Page 51 of Played

I look at him slyly, he returns the look, as we turn onto the highway. “Here in Scotland?”

“Aye.” He chuckles. “Believe it or not, that bitch that Ethan Harris is hot for is right here, staying in some piddly little cottage. It would take nothing to nab her and set her up for ransom.”

“No shit?” I practically squeal, incredulous. “God, this is way too easy.”

“Tell me about it. The kid’s off the plans for now, but this bitch is even better. Ethan will fall all over himself trying to save her, and now we can up the ante, since they fucked us over with the kid.”

“So, what’s the plan, man? I’m fucking stoked over this now.” I say, rubbing my hands together in anticipation.

“Easy. We nab her when she least expects it, and I’ll use my burner phone to let him know about it. Easy peasy. And what’s even better, is we don’t have to worry about the bitch fucking us over with the wire, as that Caleb asshole tried to do with her last time. If she’s the one being nabbed, she can’t help.”

“Genius. Pure genius.” I lick my lips. “What about the other guys?”

He frowns, shaking his head. “They’re useless as fuck, man. We don’t need them. This operation will be so easy, just you and me will suffice.”

“Shit. You ain’t kidding. I can’t believe they’d let her out of their sight. What idiots.”

“I was hoping her bitch friend would come along for the ride, but our little Freya decided to come here solo. Moron.”

“At least we’ve got a backup plan if this falls apart.”

He gives me a look. “What, are you stupid? This is so easy a Kindergartener could pull it off. We don’t need a backup plan. Once Ethan gets wind that his little bitch is in trouble, he’ll come running after her, and he’ll give us what he wants.”

“Okay. Let’s do this.”

Ethan

“Would you quit fucking pouting, you idiot.” Maverick whines, as we sit at the boardroom table, waiting for the rest of the clan to show up, for a meeting. “God, it’s depressing just looking at you.”

“Fuck you.” I sneer.

“Look, there’s plenty more pussy where she came from.”

“Like I said, fuckoff. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Like hell you don’t.” He scoffs. “You just don’t want to admit that you fucked up with Freya.”

“And how the hell would you know, asshole? And what is it of your business, anyway?”

“Trudy told me.”

“You mean she took your dick out of her mouth long enough to tell you?” I volley back, hoping that hit a nerve, but he’s unscathed, pissing me off further.

“Dude, it’s not like that. We’re just friends.”

“Bullshit.”

“I’m serious. I don’t want to go down that road with her.”

“Why not? Are you suddenly fucking gay, or is she a leper or something?” I bark, irritated.

“No, I just…I don’t know if I like her in that way yet. Sure, she’s cute as hell, but I don’t want some chick drooling all over me. Man, the last time I had to beat the lass away with a fucking baseball bat.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I’m serious, man. I couldn’t get her to leave me alone. I was thinking about getting a fucking restraining order. I’m playing it safe this time. And that was like a year ago. I’ve got fucking PTSD from that lass.”

“You are such an asshole.” I say, not believing a word.

---