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“Nope.”

“Please, Uncle Alex?”

“Sorry, Brina, my love. You’ll need to call Ronan. Isn’t he supposed to be your Guardian?”He jerked a thumb toward Deni.“I’ve got a prisoner to transport.”

Draven abandoned toying with Brooke and held out his hand to Sabrina.“I’ll watch over her. Lily will be recoverin’ and need company.”He winked at the girl.“We’ll teach her Texas Hold’em, but no cheatin’.”

“But you taught?—”

He clapped a hand over her mouth.“Do you want a Guardian or not,cher? Your father doesn’t need to know I’m a bad influence.”

“He already does.”Damian’s tone wasdroll, and he shook his head in resignation.

The Captain of the Red Guard visibly melted as her gaze locked on the roughened gambler holding the hand of the beautiful child. Trevor was sure he saw cartoon heart eyes pop out of Brooke’s face.

Soleil’s hand settled on his lower back.“Yep, I noticed her reaction, too. She’s going to lead him on a merry chase.”

“Or maybe I’ll lead her on one, eh?”Draven lifted a challenging brow when he looked at Brooke.

She blushed, and Trev suppressed his chuckle. They had more serious things to consider.

Addressing her, he lifted his wrist, causing the chain to rattle.“Can we dispense with the magical shackles? I would’ve shown for my hearing, but the timing was shit.”

“No one said it was a hearing, Mr. Blane.”

“No one said it wasn’t, and we both know whenever the Red Guardis sentafter Sentinels, a hearing ensues,”he countered. He turned to where his father should be and realized Ben was missing. Disappointment settled in his chest. Once more, Dear Ol’ Dad disappeared and left him holding the bag and facing the consequencesbyhimself.

Trev approached Brooke.“Let’s get this farce over with.”

Aftera moment spentstudying his face, she snapped her fingers and held out a hand. The man he tried to murder for backhanding Soleil produced a key with a grudging glance at Trevor.

“Johnson, you’re relieved of duty.”Brooke’s tone was as chilly as the look in her midnight-blue eyes.

“But—”

“Did I stutter?”Her coldness could cause frostbite in under five seconds.

“No, Captain.”

“Tomorrow morning, seven a.m. sharp, you’ll report to my office. Understood?”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Get out of my sight.”She waited for his nod, then unlocked the single shackle around Trevor’s wrist.“Let’s go, Mr. Blane.”

* * *

Soleil dressedwith care for the trial. She tamed her hair as best she could, adding a glamour to the mix to enhance the color of her eyes and give them a popular smoky look. For her lashes, she swiped on a thickening mascara but gave it a magical boost to separate and lengthen them. She was surprisingly happy with the look and earned a wolf whistle from Josie when she entered the room.

“You’re a sexy beast. Those Authority members won’t know what hit them.”

“Don’t make fun of me, Josie. Not today.”

Her sister frowned, not bothering to hide her troubled air.

“Lei, I understand why you’d think I might be, considering the Morgan/Morcant situation, but that was an act.”She gathered Soleil’s hands in hers.“I love you and only want what’s best for you. And you’re beautiful. The makeup gives you that extra va-va-voom, but you don’t need it.”

Soleil stared, thrown by the honesty radiating from her.“I don’t know what to say.”