Page 13 of A Forbidden Love (Fraser Crime Syndicate 3)

CHAPTER4

Ryan

It sits on the tip of my tongue to ask Aurelia how she is, but I keep my mouth shut. Instead, I watch her covertly as I wait for Zeke to get ready for us to leave the house. She looks tired. I’m guessing she didn’t sleep well last night.

Fucking Charlotte Fraser and her dick of a husband.

How can they do this to their own daughter?

The same way they did it to their sons. All they care about is the syndicate and furthering their own name.

I’ve been around Zeke long enough to see how damaged he is by his parents’ narcissistic tendencies.

I’ve seen this in each of the Fraser children. They cling to each other, rather than relying on their parents. Because their parents can’t be relied on. Charlotte Fraser is a meddling bitch.

But I’m worried about Aurelia. She is so young to be forced into marriage. It seems cruel to expect it. I am loyal to the Firm. I will always be loyal to the Firm, as long as Zeke is part of it. Despite that, there are still times when I think about walking away. There are times when this world is too difficult to stomach. The archaic way the two bosses of the family think, scares me.

Aurelia gives me a sidelong glance, as if trying not to look obvious. It makes my lips quirk at the corners. She’s interested, and I like that she is. Over the years I’ve been with Zeke, I’ve come to care deeply about his little sister.

Zeke kisses Bailey and says goodbye to the girls before he starts for the front door. I give Aurelia a final glance before I follow him. I push everything out of my head as the front door is opened. My only focus in this moment is getting Zeke safely to the car. We don’t hesitate. We walk fast and with purpose so I can get him in the back of the vehicle. Once he is secured, I get into the driver’s side and hit the central locks. It won’t stop someone really determined from getting into the car, but it will at least give me a moment to react.

I glance in the rear-view mirror. “Where to?”

“Fraser Holdings. Want to have a word with my mother and father.”

He gives his attention to his phone, dismissing the conversation. I start the engine and slip the car into gear. Pulling away from the pavement, I start the drive over to the Fraser’s business.

Zeke makes calls on the way, and I block out what he’s doing, focused instead on his little sister and how I can keep my promise to her and ensure her safety.

When we pull up outside the building, I drive around the back to the small car park reserved for the highest members of the business. I park the car and climb out.

I scan the area, looking for any signs of danger. Seeing nothing untoward, I move to the back door and open it. Zeke gets out of the car, and we head inside.

I lead him over to the lift, stabbing the button to call it down to us. I can tell by Zeke’s stance that he’s stressed. Maybe just pissed off. His mother tends to have that effect on him.

He doesn’t say a word as the lift climbs to the right floor. When the doors open, he still maintains his silence, stepping out into the corridor. I keep close to him, my eyes everywhere, looking for hidden threats. Even here, I don’t trust him to be safe.

Usually, I would wait outside while he talks with his parents, but today, he gestures for me to follow him. Is he worried? He probably should be. His parents aren’t exactly rational.

When we step into Anthony’s office, his mother and his father are both in the room. Anthony sits behind the desk, pretending to be the man in the suit with his finger on the pulse. I see the real him. The one who is controlled by his wife. Charlotte is really the head of this operation. Anthony might be the head of the firm in name, but it is in name only. I wonder how long it’s been since he last made a decision he didn’t have to confirm with his wife.

Charlotte looks like a typical trophy wife. Her blonde hair is long and loose, her skirt fitting perfectly to her hips, and the blazer jacket she’s wearing makes her look business-ready and fashionable. She’s wearing a pair of bright red heels that match her lipstick.

She also looked pissed. “Why are you keeping your sister hostage?” Charlotte demands.

“That’s rich, coming from you.” Zeke walks into the room and takes a seat in front of the desk, as if he doesn’t fear a single thing.

“I’ve only ever cared about your sister’s well-being.”

“We told you she was not to be married unless she wanted to be. Yet the first opportunity you get, you try to set her up with some old bastard.”

Charlotte scowls, and I want to wipe that fucking look off her face. “He’s not some old bastard. He is a genuinely good match for Aurelia. He is a Lord, with land and titles. He also has a position in the House of Lords, something we might be able to use to our advantage.”

“And what advantage might that be?”

“You do remember the part where your brother murdered the son of the mayor? He is now making things very difficult for us in our legal dealings.”

“He’s blowing off air. There’s nothing he can do to touch us.”

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