Page 154 of Lawless Rivals

My fingers close around his sleeve. “I can handle my brother, Saint.”

His gaze flicks to mine as he swallows the instinct to step in front of me because I need him to let me stand. His hand moves to my jaw, and he kisses me.

When he pulls away, his thumb brushes beneath my bottom lip. “Handle him, then. But if he forgets where he is, I’ll remind him.”

By the time he reaches Dane and Rafe, he accepts a fresh whiskey, props a hip against the bar and gives me his full attention.

I smile at him, still a victim of the flutters he gives me and cross the room to join my brother’s side.

“Keira,” he says, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Our father sends his regards.”

“No, he doesn’t.”

“No,” Fionn grins. “He’s at home pretending he expected better from the daughter he gave everything to.”

“I know what he gave me. That’s why it hurt when he turned me into one more thing he owns.”

His gaze moves past me to Sera, and there’s a flicker there, quick and buried fast.

He takes a drink, then turns to Eilish with his manners slotting back into place. “You’re Eilish Kinnane, right? Art’s daughter.”

Eilish offers her hand, and Fionn takes it.

“Please…” Sera sighs. “Get your paws off my best friend.”

Fionn wraps his hand tighter around Eilish’s, his eyes flicking to Sera. “Why? Are you jealous?”

Sera’s brows snap up. “Jealous of being mauled by a Harrington? Hardly.”

Fionn lets go and pockets his hand, his broad shoulders loose, expression contained, and still every inch of him seems aimed at her. While Sera holds her glass like she’s about to smash it and go for his jugular.

“Your brother seems to like Harringtons,” Fionn nods in my direction. “Maybe he’s evolved.”

“Keira’s basically a Tallon now, Fionn,” Sera counters. “You’re a betting man, aren’t ya? How about we put a wager on my brother asking her to marry him and making it official?”

My scalp tingles at the thought of it.

Fionn takes a confident step into her and holds out his hand. “If my sister becomes a Tallon, you’ll have to become a Harrington to balance the scales.”

Sera looks at his hand, then laughs. “I wouldn’t wish that fate on any woman.”

“And I wouldn’t choose a Tallon as my bride,” he laughs. “My future’s already arranged.”

“I have zero interest in your life plans.” She holds her ground, eyes darkening under the lights. “I’m only humoring ya out of respect for Keira.”

My brother smiles and lifts the whiskey to his mouth, letting her wait as he drinks.

“Trying to win my approval, little wild thing?”

Sera makes a face at him. “Little wild thing? I bite harder than I flirt, Harrington.”

His smile stays in place.

“I remember.” Fionn takes a mouthful of liquor, swallowing before he adds, “The Tallons will respect my sister while she decides where she wants to stand. If anyone struggles with that, I’ll make it very simple for them.”

I bump Fionn with my shoulder. “Stop it. This conversation is over.”

Fionn glances at me. “You’re right. This isn’t the time or place. Come home soon, Keira. There are things we need to talk about.”