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Last night? I’m usually the first one to know when shit goes south with our deals and supplies.

“While you were at DL. Somewhere that no one ever finds you.” He cocks an eyebrow.

My heart freezes in my chest.

He knows. He fucking knows.

A cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck at the thought of him keeping me away from Camila.

Has he noticed money missing from the bank for Camila’s Audi?

He’s the only person that knows about the pills. The obsessive episodes.

I’ve kept to myself since the night I was coerced into dealing drugs. This cartel is what’s kept me at bay. I can’t slip up. He’ll know.

Frantic knocking sounds on my door, and Penelope’s voice interrupts our conversation.

Saved by the bell.

“Mr Warren? Max is back.”

We both whip our heads to each other. When I open the door, Ezra and Daniel are standing on either side of Penelope, her face smothered in… Shock? Concern?

I don’t care to place the emotion as I grab a fresh pair of boxers and trousers and hurry back into the bathroom to put them on before we all breakneck towards the office wing.

“You’re supposed to be with your family.” I turn to Ezra as we walk.

“I brought them to the estate, sir. I hope that’s okay,” he says.

“Marley is here?”

“She is.” He smiles.

“Oh, I can’t wait to give that crafty toddler some cuddles,” Jac chimes in from the front.

Ezra and Eve have the cutest little girl, Marley. Everyone is absolutely smitten with her, especially Jac. She refers to us as ‘Uncle’. And since Ezra spends a lot of time here, I gave him the go-ahead to have a break and enjoy some undisturbed time with his family. Ezra and Daniel may be our bodyguards, but they’re also friends. Daniel doesn’t have a family of his own, so he’s constantly here.

“Why didn’t you stay at your house?” I ask.

“Given that Max went missing, I figured you’d want us available for emergencies.”

“I would’ve found someone else, Ez.”

“I know.” He shrugs. “But you couldn’t find better than us, let’s be honest.”

“He’s got a point.” Daniel agrees.

We get to the office wing and burst into Jacques’ office, where Max is sprawled out on his sofa. T-shirt ripped, bruises all over his inked arms, his face almost unrecognisable. His black hair is a tangled mess and looks like it hasn’t been brushed in days.

He groans in pain when he hears us enter.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Jacques asks, rushing over to his side whilst signalling at Penelope to call the in-house paramedic.

He wheezes, clearly struggling to breathe. Ezra and Daniel both take their seats on any available chair, while I stand at the end of the sofa.

“I–I–” Max struggles. He can barely open his eyes.

“Water,” I command, and Daniel rushes towards the water fountain in the corner of the room.