Page 52 of Played

He ignores my insult. “And what about you, huh? God, I thought you fucked things up bad before when I found out about you and Freya. What made her storm out of there like the place was on fire? What did you say to her?”

“None of your fucking business.” I say through gritted teeth.

“Suit yourself. I’m just trying to help.” He shrugs.

“Sure, you are.”

“I’m serious, man. I can put in a good word for you through Trudy.”

My gaze darts to his. My eyes are slit. “Don’t do me any fucking favors, asshole. You’ll make it worse.”

He chuckles. “I don’t see how that’s possible. Considering how fast she blew out of that wedding, before they even served dinner. Nice going.” He pokes my shoulder, and I bolt out of my chair, pushing him against the back wall, shoving my hand across his throat.

That’s when da walks in with Caleb, Malcolm, Declan and mama.

“Alright, boys, break it up.” Da says simply. “Ethan, word is that Freya’s back in Scotland. I want you to take a flight out there. Take Mel with you.”

I let go of Maverick as my eyes widen. “What? What are you talking about?”

Maverick adjusts his tie and sits down, while my eyes stay trained on da. He sighs, looking none-too-pleased, an expression I haven’t seen on him in weeks. “Nathan Mackenzie is out. He’s gone back to Scotland. And I know for a fact that the lass hasn’t got security with her. I don’t want that asshole getting hold of her. She’s vulnerable and the worst part is she doesn’t know it.”

“Wait…what the fuck?” I practically shriek, so many questions come to mind. “What the hell happened to Mackenzie being extradited? And why the hell is Freya in Scotland? When did this happen?”

“We just got word about Mackenzie. Slater and Clyde are on it, since wherever Mackenzie lands, that’s likely where we’ll find Higgins and the other ones responsible for taking Peg.”

Caleb pipes up. “We need to get these guys behind bars as quickly as possible. And find out how Mackenzie was freed. Someone’s on the inside or they paid some lads dearly.”

“Either way, we need eyes on Freya, or we’re set to do another shakedown.” Da adds.

“But why would they go after Freya?” I ask. “And, again, why is she in Scotland?”

Everyone exchanges a look.

“What? Am I missing something here?”

Da clasps his hands together contemplatively. “Ethan, these lads will go after anyone they see as valuable to the family. Look at the Ford family. They’re always a target. Same as us. It’s something that we’re going to have to get used to, unfortunately.”

Suddenly I’m angry and impatient, and my heart is pumping hard, as realization sets in that Freya could be in danger, and she’s all the way in fucking Scotland. “How quickly can I get there?”

Da’s face turns up into a small smile. “The helicopter is ready downstairs. I had them prepare the jet at the airport as well. Mel and Clyde are waiting for you. Go, son. And fast, if I were you.”

I don’t have to be told twice. I bolt out of my chair and head for the door, knowing that I have clothes in my office and if my assistant is worth her salt, she will already have a bag ready. Not letting me down, I see the bag on my desk. As I grab it, all I can think about is Freya, and how she won’t have the slightest clue what to do if these assholes come after her. Knowing this, I start to check off in my mind, what needs to be done. This won’t be the first time our family has come under attack, and it won’t be the last, either.

Da finds me at the doorway as I’m about to head for the helicopter. He hands me a firearm, and I tuck it in the back of my pants.

“Don’t be afraid to use it, son.” He comments, referring to the training that all of us Harris kids and family have. Despite our exhaustive supply of security, we all have weapons training, something da insisted on when we were younger. It was a sort of pastime when we were kids, and then later as teens, and I sometimes even find myself at the shooting range, blowing off steam. Caleb refuses to have a gun now, since he’s got Peg, and a bairn on the way, but I still go on a semi-regular basis. “Nothing you can do will get you into hot water, Ethan.”

I nod. “Yes, da.”

And as I sit inside the helicopter with our men, I realize something very important, and understand why my brothers had exchanged that strange glance with each other in the boardroom.

...because they already recognized what I just figured out.

...that I care about Freya more than I care to admit.

Chapter 15

Freya

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