“I don’t want to do this, Uncle Dean. It’s not right,” I explained as we made our way down the path to the woods.

“Keep your damn mouth shut until we get into the woods, Mason!” he hissed at me through gritted teeth.

I didn’t really give a damn who heard me right now. I was fucking pissed off and tired of this shit. And now that I’d heard some of the shit about Wesley, I didn’t want to take part in this anymore.

Once we were deep enough into the woods, I came to a stop and turned to face my uncle. I reached in my pocket and threw the small envelope of pale green tablets at his feet. He looked surprised as he bent and picked up the envelope. He turned the envelope over in his hands and examined the unbroken seal.

“This hasn’t been opened, Mason.” He glared at me as I nodded. “Are these the ones I gave you last week?”

“Yes. I’m not doing it anymore.”

“You’re unbelievable, Mason. God, you’re such a disappointment. You’re a disgrace to the Van Doorn name,” he spat.

“Why? Because I don’t want to continue to push that kid around?” I pointed at the house and paced. “Didn’t you hear anything tonight? He was forced to fight other kids in a fucking pen that was lined with barbed wire. This is the only home he has!”

My uncle grabbed me, shoved me against a tree, and then he slapped me across my face. He had fistfuls of my shirt in his hands as he shook me.

“This is NOT his home! He’s an orphan! His crack addicted bitch mother sold his ass off for money, Mason. I visited that place with your father. Be grateful you’re a Van Doorn and grew up like you did.”

I shoved my uncle away from me. He stood a few feet away from me and laughed.

“At least you have strength. That’s about all you have. No brains in that head of yours. You’re just Thom Van Doorn’s dumb son.”

“I’m not dumb. I’m his oldest. I’m next in line…Uncle Dean.” I reminded him smugly.

“No, Mason. Your father was up there hugging and consoling your enemy.”

“Wesley is not my enemy.”

“Oh no? How are you going to feel when that little prick not only surpasses you but Kyler and Martin?”

“Dad’s not going to do that.”

“Mason, it’s okay to be scared. You’re feeling emotional because you haven’t been taking these pills as I’ve instructed. You’re crashing.”

I put my hands on my head and looked upward. Those fucking pills.

“I’m not taking them anymore. They make me feel terrible. I can’t concentrate on anything, and I get agitated easily. I feel aggressive all of the time and snap at just about anyone—”

Holy shit!

Uncle Dean stared at me with a smile on his face as it dawned on me what he was doing. He was purposely putting me on these so I’d snap and be aggressive with Wesley.

“Mason, you need these tablets to help you to do your job with Wesley. And, I can see you’re finding them to be highly addictive. You need them.” He held the unopened envelope up. “One of these, every other day. It’ll keep you feeling even.” He shoved the envelope against my chest until I took hold of the envelope. “Find your balls, Mason. Keep on Wesley and do what’s best for the Van Doorns.”

He walked away from me, leaving me alone in the woods. I tore open the envelope and popped one of the light green tablets into my mouth.

“I’m sorry, Wesley,” I mumbled.