Chapter 219
Theodore paced back and forth by the sofa twice before dialing Finnegan’s number.
“Hello?” Finnegan answered in an irritated tone, but before he could say anything more, Theodore’s anxious voice shot through the receiver.
“My dearest brother–in–law, hurry up and take Merida away! Elara finally reunited with an old flame, so no one should disturb them! She has a big race next week, and I only care about her physical condition!
“After whatever happens between her and Lesley tonight, she can’t afford to fool around anymore!” As he said this, a sharp pain twisted in Theodore’s chest.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Finnegan was in the middle of a workout at the gym. His deep blue quick- dry shirt had darkened with sweat, clinging to his broad chest and sculpted muscles. Beads of moisture dripped from his closely cropped hair, each strand standing on end like a porcupine’s quills.
Finnegan pressed his lips together, his breath steady but heavy. The damp fabric of his shirt outlined the sheer mass of his pectoral muscles, and their contours were deep and defined. Holding his phone in one hand and a 40- pound dumbbell in the other, he fought the urge to smash the weight straight into Theodore’s head.
“Who the hell gave you permission to call me your brother–in–law?!” Finnegan snapped, barely holding back his frustration.
Theodore, completely serious, replied, “Does it sound unbearable to you right now? That’s just because you’re not used to it. If I keep saying it, you’ll get used to it soon enough”
Finnegan let out a sharp scoff. “I think you’re just tired of being alive!”
Theodore ignored him and steered the conversation back. “If you don’t go pick up Merida, I’ll do it. But I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to control my fists.
“I swear, I really want to send Lesley straight to prison, but that would break Elara’s heart. I just can’t bear to do that to her.”
Listening to Theodore’s melodramatic monologue, Finnegan felt a pounding headache take root in his skull.
He’d had enough. With a deep sigh, he deadpanned, “Lesley Lupone is a woman. She’s Elara’s best friend! You idiot!
“Lesley was even signed under your own damn racing club–how do you not know whether she’s got the equipment or not?”
Finnegan’s harsh curse shot through the phone. Theodore’s long lashes flicked up in surprise as his brain was stalling for two full seconds,
Snapping back to reality, he asked through the receiver, “Lesley… is a woman?”
Before Finnegan could even grunt out a confirmation, Theodore immediately followed up with, “Do you think it’s too late for me to change my gender?”
The corners of Finnegan’s lips twitched upward speechlessly, his eyes sharpening with icy disdain.
“You’d better follow through,” he sneered coldly.
In an instant, Theodore snapped out of his near–death state, fully reanimated. He roared back at Finnegan, “I won’t give you a single chance, No. 4!”
The call cut off, and a string of question marks floated above Finnegan’s head. Lowering his phone, he grabbed the
Chapter 210
barbell and launched into an intense workout.
Theodore Snapp better be ready! This time, no one was stealing his woman.
+25 BONUS
The doorbell rang late at night. Elara was in the shower, wille Merida was curled up in her room, flipping through a picture book.
“Coming!” Lesley assumed it was the grocery delivery and rushed over in her slippers, quickly pulling the door
open.
Standing outside was Harvey, dressed in a sharp suit with a long black wool coat draped over his broad shoulders. His hands were stuffed into his pockets, and he carried an aura of bone–deep coldness.
Behind him stood two uniformed officers and a lawyer. Harvey glanced up and locked eyes with the “man” who had answered the door.
His pupils contracted instantly. His first thought was that he must have rung the wrong doorbell
