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“I was here first. Tell her to move!”

“I asked you,”

“Typical. You always take her side.”

“It was my seat first. And I want to sit next to my wife.” I walked around the table. “Don’t make me ask again.”

“Why can’t Bas move?”

Nik grinned at the end of the table. Of course he won’t say anything. A month of dealing with these types of petty arguments on his own.

“Fine, both of you can move. Bastion go sit next to Luca, Ceci, next to Rome.” Grown fucking adults, acting like children. “Now.”

Both dragging their chairs back, walking around the table.

Taking my seat back next to Madeline. Slowly the conversation returned to the table. Running my fingers down Madeline's spine. I was far too interested in exploring her back, then paying attention to what my family was talking about.

I had only just earned the right back to touch her.

Backless dresses had to be my favorite. Everyone seeing my name tattooed across her back. That this beautiful woman was mine.

Madeline laughed at something Bastion said. I brushed her hair back. I hated it when it got in the way of me seeing her.

Fuck. I had missed hearing her laugh.

I touched her knee, she was cold. Maybe I could get the heating turned up.

The girls bickering got louder, which stole my attention. I looked between Ceci and Sofia and Rome. I must have missed something.

“Sounds like Cecilia's type, tragic and toxic.” Sofia glared at her across the table.

“Get a life, Sofia, and preferably not mine.”

I looked at Nik. He can deal with whatever that is. I just wanted to drink my whiskey and touch my wife’s back.

“Oh, I’m sorry for caring.” Sofia looked up at the table. “Cecilia has been dating a psychopath.”

I sighed, “Sofia. Unless he hurts her, it’s none of our business.” I kept my hand on Madeline's back and reached for my glass.

“He does! He chokes her out. He spikes her drinks. I’ve seen him with a knife at her throat, when she was passed out on herbed! And she is always covered in bruises! He is a fucking toxic psychopath!”

Surely Sofia was lying. Though by the glare Ceci was giving her and the lack of yelling.

My hand froze on Madeline's back.

“Cecilia, is this true?” I looked between them. “Sofia, if you’re lying, you better admit it now.”

“I’m not lying. And that isn’t even half of the terrible shit he has done to her.”

I looked at Nik. He seemed to be having the same reaction as me.

“How long has she been seeing him, Sofia?” I asked, considering Cecilia wasn’t saying anything.

“Nearly a year. And she is getting worse the more time she is near him.”

“Shut up Sofia!” Ceci yelled at her. “I’m sorry I’m not vanilla like you, and fuck my bodyguard.”

“You don’t even see how bad you’ve got around him! Admit it. The only reason you’re here this weekend is because of him!”