Chapter 18: Finn - Pisces

Finn knew that he had to get his ass back to Bay’s as soon as possible. He hoped the man was still at his penthouse and not at his family home with the wife and her slutty sister.

He hailed a cab, and on the ride back, he thought about just how long Bay had been a part of his life. Finn had been one of the first Zodiacs, and he’d been there when all the rules had been made and when all of the first vows had been taken. They had all promised to take care of one another, but so far, it was only Bay who had held up that promise, taking care of the rest like it was his duty. The man had always been there, willing to help, no matter how much he seemed to hate it, and even now, while they were backed into a corner, he was standing true to the Zodiacs, making sure they were safe.

Finn knew he had to prove his love. To do whatever task Bay wanted done so that they could be together. He knew what a commitment to Bay would be. It meant being at his beck and call and catering to his whims, no matter what they were. Finn wasn’t sure if he could go all the way to the dark side, but that was what it would take. He’d find the courage inside himself to kneel and be the submissive Bay wanted. He knew Bay would never be his, but if he could be Bay’s, then that was enough.

Finn went up to the penthouse and knocked on the door. He wasn’t the least bit surprised when Bay opened it without asking who was there. He’d no doubt seen him on his camera.

“Who are you?” Bay asked.

“I know you’re upset with me, but I needed time to think.” He wasn’t going to tell Bay about Edie just yet, or the baby. He didn’t want anything getting in the way of what he wanted.

Bay shook his head. “You always were one for doubts. But I don’t have time for it anymore. Either you’re with me, or you’re not.”

“I am. I just need you to know something. When we were young, you pulled me aside and told me you loved me, Bay. I don’t think you know what it meant to me to have someone like you tell me that I was loved. I’d never heard it before. Not from my parents, not from friends. I took it to heart. I believed you.”

“You have a funny way of showing it.”

“Let me show you again,” Finn said. “I want to do whatever you ask of me. And not for the movie. That’s all done now. I’m not going to make it.”

“And what about my fucking money?” Bay asked.

“I’ll pay you back. Every dime. I just want to show you that I, too, love you, Bay. I’ve always admired you and want to have whatever it is we can have together.”

“Then this should be a good test.” He reached into Finn’s shirt pocket and pulled out the address. “Go here. Take care of the problem for me.”

“Okay, I will. I’ll do it. Whatever it is.” Finn knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and that was okay. Life wasn’t easy, and he wanted to live. The only way to be safe was with Bay. His was the best side to be on. Being alone, Finn would be dead in a week.

Bay walked him to the door, and before he let him walk through it, he turned and cupped Finn’s face again. “Don’t come back until it’s done.”

Finn met his eyes, and the intensity in Bay’s cool gray eyes was sexier than any kiss could be.

Bay moved aside, and Finn left, hoping he’d make it to his task and back in one piece.

He hailed a cab, even though he hated having to get a ride, especially to someplace so important, but at least it gave him time to think about his reward.

He remembered the night he’d gotten his Zodiac brand and how he’d been the only one to cry at the pain. He’d gone to hide behind a tree and told the others he had to piss, but it had hurt so fucking bad, he couldn’t hold the tears back. He stayed there for a bit longer than he should have, and Bay came across the field to join him.

“Hurt like a son of a bitch, didn’t it?”

Finn nodded. “Yeah, I’m not sure I won’t get in trouble when I get home. I know no one else will understand.”

“Then don’t show them.” Bay leaned against the tree with him and placed his hand on Finn’s arm.

“I know the others think I’m weak because I cried.”

“Fuck them. Who gives a shit what they think? I don’t think showing emotions is a sign of weakness. It’s not having the balls to show them that’s weak. You don’t have to hide out here. If any of them crack on you about it, you tell me. I’ve got your back.”

“Thanks, Bay. You’re my best friend.” He was more than that though. Finn knew it from the moment the boy had touched his arm.

“Hey, I mean it, man. As long as I’m around, nothing bad is going to happen to you. You can believe that.” Bay flashed his crooked grin and took Finn’s hand and gave it a squeeze. The intensity in his eyes that night had been full of conviction, and from that moment on, Finn believed in him.

He’d tried to prove to Bay how much he loved him many times since, but the most memorable was with Emily. Finn had knelt down and carved his H-shaped symbol into her back, thankful that it wasn’t too complicated, remembering the words Bay had told him outside, away from all the rest. He loved him. He truly did.

Finn wanted to be worthy of that love, even now, but he hoped what he was being made to do wasn’t nearly as horrible.

After paying the cabbie, he turned and walked up to the house where a big man opened the door. “Bay sent you?”

“Yeah. I’m Finn. He had something for me to take care of.”

“Sounds good enough for me. Tell him thanks for sparing me the mess.” The man walked out, and Finn watched him as went out to his car and drove away.

“Well, okay.” He shrugged and pushed the door open. He went inside and then looked around. The house was like any other, fully-furnished and homey, with the aroma of Italian cooking wafting from the kitchen. He stuck his head in the door and saw a big pot of spaghetti on the stove. When he went over to see it up close, he noticed a small TV monitor, and on the screen, he could see someone lying on the floor, not moving.

“What the fuck?” Finn leaned in closer, but the picture quality sucked. He had to find out which room she was in, if any. Before he could make a move, Bay called his phone.

“I’m here.”

“I know,” Bay said. “My guy called me. He’s very thankful you’re there to handle things.”

“What exactly am I doing? Watching this prisoner? Who is she?”

“You’ll see soon enough, but it’s someone who is threatening to go to the cops and snitch on us. So, you’d better take care of her before she can. She’s in the basement. Try not to make a mess.”

“You want me to kill her?” Finn started to panic just thinking of it. He could barely even harm the other girl, much less kill her.

“Show me, Finn. I need this done. You need this done. It’s the only thing that’s going to save us from being locked up like Logan. I know you like oral, but that’s not all you’re going to get on the inside. You do this and show your fealty to me. Do it for our love.”

Those were the same words Bay had used on him back in the day, and his panic grew. “Bay.” He hesitated, knowing Bay was going to be angry with him if he didn’t carry out his orders, but there was no response. “Bay?”

He had already hung up.

Finn put the phone down and went down the hall. He had to find this woman and get it over with quickly. He got to the basement door and carefully went down the stairs, hoping she wasn’t loose. He saw the woman lying on the floor, her dark hair a mess, and she wore scrubs.

He took a few steps, and when the floorboards creaked, she turned her head, and his heart stopped. Hannah Halston lay in the center of the room, her lips still caked with dried blood. Her eyes, though they’d been closed only a moment before, were wide and feral.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Her voice sounded like she’d caught a cold. “You have to help me.”

The plea turned his stomach. He didn’t know how he could carry out what needed to be done. He didn’t know what to say, but Hannah did. She got to her feet, and one foot was bloody, her sock completely coated on that foot as she limped closer. Finn could see the cuff around her ankle. He also noticed that her shirt was bloody, her pants, too.

“Bay’s crazy,” she said. “He caught me leaving Logan’s house, and he hit me in the face.” Her lip was busted, and a nasty bruise covered part of her cheek and chin. “He killed all of those people, Finn. He killed them, and he’s going to kill me. He killed my brother. He’ll kill you too.”

Finn shook his head as she rattled on, her teeth chattering and her entire body shaking. “Please, you have to help me.” She sank down to her knees in the center of the room. “Please, I know you’re good. You’re all good but for Bay. I see that now. You were all used, all his victims. Tad said I wasn’t safe, and he knew why. He knew Bay was a monster.”

Finn covered his ears. He couldn’t stand to hear it. “Shut the fuck up!” he screamed.

Suddenly, he wasn’t a grown man, and this wasn’t Hannah Halston, Tad’s sister who he’d met at Tad’s funeral. No, she was Emily Johnson, pleading in that weak voice, begging for the boys to stop what they were doing and let her go. All of the same pleas: how she wouldn’t tell a soul, how she would forget she was ever there, just please, please, please.

“Bay said you’d tell on us,” Finn said.

“No, I won’t. I promise. It’s not worth it. It’s not. Tell him I’ll reconsider. Tell him that I’ll do anything he wants, Finn. I’ll be his lover, his girlfriend, anything.”

Finn narrowed his eyes as his blood pumped. “He offered you those things?”

“Yes, yes.” Tears streamed down her eyes. “Please tell him I’ve changed my mind.” She was broken, completely broken.

“You’re lying. If I let you go, you’ll just turn us in.”

She lifted her shirt. “Look what he did to me! You’re not this kind of monster, Finn. You are a good boy, Tad’s friend, and I’m Tad’s sister.”

Finn stepped closer and covered his mouth. There were two zodiac symbols carved into her flesh. Capricorn for Tad and Aquarius for Logan. Bay had marked her with each symbol.