Tobias drew his shoulders back. “I’m not going anywhere, Blaine. You can give me five minutes now, or I’ll come back every day until you do.”

“Don’t be an ass, Blaine,” Maverick bit out as he walked past them.

Blaine’s eyes never left Tobias, but his jaw tightened. Neither said a word, uncomfortable silence stretching between them. Tobias was determined not to back down. He’d made this mess, and he was going to clean it up.

“Five minutes,” Blaine said curtly, and strode into an office.

Tobias followed, closing the door behind him. Blaine stood with his arms crossed and the same unforgiving expression. “I care about your sister, and I understand that you don’t think I’m good enough for her.”

“You lied to her.”

“I didn’t, but you already know that.”

“You slept with her without coming clean about being in prison,” he seethed.

“You’re right, because that’s what our relationship was at that point.”

Blaine’s hands fisted.

“I have a sister, too. I know what you’re feeling right now, and I’m sorry, but all I can do is be honest with you. That’s how Madigan and I started, but she got under my skin, and I’m crazy about her. I came back because I was crazy about her, and I wanted to do right by her. I’ve got nothing to prove to you, and I’m not going to try,” he said firmly. “But for Madigan, I will spend every day making up for the hurt I caused.”

“How do we know you don’t have more skeletons in your closet?”

“Maybe you don’t, but I’d imagine your cop friend has already checked me out. All I’m asking is that you don’t make Madigan pay for my mistakes. She fucking worships you, man, and you’re treating her like she’s an outcast. Like she isn’t smart enough to make her own decisions or grown up enough to use her body however she sees fit. Your sister is the fiercest, smartest, and most loving woman I have ever met, and that’s partially because of you. You’ve taught her to take care of herself.” He paused, letting that sink in. “I lost my sister when I was trying to protect her, and I never saw it coming. I wouldn’t wish the guilt or sadness that causes me every damn day on anyone. But you’ve got your eyes wide open. Tread carefully, Blaine, because some wrongs can’t be made right.”