“Damn it,” Jaxon muttered after reading Aidan’s update. After a week of investigating, they were no closer to finding the bearded guy he’d seen with Bryce. The man had only been renting the place in the suburbs, and further digging by the IR had shown he’d given fake IDs and references to the real estate managing agent.

As for Bryce, Smith Security had given him another job after Holly had let him go. Jaxon had been shadowing his brother all week, and he hadn’t done anything to further arouse suspicion.

Jaxon couldn’t help but be relieved about that. But at the same time, he was damned frustrated. They were getting nowhere with the kidnappers, and the intrusion from the media was getting worse.

Holly had appeared on live TV a few days ago to prove she was safe and sound. She’d said she was simply busy working on her new album. However, gossip rags didn’t seem to want to let go of another intriguing question: Was Jaxon Caine Holly Stirling’s new boyfriend?

Seriously, they’d never even seen him and Holly together! Just because one reporter raised the possibility, everyone now thought it could be the truth.

Well, yeah, it was true. But there was no evidence. And it annoyed the hell out of him that they could be so brazen in butting into people’s private lives.

Paparazzi had started to follow him around the city. A couple had even become members of A to X Fitness to check up on him and Xavier, which meant that Holly couldn’t go there for a workout. A reporter had even tried to get information from Jaxon’s receptionist. Fortunately, he’d never taken Holly to his office, with or without her disguise.

At least the fans and paps had stopped hanging outside his Avalon property. With the additional camera Jaxon had gotten installed by the gate to capture a wider area of his street, Aidan had been able to confirm no one had checked out the place in three days. It seemed the media and the OZs had gotten sick and tired of not sighting Holly over there.

Great! Now, Holly could go back there in secret to spend the night with him, since Xavier and Eve had to stay overnight at Dubbo for Eve’s work assignment.

He missed Holly. With him following his brother, he’d only had time to see her once this week, when he’d snuck into the back of Xavier’s car and gone home with him. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be much drama for the next two days so he and Holly could enjoy their time together.

His phone pinged with a text message. It was Xavier advising that the coast was clear outside his house.

Jaxon stopped driving around aimlessly and headed to Xavier and Eve’s. He knew Holly had been protesting about how strict they’d been with her safety, not because she was feeling smothered—although she probably was—but because Holly was concerned that Jaxon, Xavier and Eve were overextending themselves.

He shook his head. Even up to now, his girlfriend didn’t want people doing too much for her, even if it was her safety on the line.

Xavier’s garage door was opening as reached their house. He parked the car inside and got out.

“We have to go very soon,” Xavier said. “We might miss our flight.”

“Pity the pap didn’t leave earlier, hey?”

“Eve found out he has to pick up a child from school, that’s why he follows the same schedule every weekday.”

“You’d think he’d have given up by now,” Jaxon said with a head shake.

“One of the neighbours gives him food and cakes while he waits. Annoying, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Jaxon followed Xavier inside, and Holly came to meet him.

“Hey,” Holly said, curving her arms around Jaxon’s neck for a kiss.

“Hey,” he breathed, holding her tight.

“Hi, Jax,” Eve said, sounding in a rush. “Sorry, but we have go.”

“Sure, no worries,” Jaxon said, following everyone to the garage.

Holly got into Jaxon’s car.

“See?” Holly said when Jaxon settled behind the wheel. “This is what happens when I don’t have my own bodyguard. I’ve held them up. They shouldn’t have to rush like this.”

“It won’t be forever,” he soothed as he backed out of the garage, waving to Xavier and Eve.

“I hope so. If the kidnappers never get caught, I’m afraid our lives will be like this forever.”

Jaxon’s heart pinched at the sadness in Holly’s voice. “I’m sure they’ll get caught.”

“Soon will be good,” Holly said flatly. “Anyway, I’m glad we’re going to your place in Avalon. I miss it.”

He smiled. “I miss it too. I haven’t been back there since that reporter ambushed me.”

“That’s not the worst some of them can do. Are you sure they’re not there right now?”

Jaxon paused. He was sure because Aidan had said so. But he couldn’t tell her that. “You’ll have to hide yourself again when we get on my street. If it looks like someone could get close to the car and spot you, I’ll keep on driving. Hopefully, we should be able to get inside without anyone seeing you.”

“Jax…”

“Yeah?”

“This is not gonna go away, you know. They might get sick of the kidnapping topic after a while, but the unwanted attention will always be there. Are you okay with that?”

He inhaled sharply, an image of Bryce and Joseph popping into his head. Holly so didn’t need to be embroiled in a scandal involving both her boyfriend and former bodyguard, and he definitely could do without anyone poking around his family life. But what was the option?

He sent her a smile. “We’ll deal with it as best as we can, okay?”

Holly smiled back. “Okay.”

Holly’s phone beeped with a text message. “Ugh, you’re kidding me.”

“What?”

“Christine said that a reporter asked her if Bryce Green is my boyfriend.”

“What? Whatever gave them the idea?”

“Well, I suppose people at the studio have seen Bryce with me, although I’ve told the guys I work with that he’s my bodyguard.”

“Which means someone there is feeding reporters information about you.”

Holly let out a heavy sigh. “That can’t be helped. I trust my sound producers and engineers and musicians, but we’re not the only ones who use the studio. It’ll be impossible to tell who started this particular rumour.”

“Good thing Bryce no longer works for you.”

Holly snickered dryly. “Yeah. I bet they’re gonna talk about me being a player again. First, there was Jaxon Caine. Then there was Bryce Green. And Holly Stirling discarded them both in a matter of weeks.”

Jaxon’s heart thudded harder. “You really think they’ll say that?”

“It sells their wares. Do you think I should warn Bryce?”

Jaxon frowned at the road ahead. If Bryce made the news, Joseph would find out he was back in town. But that wasn’t what worried Jaxon. With Holly being a common factor, Joseph would discover that his stepsons were in communication again.

Jaxon ran his hand over his face. Would he always have a sword over his head for the rest of his life? And as long as he was with Holly, that same sword could wreak havoc on her career and whatever little privacy she enjoyed.

“Jax?”

He glanced at Holly.

“Are you okay?”

“Sure.”

“You don’t like all this attention, do you?”

“Hey.” He squeezed her hand, not knowing how to respond to that.

“It takes a lot of getting used to.”

“I know,” he said distractedly, suddenly noticing a car behind overtaking several vehicles. Why was the driver in a hurry?

He kept watch of the car while also minding the road ahead, all his focus going to determining if they were being followed.

Then the car headed right, and he let out a sigh.

“I’m sorry,” Holly said softly.

“What?” He hadn’t caught what she’d been saying. He’d inadvertently tuned out of everything but that car.

“I said I’m sorry that you’re caught up in the craziness of my life.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it.”

“Shall we listen to some music?” Holly turned on the radio.

“Sure.” He didn’t mind at all. There was so much going on in his brain. And what about that reporter raising the topic that Bryce was Holly’s boyfriend? What a disaster!

They got to his street, and Jaxon slowed down. He hadn’t received a phone call from Aidan, which meant there were no paparazzi or fans lying in wait. But he asked Holly to duck anyway.

“Can you see anyone?” Holly whispered.

“No. I think you can sit up.”

“Are you sure?” Holly stayed down.

He waited until the gate had closed behind him. “Yes. We’re inside now.”

Holly straightened. “Hah, this place always relaxes me.”

He smiled, happy to hear that. “I have to make a phone call to check on a few things at work. I’ll join you upstairs in a few minutes.”

“Okay. I think I’ll go out the back. I haven’t had a good workout in a while. I want to get reacquainted with your obstacle course.”

“Okay,” he said with a laugh.

He parked the car and went inside his apartment. He texted Xavier and Eve that they’d arrived at Avalon without a problem, then he called Aidan and told him about the media speculation on Bryce and Holly.

“Shit,” Aidan said. “This makes it very complicated for you.”

“I know. It’s easy to keep my mouth shut and not give Joseph any reason to feel nervous. But he might still get scared anyway. He might take the offensive and make things worse. So I think I have to see him and assure him I won’t break the status quo if he won’t.”

“Yeah. It might be your only chance to stave off a big scandal. Now that you and Bryce have been linked to Holly Stirling, any news about you—especially a juicy family saga—would be gleefully bandied around in public.”

Jaxon scrunched his face. He’d been waiting for years for an opportunity to take down Joseph’s threat. Now, he’d have to promise to keep it to himself for the rest of his life. But if he had to do it, then he’d do it.

“Anyway,” Aidan said. “That’s not the only bad news. We’ve identified the bearded man with Bryce.”

“Who is he?”

“Alfie Farmer. He’s a member of a known drug syndicate, and he’s one of the guys who’d stayed at a private island in the Whitsundays when Bryce worked there.”

Disappointment landed on Jaxon with a thud.

“We now believe that the security company Bryce worked for in the Whitsundays are in bed with the syndicate,” Aidan added.

“Fuck. That’s big.”

“Yes. That’s not all. It seems that, from time to time, they make their money from other means, especially when authorities catch some of their members and confiscate their contraband.”

Jaxon gulped, not looking forward to what Aidan would say next.

“Three years ago, the five-year-old daughter of a billionaire businessman was taken by two unknown men from one of the islands. Some of the workers there said they were sure it was kidnapping. Apparently, a day after the girl was taken, people carrying several bags arrived. Then that night, another boat came. The child was on the boat. She was released to her parents while men took the bags, then left. The island workers were told it was nothing, but they believe they witnessed ransom being paid. And police never came, so it was probably never reported.”

“Three years ago,” Jaxon murmured. “Bryce would have been working there then.”

“Yes. It was also the same time when members of the drug syndicate stayed on the neighbouring island where the billionaire family stayed.”

Jaxon slumped down on the couch, holding his head.

“They’re after Holly, Jax,” Aidan said quietly. “Bryce applying to be her bodyguard seems to confirm that. For some reason, they hadn’t acted yet, but they’re after her.”

Jaxon exhaled harshly. “I’m glad we’ve made the call to push Bryce out.”

“Yes.” Aidan paused. “How’re you doing?”

He stared at the ceiling. “I’ve been praying that my own brother wasn’t involved in any of this.”

“I’m sorry that it’s the way it is. Are you up to continuing with this assignment?”

“Of course,” he said without hesitation.

“Okay. We have to up the ante. Plant those listening devices in Bryce’s place when you’re there for dinner. And do your best to get some information out of him.”

“I will.”

“And Jax, we’ll have to let things play out as if everything’s normal. It means not being too protective of Holly. Let Bryce get close if he tries.”

Coldness clutched Jaxon’s heart. “She’s the bait…”

“When they make their move, I promise you we’ll be ready to swoop in on them.”

“What if something goes wrong?”

“Something can go wrong at any time, but you know how we operate. We’re gonna throw in a lot of resources in this.”

Jaxon rubbed his face. He knew this was the best way, and he trusted in the expertise of the Indie Rebels. But damn, it was Holly’s safety they were talking about here. And his own brother was one of the people they were trying to catch.

“Can you handle this, Jax?” Aidan asked sharply.

He took a deep breath. “Yes. Have you told Xavier the plan?”

“I’ll update him. I know how hard it is for you guys. But if you let your fear for Holly—and Bryce—get in the way, you won’t function effectively as part of the IR team. You’ll risk the success of this operation.”

“Got it. I know what to do.”

“Tell me.”

“Keep Holly safe, but let Bryce in—”

“No. Focus on Bryce. Pry out of him any intel we can act on. Shadow him everywhere he goes. We can’t afford to wait now. We have to act fast.”

“What about Holly?”

“Take her to her parents’ tonight. I know she doesn’t like staying there because of the paps, but they’ll actually help to keep her safe. I doubt the thugs would do anything with those paps as witnesses.”

“Can you send an IR to at least watch her parents’ house tonight?”

“I’ll see who we can pull out from another assignment. And Xavier and Eve can take over tomorrow when they come back.”

“Thanks.”

“Sorry to ruin your romantic plans, but I’m afraid there’s no time for that right now.”

“Copy.”

“And…wait… Bryce is leaving his place. I’ll watch from the CCTVs as far as I can. Drop Holly off to her folks’ right now, and I’ll tell you where he’s heading. Hopefully, we don’t lose him.”

“Copy.”

Jaxon hung up and hurried to the backyard. He found Holly sitting on a deck chair, drinking from a glass of water.

“Hey, Hols…”

Jaxon suppressed a sigh as Holly stood and sashayed to him, a flirty smile on her face. He hoped she didn’t get too amorous out here. There were cameras everywhere.

Holly placed her arms around him. “Do you realise we haven’t made love out here yet?”

“The neighbours might have binoculars.”

“What are you talking about? No way can anyone see us.” Holly pressed herself against him, kissing him passionately.

Damn, who was watching the cameras right now? For all he knew, several IR agents had eyes on them.

“Hols,” he said, stepping back. “Why don’t we save this for later? I’m afraid I have to go to work for an urgent meeting.”

“Right now?”

“Yes. I’ll take you to your parents’. You’re safer there than alone here.”

“What if there are paps or fans out there?”

He smiled grimly. “That can’t be helped.”

“I can wear my wig—”

“No. We don’t want them knowing your disguise. That’s important to you or you won’t be able to walk around unnoticed.”

“Um… Okay.”

Jaxon tried to appear relaxed as he ushered Holly back to the car. He didn’t want to scare her, especially when he couldn’t tell her what was going on.

“Jax,” Holly said quietly when they hit the main road.

“Yes?”

“This isn’t working for you, is it?”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“All this media intrusion and speculation. You know this is even tame compared to what you might get later. Complete and utter lies could be said about you and, even if you tell the truth, no one might believe you.”

“Well, I have to admit, it’s annoying.”

“Any boyfriend of mine will get scrutinised and talked about much, much more than my family. So if you think that you can somehow avoid the public glare because Xavier and my parents have been able to do it, you’d be wrong.”

“What are you saying, Hols?”

Holly shrugged. “I’m just saying that’s what you can expect. Are you ready for them to dig into your life? They love looking for scandalous things that would make headlines. Your mum, for example. You said you hardly ever see her. If they find that out, they’ll descend on her and see what the family issue is all about. They’ll try to wear her down.”

Fuck, he couldn’t afford for that to happen. More importantly, neither could Holly. “I just want to keep you safe, damn it,” he said with frustration.

“Jax…if I never had this kidnapping threat… If you’d never gotten involved with my security, would you… Would you have started dating me?”

He inhaled sharply, his tongue suddenly tied. He had no idea how to answer that.

Holly fell into silence. And he didn’t try to cajole her out of it.

His heart twisted painfully at the realisation that he might have been right in the past. He wasn’t the man for Holly.