Page 56 of Played

I chuckle with her and plant my lips on hers for a soft kiss. “I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.”

I search her eyes. “I love you, Freya.”

She smiles warmly. “I love you, too, Ethan.”

“I’m telling you, the boy threw the knife straight into the motherfucker’s heart, man. It was epic. Brilliant.” Clyde brags, telling da the story. I’m sure it isn’t just to brag, but also to take the heat off him, for not clearing the house, as I pointed out.

Caleb’s face brightens. “No shit?”

“No shit. It was fucking awesome.” Mel adds. “The dude dropped like a marionette just laid down the strings. No shot was fired. Nothing.” He explains, cutting the air with his hand for emphasis.

“I taught you well, my brother.” Caleb frowns, nodding.

“How’s Freya?” Da asks.

“She’s fine.” I explain. “I took her to the doctor myself. She had her hair back in a ponytail, which cushioned the blow from the gun, and she was only out for seconds. The M.R.I. was clean.”

“Good. Where is she now?” Da asks.

“She’s at home resting. I’ll go see her later.”

Da smiles. “Bring her by for supper tomorrow. We didn’t get a proper chance to meet her at the wedding.”

“Aye, on account of him spooking her.” Maverick pokes. “I’ve never seen two women scurry out of here so fast.”

“You’re just upset because you didn’t get laid.” Caleb points out with a smirk and a scoff, resting his feet on the boardroom table.

“Fuckoff.” Maverick snickers.

“Have you even spoken to Trudy since the wedding?” Da asks, and I'm shocked. The man changes more and more with each passing day.

“You okay, da?” I ask him, suddenly half curious and half worried. He’s always been, for as long as I can remember, cold, driven, motivated only by progress and money. This is more than just a turn of the cheek. I thought him getting Caleb married to a billionaire mogul was the end of his matchmaking, but he seems to be relentless, adding me and Freya, and now Maverick and Trudy, to the mix.

“Aye.” He nods confidently. “Why do you ask?”

“I just never knew you to be like this.”

“Like what, son?”

“Well, the old da would be telling us to get back to work and stop chattering on about the lasses. Now, you’re knee deep in the conversation, trying to get us paired up. What’s up with that?”

Da folds his hands together in front of his lips, contemplatively, but yet still smiling warmly. “All my life, I worked hard, provided for the family, your mama and I, that is, make no mistake. And we groomed all of you, and most of the extended family, to run this business. But I never really got to enjoy my bairns and children, and now, something tells me it’s time. Time to enjoy my grandbabies and my children, as adults. We’ve got Peg now, and Caleb’s got a bairn on the way, and we’ve got all the riches we need. We’re the cream of the crop, financially speaking, and I feel like I want to enjoy it now. Do you understand, Ethan?”

I nod, understanding completely.

Caleb, being the smartass that he is, says with a smirk. “So, what, before it was just an act?”

I snort a laugh, so does Maverick. Malcolm, sitting over in the corner, barks a laugh.

Da looks straight at Caleb, face turned to stone. “Are you making fun of me?”

Caleb’s face falls, and the room goes silent.

Da’s mouth twists up into a smile. “Gotcha.”

The sighs are heard all around the room. “Nice one, da.” Caleb says, hand on his chest, in relief.

---