Page 23 of Come to Head

“Your brother. I just managed to take pictures before acrewwas sent to clean it up.”

Christian’s heart pounded against his chest, he did everything to smash down the frenzied energy that was wrapping tendrils around his blackheart. There was no love lost between him and his brother. But it washisblood.

Only one family in this town would dare to touch a York.

Even if the treaty stated otherwise.

“The Castillos,” the voice on the phone confirmed.

The egregious disrespect would need to be dealt with. He had called off the war due to the severe losses on all sides, and they had come to an agreement. Clearly that was now null and void, and he would need to act, but first…

Christian disconnected the call; he had heard enough. He appraised his men. “Who saw Sebastian last?”

Four of the men stepped back, leaving one behind.

Christian lifted the gun in his hand that he had pulled from his suit.

The lone man did not snivel or cower. “Sir, I did as directed.”

“You did,” Christian agreed before shooting the remaining four men.

His last trusted man did not flinch as the shots rang out, nor did he react as their blood pooled beneath his feet.

“Now figure out why he went off on his own,” Christian snarled, his attention returning to the picture frame on the floor.

Chapter 12

Maddox

His Ellie

This had been a rollercoaster of a night for Maddox. He couldn’t decide which emotion was outweighing the rest but currently it seemed to beshock.

Oliver had given him bits and pieces of this town. Of the depravity, the lawlessness. How the former mayor, Oliver’s dad, was corrupt and it sent the town itself into a downward spiral.

He knew that the Castillos were washers, cleaning cash to then push out across state lines. He knew the Yorks were importers and exporters of different substances. What he didn’t know was much about who the Landons were. Or their relations with Ellie.

She never spoke about her step-father, or her mother for that matter, and Maddox knew better than to push her on those topics.

“Her step-father? You left her with a known criminal. And what? Assigned a watch dog? How do the Landons play into this?” Maddox wasn’t enthused with this new information.

Oliver didn’t answer him, it was Emilio that chimed in. “Sex, they sell sex. Strip clubs owned by the Landons popped up, but they were a mask for a much darker agenda. It wasn’t long before I had to step in. Isa, you haven’t seen your step-father much, have you?”

Ellie was not back in Maddox’s arms where she belonged. “I’m tired. This is too much. I need to get away from it. Take a nap.”

“I understand. The bedroom from before is made up for you.” Maddox had previously noticed that Emilio’s voice was much softer when he spoke to Ellie than anyone else and that was solidified now. It wasn’t hard to tell that Emilio was a goner, that he was wrapped up in the web that was Ellie.

Maddox didn’t wait for Oliver, he readjusted his grip and tugged Ellie with him up off the couch. This time when he lifted her, it was bridal style. “You may not have married me, but I am going to be the one to carry you over the threshold of the bedroom.”

“Maddox,” Ellie grumbled, but there was no heat in her voice.

She was noticeably exhausted, dark shadows materializing under her bright eyes. A crease had formed between her eyebrows earlier this evening and it hadn’t smoothed. Maddox reached a free hand up to it.

“It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay. No matter what happens, you have us. All of us. Now lead the way Ellie.”

Ellie rolled on the bed to face him. They were in a room lined in bright colors, but with a blackout curtain in place. They had just made it into the bed after showering and changing into fresh clothes. Ellie was donning a sleep dress courtesy of Emilio, and Maddox was borrowing sweats. Now that they were finally stationary, he felt the weight of events settle on him.

“I love you, Ellie. I should have said it before everything happened, but it’s the truth. And I’m not going anywhere. I hope you know that you’re stuck with me. I promise to be the sane one as the other two make irrational decisions.” The words almost felt misplaced, but he needed to speak histruth. It was his main regret when she went missing, that he hadn’t told her.

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