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Chapter twenty-nine

Colt

M ore. That’s all I can think about as I kiss Maddox goodnight. It stopped raining—well, not completely, but it eased into a tolerable drizzle. I fasten my helmet, rev the engine, and take off on my bike. I should go home, sleep off my rage, shower, really anything but what I have planned.

Why would my uncle lie to me? Forcing me into hiding longer than I need to be? A million alarms are blaring in my brain as I barrel through the empty streets. I don’t give a fuck if it’s late. I have questions that can’t wait. If I get caught sneaking back in, or if he even suspects something’s up, it gives him time to cover his tracks. I want to catch him off guard.

Fifteen minutes later and I’m pulling up to his front gate. I punch the access code in and wait for the gears to slide it open. Once through, I pull up the drive and park. Men are on me the moment I cut the engine, speaking into earpieces. If my uncle was sleeping, he’s definitely awake now, because I’m not supposed to be here.

I lean back in my seat. “Are we taking this inside, boys?”

“Bring him to the office,” Seth calls from the front step, waving us all inside.

I knew he wouldn’t want a scene. I slip my helmet off and lay it on the seat before following my uncle’s goons inside.

As I step into the foyer, they frisk me for weapons—something new, which means my uncle must realize I’m not here to be his puppet and play nice. Once they clear me, Seth waves the men off in dismissal.

“Follow me,” he says, leading the way to my uncle’s office. “He’s not happy you’re here so late.”

“Seth,” I reply, “fuck off.”

“I take it you’re not happy with him, either. Can’t say I didn’t suspect it,” Seth replies.

“Good thing I didn’t ask you. And Seth—“ I stopped, turning to face him. “I don’t need a fucking escort.”

I slam my fist into the side of his head, knocking him out cold. His body hits the floor with a thud. From behind me, my uncle claps.

“Bravo, my boy. You sure showed Seth the error of his ways.” His voice drips with sarcasm. “To what do I owe your late-night visit?”

“You know exactly why I’m here.” My teeth are clenched.

“Oh yes, I take it you know about your brother?” My uncle shrugs like it’s not a big deal.

“It wasn’t at the top of my list, but we’ll talk about it later.” I snarl.

“Oops. If it’s not about Aidan, I guess that means you’ve heard the news. I was going to tell you. Honest, Colt.”

“You were going to tell me?” I shout. “When were you going to tell me? Next week? Next month? In a year?”

He doesn’t answer. “It was for your own safety while I closed a deal and your brother purchased a property for me. He was never in any danger. See, this is why we couldn’t tell you about any of this,” he chides.

“What deal? What property?” I bellow.

“Colt, it’s not a big deal,” my uncle tries to soothe.

“It’s a huge deal!” I shout. “You involved Aidan after you gave me your word.”

“He came to me,” Uncle Ricky brags. “What was I supposed to do? Tell him no? Turn him away? It’s not fair. I allowed you to get involved when you came to me and asked, but you would rather have me refuse your own brother, your own blood, the very same right you demanded from me for yourself?”

“It’s perfectly fair,” I snap.”Because only one of us needs to be involved. He can live a normal, happy life. He doesn’t need any of this.” I throw my hands up in exasperation.

My uncle simply stares at me. “Are we done here tonight, Colt?”

“Are we done here? Don’t forget that I’ve stepped aside all these years because this is not something I want. It’s not what our parents wanted for us,” I pause, knowing there’s no going back from what I’m going to say. “But you should remember if I change my mind, the tables are going to turn, and you won’t like the side you end up on.”

I narrow my eyes as my uncle shrinks back into the shadows, avoiding my menacing gaze, but I take a step forward, pinning him in place with a glare. “I may have been afraid of you once, Uncle, but you’ve turned me into a worthy opponent. I’ll dismantle everything you’ve worked so hard to build. Never forget that.”

“And if I call your bluff, because I know this lifestyle doesn’t suit you, then what?” He glowers at me.

“Then I would like to remind you that I’m keeping your guilty secret.” I snap, tendrils of anger coiling in my fists.

“Which secret would that be, boy? “ He taunts, eyes gleaming in the flickering shadows.

“The one where you’re responsible for my parents’ deaths.” I spit the words out, my mouth carved into something brutal and unforgiving.

“Be careful with your accusations. What makes you think I’m responsible? Who would be stupid enough to spread a rumor like that?” White hot rage covers his face—all I need to know is I’ve hit a nerve.

“You’ll never know. I hope it drives you fucking mad. A special kind of torture for a wickedly cruel man. Do we have an understanding or not, uncle?” My tone is venomous, cutting against his perfectly sculpted facade.

“I understand. Good night, Colt.” My uncle concedes, dismissing me to lick his wounds and plot his next move.

There was a time, before I’d built my empire, that I was afraid of myself. Terrified of my name, and the very blood coursing through my veins. Putting my brother and his future wife in danger by having them acquire property abroad was the final straw. I’ve officially reached my breaking point. A surge of relief flows through me. Standing up to my uncle feels oddly satisfying.

He doesn’t realize I have all the control. Tomorrow, I’ll call to apologize, explaining I just want my brother out. Since Aidan’s name is on this house in Mexico, he’ll stay there indefinitely, far away from my uncle’s reach. Instead of opening in Texas, we’ll expand to a location there—or Aidan can take on more managerial tasks remotely, and we can put the expansion on hold. Either way, my uncle won’t be stupid enough to cross me again, and I still don’t have to take over the shitty family business.

Before I turn to leave, I give him one last set of instructions. “Uncle, one more thing. Never involve him in business again. I don’t care if he asks. You tell him to come to me if he wants to be involved. Do we have an understanding?”

“Yes.” His voice grim and defeated as it echoes through the corridor.

“Good. This time, don’t break your word, or I’ll be forced to do something I don’t want to.” I snarl before turning on my heel and stalking back to my bike.

I pass Seth, still crumpled in a heap on the ground, and smirk to myself. Fucking asshole deserved it. No one says a word to me as I stroll out the front door and down the drive to pop my helmet on. I guess my message was received loud and clear.

My adrenaline is pumping from the confrontation. I’m riding a wave of endorphins as I speed back to my place. I have every intention of walking right through the front door. My uncle might be power-hungry, dirty, and double-crossing, but he’s not stupid. His men will be gone before I even arrive.

Sure enough, there’s no one to be seen when I saunter in the building. I take the elevator up. It’s empty as well, and I savor the solitude.

Inside, I fall onto the plush sofa, pulling my phone from the zipper pocket where I keep it. I have a few unread messages from HexXdoll. I swipe them open immediately, chuckling. She sent me some game codes. She’s fucking adorable like that. I smile. I promised myself to stop holding back from life. Fuck it. Here goes nothing.