Page 19 of Captive Mafia Wife

I confirm. “Six months. Ever since we got word that he’d joined the Hoax.”

“Tavish saw Ross come in fifteen minutes before the girls. He served him a whisky and watched him plant himself at the end of the bar. Tavish said Ross’s eyes were constantly on the door as if he were waiting for someone. When the girls came in, Ross stood, grabbed his drink, and moved to the center of the bar.”

“To wait there for the girls, knowing they’d order drinks first,” Callum says.

“They always do.” The solicitors always order drinks within five minutes of entering my establishments. And my God, how they can hold their liquor. It’s impressive. “Ross wastrying to get Freya’s attention at the bar. Freya paid him a moment of mind while Tavish decided how long he’d let it go on for.”

He does the classic Callum move—his hand smoothing over his beard to calm himself. “‘Course Freya was friendly-like with him. She’s never met a stranger; every man in the bar saw her talk to him. They had eyes on those women from the moment they walked in.”

“Right.” I share the conclusion I’d come to. “In the eyes of Glasgow, Freya got Jack Maclean off, went straight home to get all dolled up, then met the girls to celebrate the win?—”

He groans. “Freya out on the town, celebrating a win for the Hoax.”

“A win for the Hoax,” I agree.

Pain and frustration crack his typically stoic demeanor as he heaves a sigh.

Knowing he’ll need every upsetting detail, I continue. “Then we have Ross MacDonald coming in a bit before her as if he was waiting for her.”

“And Freya being Freya,” he fills in, “spoke to him for at least a few moments, I’m sure. The place was packed. Everyone saw the two of them together.”

“And that’s when Tavish decided that any information that could be gathered from their conversation wasn’t worth leaving Freya talking openly with a member of the Hoax for another moment. And escorted Ross from the bar,” I finish.

“I’m thankful for that,” he says. “Let’s bring Tavish closerinto the circle.”

I nod. “I agree. And I’ve passed along your gratitude to him.”

“Thank you.” He runs his hand through his hair, leaving it mussed. Slamming a closed fist on the table, he says, “Damn, how I wish we could keep that trash out of our places altogether, but then we’d never get the information we need.”

But we both know the issue at hand tonight isn’t the Hoax. It’s Freya.

I sit quietly, sipping coffee, giving him time to process. Finally, he says, “She’s gone too far this time, Fredrick.”

My heart rate picks up, and my blood heats. What he will ask of me, I’m ready and willing for. “I’m here to help you in any way I can.”

His eyes meet mine. “You know what I need.”

I do. And I need the same.

“Callum.” I sit back in my chair. “You have to be sure. There is no going back with me. Ever.”

“That’s why I’ve chosen you. You know what forever means.” His gaze stays steady. “Have you prepared everything like I asked of you?”

I nod. “I have.”

“And you’re willing?”

“Of course I am.”

Relief comes over him, the tension in his broad shoulders easing. “Thank you, Fredrick. You truly have become a brother to me. I trust you with more than my own life.”

I swallow back the lump in my throat. Loyalty to the Kings fulfilled me. Now, I have a deep need to protect Freya as well. “I consider it an honor.”

He has no idea how long I’ve been willing to enact his plan.

From the moment I saw her, I wanted her. Until now unable to give her anything other than cunnilingus, this is the only way I can have her without having to involve that sickly, terrifying thing I hate most in this world.

Love.

---