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“Bas—”

“It’s just bruises.” He muttered, walking away from me. “I’m going to bed.”

I stood there for a few minutes, after I heard his bedroom door close. Maybe I wasn’t better than the old bastard. Or worse, I was becoming like our father after mom died. I used to save Bastion from being hit. Now I was the one hitting him.

CHAPTER 28

Madeline

“That’s three shipments.” Running my fingers through my hair, fighting a headache. “Fifteen trucks. That isn’t random. Someone is hijacking them and sending a message.”

A message that was directed at me. My stomach twisted again. “Is there still no word on who?”

Sitting in the back seat of my Uncle Cole’s blacked out sedan. Twenty past four in the morning.

“We just have to wait for the guns to flood the market or watch who suddenly has more weapon power.” He was calmer tonight. Perhaps it was just exhaustion.

“Our relationship with the buyers was fragile before we lost their shipment twice.” Dropping my head back against the headrest. “It is not an option to tell him we have lost it again. I’ve negotiated until the end of the month. We will have to wear the cost, buy up the market. Those guns were paid in full.”

He touched my leg. “Maddy, when was the last time you slept? You’re losing that spark we love.”

Turning to look out the window. “It’s hard to sleep, knowing someone is purposely making me look stupid.”

My uncle’s driver pulled to a stop at the top of Vince’s driveway. Two hours we drove around talking. No closer to a conclusion.

“Maddy, this isn’t the first time our guns have been taken. Nor will it be the last time someone will want to challenge you. Normally you see that, normally you expect people to underestimate you. You thrive on proving them wrong.”

Dropping my head to the side to look at him. My vision was blurry for a moment before I blinked.

“So, I’ve asked Nathaniel to fly in and take over for a few weeks. Give you a break.”

I groaned, loudly. Rolling my eyes. It took all my self-control to not throw a tantrum.

“A leader is only as good as their self-awareness. You need a break and we’re enforcing it.”

This would be the second time the family had stood me down. Immediately, I felt like a failure.

“Fine but, I deal with the buyer at the end of the month.” I want to look that man in the eye and apologize to him, but more importantly, I needed to see if he was the one stealing them.

“Can you at least tell Nathaniel no bright colored shirts and bold patterns? There is never a reason to wear fluorescent shirts with a brown business suit.” I could gag just at the memory.

He unlocked the compartment, handing me my phone. “Goodnight Maddy,”

“Goodnight uncle,” I closed the car door, yawning. Like normal, he didn’t pull away until I was inside.

Even though the chances of anything happening to me here was non existent.

The security at the Crow's gated compound was unlike anything else.

I left the front door unlocked. Walking upstairs. At least the bedroom lights were off. Opening the door softly. Thank God,he was asleep. I was starting to get worried that my routine was affecting him.

It had been over a week since Vinces fight with Bastion, and he still didn’t seem any better.

Glancing at the cigarettes on the bedside table. I hated to admit I needed one. Was I becoming a smoker? Pouting, I climbed onto the bed next to Vince. Laying on top of the blankets.

Maybe my uncle was right. I needed a break.

I didn’t even have the energy to get undressed. Sleeping fully clothed like a psychopath. God, what could I justify next?