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The waiter came and took our order, interrupting the flow of conversation for only a moment. Freyja took a sip from her wine and looked around the room.

“Looking for someone?”

“No, just wondering who is out tonight. You know how quickly rumors and gossip travel in the city. Just want to prepare myself for anything that might hit the papers tomorrow.”

“Do you find yourself the subject of these papers?”

“On occasion. Everyone who’s anyone in New York does.”

“Miss Malpas, it’s good to see you tonight. Though you might want to consider changing your current company.”

“Maxim,” I greeted. Freyja smiled at Maxim, and my back teeth ground together. Maxim Federov was one of the many reasons I hated this city.

“What brings you to the city, Duncan?”

“Just tying up some loose ends.”

“Hmmm, those ties do tend to fray in some circles when they aren’t kept tightly together.”

“Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Federov. I will tell my parents you said hello.”

I never took my eyes off Maxim, but my surprise mirrored his own when Freyja spoke out.

“Please do.” He nodded at Freyja in goodbye, but before he left, he looked at me. “Please let Miss Kelley know she is welcome at the park.”

My hand fisted on my leg, and Freyja placed her hand over it. Immediately, the tension in my shoulders relaxed, and I opened my hand so she could lace her fingers with mine.

“I’ll tell her. Though I wouldn’t expect to see her again.”

“That’s too bad. My son would benefit greatly from meeting her.”

He walked off before I could respond.

Freyja squeezed my hand, and when I looked at her, all I saw was concern.

“Are you ok?”

“I’m fine.” Though my voice was tight. “Will you excuse me for just a moment; I need to make a call.”

“Of course.”

I stood from the table and walked toward the kitchen. Pulling my phone out, I called Cian.

“Hey, aren’t you on a hot date?”

“Yea, that’s why I’m calling you. I want you to run a check on Freyja Malpas. Get me everything you can before I am done with dinner.”

“What’s going on?”

I looked into the restaurant and watched as Freyja sat at the table waiting for me. She didn’t pull out her phone. Or get up from the table. She drank her wine and casually peered around.

“Sal got into my head, and I just need to make sure I’m not walking into something. Maxim was at the restaurant. He said something about Maddie.”

“What the fuck did he say?” Cian growled over the sound of his fingers moving over his keyboard.

“To tell Maddie she was welcome at the park anytime and that he felt hissonwould benefit from meeting her.”

“Henry isn’t his fuckin’ son.”