“Thosefucking twats!” Finley stormed over, sights set on me. “Declan deserves his ass handed to him!” He grabbed my shoulders, inspecting for injury. “You all right?”
A sense of calm coiled around my insides. His presence was a comfort blanket I didn’t know I needed. There wasgenuine concern in his eyes, warm and melting right into mine.
“Declan?” I asked curiously. “Is that babyface or gray beard?”
Finley softly chuckled, unconsciously gliding his hands up and down my arms in a soothing rhythm.
“Babyface is fitting,” he said, a frown still shadowing his mouth. “Though his face will look anythingbutwhen I’m through with him.” The muscles in his arms tensed. “Seems I’ll be adding Sean to the shit-list as well.”
Across the room, Pogue’s jaw ticked as he watched us.
“I have to get back to work,” he said coldly. “I’ll see myself out.”
It wasn’t until he turned that I noticed, no gold suspenders. Just a fitted black shirt, neatly tucked. It did absolutely nothing to hide the shifting muscles of his broad back as he walked away.
My cheeks heated.
Finley seemed to notice, his gaze tracking mine.
Pogue halted in the doorway.
“Training starts tomorrow,” he said over his shoulder, not bothering to make eye contact. “I’ll come find you.” Then he turned, spearing Finley a sharp look before leaving.
Lochlainn downed another glass in one swig, then slammed it down on the desk.
“Right. Don’t bother, Finley. I’ll personally deal with Declan and Sean.”
Finley paused. His attention turned toward me.
“Training?” He uncomfortably shifted. “What’s he talking about?”
Lochlainn’s mouth curled.
“Oh, Carwynn here just signed herself up forFecunditas!” An arm extended to me as if I were on display. “I’ll have Faeladannounce the representing team at the Fortuna Ball, once all the entering coins are accepted.” Lochlainn stepped a foot closer. “You want to play the game? You’ll have to play topart.” His voice went from silk to steel. “You’ll be expected at the ball. Make sure to wear somethingelegant.” That toothy grin was borderline menacing.
“Have ya gone mad?” Finley barked, turning on Lochlainn. “Tell me this isn’t some punishment. You can’t befuckingserious!”
“It’s not.” I said calmly. “We already cleared the air about the door . . .accident.”
Lochlainn shot me a reprimanding look.
“I asked him to enter me into the Trials,” I continued, “because Iwantto compete. I’ll explain the rest later.”
Finley’s face stilled, a wariness creeping behind his eyes. The words were there, but he was clearly holding the slew of objections back.
“You’ll have to enter my name too,” he gritted out to Lochlainn, eyes not straying from mine.
“Obviously,” Lochlainn mumbled, and poured himself an additional drink. Turning, he held Finley’s stare. Words passed between them that didn’t meet the air.
Loaded words, by the looks of it.
What flaming dumpster fire did you just jump into, Carwynn? Ugh.
27
FINLEY
Loch’s ragin’.No doubt about that.
