He shrugged. "It's usually effective when you want someone's attention. People tend to listen to you more carefully after that."
"Dad, this isn't some guy who owes you money, screwed you over on a business deal, or snitched to the cops about the warehouse where you keep the shit you steal."
"Many of us prefer the word 'purloin' to 'steal.' It sounds classier. As for that rat, he should've kept his mouth shut. To be fair, he never blabbed to the cops again."
"Probably because you set his business on fire."
He shrugged again. "As I said, it's effective."
"It really is, you know," Bram chimed in, to which her father's other two brothers nodded.
Shaking her head, Raini turned back to Lachlan. "Returning to the point I was trying to make … Maddox Quentin isn't some man who wronged you. He's my anchor."
"In theory, not in practice," said Demi.
Ignoring her sister, Raini went on, "I need you to respect that, Dad. Not to dig out the gasoline and toss balls of hellfire around."
His brow furrowed. "I don't tend to use gasoline these days. Stinks worse than a rancid ass. I don't use hellfire either. I prefer matches."
"Dad."
"Fine." He rolled his eyes. "I won't set his precious club on fire."
"Or his house, or any other building he may own," she prompted.
"His possessions are safe from me. Unless he hurts you. Then things will change."
"And burn," added Bram.
Nodding, Lachlan pointed at his brother. "What he said."
Raini turned to her mother. "Help me."
Evangeline slid her arm around Raini's shoulders and drew her close. "I already did that by convincing him to give Maddox time—which was not easy." Seeing that Lachlan was now talking with Jolene, Evangeline quietly went on, "He's your father, he loves you, he wants you to have an anchor who appreciates you. It hurts him that both you and your sister have been let down in this area of your lives."
Exhaling heavily, Raini leaned into her mother. They'd always been close, sharing a similar sense as humor as well as a love of shopping, bargains, and spa days. They were very unlike in one respect, though. Evangeline embraced being a succubus and didn't try to tone her appeal down with casual clothing. She'd tried encouraging Raini to do the same but to no avail.