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“Keep in mind that we can proceed with the full support of the law, guys,” Freya reminded us sternly. “We don’t have to do anything illegal or dangerous. We have Shane’s testimony, and Cass’s. Halliwell tortured him and tried to murder him. Shane can accuse him, and Cass can bear witness, so what’s stopping us? We can certainly afford an army of lawyers as big as any he could bring.”
“Yes, I saw it,” Cass said, her voice vibrating with tension. “And yes, I will testify. I’ll do anything you want. But please. First let me figure out what he’s holding over my little sister, and if there’s a way to undo it before you come down on him. I need data, options, leverage. The minute you guys move against him, I lose them all.”
We pondered that stark truth for a moment. Sneaky bastard that he was, Halliwell had managed to jerk us around even here. Inside my family stronghold.
Kat drummed her fingers on the table by the couch. “The fake doctor said that the medicines were compounded in the Coatesworth Facility weekly and delivered to the clinic every Monday. We need to know who compounds it. What’s in it.”
“But we shut the clinic down already and scattered his shills,” Ethan said.
Cass lifted her hand. “The woman who helped me mentioned the Coatesworth,” she said. “She used to work there. That’s where his pharmaceutical research is done.”
“Yeah. The Coatesworth is a big deal. Halliwell Enterprises makes billions from pharmaceuticals.”
Angela walked in. “People, I’m serving an early dinner, since brunch was so late. The gingerbread pudding is in the oven, what small part of it isn’t smeared all over the kitchen. Dinner will be served in ten.”
“Thanks, Angela. It smells great,” Freya said.
“The girls seem to have bonded,” Angela said, her voice tender. “They went to Holly’s room, and they’re in there on the bed, talking books and science. It’s adorable.”
A smile flashed across Red’s face. “That’s great,” she said.
“Need help setting the table?” Kat asked.
“I had the girls do it. I just need someone to pick out some wine. We’re having steak and a potato, artichoke and cheese bake, so choose accordingly.”
“I’m on it,” I said, rashly. As if I remembered anything like what wines tasted like, if I ever knew. Everyone else scattered to go and do whatever could be done in the ten minutes allotted before dinner. Red stalked past me without acknowledging my existence. Freya hugged and kissed me before she left. Jed slapped me on the back. Everyone passed with the usual worried looks, like they were poised to catch me at any time if I started falling to pieces.
I took my chance to retreat to the dim privacy of Ethan’s wine cellar, where I proceeded to just put my head down between my legs and try to fucking breathe.
CHAPTER16
Cass
“You’re kidding,” I said to Jed, incredulous. “You broke out of prison just in time to save her from a band of killers?”
“In a snowstorm, no less,” Freya said.
Jed nodded solemnly. “The prison break had been programmed already,” he said. “It’s not like I could break out of a max security prison on the fly. But saving her from Wex Boer and Nicole’s goons was off the cuff. The woman keeps me on my toes.”
“Oh, stop it,” Freya scoffed. “I saved your fine butt too, several times, so don’t you act all long-suffering and put upon.”
He leaned over to give her a swift but very passionate kiss. “All my suffering is worth it.”
They gazed into each other’s eyes. A glimpse of total intimacy and trust, marbled with scorching lust. It made my heart squeeze with longing.
Which made me angry at myself, for craving something so silly and unreasonable. I was asking a wounded, damaged, traumatized guy to be whole, and to fulfil all my stupid girlish fantasies. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t Shane’s fault that he didn’t have what I needed. That was Halliwell’s fault. And fate’s. Tough shit for me.
After all the intense events of the day, last night’s ice-cold dismissal still hurt. But I didn’t have time for this bullshit. I should be grateful for the help. I should be cool and focused and businesslike, scheming for Reggie’s well-being.
Not sulky and sad because Shane wasn’t fulfilling my maidenly longings for romance. Longings I never knew I had until now.
Let it go, damn it. Let him go. He can’t be what you want.
I savored another bite of dessert. Today’s offering was a tender gingerbread with a whisky-tinged cream sauce. Holly and Reggie had their heads together and were cheerfully arguing about which of the Harry Potter books were the best ones. I loved to see it. Reggie had never had much social interaction with peers, which was partly Mom’s and my fault. Mom was introverted and often depressed. She’d made very little effort socially. On top of that, Reggie was at least four grade levels ahead in terms of her cognitive development, which had always made friend groups problematic for her.
And it made social isolation and being bullied at school practically a given.
Holly was perfect for her. Smart, cheerful, bubbly, kind. Drawing her out.
