The Lockridges.


    The atmosphere was heavy, a suffocating silence settling over the grand house.


    A handful of bodyguards in tailored suits stood rigidly outside the door, terrified into utter stillness.


    As Finn pushed open the door, he found Arabe Lockridge standing in the center of the living room. Her striking features were cold and unyielding, and in her hand she gripped a long ck riding crop.


    Crack.


    The moment Finn stepped in, Arabe snapped the crop down hard against the ss coffee table in front of her.


    The table shattered instantly, shards scattering across the polished floor.


    Finn flinched in surprise.


    But he knew Arabe too well-she was putting on a show, not really meaning to hurt him, just reminding him who was in charge.


    Pretending not to notice the broken ss, Finn strode forward with a disarming smile. "Who could''ve upset my beautiful sister like this? You know, you could hurt your hand swinging that thing. Why don''t you put it down and tell me who''s bothering you? I''ll make sure they regret it."


    He reached out, aiming to take the crop from her.


    But Arabe flicked her wrist sharply, sending the crop smacking against the floor with a piercing crack.


    "Kneel."


    Finn knew better than to argue. In one smooth motion, he dropped to his knees, no hesitation, no fuss.


    His effortlesspliance both exasperated and amused Arabe.


    She raised the crop, but in the end only tapped him lightly with it, more symbolic than punitive. "Are you with Evangeline now?" she demanded.


    Finn nodded.


    Her eyes narrowed in anger and disbelief. "What did I tell you before? She''s Soren''s ex-wife-she''s part of the Fawkes family. Never mind the bad blood between the Lockridges and the Fawkes, Evangeline is theughingstock of all of Serenity City. Yet you still choose to be with her? What are you thinking?"


    Arabe wound the crop around her hand and shook it at him in warning, but finally, frustration overtook her. She slumped onto the sofa, ring at him in disappointment.


    Finn had always been a free spirit-flirtatious, reckless. Most of the time, Arabe let it slide. But this time, he''d gone too far.


    The scandal was already out of control. Just earlier, she''d seen the video of Finn and Evangeline together; it had nearly made her lose her mind.


    Finn only smiled. "She''s divorced Soren. There''s nothing illegal about us being together."


    "And as for Evangeline being aughingstock, that''s Soren''s fault. He never loved her, and everyone else just followed his lead. They didn''t dare cross him, so they made her the scapegoat. None of this was really her fault."


    "You''re defending her now?" Arabe stared at him, incredulous.


    Finn''s expression was earnest. "I''m not defending anyone. I''m just telling the truth."


    “But if you say it''s her fault, then it''s her fault. No one canpare to you, sis. If anyone disagrees with you, I''ll always take your side. You''re never wrong." Arabe snorted.


    Honestly, most of her anger had already faded before Finn even walked in. Now, hearing his shameless ttery, she couldn''t help but feel both helpless and amused.


    Still, couldn''t just let this slide.


    For all Finn''s smooth talk and flirtatious ways, he was naive at heart.


    People said he''d dated countless women, but most of them were just using him— for money, for connections, for attention. Finn knew it, but he didn''t care. If someone wanted money, he gave it; if they wanted a favor, he helped; if they wanted publicity, he yed along. He kept them all happy until things ended amicably.


    He seemed like a womanizer, but in truth, he''d only seriously dated a handful of


    women.


    And Evangeline? Her mother was infamous for her scheming; Arabe doubted the daughter was any different.


    She worried Finn was getting in over his head.


    The more she thought about it, the less she liked it. Arabe looped the crop around her hand and pointed vaguely at the door. "If you really think I''m right, then go break up with her. Tell everyone she seduced you first."


    Finn immediately recognized her tone for what it was-bluster, not instruction.


    He gave a little "oh,e on" and grinned. "Sis, you''re testing me again, aren''t you?"


    He went on, feigning outrage. "You always taught me to be responsible, to respect women. If I pulled a stunt like that, I''d be the real joke of Serenity City."


    "And besides, I have my reasons for getting close to Evangeline."


    "She''s Victor''s wife''s best friend-the one who helped her escape all those years ago. Victor''s searched everywhere for her with no luck. I''m doing this for him, to get answers."


    Arabe let out a short, dryugh. "If Victor finds out you''re with the woman he hates most in this world, he''ll break your legs."


    Finn replied earnestly, "He wouldn''t. I almost lost my eyesight for Victor once. He''d never go that far-not to me."


    At Finn''s offhand remark, Arabe''s smile froze on her lips.


    A scream. The sound of gunshots. The sharp, metallic tang of blood.


    For a moment, those memories threatened to swallow her whole.


    She blinked away the sting in her eyes and, when she looked at Finn again, her voice was gentler. "So, did you get anything out of her?"


    Finn hesitated.


    "Patience is a virtue," he said, seeing that Arabe had calmed down. He moved to sit beside her on the couch.


    Only then did he realize he''d knelt right on a shard of ss-his knee throbbed, but he gave no sign of it, just rubbed it briefly and continued, "This kind of thing takes time. Victor''s been searching for answers for five years; I can''t expect a breakthrough overnight."


    As he spoke, he took the riding crop from her hand and handed it to a nearby bodyguard. "But trust me, I''ll get what we need. You have to believe in your brilliant little brother-never underestimate my charm."


    Arabe gave him a look. "Then you''d better work fast."


    She paused, her gaze sharp. "Victor''sing home tomorrow."