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“How come every time they fuck up, it becomes your problem?” And then by default it annoys me. Because they take her from me. “Tell them to get another fixer and a negotiator.”

Every god damn time a problem occurs, she is called in. With the number of uncles and cousins she has, that phone doesn’t stop.

“You’re being grumpy again.”

Watching as she packed her things. Grumpy was the wrong word for it. Furious. Might be closer.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” she walked towards me, “Or this weekend.”

I groaned.A week.

“Depends on if Uncle Zeke wants to talk to me.”

Running my thumb across her jaw. “Message me when you land.” I stared at her mouth for a moment before kissing her cheek. “Promise.”

She kissed the back of my hand before stepping away from me. “I promise.”

Now I had a long night by myself, and worse, a week without her. Knowing her uncles at the coast, they would drag out her visit and keep her there for two weeks.

CHAPTER 4

Madeline

Powerful men and toxic ego complexes consumed most of my day. It was always the biggest of issues, starting over small things. Sometimes it was hard not to remind them I wore heels bigger than most of their dicks.

God forbid I had a style while I twisted their minds into being rational.

They liked to think they were in control, but they walked at my pace, leaned closer as I spoke, and after hearing a few compliments, they were always willing to end up changing their mind.

I was never considered a threat. To be fair. I wasn’t one. They never stood a chance of not doing exactly what I wanted. But everyone has weaknesses.

Today I was reminded. Just how weak I was when it came to my grandparents and mother.

“It’s a different shade.” I shook my head. “See,” I moved closer to Vince, showing him the very noticeable change of color between the dress I was wearing and the dress on the hanger.

Instead of answering, he just smiled. As if he couldn’t see the clear color difference. Honestly, I don’t even know why he insisted on coming this morning.

I walked back to the rack in the dressing room, placing the dress back. Just as the door opened, two more racks being dragged in.

Normally shopping is a delight, but today it felt like pulling teeth. All this overthinking would end up aging me.

One shop assistant left, the other stayed ready to help me change.

“Fuck off,”

I looked over my shoulder. “Vince, be nice.”

“Fine, fuck off, please?”

“Sorry about him. He’s grumpy this morning.” I apologized to her before she walked out of the room, nearly in tears.

“You’re so rude.” I started to pull the zip down, when he took over. “You know you don’t have to stay.” I held his arm, stepping out of the dress.

Something was wrong with him this morning. I just couldn’t work out exactly what it was. Which is odd, normally I can read him easily. Maybe it was the bed at the penthouse. He rarely stays at the casino.

“Madeline, are you okay?”

I hadn’t even realized I was staring at him.