If Evangeline and Finn were just here for a one-night stand, why book a suite? A sudden, chilling thought struck him. Was this a setup? Was she deliberately bringing another man to a hotel to make Soren jealous?


    Was he being yed for a fool?


    His anger had clouded his judgment, but now, as he calmed down, he realized that telling Soren about this would be a catastrophic mistake. First, even if it wasn''t a ploy for jealousy, what if Soren actually came here? Knowing his temper, he wouldn''t let this go. And this man was a Lockridge. Soren and Finn were already sworn enemies. If Soren hurt Finn, the Lockridges would seize the opportunity to strike. It would be mutually destructive.


    And who would benefit from that? The Carlisles. He''d heard she was close with Glenn Carlisle. What if this was some borate scheme they had cooked up together?


    The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Old Man Carlisle was a cunning fox, and with Glenn back in the family fold, it wasn''t a stretch to imagine Evangeline being used as a honey trap. Why else would she just happen to get involved with Finn, of all people?


    Liam slowly lowered his phone, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.


    Evangeline, oblivious to his internal drama, took the key card from the receptionist and immediately guided Finn toward the elevators.


    Once inside the suite, she maneuvered Finn onto the bed and copsed onto the floor, utterly exhausted. It was hard work, but she was used to it after years of taking care of a sick Soren.


    After a few minutes, she caught her breath, then fetched a basin of warm water and a cloth to gently clean Finn''s face and hands. With that done, she tied her hair up and took a quick shower.


    When she emerged, she saw a new message on her phone. It was from Soren. He hadn''t replied to her "no reconciliation" texts. Instead, he''d sent a video.


    She pressed y. The camera was shaky, as if the person filming was afraid of being caught. After a few seconds, two tall figures came into focus. Even with the poor quality, Evangeline instantly recognized Finn and Victor. Victor was polishing a dagger, the de glinting with a cold, menacing light.


    "You have seven days," Victor''s voice dripped with malice. "If I don''t hear from you by then, I''ll take her life myself."


    It was obvious who "her" was. Evangeline checked the timestamp. It was from the night Victor returned to the country. Her guess had been right. The reason he''d left her alone was because of Finn.


    Just then, Finn''s voice came through, colder than she''d ever heard it. "And what if she doesn''t know anything?"


    Victor took a step closer, pressing the sharp dagger into Finn''s hand. He leaned in and whispered something in Finn''s ear. For a split second, Finn''s body went rigid.


    The video ended abruptly.


    Since she had already suspected as much, the video didn''t surprise her. A new message from Soren popped up. *I know about you and Victor. Stay away from Finn. He''s dangerous.*


    Evangeline walked to the bedroom doorway and peered through the crack at Finn, who was still sleeping soundly. In all their time together, she had never once felt any malice from him. If he truly meant her harm, he wouldn''t have let himself get this vulnerable in front of her. He wouldn''t have been so candid with her earlier today.


    She typed back a reply. *I can make my own judgments. You don''t need to worry about me.*


    She set her phone aside.


    Soren saw her message and felt a surge of frustration. *You don''t believe me?* He had been her husband for five years. He had just handed her concrete proof, and yet she chose to trust Finn, a man she''d known for a handful of weeks?


    Annoyed by herck of response, he was tempted to call her. But as his finger hovered over the dial button, he stopped.