Page 17 of Christmas with the MacLeod's
Pratt sighed deeply as she looked over at Raso, who shrugged then nodded. “She’s bringing us into the fold. The other kids are here with their dad, so we are to watch them for any issues that may arise there. We’re to watch Felicity and anything she says, tries to say or may attempt where Polin is concerned. Anya and several other Interpol agents believe she’s going to make her move, either this week, making it a holiday with a bang or shortly thereafter so she can run to her new target.”
“Divide and conquer?” Marcus asked, watching his wife’s movements. “Shite, you guys are assisting Interpol in taking down Felicity while they go after Madeline.”
Both women nodded, smirking darkly at the same time. “Look, we both know how hot-headed you boys get. Shit, we get that way too when it comes to our family. They believe that Madeline and Felicity have something major planned to not only take out Polin, but the kids and Jr for good. Madeline is angry that Jr divorced her when he caught her red handed with the one guy she was banging on the side for money.”
“The guy who testified against her in court, the guy she was banging, he wound up dead about six months ago.” Pratt followed up behind Raso.
“So ye are telling us, these two, because they aren’t getting what they want, are planning to take out their own children as well as their spouses, or ex-spouses in Jr’s case?” Ash asked, his head tilting to the side.
“Anya stated that this is the longest they’ve ever stayed with a target. From what we’ve been able to piece together with Anya, Colin and Elizabeth, Madeline may have actually fallen for Jr, but Felicity nixed it. It’s rumored that the photo with the guy was staged and purposely sent to Jr to push things along. Madeline does go back and visit the kids now and then…”
“Madeline is the weak link. Felicity is the ringleader. Does anyone know how these two met?” Mike surmised, looking around at their group.
“From what Colin was able to dig up, Felicity and Madeline are actually sisters. Same mother, different fathers. The man that Madeline was photographed with, he was a man from Felicity’s past. Had the hots for Madeline when she was younger. Colin found someone who put them all together. Said that Madeline’s tried multiple times to escape the shenanigans…”
Pratt gasped as she listened to Raso relay what Colin had told her. “Son of a bitch. Madeline leaves them in Glasgow where Felicity can’t reach them. She knows Colin and Elizabeth are watching the kids. She purposely leaves them there to be protected. She’s the fucking source to Anya.”
“What?” Raso asked, looking at Pratt in confusion.
“Think about it. Anya has never met the source. They don’t even talk on the phone. Everything is done by notes, emails or texts from a burner phone. Too much information is passed to just be a simple house staff. Granted they would know a lot of things, but a lot of those conversations are had when no one else is around. Most house staff button up when the cops or hell, even agents question them because they have to sign an NDA.” Pratt explained her thought process to Raso and the men.
“Shit, that does make sense. Even though Madeline is following through…fuck she doesn’t think she has a choice but to follow through. What if Felicity threatened her kids if she didn’t stick to the plan? The guy who was photographed with her turned up dead six months ago, that was probably a warning to Madeline what would happen to her if she backed out of the deal.” Raso realized, her eyes widening when she followed Pratt’s train of thought.
“But why say all those horrible things about Jr, mum and da?” Ash asked, anger in his voice.
“To play along, brother. She’s playing along, letting Anya know in code what Felicity has planned for Jr and the kids if they aren’t caught. She’s protecting them the only way she knows how.” Marcus advised, following Pratt and Raso’s train of thought, agreeing with it once he thought things through.
“Aye, she knows she’s done here. She’s not able to come back, so in her own way, she’s protecting them. Do we know if a deal can be made with her?” Will Sr asked, his shoulder dragging with the weight of the news he just found out.
“I’ll message Anya to see if she can do something. I don’t know if Madeline will risk it, but it’s worth a shot. If Felicity is really a black widow, we have to be careful. You boys have to continue on as if you didn’t know what we just told you. Colin and Elizabeth are going to be pissed we told you as it is, but you’re already planning her death without that information so don’t make us regret keeping you guys in the loop.” Pratt informed the men, kissing Highlander on the lips as he pulled her in.
“Ye all go ahead in. I’d like a moment alone with my lass, please.”
“Aye, let’s go lassie, lads. Let the two lovebirds have a few moments. Lord knows ye mum is gonna need a few minutes later.” Will Sr winked at Highlander and Pratt.
ELEVEN
Highlander pulled Pratt into his arms and just held her tight for several moments. Neither one saying a word, just enjoying the night air, the quiet and each other.
“You ok, hot stuff? I know we just unloaded a bunch of shit on you guys.” Pratt mumbled into Highlander’s shirt.
“Aye, I’m good right now. I have ye in my arms. Four amazing wee ones, hopefully more in the future…”
Pratt laughed as she looked up. “I told you, I’m not having the football team like your mom did. One or two more but that’s it, bubba! Captain is already having a shit fit with the fact I just came off maternity leave…again! Said that she’s going to sneak in and cut your balls off one of these nights.”
“Is that why ye keep them covered when I am home in ye sleep?” Highlander winked down at his wife.
“Hey, just cuz I don’t keep them in a glass jar for protection doesn’t mean they don’t belong to me. My coochie belongs to you, that means that baseball bat and two balls belong to me, mister.”
Highlander laughed. His laughter ringing out loud, and heartily. “Baseball bat huh?”
“Oh, shut the hell up. You’re hung and you know it.” Pratt smacked her husband’s chest as she rolled her eyes.
“I love ye lass.”
“I love you, too, ya big lug. Now kiss me so we can go in and rescue our children and your parents from the shenanigans going on in the house. I think Ryleigh has adopted Ash as her own. So don’t be surprised if she throws a fit when it’s time to go home because Ash isn’t coming with us.” Pratt smiled up at Highlander.
“She’s really taken to him. Secretly, I think he’s taken with her. Not in the perv way an uncle would be interested in their niece.” Highlander informed Pratt, quick to defend his brother. “He was going into a dark place when everyone showed up, the noise taking him back to a flashback. Ryleigh was the only one who was able to bring him out of it.”
