Save Her Lose Us (Evangeline and Soren) novel Chapter 317

She took Evangeline's hand, a smile on her face, but her grip was deliberately tight. Evangeline felt a sharp pain in her fingers and saw the defiant glint in Poppy's eyes. She knew it was intentional. Her anger flared, but she caught herself and forced a smile, closing her own hand over Poppy's wrist. "That won't be necessary."

As she spoke, she slid her fingers up Poppy's arm, applying pressure in a specific spot. It was a technique Finn had taught her for situations where she was outmatched—a way to discreetly dislocate a joint or hit a pressure point to temporarily disable an opponent. If Poppy wanted to play dirty, she would play along.

She found the spot and squeezed. Poppy cried out as her arm went limp.

"Evangeline, what do you think you're doing?"

Evangeline looked at her with wide-eyed innocence. "Hmm? What did I do?"

Finn stepped forward, gently moving Poppy's lifeless arm. "It's dislocated," he announced.

Evangeline smirked. "Miss Yates, you must be in poor health if a simple touch can dislocate your arm. Maybe you should focus on getting some sun and calcium instead of helping me with my ring. Stay out of dark corners. First a dislocation, next it might be a fracture."

Poppy, cradling her injured arm, turned pale with fury at the insult.

Finn turned to Soren with a grin. "Mr. Fawkes, you should take better care of your fiancée. A dislocated arm is one thing, but imagine if her finger dislocated during the wedding ceremony. It would be quite embarrassing if you couldn't get the ring on."

"He's right," Evangeline added brightly. "After all, Miss Yates may be the one who's hurt, but it's the Fawkes family's reputation on the line."

Evangeline was both shocked and intrigued. Seeing her expression, Finn ruffled her hair. "I'll feel better knowing you have it."

She didn't refuse again.

As they were leaving the mall, Finn went to get the car while Evangeline waited at the entrance. She was admiring the ring's hidden feature when a large hand clamped over her mouth from behind, dragging her into a dark corner.

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