The office seemed a little bland now coming back to the marbled color desk I'm usually sitting behind. It would seem that often I find that I'm lost between what I am doing or what I should be doing.

"Mr. Hale," a deep haughty voice echoing throughout my office calls from the distance.

"Codwell, Dalton." I'm met with the two banes of my existence out of three had walked into that of my office doors. "I would say this is a pleasure, but from the current circumstances I cannot see how that would be true."

Mr. Dalton isn't to please the word choice. "You would be right indeed, Mr. Hale. Although, pleasantries have gone out the window. We can still act like gentlemen. Am I right?" He proposed as if there had been any other way to go about the situation.

"Gentlemen," I gesture my hand towards the coffee table surrounded by chairs used for brief meetings or conferences. "I can assure you that matters are being handled to the best of my capabilities although I don't think that's the reason why the two of you are here."

"You are aware of Dwight's sentence then," Glen states sitting down in a chair and crossing his right leg over the other. "His grandfather isn't too pleased with how you're handling the situation. It seems as he would like us to reiterate what's on the line here."

A smirk forms across my face once I heard of the subtle threat that they seem to both be proposing to me. "So you come to my office to threaten me? How juvenile." I want to chuckle through the anger rising, but I know this isn't the right time.

"Mr. Hale, we haven't come to threaten you. We are inclined to have more information on Mr. Hurst's whereabouts and updates."

The truth is that these two will never cease as long as they have something that hangs in jeopardy. I could tell them that Mr. Hurst is in trouble with Interpol in France for extortion and other means, but all they would want is some conclusive answers and actions to a certain situation. It's not that manageable to expect your outside resources to decrease the charges of an American counterpart. The crimes committed in another country would cause some serious issues tension in future business deals. I couldn't tell them that Mr. Hurst would remain in prison in France because of his depravity knows no bounds.

"I would have to leave for France then to assure that none of this escalates any further. While in America I only have limited access and communication with that of my contact in France. It is more than a hinder at this point. You are aware of Mr. Hurst's crimes, right?"

"We only know that allegations of extortion and falsified documentation."

"Fraud." I quip. "If any of these allegations can be proven in a court over there to a certain extent can jeopardize his citizenship to come back to America I can assure you my hands will be just as tide up as yours. I will not be dirtying that of my hands for a child trying to play businessman. I would also appreciate it if next time you made an appointment with my secretary. That's what I pay her for. As we are gentlemen, you WILL respect my place of business. Bill and Deckard will have to decide what's more important." It was about time I wrapped up this little meeting.

Mr. Dalton's lips press into a thin line as even he cannot interject into my statement. We both understand that Mr. Hurst's consequences are beyond that of the club or even our hands when it comes to that matter. We'd have to go full force to see the benefit of releasing Dwight from foreign territory.

"You expect Bill and Deckard to just let you leave the country in pursuit of Dwight. They aren't that naive." Mr. Codwell scoffs. "Who's to say you won't leave Mr. Hurst in France?"

"Remember, it was me who was informed of his imprisonment first. If I wanted to keep Mr. Hurst in prison I couldn't have relayed in the information to anyone at all. I could have taken the role of Mr. Hurst in his own business and moved forward as usual. You two forget my capabilities and it's almost quite disappointing."

Mr. Dalton finally speaks after remaining silent for a few minutes. "I will speak with Deckard and Bill myself," he interjects while proceeding to fix his cufflinks. "I expect you'll be taking the next flight out then?"

"Indeed."

"Well, I think that's all we need."

"What? That's it!?" Mr. Codwell exclaims. "Xander has been prancing around presuming to be untouchable while his bitch plays daddy to us all and that's it?"

The sudden outburst instant causes me to react standing up in one swift motion. "Did I miss something?" My eyes have gone cold seeming to react off his outraged comment to proceed and call Ellie out of her name. "This has nothing to do with Ellie and if you call her out of her name again I won't hesitate to make sure you be taking a vacation to France as well."

Mr. Dalton is now standing between us where the tension is thick and pride is ever so strong. I have devoted my life to this club and its benefits barely touching the thin lines of its illegal activity to be scolded and threatened about another grown man's actions and consequences. It's silent without not even a sound being able to travel through the air. Mr. Codwell is more worried about getting even then the present situation at hand. The animosity towards Ellie makes me realize she might be in more danger than I had previously presumed.

"You are pathetic." My tone is cold almost deadpan.

"What's pathetic is her giving it up to Hurst at first sight."

Before Mr. Dalton can stop me I throw my fist into Glen's jaw with as much force as I can muster up sending him scrambling against the marbled floor. The sound of the thud is satisfying to me as it has been a while since I had been able to take my anger out in a different method. That and he had it coming for a while. The ungrateful brat.

"You son of bitch!?"

Glen tries to gather his bearings from off the floor, but Mr. Dalton is holding him back. I catch a glimpse of the blood surfacing from his bottom lip. A tussled haired and beat red Glen is ready to brawl right here in my office.

"That's enough Glen!"

"Get off me!" Glen shoves Mr. Dalton from his embrace. "Fuck you and that whore! She's the reason why all of this is happening. She is making you soft!"

I overexerted myself into a useless confrontation so I turn away walking back towards my desk. "This meeting is over. I will need to arrange my flight for departure. I will have more information as things progress."

Mr. Dalton has become irritated with Glen's and my behavior which has caused some indifference between all of us.

I open my email window to start typing out an extensive email to my current business partners. At least I can try to keep my business going while in a different country.

: Do you think that you could take a couple of weeks off of work? I have some business to take care of in France?

Do I want to involve Ellie any further? I debate on sending this text to her at this moment. What if Mr. Codwell has a hidden agenda and wishes to harass Ellie while I'm gone? There had been multiple reasons for her safety. The only hinder is that Ellie is headstrong and will not want to put her job in any bind. This is something that I would have to eventually talk to her about. I couldn't leave her in the dark. I know she would just find out and be heated at my decision to abruptly leave.

I should have just left her alone...

My thoughts started to take a turn for the negative like they always do. I felt myself spiraling down the path that caused me to lose Ellie the first time. Everything was starting to piss me off. I needed to leave the office before anyone could catch my attitude. I decide to leave the text as it is and muster up my papers and bags. How could Mr. Dalton and Mr. Codwell have me scrambling out of my office like some scared little puppy?

While at home I felt even more restless. My work with the latest client couldn't take my mind off the current situation. All the paperwork spread across the wooden table sprawled out like some student's thesis notes. What would going to France even prove? Dwight was indicted from his company on charges that he fabricated. I could always go elsewhere to throw off my tracks and maybe start my corporate company.

I hear the main entry door close from inside my study. Ellie is home.

"Hey! Where are you?"

Her voice soft it was almost relaxing just to hear her talk. A surge of disappointment falls over me as I have to present to her a wave of ideas with the situation growing dimmer by the second. I didn't have much time to plan or focus on just the tasks at hand. I rub my fingertips through my hair to remove the strands falling in my face. How the hell was I going to tell Ellie this?

"I'm in the study," I announce.

I hear her heels clack against the floor drawing closer to the study and she emerges wearing a very short navy pleated skirt and a long-sleeved shirt with black sleeves with white in the middle.

"That skirt is awfully short Miss Donovan," I observe her trying to pull down the rim of her skirt. "I can't say I approve of you wearing this without me around."

Ellie is turning red from embarrassment. "I can't deny that the skirt is indeed short, however, I didn't know it was this short. I can assure you." Her explanation is quite the awkward exchange as I walk over to where she stands by the entrance of the study.

I trace my fingertips around the rim of her skirt and along her exposed thigh with her eyes peering at me. Her lips parted slightly enough for me to hear her breathing heavily. For a moment her appearance has diverted my attention to that of her body and mesmerized me in a way that makes me powerless to take her right here.

"How was work?"

Work.

"I actually think we need to discuss something about work. If you will indulge me."

I cease that of my groping so that she may take a seat next to the table where the paperwork is scattered across. This conversation could go in many ways.

"I want to be honest with you about the whole Mr. Hurst's situation."

The look on her face is what I wanted to avoid. It was a look of worry and concern. I could choose this time to save her some of the worries and just tell her I will be taking a business trip.

I could lie.

"Today," I clear my throat.

Lie.

"I was visited by Mr. Dalton and Mr. Codwell. I assume it wasn't for a pick me up. So, I informed them that I would be going to France to see Mr. Hurst's status for his imprisonment."

Ellie tilts her head slightly. "Does this mean you will be leaving?" Her voice sounds melancholy.

"No!" I quip. "I mean, no. Mr. Hurst is going to have to enjoy prison. He was subpoena because of his fraudulent activity and documentation he did with his company. I will not be interjecting myself into the problems created by a child. However, the meeting today wasn't a proposal. It was more of a threat."

"What are they going to do Xander?"

"Because Mr. Hurst is the son and grandson of two major politicians I am not sure." I walk over to where Ellie is sitting to limit the distance between us. The look of worry seems to have subsided and replaced with inquisition. "I think moving the company to a new location might help the situation. To eliminate my involvement with the club itself."

"Are you sure? Where will you go?"

"Where will we go?"

"We?"

"I wouldn't just leave you here, Ellie. They are too unpredictable. The possibility of them even being close to you would drive me insane. I haven't worked out all the details. I know I have wanted to expand the company for a long time. It's just unsettling how everything is happening."

I state honestly. Everything seemed to be changing drastically a feeling I hate. The thought of losing control, losing the grip of my life. To be hindered by such meaningless issues that have affected my company, my life, and most importantly my relationship. I wanted to plant my feet firmly in New York.

"Are you serious? You would want me to move with you and start over?"

Ellie seems unsure as I thought she would be.

"I don't know if I am shocked, worried, or happy. Where would we go though? How far? There's just a lot of unanswered questions I have. I know you don't like me being too inquisitive, but you said they are unpredictable. Did they use me to threaten you?"

Glen Codwell's insult plays again in my head as I am prepared to tell her the most important fact I took away from the whole ordeal. "Let's just say, Glen," I clear my throat once more. "He isn't too fond of you. Probably even more so now because I punched him."

Ellie's facial expression changes to shock.

"You punched Mr. Codwell?"

I nod.

"Wow."

"Now I have told them that I will be leaving for France, but I think we should head for Seattle. I have a temporary place there where I can set things up." I explain to her.

I feel like shit having thrust her into my problems, but there is not much I can propose that would make this situation better. The club cannot be brought down by one man. I may be among the wealthiest of the club, but it takes more than just wealth to take down an organization like this. Especially, to the extent that everything comes tumbling down around the people responsible.

"Xander," she sighs. "What am I supposed to say to Mr. Vasquez? I mean it's not like taking a week off to go explore and relax. I will be resigning from my job. I will be uprooting my life here in New York to move across the United States. I just don't know."

I expected Ellie to have her doubts. Maybe splitting would be best.

I sit in my leather lounge chair which faces out the windows looking out at the night city. There's a glass of whiskey in my left hand that I twirl around the brown liquid sloshing around inside the cup. It's up to Ellie to choose whether or not she will want to make the move out to Seattle. If she chooses to stay in New York I know she will be vulnerable to Mr. Codwell's sick motives.

"Why are you up?"

I hear her the grogginess in her throat as she walks over to me draped in a sheet covering her half naked body.

"I can't sleep," I sigh.

Ellie slips between my arms sitting down right in my lap. The warmth of her skin meets mine with her back against my chest. She feels like home.

"I will go with you anywhere, Xander. This is where I want to be. I want to be with you always. Everything is just happening so fast that I haven't been able to process the thought. I apologize if I didn't seem direct with you."

It relieves me.

The reassurance. I never thought I'd be the one needing reassurance. Every day I had been discovering a new part of affection and passion I didn't think I had in me. Ellie has been changing me for the better and end result that would indeed make me a better lover. Maybe even a better person for children some day.

"I love you."