158|Dirty Laundry

Half an hour into their trip to Clarence Estate, Austin was jerked awake when the car suddenly stopped. He sat up, rubbed his tired eyes, and looked out of the window, checking where they were.

"Is something wrong with the car?" he asked as he sat back in his seat and yawned.

Without saying a word, Benji handed him his phone.

"Cute," Austin said with a small smile as he read the text exchange between his handler and Marybeth.

"So why did we stop?" he asked, giving the phone back when he was done.

"We need to know you won't do anything stupid when you get to your father's place," said Benji.

"кума's worried about you," added Arno. "She asked us to take away all your guns—"

Austin snapped at his handlers, pinching the bridge of his nose, "I know what she asked you to do! I may be the idiot who was cheated on multiple times, but I can still read!"

Benji and Arno shared a look, their discomfort palpable, and Austin was instantly horrified at his outburst. It wasn't their fault that Iris wa