Troy found them in the parking lot of a small café three streets from the mansion.
Paxton’s car was still running. Kevin stood outside the passenger door with his backpack at his feet, arms crossed, face tight. Paxton leaned against the driver’s side, watching the road like he already knew who was coming.
Troy pulled up behind them and got out without turning off the engine. The morning air was cool. Neither of them looked surprised.
“You’re following us now?” Kevin said.
“I told you there would be consequences.” Troy’s voice stayed level. “Alex is no longer allowed contact with you. At all. No texts. No calls. No visits. No sleepovers. You stay away from him.”
Kevin let out a short, hard breath. “You don’t get to decide who his friends are.”
“I do when those friends dig into things
