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He kissed my cheek and hugged me. I said goodbye to my sister and my parents, promising them I would be home soon to collect my things. Jeffrey informed me he would drive my parents home and return tomorrow as my personal driver. Duncan didn’t even blink. In fact, he thanked Jeffrey for his willingness to uproot his life at his age.

When the office cleared out, and it was just Duncan, Sal, Cian, Mac, Caity, Maddie and me, I asked, “What did you learn?”

Sal’s head snapped up at my question. I didn’t know if the Mob worked the same as the MC, but I was about to find out ifthey would keep the information quiet in the name of ‘plausible deniability’ or if they would share and let their women be a part of what was going on.

A lack of information left you vulnerable and open. Whereas knowledge was power.

“Not now, Freyja,” Duncan whispered.

“What the hell is going on?” Caity asked. “Why were Maddie and I summoned?”

“Freyja was kidnapped today, by Tyran. I can’t have you both unprotected. So, until we figure out who he is working with, you will both have shadows.”

Caity glared at Cian, and I wondered about their dynamic. Maddie looked resigned. “Who?” she asked.

Sal looked at Cian. “Mac will be staying at the house at night.”

Cian left the office, slamming the door behind him.

“And during the day, you will both have men we trust following you. They will try to be unobtrusive, but I am hoping that by having them visible, Tyran will think twice before trying anything.”

“I can’t do this shit, Sal. If Nolan is gone, I want to do what Maureen did.”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

I sat on Duncan’s lap watching Caity and Sal argue back and forth like a tennis match.

“I mean no. I will not have my only sister gallivanting all over the damn country. Maureen was different. Duane set things up for her. Sent her out west to Lannie.”

Sal looked at Caity with a grin. “Unless you’d like to take a trip out west. Go to Nebraska and meet your nephew. You can visit Maureen while you’re there. And you and Maddie would be safe.”

Caity folded her arms over her chest and glared at Sal. “Fuck no.”

Duncan chuckled behind me. And Mac coughed, trying to hide his own laughter.

“Not a country girl, little sister?”

“Fuck you, Sal. Mac, let’s go.” Caity stormed out of the office with Mac right behind her. Maddie slowly rose from the sofa and strolled to the door.

Before walking out, she turned to Sal and said, “Maybe I’d like to meet my cousin. I could use some time away, Uncle Sal.”

Sal was easy to read when it came to his family. I picked up quickly that he let his guard down when dealing with Maddie and Caity, and I could see he didn’t want her going alone.

Before he spoke, I jumped up. “Maddie. I would really like the chance to get to know you. Maybe in a few weeks we could go out west together?

“Beck’s baby is due in a few months. I’d like to go meet him. I’ll take you to Nebraska then, and hopefully this shit will be over.”

Maddie nodded solemnly, before walking through the door to catch up with her mother and Mac.

“Why does Maxim have her son?” Sal’s eyes went wide at my question.

“Freyja, it’s a long story. One you should hear from Maddie if she wants to tell it.” Duncan took my hand, and I understood what he was saying, but she was so sad it broke my heart.

I nodded and then asked, “Is Bellamy safe?”

“For fuck’s sake.”