58

ASHTON

Damn it. "We've always been the ones protecting them," I explained, frustration evident in my voice. "We even used to confiscate their phones and block numbers of porn producers who called us, just so they wouldn't be able to reach them."

Lennox closed the binder in front of me. "Look at me," he said firmly.

Reluctantly, I turned my gaze towards him, my shoulders tense. I wanted to reopen the damn binder and read through everything again.

"Ashton," he began, his voice calm and understanding, "I understand why you're irritated. I'd feel the same way if my younger cousins decided to repay a debt I didn't want to exist. But this is happening, and you have to deal