Page 30 of Played

He gestures with his chin to my nose. “How’s it feel?” He asks, concern written all over his face, as he observes the broken bone.

“It’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

“More like a couple of weeks, from the look of it. Caleb got you good this time. Sure hope it heals before the wedding, or the pictures will look godawful.” He looks at the stuffed bear in my hand. “What’s this?”

I divert an answer by circling back to the wedding. “When are they getting married? Have they decided on a date?”

My brother Maverick walks in, just overhearing. “Next weekend.”

Da takes the bear from me, as I stare at my brother. “That quick, huh.”

He nods. “Aye. Laney’s starting to show. The seamstress can alter the dress a time or two, but that’s it.”

My cousin Malcolm walks in behind him, carrying a beer in his hand. “What the hell are you doing here, pipsqueak?” I joke, using my pet name for him, as I pat him on the back. Malcolm might as well be another brother, that’s how often he’s at the house.

“Ran out of beer.” He teases.

Da looks at the tag on the bear’s ass. “Freya Stewart? Who’s Freya Stewart, son?”

“Isn’t she that lass that invented some of that accounting software?” Malcolm inquires, and then takes a sip of his beer.

My gaze darts to him. “How the hell do you know about that?”

He shrugs. “A buddy of mine uses it. She’s a hot little number that’s always at that geek convention. Works with Gill Rogers.”

“Gill Rogers?” Dougall says contemplatively. “How do I know that name?”

Caleb is finishing a call as da asks this. I didn’t notice all the vehicles in the driveway when I pulled up. I had no idea we had a full house in here today. But that’s nothing I shouldn’t be used to. This house has been a revolving door all my life. Family, friends, business contacts, they come and go all hours of the day and night around here. Da’s interest is suddenly on Caleb. “How’s it going, my boy? How’s the bairn?”

“All is good. That was Colton Ford. He’s coming over shortly.”

“Colton Ford? What’s he want?” Da asks conversationally.

“He’s got some advice. Heard about the kidnapping.”

“Ah.” Da nods.

“What’s the bear for?” Caleb asks.

I look at Caleb speculatively. “Freya gave it to me to give to Peg.”

“Freya?” Caleb inquires, brows furrowed. “You went to see her, did ya? With your nose like that?”

Da looks at us both. “Who is Freya to you two?” But the way he says it, I think he’s already figured it out.

“She’s the reason for the left hook, da.” Caleb answers. “It was a little misunderstanding.”

Maverick snorts a laugh. “What happened? Did she play you two? Shagged one and then the other?”

My gaze darts to Maverick, but Caleb seems unscathed. “You’ll keep your fucking mouth shut if you know what’s good for you, brother.” I seethe.

Maverick lifts his hands up in the air in defence. “Easy, killer. Clearly it rattles you more than it does Caleb.”

“He got it out of his system.” I add, touching my nose.

“I’ll say.” Malcolm chuckles.

Caleb draws in a deep breath and takes a seat on the couch. “The lass means nothing to me anymore. Never did, really. The only reason why I hit Ethan is because he never told me about her. Made an ass of myself when I called on her to help us with the kidnapping.”

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