of a family to begin with.

He sometimes forgot that James and Solomon’s mother, Donna, was still around. She’d given up her rights to them after a fight, but that didn’t mean they didn’t know about her or spend time with her now. Sol’s other two wives had passed away, but even before then, his uncle had made it nearly impossible for anyone else to get their hooks into his sons. They were Finns. End of story.

He was a fucked up old man, and judging from his older sons and their tightly controlled personalities, he must have mellowed with age. None of the others were as grim as Solomon and James.

James growled and pulled out his lighter, clenching it in his fist like a talisman. “Don’t apologize. You don’t know what it means to Younger…to all of us to get the chance to reconnect with the rest of you. Just not really used to it. Your dad—You’re lucky, Owen. Your side of the family, I mean. All I am is jealous.”

“
Our
family. And James, don’t sa—”

“It’s true,” he said in a low, dark voice. “We are prime examples of that nature versus nurture shit, right? One side is all acceptance and unconditional love. The other…” His laugh was dark. “Let’s just say if the shoe was on the other foot, things wouldn’t be all sunshine and strippers.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean as Shawn’s children you can do anything you want. Love anyone you want. Your brother married a dominatrix with paternal links to the IRA and now he’s the most popular senator in the state.”

Owen frowned at his words. “Technically she’s a switch. And she’s only half Irish. You left out black and Puerto Rican, not that it matters.”

James held up two fingers. “Then your sister falls for two older bisexuals—one of them an ex-con and the other a Kelley. A hard pill to swallow for any family, but every Finn to a man deals and manages to accept them into the fold. Hell,
you
decide to get married in their house.”

“Have you seen that house, James? I’d be crazy not to. And it wasn’t as easy as you’re making it sound. You know that.”

But he was on a roll. “You also decided you were gay in your thirties and a little over a year later you’re having the most celebrated wedding since the Prince kissed Kate. All this and your father still beams with pride at all of you. Your mother still showers you with affection. Everyone in the city is behind you.”

Owen was bristling now. “And do you have a problem with any of that?” If he did, then he could take another double shift and stay the fuck away from his wedding.

“No, damn it, that’s not what I’m saying.” He swore under his breath. “This is why I don’t like crowds, you know. Or Finn Agains. I’m better with criminals. I’d rather people I care about didn’t realize how much like Elder I’m getting. I have his unique ability of always saying the wrong thing. I’m not judging, Owen. I’m
envious
. Not an attractive emotion, but there it is. You have a freedom I don’t. I wish… I wish I could be like the rest of you.”

Owen couldn’t decide if he was pissed off or sympathetic. And he wasn’t sure where it was coming from, but it was clear whatever James was going through, he was doing it alone. At least, without the Finn side of his family there to help him through it. “If we’re playing this game, your brother Brady is lucky too.” Owen took a step closer, watching his cousin warily. “He found Ken and we’re all good with it. Great with it. Rory’s inside right now with two strippers who thought they were straight. And if they all moved in together tomorrow? We’d throw a party.”

James snorted.

“We’d feel the same way if you found someone that made you happy, James. And you do have freedom. It’s the freedom not to give a shit about what your father thinks. It works for your brothers. Why do you think it wouldn’t work for you?”

He didn’t answer and Owen swore in frustration. “You
are
being a jackass, James Finn. And if I hear you talking that shit at my wedding you and I will have words, detective or not. But you’re still a part of this family. I know we’re not the only ones in your life, but we’re here if you need us. You just have to actually show up and ask.”

James pinned him with a gaze so intense Owen wanted to step back. “You say that now,” he said gruffly. “But you don’t really know.” He shook his head. “Do me a favor and forget I spewed all this bile at your bachelor party. Just remember that I truly am proud and happy as hell that you found what you wanted, grabbed on and didn’t let go. I may not be acting like it tonight, but I hope you know how I feel.”

“I know.”
I love you too, asshole.
Owen tried to smile, putting his hand on a tense shoulder. “Why don’t you come inside and have a drink with me? We can laugh at your brothers together.”

“Not tonight.” He backed away apologetically, still squeezing his lighter. “I’m not in the right place for it. I knew before I did I… I just wanted you to know I was here. Shit, I need to tell Hugo I’m bailing. But I’ll bring Sol to the wedding. I promise.”

“What the
hell
?” Owen muttered as James disappeared. The usually silent, more usually absent Finn had just dropped a lifetime’s worth of frustration in the alley, but Owen had no idea what to do with it. And who was Hugo?

He hated this. People didn’t usually tell him things. They told Jeremy things. They trusted and confided in his other half because
he
always knew what to say. Always had the right answers. Videogames and football? Owen was your man. Need a new building put up? Talk to Owen. Want to experiment with paddles and sadomasochism in the bedroom? Again, he should be first on your speed dial. But this? Owen was at a genuine loss.

He turned and went back inside the pub, determined to find Solomon and get a few answers. At the very least, it would distract him from missing Jeremy. And maybe they could bring James back from wherever he was heading. His cousin needed a Finn-tervention.