We can’t stay here indefinitely. I know they know where I live,” I argued with Commander Phillips over the phone. “It’s been days. I’m surprised they haven’t been here already!”

“Getting two sets of identification isn’t easy, Martin.” Commander Phillips was getting exasperated with me, but I didn’t care. Boundaries had already been crossed when those assholes had shown up at Ma’s nursing home. Propriety didn’t mean anything to me at this point.

“What about Ma’s guard?” I asked, raising my voice again.

“Cruz and Robinson are taking turns,” he assured me for the third time.

I sighed. Cruz wouldn’t let anything happen to Ma. That, at least, was a weight lifted. “Thank you. I’m sorry.”

“Understood. I’ll have your things ready as soon as I can. Are you sure you want to take this drastic step?”

“It’s temporary. We can’t cross the border with these IDs. Amara’s men made it clear that they have agents everywhere.” I couldn’t believe I was considering Canada either, but desperate times…

“Alright. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s done. The house in Manitoba, that is. How’s the target?”

I cringed, hearing Commander Phillips refer to Vanessa that way. She’d become so much more, without me realizing it was happening. I didn’t want to think of the future, after the threat was neutralized and there was no need for her security detail. “The target is agitated after being cooped up for days.”

“Affirmative. I spoke with Mr. Genovese this morning. He’s on board with the plan.”

“It’s for the best, for now at least.” Marco had made quite an impression on me at the graduation, and I could tell he would do anything to keep Vanessa safe, even if it meant letting her go.

“Hang in there, Martin,” Commander Phillips assured me.

“Thank you, sir. I’ll advise if anything changes.” We hung up, and I dropped the phone in my pocket.

Vanessa walked into the kitchen where I’d been, my brown button-down shirt engulfing her small frame. “Hey, if I put a belt on this thing, it could be a dress.” She raised up on her toes and twirled for me.

“It barely covers your ass,” I reminded her.

“You could always walk behind me with your hands covering it.” She twirled once more. “Everywhere I go.”

“Or you could deal. It’s your turn.” I walked back to the small, circular table where we’d been playing cards for days.

“Ugh I hate dealing.”

“Fine.” I grabbed the deck of cards and started shuffling. “But don’t cry when I win.”

“Stop setting the deck, and I won’t call you out on it.” She plopped down on her side of the table.

“Speaking of call, you still haven’t given Ophelia my address. Don’t you want your things before we leave?”

She visibly shrank at the mention of Ophelia’s name. “I don’t want to deal with her. I’d rather go naked.”

“As fun as that might be for me, the Mounties might not let you in Canada with no clothes on.” I grinned. “Besides, it’s cold up there.”

“Then you’ll just have to keep me warm.” She wiggled seductively in her seat. I gave her my best stern look. She huffed a bit, then said, “I’ll do it later. I really don’t want to talk to her. Or my father, for that matter. Getting me in this mess. It’s all his fault.”

“I don’t disagree there. But he seemed genuinely sorry when I spoke to him at your graduation. Whatever he may have done, I know he loves you.” I looked up at her. “And he loved your mother. I’m sure he still does.”

“He fucked around on her. With Ophelia. And many more, I’m sure.” Vanessa slammed her cards down on the table.

“He’s paying for that now, I assure you.”

“My mother—” the words caught in her throat. “It’s all his fault.”

“I know. I’m sorry. But there’s nothing that can change that now. We can only look to the future.” I laid my cards down. “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Vanessa uncrossed her arms. “I’m grown. And I’m going to work in Environmental Law. You know that.”

“I do. Just changing the subject while I still have my head.” I picked my cards up and motioned for her to do the same.

“I’m not gonna bite your head off.” Vanessa took her cards and considered her next move. “I’m tired of trying to bite your head off only to be turned away.” She dropped an ace of diamonds on the discard pile. “Seriously, if I hadn’t felt how hard you got, I’d start to wonder about you, Jimmy.”

“Nothing to wonder about.” I picked up the ace and placed it in my hand. “I have a job to do. And a binding Morality Clause with your father. And my name’s not Jimmy.”

“What? That can’t be right. I heard your mom— “

“She slips and calls me that sometimes. Jimmy was my dad.”

“Wow. You think you know someone. So, Martin’s your last name. I get that, with the Navy and all. But what’s your real name?”

“Never telling.” I gave her a look that said, ‘back off.’

“You know he wanted to go into office? Can you imagine?” She ignored my comment about the morality clause, which I’d beaten us both over the head with since our mutual attraction had become apparent, but at least she was changing the subject.

“That’s gonna be hard to manage with his current ties.” At the mention of things being hard to manage, my mind instantly went to Ma. She was so close to the edge now, how could I leave her? But I knew I had no choice. Vanessa’s life was in danger the longer we stayed here. I had to trust Cruz to keep her safe, and I did.

“I know. And I’m afraid his current ties are gonna haunt me for the rest of my life. That’s why I want to get the hell out of here.” Vanessa drew a card and discarded it without looking at her hand.

“You’re a very smart…very determined woman. I’m sure you’ll make a name for yourself, no matter what you choose to do,” I assured her, being completely honest.

“When I grow up?” she teased.

“Yep. Gin.” I spread my cards on the table.

“You cheat!” She threw her cards down in mock indignation.

“Hey, I told you to start dealing your own damn self.” I beamed as I gathered the cards to deal the next hand.