Page 45 of Played

Trudy blushes and waves. “Oh, it’s nothing. We met once.”

“Aye, and Maverick has done nothing but speak of you since.”

“Really?” She simps. I roll my eyes.

Dougall simply smiles and then he turns his attention back to me. “Just where did you get that extraordinary bear that you gave to our Peg? It has made all the difference for her. I swear my wife keeps telling me that it’s magic. I thought maybe you were a witch.” He teases, good-naturedly.

“It was a gift from my aunt when I was a child, sir. I was happy to give it to the bairn, given that I wasn’t able to help in any other way. I do apologize for that, Mr. Harris, but I would have lost my job.”

“There is no need to explain, Freya. And we have top investigators searching for the men responsible, while one of the men is being extradited as we speak.”

“Really? I’m so glad to hear that.”

Dougall nods. “And while you cannot see them, we have top notch security here, thanks to Colton Ford and the Ford family. So, there is no need to worry about anything, dear. I’m just so glad that this has been such a wonderful turnout.”

“I am, too. Caleb and Laney deserve it.” I add, although I have no idea why. I’ve never even met Laney and, well, no further explanation about Caleb is needed.

“You’ll have to excuse me, lasses. I have many people to thank. But I hope to catch a dance or two with both of you later.” Dougall adds, as eyes are on him.

“Certainly, sir. It was lovely to meet you.” We both nod.

Once he leaves, I turn to Trudy. “God, I thought I was going to throw up there.” I say on exhale.

“Why?” She asks, almost in a whine, dumbfounded.

“Because the man is one of the richest in the world? And one of the most powerful. Jesus, just think about what he’s accomplished in his lifetime.”

“Freya, he’s a person. No different than you or me.”

I scoff, laughing. “Okay, keep telling yourself that.”

Then, as I turn around, I see him. He sees me, too, and it all goes downhill from there…

Chapter 13

Ethan

“God, I can’t believe this is happening.” I mutter to myself, adjusting my tie in the mirror.

“What, that Caleb is getting married, or that it’s the giant shit show that it is?” My brother Declan asks, coming around the corner, from the powder room behind me.

I cough a laugh, impressed that he shares the same feelings as I do about this wedding. “Both. This family is so fucked beyond recognition.”

“Aye, and we get to spend the next six hours around people we see or speak to on a regular fucking basis. It feels like work, only this time, we’re not getting paid for it.”

“You better keep your voice down before da hears you.” I tease. It’s a growing joke around here that Declan is da’s favorite.

“Why, you’re the favorite. Why do you think he invited Freya? She’s on the ‘barely known’ list, and yet she made the cut.”

“Don’t remind me.” I murmur, running my fingers through my hair. At least my face is all healed now. I don’t look like I lost a round with Mike Tyson anymore and thank God for that. This wedding is being photographed by several magazines, and the last thing I need to look like is a boxer that just lost his title.

“Oh, please. You poor thing. A beautiful woman that you busted up is here, still carrying her undying love for you. Poor baby.”

“Fuckoff.” I sneer, but with a soft laugh, knowing that Declan’s just busting my balls. “She’s no more in love with me than I am with her.”

“Yeah, right. Why is she here then?”

“You don’t know that she’s here.”

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