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Aresius' POV

I sat in my office at STAMP, leaning back onto my office chair, my legs spread out in front of me. I played the answering machine, which notified me of a voicemail that was left for me.

"Adler? Hi it's Detective Fox, I just wanted to give you an update, as you asked. The man that we took from custody has been in interrogation and holding for a little while now, with no bail posted. His DNA was also matched to a few other assault crime scenes, and now we're giving him a deal to help us find where he hid the bodies, just so the families will get closure. He'll go on trial after, and I have no doubt that he'll get multiple life sentences. Thanks for your help, talk soon."

The machine beeped.

I then looked at the screen of computer for the fiftieth time today, checking the security cameras, and all of the sensors on my house.

I had to, very reluctantly, leave today for work. I had been in meetings all morning at the District Attorney's office, and then at the site of a Women and Children's shelter that I was paying to be built. I had come into STAMP and was swamped with tattoo shop work, which usually got placed on the back burner. Then I met with the tactical team that got back from a mission this morning. Now I sat waiting in my office for Sylvester to show up.

My phone beeped with a notification, and I picked it up, unlocking quickly.

My shoulders relaxed; I knew she was fine because I had spent the day checking up on the outside security cameras, and making sure all the doors were locked, but hearing a confirmation made me breathe easier.

Another message popped up on my phone and I picked my phone back up quickly.

I read his words slowly as he messaged again.

I locked my phone, placing it face down on the table in front of me. I leaned my head back on the chair, closing my eyes.

Leaving her this morning had been hell. She had shyly climbed into my bed last night while I was getting ready to sleep.

She kept her space at first, and I knew that she felt as if she was being a burden again.

My heart went out to her; being so young and bearing a loss so enormous.

I let her take her time at first, but the moment she inched slightly closer to me, I pulled her body flush against mine, her head on my heart

The heart that had decided it would only beat for her now.

She slept on me the entire night, not that I minded; I found out that she tended to mumble in her sleep, and pout and smile.

I tried not to bother her sleeping frame too much when I got up to get ready for work, but when I walked out of the bathroom after my shower, she was awake. She sat groggily on the bed, her head tilted sideways. She stared at me as I put my belt on my dark grey slacks, and had asked me where I was going.

I told her I had to go into work, and that her Grandmother and Tai would be over to spend some time with her. I put my tie around my collar, annoyed at the thought of having to wear one.

I hated them. They brought back bad memories.

Almost as if she heard my thoughts, she had moved forwards on the bed, standing on her knees, at the edge of the mattress.

She grabbed the tie, and looked up at me through her lashes.

"Papa hated wearing ties," she told me shyly, as she began to tie mine, "But he would always tell me that when Mama tied it for him, he didn't mind it as much.

She had bit her lip when she finished, as I stood shell-shocked, and all I could do was pull her into my arms and kiss her desperately.

I picked up my phone decidedly, and pressed her name on the contacts list, hearing the ringing of the call going through. I waited impatiently as it rang a few times when finally, someone picked up, making my breath hitch.

"H-Hello," she whispered breathlessly on the other end.

"Alette," I willed myself to not stutter, "How are you?"

"Hi Reecie, I'm good, I was just working," her voice calmed me immediately, making me forget about the day I had.

"Have you eaten? And your medicine?"

"I ate, and I even took the pills," she mumbled the second part.

"That's my girl."

"Um w-when w-will you be back?" she asked, and I could almost see her round cheeks turn red as she asked.

"Hm," I didn't answer her straightaway, wanting to know what she would say.

"I-it's just t-that uh..." she stuttered adorably, "I miss you."

I clenched my fist, leaning my head back.

She had me completely and wholly, entranced.

"I'll be back soon baby."

"S-see you soon, take care," she said after a pause, and I hummed in agreement, ending the call.

While talking to her did calm me, I now had another dilemma. I wanted to get back to her right at this moment.

A beep at the intercom sounded, and I pressed the receive button.

Jakob, head of security, and my closest friend, spoke on the other line, "Sylvester Blaine is here."

"Let him in."

I leaned forwards on my desk, as the door of my office opened.

"You uh...summoned...me?" Sylvester asked, raising his brow as he walked in, fixing the gold cufflinks on his suit sleeves.

I respected and trusted this man greatly. He was successful and powerful, but vigilant and dedicated to his work. He was a good man, but at this moment in time, I was furious at him.

I cleared my throat, my voice deadly still, "When were you planning on telling me her connection to Kan?"

His jaw went slack, "She told you?"

I gritted my teeth, "She saw his picture in my office, in a case file."

He looked away, and I saw the fury in his body.

"It didn't matter at the time, when I first told you about the case," he said, his tone hard, "You didn't know her then, and now..." he looked at me in the eyes, "It wasn't my story to tell. But now that you know, I hope you can understand why I'm so hell-bent on finding this man. I should have...I should have protected her better."

I nodded at him once, understanding the point he was making.

There was a silence in the office, the two of us collecting our thoughts. He broke the silence first.

"She's been through a lot," he told me, letting out a sigh of resignation, "Just, take care of her. I respect you, I've helped you, I would even say we're friends but," his tone hardened, the threat in his voice clear, "If you hurt her, I won't hesitate."

He was a dangerous man. He hid it well under the warm exterior he always seemed to have around his niece and mother, but he was ruthless when it came to protecting innocent lives.

There was a knock at the door and Jerryl walked in, alongside Jakob. I had met Jakob when we were both teenagers, aimlessly wandering around, trying not to get picked up by the wrong crowd of people.

He was a quiet man, cold and calculated. He became head of security for me, and helped me handle missions and interrogations. He was a tall man, with brown skin, and a neatly groomed beard.

He always looked ready; always was ready. For anything.

"Jay," Sylvester greeted, "Jerryl, good seeing you."

"Hey Unc," Jerryl replied, a goofy grin on his face.

Jerryl was like everyone's little brother.

An annoying little shit.

Jakob smacked him upside the head, and looked at Sylvester, nodding at him, "Good to see you," he replied, his voice unwavering.

Sylvester stood up, "I'll be in touch with you soon, I've got some work to finish."

He nodded at all of us, walking out of my office and shutting the door behind him.

"I've got everything prepped for our meeting," Jakob told me, and Jerryl nodded, his face now serious.

"I've had them under surveillance all day, and everything seems to be okay, so you're good to go," Jerryl told me.

I nodded at the two and they left my office. I got up, took off my suit jacket, and opened the standing cupboards in my office. I took out a thin bulletproof vest and began unbuttoning my shirt. Taking off the tie the she had so meticulously tied, I placed it neatly next to my suit jacket. I took off my belt and placed it down as well. I slipped my dress shirt off, securing the vest on tightly. I put on a black t-shirt on top of the best, then a dark coloured dress shirt to minimize the look of the vest. I grabbed a holster for my guns, and secured it where my belt would go. I placed two guns in the holster, and put my suit jacket back on.

My phone rang and I walked over to it. Still adjusting my vest, I pressed the answer button without really looking at who was calling. It was my personal number, and very few people had it, so I assumed it would be someone from my concise contact list calling.

"Adler," I said to whoever was on the other line.

"Um hi," the voice said hesitantly on the other line. It was a woman. Definitely not one that sounded familiar.

"Who is this?" I asked, my voice low and threatening.

The person cleared their throat, "H-hi yes I'm sorry for calling out of the blue, my name is Josephine, uh...we met one time at the hospital," she said, and hastily added, "I'm Faye's friend."

Realization dawned on me.

"Is something the matter?" I asked calmly, but a million thoughts began running through my mind.

"No sorry! It's nothing serious, I was just talking to Faye this morning and she uh told me about your date in a few days," she clarified, and when I didn't reply, she continued, "I got your number from Tai, and I am really sorry for calling you out of nowhere, but the day you planned to take her out uh..." she trailed off.

"Yes?"

"It's Faye's birthday that day."

Her birthday?

"I don't think she even realizes it, but um yeah, I thought I would tell you, you know. She's just had a rough couple of weeks and she's excited for the date, so I thought I would tell you just so you can I don't know...I don't really know what I was thinking of but I wanted to let you kno-"

"Thank you," I cut her off, my heart now racing at the thought of her being excited for our date and then her...birthday.

"Oh yeah no worries! Just had to make sure you were aware," she replied back cheerily.

I paused for a moment and just as she was about to say her goodbyes, I interrupted her again.

"I need your help."

We spoke on the phone for a few minutes until we ended the call. Feeling even more apprehensive about our date, I went to the bathroom in the office. Splashing cold water onto my face, I steadied myself, clearing my mind of all other distractions.

I had a job to do.

I walked out of the back of STAMP, and got into one of the extra cars that we used for missions. Looking in the rear view mirror, I saw Jerryl and some others get into a dark surveillance van, and Jakob had gotten into a similar car as mine with another employee of mine, Karter.

We made the hour long drive to our destination; it was an underground VIP club, frequented by many high profiles.

I was going today to with the intentions of meeting one man: Adrik Orlov.

He was a dangerous man, and one that didn't conduct all of his work lawfully. And yet, he wasn't involved in trafficking or kidnapping, or anything of that assortment. He tended to lay low, and was almost impossible to find, but he always somehow knew things.

And I was counting on his knowledge to get more information on the whereabouts of Kan.

We pulled up to the club, cleverly disguised as just a regular building, when my phone buzzed with a message. My heart rate increased when I saw the name of the sender

The corners of my mouth tilted up before I could stop them, but my happiness was short lived when I heard the sounds of car doors opening. I locked my phone quickly and shoved it inside my jacket.

Jakob, Karter and I walked inside, the concierge already knowing who we were.

The club had a few floors, and we made our way to the top.

There were a myriad of different people present, low level petty criminals, mob bosses and even some of the city officials. All corrupt as can be.

I didn't miss the looks I got; I was one to frequent this sort of a setting, but I knew people knew me. And I knew many feared me. It helped being friendly with both sides of the law

Jakob, Karter and I went to sit down, the two of them flanking the chairs on the side of my plush seat, keeping a sharp eye on things.

A scantily clad woman walked over, presumably to ask for drinks, but Jakob waved her away before she could come any closer.

"His men seem to have spotted you boss, I think he'll be on his way over to you soon," Jerryl's voice rang in my barely there ear piece.

I sat back in the seat, putting one leg over the other, resting my ankle on my knee.

I want to go home to my girl.

I shook off the thought, knowing that the sooner I finish, the sooner I would be able to go back to her.

All of a sudden, the crowd parted and Adrik Orlov made his way to where I sat. I looked away, giving an air of disinterest.

He took a seat in the chair directly across from mine, his men surrounding him, their faces blank.

He took a sip of his drink, sitting back in his seat.

"Have not seen you here in a long time my friend," he said, his accent clear.

I waited a moment before speaking, "I've been busy," I grunted.

"Yes, you are a busy man," he said, smirking over his glass.

We stared at each other for a minute longer, until finally I broke the silence. Placing my elbows on the armrests, I sat back.

"I'm looking for a man."

He raised his eyebrow as he took a sip of his liquor, looking at me over the glass.

"Kan."

He must have recognized the name, because his icy blue eyes turned hard, and the vein in his neck became more prominent. The women, and men, that had been staring at the two of us, looked away, sensing the shift in the air.

"Boss, the man in the white turtleneck at the bar seems to be listening into your conversation. I'll run his face in the system to see who he is, but he definitely had a reaction when you said the name Kan," I heard Jerryl's voice in the earpiece.

I saw the man from the corner of my eye, and while he looked as though he was facing the bar, it was clear that he was sitting slightly to the side.

"Why are you looking for Kan?" Adrik growled, fury clear in his tone.

"Unfinished business."

Adrik surveyed me again, "Get in line."

I cracked my knuckles, matching his stare, "Help me, help you," I told him, my voice low.

He nodded, "There was ta-"

"Boss he's got a gun!" Jerryl's panicked voice made me take cover immediately, as did Adrik and his men.

The man in the white had pulled out a gun and began shooting violently, his targets seemingly being Adrik and myself. Two other men, his accomplices, joined him. The sound of screams and glass breaking filled the air, colliding with the sounds of bullets being fired.

I grabbed the arm of a woman that was running by, the same server that had tried giving us drinks, making her crouch by me. I put my fingers to my lips, telling her to stay put, and she nodded with tear-stricken eyes.

I looked up from my position from behind the seat, and saw that the man was looking around through the crowd.

One of Adrik's men stepped forwards to try and apprehend him, and I took that opportunity to pull out my gun and try and get him surrounded.

He began shooting with one hand, and I felt something graze by my arm, and then my thigh a second later. Getting tired of it, I cocked my gun, Adrik having the same idea, gave his men instructions in Russian, and I took my shot.

I hit the man's wrist, the one holding the gun, and he let out a scream of pain, letting out one final bullet. Jakob, Karter and Adrik's men apprehended the other men, killing one of them in the process.

What I didn't realize was that the woman that I told to hide had tried to run away, out of fear of the situation.

The man in the white's last unhinged bullet made contact with her neck, and she fell to the floor in a thump, her blood sprayed over me.

My heart fell.

She was innocent.

I gave Karter a look, and he nodded, going to the woman to see if there was anything that could be done.

I walked up to the man in the white, who was on his knees and clutching his bloodied hand, bawling his eyes out. Jakob stood in beside him, gun at the ready.

I grabbed his jaw roughly with my hand, and made him look into my eyes.

There was fear evident in his face as he looked up at me.

Coward.

I shoved his face away, lifting my hand that was holding up the gun, and I brought it down, slamming the barrel of the gun into his cheekbone as hard as I could.

He let out another cry, and I turned around to look at Karter. He just shook his head, his face shadowed by a hint of defeat.

She was dead.

Her bright blonde hair feathered out around her as she lay still, and I thought back to the way she had just been smiling not even fifteen minutes ago.

I clenched my jaw as Karter covered her in a sheet, and looked towards Adrik. His abdomen was bleeding, and he held his hand to the wound.

"Know them?" he asked, his jaw set.

I shook my head once.

I had no idea who these men were.

"I'll find out. They come with me, I'll let you know," he nodded at me once, and then signalled for his men to go with him, bringing the two struggling men along.

"You're bleeding Adler," Karter said to me, standing up from the body.

"It's just a graze," I told him.

"We'll handle this, you go," Jakob said.

I nodded my head, and tucked my gun back in, walking out of the building.

Jerryl stepped out of the surveillance vehicle and walked towards me.

"So that was...bad," he said, his eyes wide.

I gave him a look and he held his hands up.

"My bad boss," his eyes fell onto my wounds, "You fine?"

"Just a graze."

He nodded, "I'll drive you back to your house, I have to pick up the other files from yours."

I nodded once and sat down in the passenger side. Jerryl, noticing my foul mood, didn't speak during the ride.

I pulled out my phone and clicked Tai's contact name, and told him I was on my way back.

I clicked the lock button on my phone and leaned my head back.