Page 89 of A Scottish Highland Hideaway

“We’re big girls,” carried on Laura. “We can get some additional security if we need to.”

Caroline sniffed and nodded.

Ezra let out a frustrated sigh. “But these people sound like they won’t give up easily.”

“Neither will we,” insisted Laura. “All the more reason to stand up to them.”

I shot Ezra a fleeting smile. Then I turned to glance at Caroline and Laura’s images on my laptop. “Determined, wilful, courageous… I can’t think for the life of me where they get that from.”

Ezra pulled a face. “Very amusing.” He leant forward, his brows gathering as he contemplated the situation. “But I want you to take this threat seriously. I want you both to come to Heather Moore where I can arrange protection.”

Both Laura and Caroline began to protest. “It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow!” stuttered Laura.

“Yes, I’m aware of that, but I can’t do this if I’m worried about you. I have great security, and with the people I use, you’ll be far safer up here. We can reassess after the holiday.” Ezra warmed to his idea. “Will you both come?”

“I’m supposed to be spending Christmas with my girlfriend,” said Laura. “I’ll have to see if I can persuade Tori to come too because I’m not leaving her on her own.”

“Wonderful!” answered Ezra. “Caroline?”

“I’m going with two friends to a cottage in Cornwall. We’ve had it booked for ages I can’t just⁠—”

Ezra arched his brows.

Caroline shrugged helplessly. “Ok, ok. I get the hint. If Laura’s in, so am I.”

Ezra clapped his ringed hands together in delight. “Excellent. I’ll make the necessary arrangements straight away.” He paused. “Oh, and before I forget, there’s something else. I’m throwing a little get-together on New Year’s Eve at Bailey’s family home,” announced Ezra. “And I’d be honoured to have you both accompany me.”

Caroline and Laura both gawped down their screens at their famous father.

“I won’t take no for an answer. I insist.” He leant forward, looking more intently into the camera. “And if, as seems very possible, we find out through DNA testing that we are related, I’m very happy to go public about our relationship.”

Caroline and Laura looked shocked.

“Laura, if you’re happy to do this, then so am I,” said Caroline a little nervously.

Laura blew out a breath. “In that case, it looks like we’ll be coming to Scotland for Christmas!”

Well, well.

Ezra King might just turn out to be a wonderful father after all.

Chapter Twenty

Ezra called his management team as soon as the Zoom call ended and asked for confidential arrangements to be made immediately for Caroline, Laura, and her partner, Tori, to be flown to Glasgow on Christmas Eve morning, collected at the airport and taken straight to Ezra’s estate. It sounded like a lovely idea. That way, the three of them could get to know one another and Ezra could ensure their safety.

Ezra also confided in me that he and the two girls were undertaking a fast-track DNA test, to confirm what they suspected – and indeed now hoped.

Meanwhile, I packed up my laptop, thinking how odd life was. If those idiots hadn’t threatened Caroline and Laura, perhaps Ezra would never have made contact with them and what a loss that would’ve been for all three of them.

Ezra snapped shut his phone and observed me. “Thank you, Bailey.”

“I haven’t done anything.”

He snorted. “We both know that’s not true.”

He followed me to my office door and opened it for me. “It shouldn’t have taken something like this to make me think of anyone other than myself. I’m still getting used to possibly being a father, and I know there’s a long way to go, but…”

“You want to do what’s best for them.”