So far, everything is going according to plan.

I know that Candace is safe and, at this moment, currently on her way back to her suite with a security tail—although by now, the tail is unnecessary—the guys she’s been dealing with would have to be suicidal not to heed the warning to back off and cut their losses.

They’re not so stupid that they don’t know when they’re in way over their heads—a small outfit like theirs doesn’t have what it takes to challenge the men higher up—larger, wealthier, more brutal organizations. One measly mark isn’t worth the potential death and destruction that could rain down on their heads if they piss off one very powerful man—one who happens to be a colleague of mine.

All that’s left now is to grab Candace’s sister from the holding place.

I could’ve sent someone else to do it, but I wanted to make sure I did this for Candace.

These guys are such a joke that getting here wasn’t hard, and I met no resistance getting right up to this abandoned warehouse door, behind which, Candace’s sister, Victoria, is being held.

I stand outside the door listening, waiting for the right moment.

“…Are you sure, boss?... No, of course, I’m not questioning you; I’ll get her back right away.”

And there it is—my cue.

I smile in eager anticipation—it’s been a long time since I’ve been involved in any sort of hand-to-hand.

But a few unexpected sounds explode into the air—some sort of crash, a groan, and a few sounds I can’t make sense of.

I smash the door open, almost frantic with worry that the lowly goon decided to go rogue and harm the girl. I promised Candace she’d be fine!

It takes only a moment to register the scene—the crumpled rope, skinny Victoria standing over the armed goon, still holding the chair she apparently knocked him down with, her expression wild, her long, curly dark hair all about her.

The back of the guy’s head is bleeding, and he’s not moving, not even responding to Victoria’s kick to his balls.

She starts scrambling for her captor’s gun once she sees me.

“Vicky, no!” I say, but she grabs it and points it at me.

“Easy,” I say, my hands up. “I’m here on behalf of your sister, Candace. I came here to... rescue you.”

“I didn’t need any goddamned rescuing.”

“I can see that,” I say, unable to hold back a slight grin. “I’m here nonetheless. I promised her I’d deliver you home safely.”

“What the hell does she have to do with this? And how do you know my name? How do I know you’re not with these guys?” She kicks the large, crumpled form again, her foot briefly sinking into his soft side this time.

“It’s a long story, Vic. These guys were just using you to get her to cough up a lot of cash.”

Her eyes narrow. “That makes zero sense. She’s broke, and she also doesn’t give a damn about me. I haven’t heard from her in years.”

“You’re so wrong, Vicky. She loves you. Which is why I’m here. Because I... I love her.”

She studies me, frowning, the silent moments stretching long while I wish she’d point that damned gun away; the safety’s not on.

“You look familiar,” she says, tilting her head a bit. 

Then her face stretches into something more pleasant.

“Wait a minute—Jaxson? Jaxson Pace?”

Tension starts melting away, despite the loaded gun still pointed at me.

She recognizes me, so she’ll probably believe me now.

She heaves a huge sigh then shakes her head as she lowers her arm to her side, the gun finally no longer a threat to my physical being.

“Are you serious, dude? You’re still in love with my sister?”

“Like I said, it’s a long story. I’ll tell you some of it on the way back to your parents. Now hand me the damned gun so I can put the safety on and get you home.”

* * *

I can’t exactly tell Victoria everything, but I give her the gist, leaving a lot of the details up to Candace to share if she wants to someday.

I think her sister is interested in catching up and would probably be happy to do it behind her parents’ backs if they have a problem with it.

“That’s so crazy,” she says. “Everything that happened led her right back to you. I can’t believe she works for you now.”

“I imagine that won’t be for much longer. I don’t mix business and…”

I see Victoria’s sharp, lifted eyebrow without even turning to her.

“We didn’t really plan to... get serious again,” I begin, knowing I was being presumptuous with the next part, but I say it anyway, “but now that we’re in it for the long haul, she must be relocated; we can’t work together anymore. But at least her previous ties are all cut for good; she owes no one nothing.”

“Except you,” she says quickly.

I turn her words over in my head for a moment then shake my head. “Nope, not even me.”

“Well, I owe you. A ‘thank you’ at least, for trying to save me.”

I laugh as I pull up to the familiar residence.

Man, it’s been a long time since I’ve been here.

Steep highs and lows are connected to this place, bringing on an assault of emotions that leaves me silent for a few moments, the air heavy.

“Bad memories, huh?” Victoria says.

“And good ones,” I say quickly. “Very good ones.”

It’s where my first love once lived, where I even snuck in a few times before getting caught. Where I almost got shot by their dad. It’s where their parents chewed me out for not only being there but daring to pursue their princess.

This place reminds me of a time where I had far less but everything because I had her—the love of my life.

Truthfully, I might have been on my way to being a statistic; Candace’s family’s rejection of me could be the very reason I am where I am today. Who knows?

“Are you coming inside?” Victoria says as her hand grabs the door handle. “Say hi?”

I don’t know if she’s being cruel or if she thinks she’s being funny, but the answer is yes.

“Yes, but give me a sec.”

I text Candace to tell her mom Victoria’s about to show up; I know she’s been eagerly awaiting messages from me and can act immediately.

“Is that Candace?” Victoria says, warily looking at my phone screen.

“You want to talk to her?” I say as I tilt the phone in her direction.

She shakes her head. “Not yet. Let me get this dramatic reunion with the parental units over with first.” She rolls her eyes, looking very much like the teenager she is. Then her face softens. “But yeah, uh... if she wants to see me or whatever, that’s fine.” She shrugs carelessly but transparently. “I still live here so she knows where to find me.” Then she quickly turns to me. “You have a pen? And paper?”

I retrieve both from the glove compartment and she scribbles down a number.

“She can reach me here if she wants. That’s the cell my parents don’t know about. Texts only unless otherwise directed.”

I squint at her in curiosity but don’t bother to pry.

“All right, kiddo. Let’s get this over with.”

* * *

“Mommy!”

Victoria’s long curly hair streams behind her as she runs to her mother, her mom enveloping her in a tight hug.

“I was so scared,” Victoria says against her chest in a wavering voice, her eyes shut tight.

I hang out at the door frame, trying my best not to look at Victoria like she just morphed into an alien. Which she kind of has.

The snarky, hard-assed teenager has completely disappeared, and in her place is a gentle, vulnerable looking girl.

What an act.

Victoria opens her eyes and points at me.

“He saved me!” she says.

I hadn’t exactly been unsure of my summation before, but it’s cemented now—this girl expertly plays the hell out of her clueless older parents.

They have no idea the little monster that resides inside, and I’m happy to keep that secret for her.

I step fully into the room as Mrs. Brown regards me warily.

“Who are you?” she says.

Of course she wouldn’t remember.

I remember hearing my mother bitch about it—about how the upper class never really register details about you—an insignificant gnat, if you’re lower class. Even if you dated their progeny.

“I’m the man who rescued your daughter.”

Victoria grins briefly, presumably catching the double meaning.

Her mother misses the quick change, and by the time she turns back to Victoria, her daughter’s face is back to looking childlike.

“What do you mean, ‘rescue?’ Did someone hurt you, baby?” Mrs. Brown says, stroking her daughter’s hair.

Victoria shakes her head then looks back at me.

Mrs. Brown takes her daughter’s cue.

I realize Candace probably kept the message simple, telling her mom ‘Victoria’s on the way’ or something.

“Someone picked her up, thinking she was someone else, but it was all a misunderstanding. I wouldn’t bother alerting the cops if I were you; it’s over.”

“Well, thank you for bringing her back to us,” she says stiffly. “Do we owe you anything?”

Victoria lowers her head and shakes it in silent disapproval, not even bothering to hide her reaction this time. She is clearly disappointed in her mother’s response, maybe even embarrassed.

I let out a short, frustrated breath.

“You owe me nothing,” I say in a tighter voice.

Mrs. Brown’s gaze swerves to the side of me and I turn to see Mr. Brown has joined us.

“I got here as soon as I could,” he says as he sizes me up, looking unsure whether he should confront me or go to his family and hug his little girl first.

Victoria peels herself from her mother and runs to her dad, solving the dilemma.

His arms wrap around her, but he is still keenly aware of my presence.

“I’m glad we’re all here,” I begin, my voice resounding loud and deep.

The room stills.

“Mr. and Mrs. Brown—it’s been a while. Not long enough, some might say. Before I leave here, I just wanted you to know that your daughter—your other daughter—is safe. Candace is in my care now, and I have more than enough resources—of all types—to look after her. So in the off chance you still wonder about her welfare, worry no longer—Candace is with me, where she should be and should have been all along. You can’t get in our way this time, not now, not ever again.”

I nod to Victoria then turn to leave.

“Jaxson,” Mr. Brown’s voice rings out, making me halt my steps and turn my ear toward him.

I bet he knew who I was immediately, having once pointed a rifle between my eyes.

“Thank you,” he says quietly.

I give him a silent nod of acknowledgment then take off.