Page 121 of Convict's Game

Wallace rolled his eyes. “There’s nothing to say. In fact, maybe it’s a good thing that you broke into the house in the middle of the night because we get to have this talk. Listen, Emilia. It’s better for the whole family if you vote with us. Mother might be grieving, but she isn’t acting in grief. She knows exactly what she wants. Give up this champion role. You don’t need to do it anymore. We should respect the choice of the remaining founder of the business.”

I clamped down on the urge to yell at him. “What about all the people dependent on it? What about the work that just stopped? What about the boats left to rot in the harbour? Do you know what happened to theEden?”

He heaved a sigh. “I heard. My money is on one of the greedy parasites doing it out of spite.” He sniffed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Money is always an issue, but if you’re concerned about that, you should know there’s a huge payout coming your way. Father told me it would be in his will.”

“I don’t care about money. Why does your mother want the company shut down?”

“It’s none of my business, and it isn’t yours either.”

“Is she being influenced by Rhys Jacobs?”

“Never heard of him in my life, and you sound delusional.” His gaze held mine. “Stop it. Now. Don’t hurt her by voting against her.”

“I’m not trying to hurt her. I’m trying to do what’s best for everyone.”

“Why? You’re free from it all. Get on a plane. Get some sun. At last, go live your own life.”

I had no answer to that. Marchant Haulage was my life. It had been all I’d known for years, just the same as for my grandfather. In the face of Wallace’s complete apathy, my arguments dried up on my tongue.

Wallace climbed to his feet, bundling himself tighter in his dressing gown. “If you’re done whining, I’m going to bed.”

I stared after him. “Will you at least ask her to call me?”

“I won’t. You need to learn when to leave well enough alone. Oh, and by the way, next time? Just knock at the door, and leave the scary minder at the gate.”

He shuffled from the room, leaving Convict and me to stare at each other. Convict lifted a single questioning eyebrow.

Crestfallen, I stood. If my grandmother was here, she would’ve come out. I didn’t doubt that for a second. Even so, I poked my nose into the other rooms, including her bedroom. All empty. My grandfather’s office was soulless and cold.

There was nothing for it but for us to leave.

On the drive back, my thoughts tumbled together. I’d been fighting a battle I was so sure was worth winning, yet at each challenge, more doubt trickled in. Over and over in my mind, I replayed the talks I’d had with my grandfather. How he’d impressed on me the scale of what he’d built and how much good it did. There were needy people depending on the business, but that had been at a point in time and needs had changed.

My thoughts flipped to Wallace’s challenge. I didn’t want to act against my family. I’d spent my life actingforthem. Was this all still worthwhile?

Or was I wholly acting in grief as I’d accused my grandmother of doing?

Back at the warehouse, Convict led me inside, and in the central corridor, I lifted my gaze to find my brother approaching.

“Can I talk to you?” I blurted.

Kane followed me into an office.

Convict hesitated at the door. “No, I’m not listening in,” he said low before shutting himself out to give us privacy.

I faced Kane. “Why did you take this job?”

He folded his thick arms but didn’t answer.

“For the money, right? Because Marchant Haulage stopped paying out?”

Something ticked over in his vision. “Correct.”

I managed a shaky nod. “Is it enough?”

I had no idea what the skeleton crew paid, but my grandfather’s handouts had been generous.

Kane tightened his jaw. “It never could be.”