Sitting at my desk I was a little shocked that Cade had the balls to just walk into my office. More so after the last time only days ago I had nearly choked him out in my office at his confession of hitting Emerson. But that was the last thing I wanted him to find out.

"Emerson said he would forgive me."

"Im glad."

"It's not for my sake, he made sure to let me know that."

"Let me guess----"

"You don't have to finish that sentence, Maddox. You and I both know whos favour it was for. So tell me this, why did you vouch for me considering you did try to take my head off."

"Change of heart."

"I don't believe you."

"Good you shouldn't. but be glad I like your son enough not to hurt you for what you did, but don't do it again."

"What are your intentions with my son Maddox, at least give me that."

"I'll let you know when I know myself."

He sat in the same chair he did only days before and I found myself remembering the conversation vividly.

- - - - - - - - -

"Maddox what do I do, I've fucked everything up with that damn kid. fuck."

"What did you do?"

"I backhanded him and he edged me on and I tried to punch him, I didn't. I was able to see how much I scarred him when my hand hit the wall beside him."

"You hit him?"

"Yes and now Diane won't let me see our son. Let alone------"

standing up from the desk I hadn't allowed him to finish that sentence. He had hurt that kid. The same one I had touched in a much better way. What exactly did the kid say for his own father to trying to sack his face in?

With my hands around his throat, I could see the panic in his eyes. There was nothing he could do if I wanted to snap his neck here and now.

"What did he say to you, Cade? What did that small teenager say that made you want to break his face!"

"He-- said-- he would---rather-- call-- you-- daddy-- Before me."

Amusement poked threw the anger inside me. The kid had a mouth on him. that was for sure. I let go of Cade and backed off. I needed to put distance between us before I snapped his neck like a twig. My hands shook as I sat in my chair. Cade still had more to say.

"Carry on Cade, im sure you still have more to say."

"If you wouldn't have slept with him I would have this fucking problem Maddox, My child should have been off-limits. But he fucking wasn't was he!"

"Your son is nineteen and he made the decision to sleep with me, I only gave him what he wanted. "

"He is not something for you to just----"

"Want a drink? Of rather something to shut your mouth before I do it for you."

"Maddox you are the one to blame here."

"Am I? That hardly seems to be the case, Cade, I didn't backhand him and I certainly didn't try to punch him."

"I didn't mean-----"

"Put your hands on that kid again and I will pop your fucking head off."

"Maddox----"

"He is under my protection. Mine. You so much as damage a hair on his head and I have yours."

Standing out of my chair, I walked around the desk as Cade stood up and I grabbed the jacket of his very nice and expensive suit.

"Don't cross me Cade, or Emerson will be the one who suffers."

I threw him out of the office, rage under my skin.

"Now stay to fuck out."

- - - - - - - - -

Cade sat there still in my office.

"Maddox, Promise me you meant what you said, That he was under your protection."

"You have my promise, Cade. Not that you needed it. I have every intention of protecting Emerson, with my life if I have too."

"Thank you."

Cade didn't say anything more as he got up and left, Looking at the clock it was about noon, Emerson would be hard at work another three hours left in his shift. My private cell rang, showing Lake Haven nursing home on the screen. My mother must be calling me.

Checking to make sure I didn't have anything coming up for at least an hour I called the home back.

"Good afternoon Maddox I hope I'm not calling at a terrible time?"

"No no, now is an ok time. What's going on? Is my mother ok?"

"She's still present, but I don't know for how long. She's been asking for your dad to visit and she thinks she at a resort. She has also been looking for you, she freaks out claiming her ten-year-old son is missing."

"Should I visit? Will it make things worse?"

"She's having good days and bad days, I would say if you can get away to come to visit her do it."

"I understand thank you."

"Any time Maddox, just try to visit her."

"Thank you,"

Hanging up the phone I nearly crushed the thing against my desk. That was not the news I needed right now. My mood was sour and peaking out was the part of me that would ruin and snuff out any brightness Emerson had. Going to see him was out if the question.

Jackson Chance, My third underboss, and weapons dealer, his daughter had his attention tonight, she was only four. I didn't much agree with his bringing her to the complex but he wasn't the only one who brought their kids. Most times this was the only way to see them.

"Jackson send your work my way, im feeling a need to get my hands dirty,"

"Alexi has my tasks for the weekend, but by all means lord over him if you want."

"Cool thanks,"

Hunting down Alexi, my forth underboss and finance manager, I pulled him aside.

"Let me lord over you,"

"Its nothing great, weapons deal with the Italians and beating money out of a pinching bookkeeper."

"Do I have a chance to turn you down?"

"No."

"Vest up. You're not the Italians favourite."

"Not my fault."

Grabbing a vest I slipped it on. There I had a fucking vest on to, you know cover vital organs. I was ready to go. I couldn't wait to take my anger out on that bookkeeper. After all, it was my money he was lifting.