Page 155 of Lawless Rivals

“That’s it,” Sera says. “Be a good dog and behave yourself.”

His gaze flicks to her mouth. “Say dog one more time, and I’ll start thinking you want me to chase you.”

Eilish’s fingers touch Sera’s wrist, light enough to look casual and firm enough to stop whatever Sera’s about to do.

Sera chews the inside of her cheek, and whatever insult she had ready stays behind her teeth.

“Nice meeting you, Eilish.” Fionn winks. “We’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

“I hope not,” Sera mutters.

Fionn steps back, one hand still in his pocket, the other carrying his drink.

“Not you, little wild thing.” His gaze slides to Eilish. “Your pretty friend.”

He angles away from her and catches my eye. “Keira.”

“Fionn.”

For a second, he looks at me the way he used to before every choice became a side. The look gets under my ribs, and I rise onto my toes, throwing my arms around his neck.

“I’m sorry it has to be like this, Fionn,” I whisper against his shoulder.

His arms close around me, and his voice drops near my ear. “There isn’t a line I won’t cross to protect you.”

The next thing I know, Saint’s moving across the room, the crowd parting with every step he takes. He stops beside Sera, close enough to be felt and restrained enough to let me choose when to let go.

“I mean it.” Fionn’s hold tightens before he lets me go. “You’re still my sister.”

As he says it, his attention cuts to Saint who gives it back without moving.

Fionn releases me fully, then catches my chin with his thumb, the touch brief enough to pass for affection and pointed enough to be a claim.

He looks past me to Saint.

“Tallon,” he says.

Saint’s jaw ticks. “Harrington.”

One word each, and everyone close enough to hear them finds a reason to look elsewhere.

Sera’s mouth curves. “Almost civilized.”

Fionn locks his gaze with hers. “Coming from you, that almost sounds sentimental.”

“Over you?” She rolls her eyes. “I’d rather choke.”

His smile comes quick and cold. “Yeah. You would.”

Sera draws in a shallow breath, catches it, then holds her glass up. “Off ya fuck, Harrington.”

One hand still in his pocket, Fionn turns away, smirking as if he’s already won something. His men push off from the wall and fall in behind him.

Sera lifts her champagne again, but she doesn’t drink. Her gaze follows him as people move out of his path, then she catches herself and looks elsewhere

Women only look away that quickly when there’s something worth hiding.

Eilish leans close and murmurs into her ear, and Sera answers with a sigh and the careless lift of one shoulder.