?Chapter 651:


    Freya’s brows drew together.


    Roughly half an hour passed before Freya confirmed the ship’s course was set toward Butterfly Ind.


    While Natasha and Brendan were distracted, she covertly activated the small device she’d hidden in advance.


    It had three buttons—one for international, one for domestic, and one for unknown locations. She pressed the second.


    Butterfly Ind was domestic territory.


    Once the signal was sent, she remained seated, staring at the scenery drifting past outside the ship.


    The message with the domestic coordinates was on its way, but the ind was so far off the beaten path that no one ever went there casually.


    If Freya’s friends followed the tracker, Brendan’s people might notice right away. She had to find a way to warn them about the exact location—before it was toote.


    Lost in thought, Freya came up with an idea—though she wasn’t entirely sure it would work.


    She rose to her feet, but before she could take a single step, Brendan’s eyesnded squarely on her.


    “Ms. Briggs, where do you think you’re going?”


    “To the restroom,” Freya answered crisply.


    Brendan turned to Natasha and said, “Go with her.”


    “Is that really necessary?” Natasha asked,zily sipping her juice through a straw. “It’s not like she can jump ship.”


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    “She can’t run, true, but hiding’s a different story on a vessel this size,” Brendan replied, casting a pointed nce at Freya. “Besides, she doesn’t know her way around. What if she gets lost?”


    Setting down her juice, Natasha stood and followed Freya toward the restroom.


    Along the way, she kept up a friendly chatter,ced with concern. “Any preference for dinner? I can talk to the chef for you.”


    “I’m not picky.”


    “You remind me of my mentor,” Natasha said, ncing sideways at her.


    To deflect suspicion, Freya asked casually, “Is that why you’re being so nice—because I remind you of her?”


    “Of course not,” Natasha retorted with a softugh. “I just think the two of you would’ve hit it off. Quiet types, not fussy about food.”


    “You’re reading too much into it,” Freya said with a shrug, her tone breezy.


    When they reached the restroom, Freya went through the motions and stepped out wearing a hesitant expression.


    Natasha noticed immediately and asked bluntly, “What’s wrong?”


    “I want to take a shower,” Freya admitted. “I didn’t get tost night, and I’m feeling ufortable.”


    “Go ahead,” Natasha said, not nearly as strict about such things as Brendan. “I’ll take you.”


    Freya followed along, thinking to herself that having a former apprentice who had switched allegiances could actually be quite handy.


    Natasha led her to the room, gave a few brief instructions, then locked the door and returned to Brendan.


    Freya casually scanned the room to check for cameras. Finding none, she slipped on a few fingerstalls and opened Natasha’sptop. She knew it was wrong to use someone else’s things without asking, but given the situation, she had no choice.


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