Page 12 of Played

“What are you talking about, Caleb?” I ask.

“I had a contact at the bank who could have helped with the ransom, but, little did I know that my brother soured that relationship and didn’t bother to tell me. A lot of good it does for me to know now.”

“Well, we got Peg back, Caleb.” I say, touching his hand. “And she’s unhurt. We couldn’t ask for more.”

Caleb levels with me. “Laney, if they don’t find all the crooks involved in this, we always stand a chance of them trying to take Peg again, or worse. They knew they were able to infiltrate this family, and they’ll do it again. We need to stop them.”

“But can’t we just double up on security?” I ask, concern written all over my face.

“We can, but we know that Nathan Mackenzie got in through Zen, right?”

I nod.

Dougall interjects. “What Caleb is trying to say is that unless we can get everyone that was involved in this, we’re never going to be safe, no matter how much we beef up security.”

“How do we keep Peg safe?” I ask. “She starts school in September.”

“We’ll have Slater and Young keep watch over her.” Caleb adds. “Slater’s been with us since I was a boy, and Young, he’s got special training for this type of situation.”

Dougall looks at me, answering my questioning glance. “His bairn was taken once. Got her back. He knows what to do.”

“Where has he been through all this?” I ask, almost exasperated.

“His oldest daughter got married.” Caleb replies. “He’s been back in Scotland for a month.”

I nod. “No offence, but what a fine time.”

Da rests his arm across my shoulders. “We’ll keep Peg safe, Laney. Now that we know she’s a target, and soon you will be, too.”

“If these damn cops can get hold of all these kidnappers.” Dougall growls. “But we don’t play the fool here, Laney. We will hire a private investigator specifically for this.”

“A team.” Caleb adds with emphasis. “I want the son of a bitches responsible to get fried for this.” He looks over at Peg and rubs her leg. She doesn’t stir. “I feel like I failed her.”

“Don’t be foolish, son.” Dougall reasons. “This family is always going to know trouble, just like any family with fame or fortune, or both. You got the bairn back safe, and we’ll keep her safe. That’s all that matters.”

“Yeah, she’s not physically harmed, da, but what about mentally? She's already lost her mama, been uprooted, and now this?”

Da interjects. “All that means is that she’ll grow a thick skin, Caleb. Which she’ll need in this world.”

“Exactly, Caleb.” I add. “And we’ll get her into a psychologist to make sure that she’s okay. We’ll keep her well and happy, no matter the cost.”

Caleb looks up at one of the paramedics. “When can we take her home? She needs a bath and her own bed.”

“As soon as the officers give you the say so.” He answers.

Dougall interjects. “I’ll go talk to them. There’s been no gunshots, so I take it they either didn’t get any more suspects, or they all surrendered. My bet is on the former.” He says, unimpressed.

Caleb looks at me. “Don’t let any of this sully your thoughts on the wedding, Laney. We’ll have a small one, with little attention, as you wished.”

I shake my head, brows furrowed. “Not at all, Caleb. I want to move forward with this. The sooner we’re married, the safer Peg will be, at least in the eyes of immigration and the adoption agency.”

“Aye.” He nods. “I’m glad. You’re a wise girl. That’s why I’m marrying you.”

I kiss his lips quickly, since there are so many people watching. He kisses me back, and that's when Ethan approaches. Caleb looks at him and looks away, disgusted. Ethan’s nose is swollen, and his eyes are bruised. I don’t ask. Nothing surprises me anymore. Nothing at all.

Peg wakes up and I give her a bath immediately. She slept an hour, while police questioned us, told us that the investigation is still ongoing, as they only arrested Nathan Mackenzie. As soon as Caleb was certain that Peg was settled at home with me, at my parent’s house, he left. I'll give you one guess as to where he went. Ethan followed us back, his guilt showing. Mrs. Quinn gave him an ice pack for his nose, and he sat with me, while we guarded Peg’s sleep. I look at him as he sits there, almost sulking. “Does it hurt?”

“Not as much as it looks.”

---