Marcus Vale had anticipated some trouble from Victor, but he never expected Julian Ashcroft to show up—and with Elias Cross and his men in tow.
What did that mean?
It meant Julian wasn’t here to back him.
Marcus felt confusion turn to anger. He’d used Julian, sure, but he’d also given the kid real opportunities. And now, at the critical moment, Julian stood on the opposite side.
“Julian—what the hell is this?” Marcus’s recent string of bad luck—family dead, supplier channel still missing—had stripped away his usual affable front. Only impatience and coldness remained.
“Captain—let’s talk off to the side?” Julian smiled.
“What’s there to talk? I’m taking Sebastian.” Marcus waved irritably.
Julian thought a beat, signaled Victor not to explode, then soft to Marcus. “Captain—Sebastian’
