Lissa's Lover: Chapter 40: Mercy.

Lissa took a long deep breath and approached Aurora with a question: "Do you know how to make an aphrodisiac?" she asked.

Aurora nearly choked on her cup of coffee. She looked at her, understanding growing on her face. She laughed a little. "You planning to seduce my brother?" she asked cheekily.

Monday Morning - Jamaica Time

The door swung open and Marcus walked in. Lissa looked up and relief but also read washed over her. Marcus stared at his daughter. Dark circles under his eyes hinted at the anxiety and worry he had been carrying since she left Prof Pryce's mansion over a week ago.

He stopped at the door watching her. He had a duffle bag in his left hand while his right hand curled around the door handle. Lissa shifted on the bed, she bowed her head, tears threatening to fall. What was she feeling? Was it shame or guilt, coupled with the relief of seeing him again. 

Marcus moved forward slowly. He dropped the bag before the bed and closed the distance between them. He sat on the edge of the bed and touched her chin. Lifting her head gently, he made a low guttural sound that was more like a groan as he stared into her eyes.

"My baby," he said quietly.

Lissa sobbed, her shoulders trembling. He reached for her and pulled her into his embrace. Lissa buried her face in his shirt and cried.

"Pumpkin," he said softly.

"Daddy," she sobbed, her body shaking. 

He squeezed her to his chest and sighed. 

***

Shane sat in Superintendent Dacres' office, his hands clasped. The door opened and Sergeant Reynolds and Corporal Stewart walked into the room. Superintendent Dacres sat up straighter in his chair and gestured for the two men to sit down. 

There were three chairs in the room. Shane occupied one of them. Ryan grabbed the chair at the far end and sat down, leaving Sarge Reynolds to sit in the middle.

Supe Dacres cleared his throat. "Thank you for coming gentlemen. Much appreciated."

Ryan aka Corporal Stewart gave a curt nod, while Sarge Reynolds smiled and said, "Pleasure to serve my fellow officers in any way possible."

Supe Dacres smiled at him. "You were on the scene of what is being considered arson of an old, abandoned building in that rogue territory?"

Reynolds nodded, his expression somber. "Yes we were, but it wasn't abandoned. We saw signs that people were living in that building. Domestic furniture, appliances, clothes.

"Appliances?" Superintendent Dacres asked.

"Sarge Reynolds nodded. "Yes, two fridges; gas stoves burnt and twisted by the fire. As for the type of furniture: beds, night stands, dining tables, comfortable chairs."

"I see," Supe Dacres said.

"There were several bodies. Maybe about twenty or so. Possibly some of them would have been dead before the fire was lit," Sarge Reynolds added.

"This was Druz's territory?" Sergeant Crosby aka Shane asked. He needed to let Red Man know.

Reynolds nodded. "It was," he said. Then he looked at Corporal Stewart. "His body was found away from the building. "Four gunshots: three to his chest and one to the head." He shifted in the chair. "Blew half his head off." He added with a grimace.

"All the men with him were shot at close range," Ryan said quietly. 

"How many men?" Shane asked.

"We counted sixty. Made to lay flat on the ground, hands above their heads," Ryan answered, his tone cold.

"The guns were piled to the side. I guess whoever killed them didn't think they needed them," Sarge Reynolds added.

Supe Dacres nodded.

"There's something I need to share," Shane said stiffly.

Ryan looked at him. 

Shane eyes met his, but not with hostility this time. He was done vying for Lissa's affection. He cleared his throat then looked at his superior seated before them.

"I got a call from Lissa this morning," Shane said quietly. "She told me that someone entered her room last night. A man she said worked for Mr Z, but he said he didn't come to kill her. He came to help a girl." 

Ryan's stare sharpened as he watched him

Shane looked at Ryan, his eyes not showing any hostility. "She's doing okay. He didn't hurt her," he said. He saw Ryan's shoulders drop to a relaxed posture, and also relaxed. "She however told me something the man said that has me bowled over. When she mentioned that she was my ex, the man said Mr Z wants to kill me because he thinks I killed his sister."

Supe Dacres pushed his chair back, took a key from his desk and opened a drawer on one of his file cabinets. He retrieved a folder and dropped it on the table. He looked at Shane, "Open it," he said. Locking the drawer, he sat down, crossing his arms.

Shane reached out his hand and picked it up. 

Supe Dacres continued, "After we spoke, I got a chance to talk to the lawyer, Marcus Dixon. He also mentioned that Z has a vendetta against you because of his sister."

Shane looked up at his immediate supervisor. "Why?" he asked, confused.

"Why didn't I show you this file sooner?"

Shane nodded, his Adam's Apple bobbing.

"Because High Command needed to investigate whether the claim was true," Ryan spoke into the deafening silence of the room.

"You believed I did this--I killed her?" Shane asked, his eyes holding his superior's gaze. 

"Never. Not for a minute. But I had to report the allegation and there had to be an investigation," Supe Dacres answered.

"I was waiting for the right time to show you this file."

Sarge Reynolds leaned forward. He took the folder from Shane's trembling hands. 

He looked at each piece of paper. Sheets of information about a Zavier A. Sterling, CEO of Sterling Group. There were several photographs: One of Zavier taken at a swanky business function; one photo was of him with his wife and children, and another photo was when he was much younger, his arms draped over his sister's shoulder.

"His sister?" Reynolds asked. 

"Yes." Supe Dacres nodded.

Shane bent his head and looked at the photo of Zavier and Marcia. He stared at it for a long moment, a vague memory creeping up just below the surface of his consciousness. He stared at the photo wondering where he had seen her.

"You know her?" Ryan asked, watching him.

"There's something about her that seems familiar," Shane said. "I can't place it, not right now." 

Ryan reached for the photo and stared at it. "Not a bad looking girl." he said.

Recognition flickered across Shane's face then he suppressed it. He remembered, but he wouldn't say anything yet. "What now?" he asked.

Supe Dacres was about to speak when the landline phone rang. "Hello?" he answered. He listened carefully. "Okay I'll meet him, but I would like to bring three more officers. Very discreet."

He drummed his fingers on his desk as he listened to the response. "Okay, good. We'll meet him then." He put the phone's handset back on the base. He looked up at the men before him. 

"We have a rendezvous with someone who claims he has critical information about Mr Sterling," Supe Dacres said.

 Shane's left eye brow lifted above the other. "Did he give his name?" he asked.

"No, but we'll find out," Supe Dacres responded.

"Could be a trap," Ryan countered. Shane looked at Ryan whose gaze met his briefly. 

"That is why I'm bringing you three along," Supe Dacres said, a tiny smile curved his lips. 

Ryan looked at his watch. "What time? Where? You would have to ask my superior to release me."

Supe Dacres nodded. "Of course," he answered.

Sarge Reynolds. Glanced at his watch. "It's 11 o'clock now."

"He wants to meet at 1:00 o'clock," Supe Dacres said. "At a restaurant in Down Town. Says we should come in casual wear. So, no police garb."

Ryan nodded, but his eyebrows shot up. 

Supe Dacres dialed the police station Ryan was assigned to. He gave his name, his rank and badge number. He spoke to the Senior Superintendent and explained the situation. He was granted permission with the proviso that Ryan would be allowed to share details of the rendezvous. Supe Dacres agreed.

"We're all set," he said, looking at Corporal Stewart. 

Ryan nodded. "I'll just use the restroom," he said quietly. He stepped out of the office.

"I'll be back," Shane said and stood up. 

Supe Dacres gave him a warning look. 

"It's not what you think. Trust me." Shane replied, smiling ruefully.

"Okay," Supe Dacres nodded. 

Shane caught a glimpse of Sarge Reynolds' disapproving stare. "Trust me," he repeated as he looked at his friend. He squeezed his shoulder. 

Shane opened the door and walked to the bathroom. He stood by the front door and nodded at a colleague who was on his way out. He waited by the doorway until Ryan stepped out of a bathroom stall. The hollow sound of the toilet flushing was the only noise in the room. 

Ryan looked up, saw Shane and grunted. He turned on the faucet, squeezed soap onto his hands and proceeded to lather his hands. "What do you want?" he asked.

Shane pushed off the wall and took a step forward. "We used to be good friends once," he said. 

Ryan nodded, but did not speak. 

"Look, I heard about the thing between you and Lissa, the fight you guys had after I left her house ..." Shane rubbed his hand over his face. "If anyone should be angry, it should be me."

Ryan straightened after rinsing his hands and looked at him. He flashed his hands over the sink twice then dried them with a small rag he took from his trousers' pocket. "You pointed a gun at me," he said softly, but there was no friendliness in his tone.

"I wasn't going to use it," Shane answered.

"I didn't know that," Ryan replied. His eyes narrowed as he watched him. He tucked the rag back in his pants. He took a deep breath then released it. "For what it's worth, congrats on your engagement with Dana." 

Shane looked at him. His eyes showed surprise. 

Ryan chuckled softly. "Word gets around and Dana isn't hiding it. There's a group chat with a few officers. I happen to also be a part of that group."

"I'm sorry it didn't work with you and Lissa," Shane said sincerely.

Ryan nodded. "It was rushed. It probably wouldn't have worked in the long term."

"Look, in spite of everything we're still colleagues. I want to make peace," Shane said, taking a step forward.

Ryan pushed his hands in his pockets. He looked at the floor. "I really loved her," he said quietly, almost reflectively.

Shane took another step and put a hand on Ryan's shoulder. Ryan looked up, meeting Shane's gaze. He didn't see anger, pity or sympathy. He saw understanding. The tension inside him broke. He exhaled slowly. 

Sensing the shift in Ryan's mood, Shane patted his shoulder then squeezed. "Me too," he admitted. "But I had to move on, and so will you."

Ryan nodded. "Yeah, I will."

Shane smiled at him and slapped his shoulder. "Thank you for trying to cover for me. The arson case, I heard ..."

Ryan nodded. "I didn't believe you did it. Glad to know I was right." A subtle smile tugged at his lips.

Shane dropped his hand from Ryan's shoulder and walked towards a bathroom stall.

"Jasmine?" Ryan said, squinting his eyes at him with the same subtle smile. 

Shane whipped his head around at the name. He chuckled. "Yeah," he said simply.

"You seem to have some magic touch with the ladies." Ryan smiled now.

Shane laughed. "Nah, I don't think so."

Ryan lifted his left eyebrow. "Right."

Shane saw the sarcastic stare and threw his head back in an uproarious laugh. He shook his head. When he quieted down, he said, "I love women. I won't apologize for that, but I may have been a little enthusiastic about my fondness for them. I'm done with that now." 

He sobered though there was a smile on his face. "Dana is who I want and I'm totally committed to her," he said.

Ryan nodded. He could respect that. "Congrats again. She's a good girl," he said.

Shane nodded. "She is," he answered. "My angel." A whimsical look crossed his face.

Ryan noted his colleague's expression and a feeling of admiration settled in his chest. He gave him a genuine smile. He reached out and patted Shane's shoulder and moved to the door.

"So, are we good?" Shane asked Ryan, his eyes studying him.

Ryan turned around and looked at him. Thinking about all the times he had been on his team, when they had gone into battle in volatile communities, and that one time he saved his life. He missed the camaraderie--the friendship. He nodded. 

"Yes Cross-buy, we're good," he answered, using the nickname the Unit gave to Sergeant Crosby to build rapport and trust. A mischievous smile played on his lips. 

Shane grinned at him and nodded, feeling lighter in his chest. 

Ryan nodded as well. At the end of the day. He was his colleague and friend. Nothing should have compromised that. He took a breath and exhaled, feeling much better. He opened the door and left the room. Shane opened a bathroom stall to relieve himself.

***

Monday Afternoon   - Jamaica Time

Marcus drove with one hand on the steering, while the other squeezed his daughter's hand as though she were some fragile thing he was afraid would break, if he didn't hold it tight. It took some convincing, but he managed to get the bright, young doctor to agree that the best place for his daughter's recovery was back in Manchester.  He told Lissa he was going to drop her off at Jordan's place for a few hours, he needed to see Shane about something. When Lissa heard Shane's name, her shoulders went rigid, and Marcus noted it. 

Going to Jordan's apartment had been a sudden decision, she had forgotten to tell Aurora she was coming. When she knocked at the door she heard soft R&B music playing in the apartment. 

Her eyebrows lifted as she heard soft noises coming from that suite: The voice of a young woman making sounds that made her blush greeted her. She cleared her throat and dialed Sophia Aurora's number. She didn't answer. She looked at her dad who now had a grave expression on his face. 

"Take me home dad. It's fine," she said, awkwardly.

"Who is inside there?" her father asked.

"Jordan's sister," she answered, her expression pensive. "I don't want to--"

But as she was about to turn away from the door, Her phone rang and she looked at it and saw that Sophia Aurora was calling back. Lissa looked up at her father.

"Answer it," he said calmly.

Swallowing the knot in her throat, she answered. "Hello?" 

"Hey, Lissa," Aurora said, sounding slightly winded. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," She turned her body from her dad's penetrative stare. She walked a few feet away from him. "Aurora, um ... I." She sighed. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I didn't know you would have company."

The music stopped and there was dead silence on the line before she heard a male voice say, "Everything okay, baby?"

She heard Aurora frantically whisper, "Shhh ... Stop!"

"Uh ... Lissa, where are you?" Aurora asked.

"I-I'm outside at the door," Lissa replied.

"Oh shit!" Aurora said and the line went dead. 

After two more minutes. the door opened and a handsome young man stepped out. He nodded nervously at Lissa and his eyes widened when he met Marcus' disapproving glare. He swallowed and hoarsely said, "Aurora will be right with you. Don't go in yet. Give her five minutes." Then he was gone, walking briskly down the hallway.

Lissa shook her head, if she was alone she would have laughed about it, but taking a side glance at her dad's face told her he was not amused. She cleared her throat and waited the five minutes. Marcus shifted impatiently on his feet. Aurora appeared at the door. She was wearing a bathrobe, her hair was damp from the shower. 

"Hey, Lissa," she said awkwardly. Her eyes grew enormous when she looked to her left and saw the older gentleman with the cold stare. 

"Uh ...hi," she squeaked. Lissa felt sorry for her. 

"Aurora, this is my dad. Dad, this is Jordan's little sister, Sophia Aurora or just Aurora." She glanced at her dad and wished he wouldn't look so serious.

"Good afternoon, Miss Aurora," Marcus said coolly. His soft, velvety tenor holding an unmistakable edge to it. Aurora swallowed nervously. She stepped back and pulled the door wider for them to enter. 

"Please come in," she said, her voice a little shaky.

Lissa stepped inside first, the scent of bergamot filled the air. Lissa inhaled and smiled. The scent hit Marcus in a way he never expected. 

He looked around him, his eyes narrowing. "What is that smell?" he asked. 

"Bergamot and roses," Aurora said quietly

Marcus looked at her, a question in his eyes. "Interesting fragrance," he said in a measured tone.

"I-I ... uh..." Aurora stuttered.

"Aurora makes scented or you could say perfumed oils, dad," Lissa intervened. She took her bag from her father and placed it on the floor beside the living room couch. She sat on the couch, feeling exhausted. She watched her dad looking intently at Jordan's little sister and wondered if something was wrong.

"Is something wrong, dad?" Lissa asked.

He shook his head and blinked. "No, all is fine," he said, turning his head to look at her. He smiled. He came to her on the couch and touched her arm. "You'll be fine?" he asked.

Lissa nodded. "I will," she said. 

Marcus bent forward and kissed her forehead. "Be back soon," he said, a faint smile on his lips. He straightened and took another glance at Aurora. He nodded at her then was gone. 

Aurora collapsed on the armchair opposite the couch and sighed. "Your dad is intense," she wailed.

Lissa chuckled softly. "Yeah, he can be." She stretched out her legs. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you would have company." She smiled reassuringly at her.

Aurora released a soft breath. "His name is Marlon. He ... he's my boyfriend." Her hands grabbed the tied straps of her bathrobe and squeezed.

"Oh," Lissa said quietly.

"Do you love him?' Lissa asked, her eyes kind.

Aurora nodded shyly. "Yes," she said.

"Um ... using protection is ... I mean, you know," Lissa's voice trailed off.

Aurora nodded. "Yeah, Marlon has been very careful. He ... we." She lowered her head. "He's very kind and good to me."

Lissa moved over and patted the space on the couch beside her. "Come here," she said. Aurora walked over and sat beside her. Lissa pulled Aurora closer and she leaned on her shoulder. 

Lissa took a deep breath. "He may or may not be the one," she said softly.

Aurora sighed. "I think he is," she replied. Lissa lay her head on Aurora's hair and rubbed her arm. "I'm happy for you," she whispered.

Aurora smiled. "Thank you," she said. 

After some oats porridge and toasted bread, and Aurora being properly dressed in blue jeans and a white  tank top, Lissa took a long deep breath and approached Aurora with a question: "Do you know how to make an aphrodisiac?" she asked.

Aurora nearly choked on her cup of coffee. She looked at her, understanding growing on her face. She laughed a little. "You planning to seduce my brother?" she asked cheekily.

Lissa laughed shyly. She brought her hands together, tugging gently at the fingers. Aurora noticed and smiled at her. "My brother loves you, Lis, you know that," she told her.

Lissa nodded her head. "I know, but just in case, we, you know, do something, I want to be able to enjoy the moment with him. The last time we tried it hurt."

Aurora saw the desperation in Lissa's eyes and her heart stirred. "What do you need me to do?" she asked reaching out a hand to squeeze Lissa's.

"I need you to make a fragrant oil that helps to enhance pleasure. Something that improves blood flow to certain parts of my body when it is applied. Something that smells divine, but not too overpowering. Subtle but noticeable. Something that smells like a promise and forever rolled into one."

Aurora's eyebrows lifted. She took up her phone and opened an app to make notes. 

"Would you want it to be something that you could also taste? Edible with a flavor, something safe to consume?"

Lissa nodded. "Yes!" she said excitedly. "That sounds good!"

Aurora chuckled. "Okay lady!" she exclaimed.

"I want it to be something both Jordan and I can enjoy using on each other," Lissa said, her cheeks becoming flushed.

Aurora looked up from her phone and met Lissa's gaze. "Kinky!" she said, with a wide grin. "I like!" She leaned forward. "Anything else?" she asked.

"Something that feels really nice to touch. It needs to feel really good on my skin," Lissa said smiling.

"Nice!" Sophia Aurora beamed. 'I could probably use it on me and Marlon too if he's up to it,' she thought. She did a wicked grin, and began thinking of the chemicals, scents and essential oils she could safely mix together and their reactions. 

Today was her first time sexually with a man and though it was interrupted, she had enjoyed him. She wished it was a longer experience, but Marlon told her next time he would take her to his place. She was looking forward to it. She discussed having a long distance relationship with him. He told her he was willing to work with her. She would visit every chance she got to be with him. She was in love with him and he told her he felt the same way.

Lissa was saying something. Aurora cleared her throat and looked at her. "What? Repeat that?"

Lissa chuckled. "Where did you go a while ago?" she asked.

Sophia Aurora smiled and shook her head. Lissa gave her a knowing look and smirk. "You really like this Marlon guy?" she asked.

Aurora's eyes lit up."Yeah, I do," she replied.

Lissa hummed. "I won't say anything to Jordie, okay? Promise me when he gets better you won't say anything to him about the oil, when he gets back from wherever he is. I want it to be a surprise." A shadow of sadness passed over her face. Aurora decided not to say anything. She just nodded. She took her hand and squeezed. Lissa smiled, feeling grateful for her.

***

Marcus called Shane. Shane picked up the call after the third ring. He glanced at his watch. 

"Hey, good afternoon," Shane said. It was 12:30 midday. "I have a rendezvous. I promise to explain everything to you, but right now I got to go."

Marcus's brow furrowed. "Are you still taking me to see Jordan?" he asked.

"Yeh man, I will, but the police communications network got some intel pertaining to Mr Z. My superior, two other officers along with myself will be meeting with someone last minute."

Marcus's eyebrows shot up. "Understood. Be careful." He felt uneasy about it.

Shane smiled. "I will," he answered and hung up.

'What should he do now?' Marcus thought. He smiled. First, he'll call his son then he'll go see his wife.

He dialed his son's number. They may be either at the airport preparing to board or on their way to the airport. He would try to catch him before he left.

***

Brandon cupped Zuzu breasts and gently squeezed. They were laying in a large bed: soft and quite comfortable. After they got to Kwame's place, he drove in his dad's car, and led them to an unfinished house his parents were building. 

All rooms on the ground floor were finished, but the first and second floors were unfinished. Brandon was relieved that even King got his own room to sleep. He rolled onto his belly and looked into his woman's eyes. 

Zuzu stretched languidly like a graceful cat who had just woken up from sleep. "Hmm..." she groaned.

Brandon buried his head in her bosom and sighed. "You are so beautiful," he breathed. She giggled softly. 

"I love you," she whispered, rubbing his head. He kissed and suckled the curve of her breasts. Zuzu arched up and moaned softly.  She wrapped her arms around his neck. 

He grunted. "Hmm, I love you too my Zuzu," he said, his voice a little gravelly.

"Oh, Branno, I wish ..." she said. Her eyes closed as her body responded to his deliberate touch on her hips. Gentle hands rubbed against soft, supple skin; her breathing became ragged.

Her eyes burned with a passion that took his breath away. He was about to burrow his head deeper to find her nipples, when his phone buzzed on the nightstand. He sighed and rolled over to answer it. A smile materialized on his face when he saw his dad's number.

"Dad!" Brandon answered.

"Hey son, just calling to see you off," Marcus replied.

Brandon sat up. "Um, dad ... about that."

Marcus's brow furrowed as he listened.

***

King stretched and opened his eyes. He was glad to have his own bathroom. He was able to wash the underwear he took off the night before. Zolah loaned him a bottle of her body wash. He was surprised when she gave it to him and said nothing. There was a knock on the door. He opened it and was surprised again. Zolah was standing in the doorway. Her hair was up in roller sets. She was holding grey sweat pants, a grey t-shirt and grey hoodie. There were price tags on them. 

He looked at her. She was wearing a white T-shirt and short pink tights. The curve of her thighs and hips made his eyebrows rise imperceptibly. 'She's thick,' was all he could manage to think.

He was shirtless, just wearing his underwear. She averted her eyes, staring at the ceiling. 

"You don't like clothes?" she retorted, her cheeks burning.

He smiled at her. "Sure I do." He looked at the clothes in her arms. "Are those for me?" he asked, amused.

She nodded and shoved the clothing on his chest without eye contact. "My brother, Zane, says you can have these. He hasn't worn them."

King squeezed the clothes to his chest. "Tell him thank you," he replied.

She turned to leave. He took a risk. "Zolah ..."

She stopped walking.

"Thank you for bringing them to me," he said, softening his tone.

She turned her head to look at him. "It was my plea ... I mean, no problem." she said, then quickly went downstairs. His mouth curved into a whimsical smile.

***

Z called N while Izzie slept. N had held her close the night before, just held her. She was shaking and he could see the grief and fear in her eyes. He never meant for any of this to happen. He regretted everything.

He saw Z's number and deliberated on whether he should answer or not, but in the end he did.

"You're still alive?" he answered with a faint smile.

Z scoffed. "So says the traitor," Z responded.

N noticed the strangeness in Z's voice. "What now?" he asked.

"We haven't seen eye to eye in a while now," Z said, "but I have always trusted you. Always. I was a fool."

"Look," Nesbeth began, "Izzie is safe. I intend on keeping her that way, and if you won't skin me alive I'll arrange a place where you can see her."

"Son of a bitch! Mi nuh care 'bout that! You slept with my wife, Nes!"

Fear gripped Nesbeth's heart like actual human hands. "You know ..." he answered resignedly. He took a deep breath and released it slowly. "How did you find out?" he asked.

"Midnight's wife told me. She also told me that Midnight also slept with Danae. There was a pause then, "Did you know about them? Did you know Danae was sleeping with Midnight."

"He only slept with her once, so he says," Nesbeth responded.

"Oh ... so me a di eediat then?! Two a unnu a teck turn a fuck my wife and me neva know!" Z replied coldly.

"It's not like that," Nesbeth said.

"Oh really? What is it like, Nes? You tell me?"

"I was in love with Danae. I knew her before you, remember that. She was the one who introduced us."

"And?" 

"And one night when you were especially mean to her, she came to me for comfort. It was just to talk, that's all, but it escalated into something else," Nesbeth said.

"So you're saying you took advantage of her?" Z asked, his heart pounding wildly. 

"No, I'm saying you hurt her with your affairs, and she came and asked me to talk to you. She confronted you and you twisted her arm and bruised her shoulder. You remember that?"

Zavier barked a vulgar laugh. "I don't know what you're talking about," he retorted.

"Your sister was there the time you injured her shoulder," Nesbeth said quietly.

Z paused as a memory flashed into his consciousness. His gaze swept over the clean, but cold interior of his living room. "Did Marcia know you and Danae had an affair?"

Zavier listened to Nesbeth's breathing. 

"It's possible," Nesbeth said with a sigh. "Quite possible. Marcia wanted me, but I only had eyes for Danae at the time."

What?! Z couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What? What yuh saying to mi?" Z asked in shock.

Nesbeth took a deep breath, held it then exhaled slowly. "I'm saying, I woke up one morning to see Marcia in my bed. She was naked. Your sister was a gorgeous woman. I ... She was going down on me. I pushed her off me, sat up and told her to leave."

Zavier made a sound of disgust. "Marcia would never. She didn't like a bone in your body."

"She may not have liked me or so she made it seem, but she was in my bed. I didn't hallucinate that," Nesbeth said firmly. "Maybe she hated what she couldn't have."

Zavier felt bile rising to his throat. He put down the phone, putting on the loud speaker and stepped to a small table with a bottle of whiskey aged 50 years. He took a clear glass tumbler turned down on its face. He lifted the glass and poured a half a shot and downed it in one swallow. The golden liquid burned his throat and lit a fire in his chest. He grimaced and cleared his throat. Nesbeth remained silent on the line.

"I'm going to kill you, N" Zavier said.

"Understandable. However you should know," N paused then spoke more quietly. "Your niece is pregnant."

Nesbeth heard the crashing of glass breaking on ceramic tiles. 

Zavier doubled over, hand clutching his chest. 

"Zavier?" Nesbeth said. He heard laboured breathing on the line. 

"My chest!" Zavier rasped.

"Hold on," Nesbeth said. He hung up the phone, called the emergency services line and told them he believed a friend of his was having a heart attack.

***

They entered the restaurant and sat down. Shane angled his body to be able to see the entrance of the restaurant. Ryan sat beside him his gaze facing the food counter. Meanwhile, Sergeant Reynolds aka Mark, sat at another table, scanning the faces of persons who entered and left the establishment. Supe Dacres had gone to purchase food, to make the pretense real. 

They were all dressed in civilian clothing. Ryan had to rush home to change, but Shane and Mark usually carried change of clothes with them. Supe Dacres asked his wife to bring some clothes for him before they left the police station. To make it seem more natural they asked Constable Sudanie Walker to accompany them. 

She was supposed to pretend like she and one of them were in love. Shane felt uncomfortable with the pretense. He declined immediately. Mark was seeing a very jealous woman, and was afraid one of his woman's friends might see him in that public setting and report back to her.  Supe Dacres was a married man, he didn't want the complications. That left Corporal Stewart. 

Ryan sighed. "Fine. I'll be the lamb to the slaughter," he told them. 

They were sitting in the restaurant now, waiting for their contact, and for her. The door pushed open and all four men looked towards it. In walked Constable Walker, the men froze. Their reactions ranged from disbelief to genuine approval. 

She was wearing a pair of black, tight fitting jeans that hugged her curves and red high heels. Her blouse was an off the shoulder piece that was a deep, rich, wine red. She was wearing subtle makeup and clear lip gloss. Her hair was loose and bounced on her shoulder. She did a blow-out that made it almost straight. It was like a black, beautiful mane framing her face.

The men stared at her. Other patrons in the restaurant were also captivated by her entrance. She saw her colleagues and walked towards them. Ryan stood up first, then Shane. She sat at their table. They sat down and stared at her. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled at them.

"Did the contact arrive yet?" she asked. 

Ryan shook his head. "No, he hasn't come yet. Well, we're not sure," he said.

She smiled at him. 

"You look really nice," he told her. 

Her smile brightened. "Who am I supposed to be in love with?" she asked cheerfully.

Shane cleared his throat and looked away. She glanced at him. "You?" she asked, amused. 

"No, me," Ryan told her. 

"Oh, okay." Sudanie relaxed. "Okay, that's easy."

Ryan's left eyebrow lifted above the other, a tiny smile edged up his lips.

Sudanie stammered. "I-I mean it's easier since you and I have no one ... I mean, Sarge is with Constable Campbell. I would feel weird though it's pretend. Everyone else is taken. We have a good rapport." She placed her hands in her lap.

He smiled at her and stood to his feet. "Let's sit over there," he said, pointing to an empty table to the back of the fast food restaurant. Sudanie nodded, feeling flushed. He put his hand tentatively at the small of her back, guiding her to the table. "Tell me if anything I do makes you feel uncomfortable," he said quietly.

"Will do," she replied. 

She sat down and he pulled her closer. He wrapped his right arm around her. Her body shivered, but she didn't pull away. Ryan got a whiff of a scent that was a cross between vanilla and something floral on her skin. It was very pleasant, though subtle. Quite intoxicating. He wanted to get closer.

"I like your perfume," he whispered. He lowered his head to touch hers. 

"I'm not wearing perfume," she replied softly.

He smelled her skin more deliberately, placing his nose near her neck. 

"What is it?" he asked.

"Body spray and lotion, maybe deodorant," Sudanie said, with a short nervous giggle. "I try to avoid using too much stuff on my body." 

"You don't put perfume on, ever?" he asked, curious.

"When it's a special occasion," she said quietly, her voice even.

"Okay," he said. He leaned back from her. Her scent was filling his senses and making him feel too aware of her. He still allowed his arm to rest over her shoulder.

Supe Dacres brought their orders over in two trays then retrieved several trays with food for himself, Shane, and Mark Reynolds. Ryan looked up to see Mark looking at them with a mischievous grin on his face. He made a face and looked back at Sudanie, who saw the exchange between them. She stared at her lap.

He rubbed his hand on her arm. "You look really gorgeous," he told her. He noted that her skin felt warm and silky-smooth.

"Is that so?" Sarcasm in her tone.

"Hmm, Mark is just being Mark," Ryan said.

She shook her head. "I saw the way you guys looked at me when I just walked in, like I was an ugly duckling that transformed or something." She turned her face away from him and stared out the glass walls.

Ryan leaned forward and squeezed her arm. "Sudie," he spoke gently, "you have to admit that wearing the police gear doesn't leave room for all of this to show. But you look really good. And you smell really nice too."

He felt a tremor run through her and pulled her to him.

"I'm sorry about you and Anthony," he said quietly.

She nodded. "Dr Bromfield has a lot on his plate. He doesn't have time to be in anything serious," she said, her voice revealing her disappointment.

Ryan gently squeezed her arm and released it slowly. He was aware of her toned arm muscles, though her skin was soft. She felt like steel wrapped seductively in velvet."His obvious loss," he said. 

"Sorry about you and Lissa," Sudanie said, turning her head to look at him. A lopsided smile was on her face.

He smiled at her, the pain hidden behind his eyes. "I'll be alright," he said. Sudanie leaned into him and he wrapped both hands around her in a brief hug. She moved back from him and smiled. 

"You give great hugs," she said, staring at him.

Ryan smiled at her and brushed a strand of unruly hair behind her ear. His fingers touched the sensitive skin and her eyes widened. Something flickered in them, but before he could say anything further, the door pushed open and a man walked in. 

A blue and red baseball cap was on his head and his eyes were covered by dark glasses. He wore a black T-shirt, black jeans and old, faded army boots. He was carrying a navy blue knapsack. The man saw Supe Dacres sitting alone at a table and sat down in front of him. 

"I guess that's him," Sudanie whispered. 

She leaned into Ryan. His grip around her tightened. He used the other hand to feed her fries from her tray. They pretended to laugh at some joke and he took a paper napkin to dab at her mouth when she got ketchup at the corner of her lips. 

Their eyes met for a moment and for the first time he looked at her: At the way her lips curled seductively when she smiled. The way her eyes held a quiet confidence that pulled people in. The way she was always thinking of others with little gestures and her reassuring words. 

He pulled her more snugly to him. She was almost sitting on him. Sudanie's heart began to pound hard against her chest. Ryan inhaled her and rested his chin on her neck. His right hand circled around her wrist, while his thumb brushed lightly on her knuckles.. The palm of his hand sent electricity coursing through her. 

Sudanie tried to relax, though she was hyper aware of his body's warmth and the scent of sandalwood. His embrace did not feel like one of a friend's. It was more intimate, but not threatening. It was solid--A place she could rest and feel safe. She took a deep breath and let her body surrender. 

"You're a good man, Ryan," she whispered.

Ryan closed his eyes and inhaled the smell of her hair. "I hope to be," he replied.

"No, you are," she said. She adjusted herself, turning slightly towards him.

He exhaled and his whole body relaxed. 

His arm moved to circle around her waist. She didn't feel like Lissa. No. He wouldn't compare her to anyone else. She was who she was: a colleague and dear friend, and a beautiful woman. He took a deep breath and decided that he would just be in this moment with her and not think anything in particular. She felt good in his arms, he could admit that to himself.

Shane looked over at them and smiled. They did look good together. He hoped Ryan would find love and be happy. He looked over to see Mark sipping on his soda, his eyes watching Supe Dacres' table. Shane was the closest in proximity. He had to look like he didn't care, that he was just a regular guy on his lunch break. He bit into his cheese burger and chewed. 

The man picked up Supe Dacres' bag of large fries and started eating, making himself comfortable. Sergeant Reynolds tensed. Shane looked pointedly at him. Mark saw him staring at him. Shane shook his head issuing him a warning not to intervene. Ryan was also alert to what happened, his body becoming tense. The arm that was around Sudanie stilled. 

Sudanie felt the rigidity in Ryan's body. She glanced furtively at Supe Dacres' table, her hand going to her handbag. Then she decided to lean forward, pick up her fish sandwich and start eating. She broke off a piece of the sandwich and hovered it inches away from Ryan's mouth. 

Ryan focused on her. His gaze softened into something more intimate. He opened his mouth and allowed her to feed him. Tentatively, she took her finger and wiped the mayo that pooled at the corner of his mouth. She was about to wipe it on a paper napkin when he grabbed her hand and licked the sauce off her finger. Her eyes widened. A pang of desire pooled low in her belly and seeped into her loins. 

Ryan was aware that something had shifted in the atmosphere between them. He hadn't thought much about what he would do before he did it. He saw her heated awareness and his eyes darkened as he stared at her. His loins stirred and he felt the crotch space of his pants become more restrictive. He looked into her eyes and saw the unmistakable fire he had ignited. 

It was then he remembered Jhonie and realized with cold, precise clarity that he wasn't ready for a committed relationship. He needed more time. He turned away from Sudanie's heated gaze and cleared his throat. Sudanie could feel a coldness building; an invisible wall, making the space between seem wider though their bodies still touched. She moved her hand down and squeezed his fingers.

"Don't shut me out," she said. He looked at her, the professional mask already in place. She smiled at him sadly. "Let's talk after this is over, okay?"

He didn't say a word. She squeezed his hand tighter. "Okay?" Her voice trembled a little.

He nodded. "Okay," he said, but the earlier warmth she detected in his tone was gone.

"Are you the man who wants to give information about Mr Z?" Supe Dacres asked, sipping his orange juice. He tried his best not to react in any way.

The man continued eating the fries for a minute more then gave a subtle nod. He stood up. "Be right back," he said. 

Supe Dacres watched as he sauntered over to the cashier and ordered food. Two minutes later he was back with a tray in hands which contained a large coke, chicken sandwich and two bags of large fries. He placed one of the large fries on Supe Dacres' tray. 

"My apologies, but I have to make it look like we're good friends."

Supe Dacres nodded his understanding and began digging into the bag of fries the man bought for him. "Your name?" he asked.

"All you need to know is that I'm called Midnight," the man answered. He took out a thick folder and placed it between himself and Supe Dacres. "All you need to bury him."

Supe Dacres wiped his fingers on his paper napkin, wiped his mouth and crumpled up the soiled paper. He dropped it on the table. He picked up the folder and opened it. He used his tongue to clean his teeth as he read. Shane watched carefully. Mark tried not to stare. Ryan was ultra alert, choosing to ignore the tension that had formed between him and Sudanie.

Sudanie gave a short, exasperated sigh and scooted away from him. She stood up. "I'm going to the restroom," she said.

Ryan nodded. "Okay," was all he said. Sudanie turned away from him, her fists balled up.

As she walked away he watched her retreating back. He was surprised at his reaction to her. He wasn't healed yet. Being with Lissa and then experiencing heartbreak had cracked his heart painfully open, and brought something raw and ugly to the surface--the insatiable in him. 

He couldn't succumb to his lust. He couldn't allow himself to think of being with anyone. If he did he would hurt them. He was too broken to offer something stable. Sudanie didn't deserve to be treated as a rebound, neither did Jhonie. He would cancel their lunch date.

Supe Dacres looked at the stranger with skeptical eyes. "How can I be sure that this info is legit and not something you made up, or not stale news?" he asked.

He leaned forward, fixing Midnight with a detective's stare.  

Midnight chuckled. "I assure you it is legit and all information is up to date."

"I should arrest you right now. You're a conspirator in Mr Z aka Mr Sterling's criminal network," Supe Dacres said, his gaze narrowing.

Midnight chuckled softly. "Try that and your career will be over," he said confidently. He stood up. Mark flinched. Midnight turned his head to the left and waved at Mark who now had an annoyed expression on his face. 

"Make sure you instruct your officers to stay where they are, no one follows me. We wouldn't want anything to go wrong," Midnight quipped.

Supe Dacres looked up at him. "Is that a threat?" he asked, his tone calm but deadly.

Midnight shook his head and smiled. "No, just an observation." He turned to leave.

"Your time will come," Supe Dacres said.

Midnight laughed. "But until then ..." He chuckled. "I'll keep doing me." He walked towards the door. He nodded briefly at Shane, opened the door and stepped outside. 

Sudanie returned to see Ryan's clenched jaw and the tension in the other men's faces. "What happened?" She sat beside him.

"We didn't fool him. He identified Mark and Shane, and likely knew you and I were cops too."

"I thought he was expecting officers to accompany Supe?" she asked perplexed.

"Sure, but we didn't want to look so easy," he said with frustration.

"You are tense aren't you?" she asked, her eyebrows lifted.

He fixed his eyes on her. Passion burning within him. "You have no idea," he whispered. 

Sudanie caught the way he was looking at her. Her heart skipped a beat.

"About what happened earlier," she began, "I wasn't offended by you doing the finger thing."

He looked at her for what seemed to be a long moment then a smile crept up his lips. "You're a good girl," he said. "You deserve to feel secure and safe."

"Suppose I don't want to be good anymore?" she said. "I'm tired of being good and safe. I want to be reckless for once."

With one eyebrow raised above the other he studied her. "What are you saying?" he asked, his pulse spiking.

"I'm saying I want to experience being wild. I want my hands to shake, my knees to get weak and my body to be ravished by someone who isn't afraid I'll break."

His loins stirred. A certain body part hardened. "I don't want to hurt you," he told her.

"You won't," she said, reaching for his hand. "I don't want anything serious right now either. I just want comfort, to feel something." 

He squeezed her hand and sighed. "A few years back I would have agreed to that kind of arrangement." He placed his right hand over hers while his left hand squeezed her fingers. "I would have gladly given you a wild night of no strings attached, but I'm not that type of man anymore, and I don't want to go back there." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. 

"Sudie, you're a beautiful, kindhearted woman. Don't be bitter. Save your love for someone who deserves it."

"Why can't it be you?" she asked, her eyes searching his face. 

He touched her cheek. "I wish I could be," he answered sadly.

"We could--" she said quietly.

"I'm not ready," he told her. He took a shallow breath and released it forcefully. "Maybe you're not ready either. We'd just hurt each other."

She leaned forward to rest her head on his chest. She inhaled his cologne and eased back.

"I wish you would try with me, and not be a coward."

Frustration rose in his chest, his gaze hardened at the insult. "Sudie, you just told me you're not looking for anything serious. If I had agreed you would be in my bed."

"Yes, I said that because I'm tired of being alone, Ryan. I want to be happy. I want to feel something, feel someone. I know you felt something between us. I just want to be loved," she confessed. "I wish you would be brave enough with me, just to try." 

She saw Sergeant Crosby move to Supe Dacres' table and rose to her feet. "We can take it slow," she said softly. She put her hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"I can't," he said. "I can't." He shook his head.

"That's too bad," she said and walked towards where Sergeants Reynolds and Crosby were standing with Superintendent Dacres.

Ryan watched her go, feeling like a blade had cut his chest wide open. She didn't understand how desperately he wanted the comfort she was offering, but he didn't want to hurt her. He knew the kind of man he could be. But yet, still ... her closeness was a balm he wanted to feel again. Maybe he even needed it.

He stood to his feet and walked over. He moved to stand behind her, inches away from touching. She was aware of his presence. She tried to concentrate on what Supe Dacres was saying.

"The man gave his name as Midnight," Supe Dacres said. 

Sergeant Mark Reynolds' right hand curled into a fist. "I know that name," he said.

The others looked at him. 

"He's a notorious gun man, politician's enforcer back in the 70s and 80s. He was once called the angel of death. Once you saw him it was over for you. He's called Midnight because of how black they say his heart is. I haven't heard that name in a long while. My dad was compiling a case against him." 

Mark's dad's name was Superintendent Reginald Reynolds. He was killed in a car accident. A drunk driver had rammed into him when he was going home from work.

"Seems like he's retired from that kind of life," Shane replied, his expression grim.

Mark looked at him. "Maybe," he answered with a shrug. 

"Let's get back to the station so we can properly review this file he gave us," Superintendent Dacres said. He looked around the room at the restaurant patrons giving them curious glances. His team nodded. They moved towards to the front door. Ryan touched Sudanie's arm. She looked at his hand then up at his face. It held an apology.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "Can we talk?"

She nodded. "After our shift," she said. 

He smiled at her. "Okay." His tone was more friendly. Sudanie felt the ice melting that had formed around her heart.

***

After he visited Sandra at the private facility, Marcus drove Down Town and he stopped at an electronics store to purchase a new cellphone for Lissa. He also stopped on the roadside and bought a new charger for Jordan's phone along with phone cases for both phones. 

He left from there and bought a SIM card from a street agent of a popular telecommunications company on the island. They helped him program the phone to configure it to the SIM's settings. He thanked them and bought prepaid credit for both Lissa and Jordan's phone. He allowed them to send the credit directly to both mobile devices.

Sandra was making progress. Soon he would be able to take her home. He just needed to make sure she would be safe.

Shane called him around 4:30 p.m and told him that he asked for half an hour to run an errand. He was on his way to pick him up. Marcus told him he was driving and that he was in Down Town, Kingston. Shane told him he would park his vehicle by the Central Police station and he should come get him by 5 o'clock. Marcus agreed.

At 5 o'clock, Shane was waiting for him at the entrance of the police station. He slid into Marcus' vehicle, his muscles tense. Marcus glanced at him. "Where to?" he asked.

Shane gave him the name of the medical facility. "Okay, I know where that is," he replied. Shane nodded.

"Did something happen?" Marcus asked, noting the tired lines etched on Shane's face.

"There was a big turf war yesterday. Sources say Mr Z was involved. The leader of the No Ease Up gang died. A couple weeks ago his son and his cronies took you and your vehicle hostage, the old Don who Red Man spoke to let you go. Z had him killed."

Marcus' eyes widened. He glanced at him for a second too long, then blinked. He stared at the traffic before them, his hands holding onto the steering wheel for dear life. "Does your friend Eugene know?"

"No," Shane said, shaking his head, "and I don't know how to tell him."

"I'm sorry," Marcus said. His voice sounded hollow to him.

Shane sighed. "He was a criminal. I can't afford to feel sympathy for him," he replied.

"But you do?" Marcus took a quick look at him. Shane did not answer him.

***

Monday Afternoon

Jordan sat up in bed. He had no cellphone which fueled his frustration. He wished he could hear his baby's voice. He also wondered what she was up to. He was confident that she was thinking about him. He knew that. He just wished he could hold her. The swelling on his abdomen had gone down. The gunshot wound was healing and he was feeling better--stronger.

He took a breath and sighed. In one week from now Dr Gordon said he could commence physical therapy. He looked at his arms. His eyes caught the end of the 'War Dog' tattoo on his left arm. This wasn't the first time he had been shot.

"Xander, old friend. I miss you buddy," he said, his voice filled with emotion. He closed his eyes and lay back. 

***

"Keep still mutt!" Petty Sergeant Raul Reyes said affectionately. He adjusted himself, leaning more on his stronger leg. He had suffered an injury via an IED five months ago. Luckily, it had misfired. The blast was strong enough to injure, but not kill. Xander was not with him that day. 

He held firmly to the dog's leash. The quiet whining of the massive beast beside him was grating on his nerves. It was a reminder that they had to part ways. He didn't know how Xander knew, but he did. He sensed it somehow.

"Look," Petty Sergeant Reyes said, while scratching his companion's ear. "I know you've grown attached, but you'll have another handler in the next half hour. You have to get used to him and be loyal. Okay?" He patted his canine companion's neck. 

The large German Shepherd beside him stopped whining, opened his mouth and began to pant. Reyes rubbed his head. "Good boy," he muttered. 

"Sit." The dog obeyed. "I'll miss you Xander, but Lt. Marx is a good soldier. He will take care of you."

They were standing outside in the courtyard when a jeep pulled up and several men filed out--strides measured, filled with purpose. They approached and saluted. Petty Sergeant Reyes saluted them.

The man in front spoke. "Sergeant Reyes, thank you for loaning Xander to us. We have selected someone suitable as his handler in the meantime while you recover."

Reyes swallowed and nodded. 

"Lt. Marx step forward," the man shouted.

"Yes Major Tracy," the young soldier to his left responded. He stepped forward to stand beside his superior. He made no move to approach the German Shepherd. He knew better.

Reyes looked down at Xander. "Stay," he told him. The dog kept his eyes on him as Reyes maneuvered himself towards Lieutenant Marx. He reached out his right hand. Lt Marx looked at it and frowned.

Reyes smiled. "Xander is a very smart dog. He has to see that you and I are good with each other or he won't trust you." 

Marx nodded, grabbed Reyes' hand and shook it. 

Xander lowered his head, but his eyes were on his master and the new guy. 

"I'm going to introduce you to him now," Reyes said softly. He pointed to five feet away at a jeep left idle. "Stand over there," he said. Lt. Marx nodded. He walked over to the jeep and stood before it.

"Xander, come!" Reyes commanded in a clear even voice. 

Xander ears perked up and bent forward. He stood to his feet and slowly walked to stand beside his handler. 

Reyes bent down and picked up Xander's leash. "Let's go," he spoke, his voice calm. He took a step and Xander hesitated. 

Reyes softened his tone. "Come on buddy, let's go," he said. Xander moved forward. They stopped two feet away from Lt Marx.

"You're going to come and stand to his right," Reyes said looking at Marx's nervous face. He smiled at him. "Trust me," he said quietly. Marx nodded.

"Move off slowly," Reyes instructed.

Marx came to stand to Xander's right not too close. Reyes handed the leash over to him. "I'm going to walk with you and issue the same commands I usually do, while you hold the leash then after a few rounds of doing that you're going do the same thing in the same tone I use. Understood?"

Lt Marx nodded. 

"Good," Reyes said smiling. "Got a good grip, First Lieutenant?" he asked.

"Yes sir," Marx replied, balling his left hand into a tight fist.

Reyes nodded. "Good."

"Xander," Reyes said.

Xander looked up at him. "Forward." Reyes instructed, pointing his index finger. Xander moved.

Reyes walked at a steady pace. Lt Marx walked alongside him mimicking his pace as Xander became aware that someone else was holding his leash. Xander complied. 

After half an hour of Reyes calling the various commands, he said to Marx, "Your turn. I'll be right beside you." He switched to Marx's side and walked along with him, and ran when Marx commanded, "Hup-hup," to Xander, gesturing his right hand how Reyes showed him. Xander broke into an easy trot, the men keeping pace with him.

They went through the steps carefully for another hour, meanwhile the other men who came with Marx went to explore the barracks. 

"Go on your haunches beside him. Don't give him direct eye contact yet. Just stoop down beside him. Relax," Petty Sergeant Reyes said.

Lt Marx complied. 

"Put your hand on his back and pat slowly. Tell him to sit."

Marx did as he was told. Xander's tail began to wag. Reyes smiled sadly. "He likes you," he said.

Marx lifted his gaze from observing the glossy black and brown fur of his new partner to Reyes' proud face. He had trained Xander well.

 "That's very good to know," Marx answered, chuckling softly. Xander hearing the sound moved closer and pressed his nose to Marx's face. Marx smiled at his new favorite 'person' and rubbed his neck. 

"Good boy," he whispered.

Reyes nodded in approval.

***

When Jordan woke up, he saw Marcus Dixon and Sergeant Crosby standing by his bed. He blinked, rubbed his eyes and looked again.

"Oh, so you are real?" he said in an amused tone.

"You aren't glad to see me?" Marcus asked, his lips curling into a melancholy smile. He pulled the chair in the room closer to the bed and sat down. He was coming back for Jordie in a week's time. He hadn't made that decision before now, nor on his way over here, but after seeing him on the hospital bed it made perfect sense. 

"Actually, yes," Jordan answered.

"I'm coming back to take you home. Well, the temporary home in Manchester for a little while, one week from now."

Jordan looked at him, eyebrows raised. He looked at Shane and noticed his surprised expression. 

"You're serious?" Jordan asked.

"Very." Marcus looked at the bandages and the plasma hooked up to Jordan's arm. "The doctor informed me that it would be difficult to move you now. So I'm willing to come back for you in a week's time. By then you should be strong enough to move. I'll hire a private nurse. I'll make sure you're straight."

Jordan didn't know what to say. "I ... thank you," he mumbled.

Marcus nodded. "For what you did for my daughter, I'll do even more. Thank you for making sure she's alive. I'm sorry I doubted you."

Shane's gaze shifted to Lissa's dad, who he had grown to admire very much.

"How is Lissa?" Jordan asked.

"She's doing okay. I actually fetched her from the hospital. She's at your place with your sister," Marcus divulged. He was about to say something more, but bit his lip. Not his business. 

"I'm taking her back to Manchester." He took out a cellphone from a bright red and white shopping bag. "Your cellphone I believe. Fully charged. I also bought a new charger for you." 

Jordan took his phone with bright eyes. "Thank you," he said his voice raspy. 

"I also bought Lissa a new cellphone. When I give it to her I'll let her call you so you can save the new number."

Jordan nodded.

"There's something you should know," Shane said clearing his throat.

The other men looked at him.

"A man by the name of Midnight gave us some very incriminating information on our friend, Mr Z," Shane said softly. He looked behind him then turned back to them. He proceeded. "Last night an old gangster by the name of Andrew Rashford aka Druz was gunned down."

A sharp pain like a cold spear pierced through Jordan's chest. "Repeat that?"

Shane's answer was interrupted by shouting, hurried footsteps and the sound of words being issued in rapid fire succession. All three men looked towards the door. 

"His name is Andrew Rashford also known as Druz by people in his criminal circle," Shane continued though he was distracted by the commotion outside.

Jordan stared at him, a confused expression on his face. "Criminal circle?"

Marcus nodded. 

Jordan thought back to when he had just turned thirteen and his father told him he had to leave to go overseas to work. He told Jordan he could no longer visit his cousins, that it wasn't safe. His cousins could come to him, but he couldn't go to their community and spend time as he used to. He touched his bandaged side. His dad owed him an explanation.

"I'll be right back," Shane said. He opened the door just in time to see a man in a business suit clutching his chest, being pushed at top speed by two orderlies. A nurse was walking quickly passed when he grabbed her arm. She looked at him, her annoyance clearly visible. 

"Sergeant Crosby," he said. The nurse looked at his uniform.

"How can I help you Sergeant Crosby?" she asked coolly.

"What's happening?" he asked.

"Ambulance just brought in a heart attack patient," she answered succinctly. She tugged at her arm in his grip. Instinct caused him to press further.

"Do you perhaps have the name of this patient?"

"I don't see ..." she began, but upon seeing his no nonsense expression she relented. "I believe his name is Zavier Sterling."

Her words sounded like a thunder clap to Sergeant Crosby's ears. He released her hand, turned on his heels and entered Jordan's room.

After he closed the door he took out his cellphone. 

"Supe Dacres, you won't believe who's in the hospital now being treated for a heart attack."

Marcus and Jordan looked at each other then looked at Shane talking on the phone. He went to the far end of the room and lowered his voice so they couldn't hear him.

Jordan cleared his throat. Marcus looked at him with concerned eyes. "It seems I need to say something too," Jordan said quietly.

"What's wrong?" Marcus asked.

"The man Sergeant said was killed last night. Andrew Rashford ..."

"Mhm?" Shane looked at him.

"He's my uncle," Jordan said, the words feeling like a death knell on his lips. 

Shane turned to look at him fully. "I'll call you back," he said to the person on the other end and hung up. He approached Jordan's bed. "He's your uncle?" he asked, his eyes focused on his face.

Jordan nodded with a sigh.

"Did you know who your uncle was to the crime underworld?" Shane asked, his eyes judging.

Jordan saw the look in his eyes and met it with equal intensity. "No," he said flatly. "I didn't know."

Shane grunted, but said nothing further. 

"Believe what you wish," Jordan said, "but if I was all lovey-dovey with criminals why would I go into a profession where I am tasked with protecting the innocent?" 

Shane eyes darkened with anger. 

Jordan did not flinch. "I can see why it didn't work between you two," he retorted

"What are you talking about?" Shane asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Your relationship with Lissa," Jordan said, his chin lifted in defiance.

Marcus decided not to intervene. He watched the two men sparring with words.

Shane chuckled. He respected Marcus so he would hold back his words where his daughter was concerned.

"What happened between me and Lissa is in the past. You have nothing to worry about," Shane said.

Jordan smirked. "I am not worried," he replied confidently. "I just told you something and you instantly judged me, even though I told you I didn't know about what my uncle was up to. You are judging before getting the full details."

"That is not what I am doing. But how is it possible you are his family and you did not know, not even suspected?" Shane asserted.

"I was a kid. I visited during summer holidays mostly, and when I went to visit my uncle would be the one to come get me," Jordan replied.

"If Druz was your uncle that means Bull Dog aka Dominic Rashford was your cousin?"

"Was my cousin? What do you mean was my cousin?"

"His body was found a few days ago. We identified him via a mug shot. A single bullet to the chest, close range." 

Jordan hands curled into fists. "Do you know who is responsible?" he asked.

"Not sure yet. We have detectives investigating that," Shane replied.

Jordan turned his head to the wall. "Yeah, Dom was my cousin. He was more like a big brother to me. And no, I didn't know he was involved with anything illegal. I haven't seen my cousin in seventeen years. We talk on the phone, but that's it. I was living abroad, remember? I was in the Army. I didn't know. I was supposed to meet with him and my other cousins a few days ago at a sort of family reunion. I swear I didn't know." He remembered his dad's warning. 'Dad knew all along,' he thought bitterly.

Jordan pushed his face into the pillow. Silent tears flowed down his face. 

"Give us a minute," Marcus said, directing his comment to Shane. 

Shane grimaced and stepped outside.

Marcus put his hand on Jordan's arm. "I'm sorry," he said.

"Do you think this thing with Lissa has anything to do with my family?" Jordan asked, his back to Marcus.

"No. It's about Sergeant Crosby." Marcus answered with surety

Jordan swiveled around on his back, his eyes met Marcus's. He wiped his eyelids and face. Marcus gestured his head towards the door. "Z thinks Shane killed his sister, Marcia." 

He just remembered he hadn't told Shane about that. "That morning you came and helped me at the club. Before you made your entrance," Marcus smiled slightly, "Z told me he believed Shane killed his sister."

Something flickered in Jordan's eyes. "Did he?"

"No, I didn't," Shane said, stepping into the room. "You said a minute," he retorted, noticing Marcus' guarded gaze. He wasn't going to shy away from the hard stuff to save Jordan's bruised ego.

Jordan asked coldly, "Are we to take your word for it?"

"Yes ..."

Jordan's eyes squinted.

Shane paused as he realized that Jordan had made his point. 

"Touché," Marcus said, feeling amused.

Shane lowered his gaze, staring briefly at the floor.

He looked over at Marcus. "I already know about Z's sister and what he believes. Lissa told me."

"How did she find out?" Marcus asked.

"One of Z's men visited her last night."

"What?" Jordan said, sitting up in the bed. 

Marcus put a hand on his shoulder. "She's okay. She's safe. Remember, I left her at your apartment. He didn't hurt her."

Shane nodded. "What she told me also. She also said the man came to bring a friend to the University Hospital. Somehow he ended up in Lissa's room and they talked. He didn't hurt her."

"I need to get out of here," Jordan said vehemently, trying to stand up.

Marcus pushed him down. "No---"

"Yeah," Shane interrupted. "We may have to move him."

Marcus looked up at him. "Why?"

"Z is two hospital doors down on an operating table," Shane revealed.

"What?!" Both Jordan and Marcus said at the same time.

"Poetic justice," Shane replied thinking about the irony. "He had a heart attack. They're trying to save his life right now."

Jordan froze on the bed, his heart almost bursting through his chest. 

"Can't we just tell them to, you know, to look the other way?" Marcus anger and bitterness rising in his gut like a tidal wave.

Shane chuckled. "You mean let him die?"

Marcus' jaw worked with guilt, but also rage. "He's no angel," he said finally. He couldn't deny he wanted revenge for all he and his family had been through.

"That's make us no better than he is," Shane said quietly. "I have to make a call. Excuse me gentlemen." He nodded to them and put the phone to his ear as he stepped out of the room.

Jordan picked up his phone. He was calling his father. Marcus watched him. He didn't ask who he was calling.

*** 

Jonathan Marx wheeled his luggage past the Customs Officers and exited through the NMIA's airport doors. His phone rang. He was waiting for Dom, his nephew to come pick him up. He was also looking forward to meeting his future daughter-in-law. He looked at his phone. Jordan's phone was calling him. He wondered if Melissa was okay. He answered.

"Good afternoon Ms Dixon. I was just thinking about you," he answered.

"Dad, it's me," Jordan said.

"Jordie?"

"Yes pops," Jordan answered smiling.

Relief like a river washed over Jonathon Marx. "Son! Thank God! I was worried about you. I'm actually here." He thought of Lissa. "Does that mean you are where Melissa is?"

"No dad, I'm still where I am. Her father went to get her from the University Hospital and retrieved the phone for me."

"How are you?" Jonathan asked elated. There would be time to meet her. He was so glad to hear from his son.

"Banged up, but okay," Jordan chuckled softly. He watched Shane making calls as he stood by the door.

Marcus was pacing the floor.

"Dad, there's something you should know," Jordan said his voice halting.

A feeling of dread creeped up Jonathan's spine. "Tell me whatever it is, son."

"Dad, it's about Uncle Druz," Jordan's voice broke.

Jonathan grip tightened on his phone. He took a ragged breath. "Tell me Jordie," he answered.

"Uncle Druz was killed last night. Dom is dead also," Jordan said, his voice tight.

"No! No! Nuh seh that!" Jonathan shouted. He moved the phone away from his mouth and screamed. He held his chest and hollered again. He nearly collapsed on the floor. He walked away from his suitcases and allowed his body to fall against the NMIA's outside wall. He sank down to the concrete under his feet.

Jordan could hear his father sobbing. Tears welled up in his eyes as well. This birthday weekend was a nightmare. 

***

Tuesday Morning - Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean

Danae was on a airplane going home--she and her son. She called Zahir but the phone just rang and rang, a strange foreboding knotted her stomach. She woke up Mael and told him that she had to go home. That she had been calling her younger son and was only hearing the phone ring with no answer. She had even called Zavier, but he too wasn't answering his phone. 

Mael offered to come with her, but she kissed him and told him she had to go back with just her son, Zaniv. Tenderly, he kissed her lips and told her he loved her, and that if she needed him, he would be on the next plane to Jamaica to be with her. 

She smiled at the old woman sitting beside her, then pressed her head back on the seat. She closed her eyes and bit he bottom lip. 

She thought of their last moments together. He made love to her gently, his hands--touching, caressing with such reverence and care, she swore she had fallen in love with him also. With his head between her thighs, he carefully used his lips and tongue to bring her to heights of pleasure multiple times before claiming her in a quick, but fluid movement of penetration. 

He called her name repeatedly and told her he loved her, and in reckless abandon she had said it once. Said she loved him, and saw the look in his eyes: The way his eyes darkened and his eyelids fluttered shut for just one second. He whispered her name exultantly, as he made sure he satisfied her before he thought of his own needs.

A shiver passed through her. She would not forget him. Even as she knew she could never see him again.

***

Tuesday Night - Jamaica

Zane's phone rang. He picked it up and looked at the number. It was his mother calling. He allowed the phone to ring until it went to voicemail. She called back immediately. He declined the call.

A minute later a wide eyed Zuzu was at his door handing him her phone. "Mommy says it's important." Reluctantly, he took the phone from her.

"Hello," he said while Zuzu watched him. Zolah came to the doorway.

"Mommy is on the phone!" Zuzu said loudly.

Both Zolah and Azuri watched as their brother's face grew pale. 

"Okay, understood." He hung up. He looked at his siblings. 

"Zavier is giving us twenty-four hours to leave Jamaica or else he will kill us," he said, his voice surprisingly calm. "Apparently, uncle Zavier and our mom had a big blow up and now he's threatened to kill us if we don't leave and never come back."

"Wait? Uncle Zavier was at our villa yesterday?" Zuzu asked. Just then Brandon stepped out of his room to hear the conversation. 

King was coming out of his room. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white T-shirt Zane had also given him. Zane also gave him two pairs of new underwear. 

His stomach was growling. The night before they ate what they had brought from the villa, but there was no more food. Kwame promised to bring them something later.

"What about dad? When is daddy coming for us?" Zuzu asked, her eyes large with fear. She looked at her sister. "You lied to me!" she said.

"Just tell me the truth," she said angrily.

Zane reached for her hand. Zuzu stepped away from him. "No," she said firmly, "somebody is going to tell me what's going on or I'll call mommy myself."

"Your mother used to sleep with Mr Z aka your uncle Zavier," King said.

Zane's eyes shot darts at him. King looked at him and shrugged. "It's better she knows now than she finds out later and thinks her family betrayed her."

Zane cleared his throat.

"Zuzu, our mother and our uncle Zav used to be lovers. He was coming to the villa to get us to take us back to his place. And it is also true he tried to kill our father. I guess the reunion between him and mommy didn't go so well. He's threatening to kill her as well as us if we do not leave the county in the next 24 hours."

Zuzu's legs suddenly felt weak. She swayed slightly. Brandon held her. He was supposed to tell them that he had made a decision to go back with his dad to Prof Pryce's house in Manchester.

"Guys, I have something to tell you," Brandon spoke up. "I'm going to stay with my dad and sister in Manchester, especially now that my sister needs me. She was in the hospital." He took a deep breath. "Plus, I can't afford to live permanently overseas. Not now anyway."

Zuzu buried her face in his shirt. "Don't leave, please!" she cried.

"I-I told my dad where we are already. He's coming to pick me up." He brushed his hand through her hair. "I'll call you and email you everyday, and you can call me," he reassured her.

Zane nodded. "Understood." He took Zuzu by the shoulders and gently her pulled away from Branno's chest.

"Zuzu, we have to leave," Zane said gently. "Branno has to go back to be with his family. We can't ask him to tag along with us forever."

Zuzu sobbed while Zane held her. He too was feeling distressed about the situation, but he had to be strong.

***

One Month Later

Six words shattered her peace. 

"Your husband knows about us - Kyle."

Danae paced the floor. When she and Zaniv arrived the first day, no one was home. She called Zahir and Zavier's cellphones, but still got no response, until Zaniv decided to call and Zahir answered. 

"Dad is in the hospital. Heart attack," Zahir said, getting straight to the point..

Danae was suffering from jetlag, so was Zaniv, but he pushed himself to go see his father.

Now that she was back, Zahir was acting strange. When she asked him to do things for her, he would look at her, suck his teeth and walk away. When the bank called and informed her that Zahir was misusing money to buy special deals for online gaming and gambling, she was furious. 

With Kyle's help, she restricted Zahir's access to his bank accounts. She also made sure there was no clause that allowed him to access his trust fund money before his 23rd birthday. After that date she could no longer stop him.

They argued over the money, but she held firm in her resolve. She knew he would hate her now, but she hoped eventually he would understand she was trying to protect him.

***

Three Months Later 

"How hath the mighty fallen!" A cruel laugh followed the sarcastic statement.

Zavier lifted his head to see Midnight looking back at him. He was in a jail cell. The medical staff had managed to save his life. But he realized quickly that he was a caged bird. 

While medical personnel could enter his room and leave as they pleased, he was confined to his bed. His right hand had been strapped to the hospital cot. It was his dominant hand. He struggled to feed himself but no one dared to help him eat or loosen the strap tied on his wrist.

Two weeks passed and Sergeant Crosby visited him to personally tell him that he did not kill his sister, but he knew his sister another way.

"Your sister was supposed to be a one night stand," Sergeant Crosby had divulged.

"I met her at a bar. I was investigating my best friend's death. She approached me. Told me I looked like a man searching for something, but didn't know where to go."

Zavier listened as Shane told him that she was feeding him information little by little. 

"She gave me details on illegal manifests among legal shipments. Pointed in the direction of your gang activities and your influence over elites in our society. The bribes; the blood money; your extortion activities.

"The night she died, she called to say she had something to tell me. She was going to give me info on you, Mr Sterling, your own sister was going to rat you out.

"When I got to the location she was already dead. I didn't kill her. I tried to resuscitate her, but it was too late. She told me she would finally reveal your name. Show me fully who you are."

Shane had given him a mocking look and shook his head. "Now why would she do that?" He had cocked his head to one side and looked at Zavier with a sarcastic grin.

"Did you find out who killed your friend?" Zavier had asked, ignoring Shane triumphant stare.

Shane shook his head and answered, "No."

"Tell me your friend's name?" Zavier asked.

Shane said, "Nicholas Martin. He was at the rank of Corporal when he died."

"I don't know anything about him," Zavier said.

Shane nodded and turned to leave, but Zavier called after him.

"You knew who I was," Zavier said. "I was just a few doors down on the operating table. You could have told the doctors to let me die. Why didn't you?"

Shane smiled at him. "That wouldn't be justice, plus I fear God. I wouldn't want to interrupt the special hell He has saved for you."

Zavier bristled at his comment, but did not speak. Shane left him to stew on his thoughts. Two weeks later, Zavier was moved to a correctional facility that could accommodate the special medical care he needed. Three weeks after, he was escorted to a jail cell, awaiting trial

When the Correctional Officer told him that his lawyer needed to speak to him, Kyle Wellington was not who he expected. 

"What are you doing here, Kyle?"

Kyle placed his hand on his chest, a mocking smile on his lips. "Me?" He looked behind him and turned back to Zavier. 

"Talking to me? What am I doing here?" Kyle chuckled softly. "Don't be silly. I'm your lawyer!" His smile widened.

Zavier swore under this breath. "You've got to be kidding me!" he said with exasperation.

Kyle shook his head. His eyes were like black empty pools. "You made my wife leave me. The least I can do is make your life a living hell. It's only fair, old friend." Kyle's smile evaporated when he said the last part. 

"What about Bennett?" Zavier asked through gritted teeth.

"Bennett?" Kyle tapped his index finger on his chin. "Bennett? Bennett? Ben ... Oh, Alonzo Bennett, KC?" He leaned forward on the chair. "He got a better offer!" Kyle's face broke into a broad smile.

"What do you mean?" Zavier looked at him, a heaviness sinking into his gut. 

"I made him an offer he can't refuse. I mean your men made an offer he can't refuse."

"What's that?" Zavier looked at him warily.

"The lives of his wife and children, or your life. He chose wisely."

"You threatened my lawyer?" Zavier hissed. He was livid. 

Kyle shook his head. "Technically, your men threatened him." He grinned triumphantly.

"Because I promised I would do such a rotten job defending you it would be years, many many years before you get out. And by then you will be an old, feeble man." Kyle said quietly.

"I swear to God--" 

"Now Zavier, calm down, you don't want the COs to come in here with batons to put you out of your misery," Kyle said mischievously.

"You evil, wicked monster!" Zavier hissed quietly.

"You made me into who I am today. Aren't you proud?" Kyle leaned forward. 

He chuckled under his breath and stood up. "See you in court. The preliminary hearing is next week Thursday." Kyle's eyes burned with hatred.  "See you then." He left the room quietly.

On the weekend, Zahir came to visit and told him that Danae and Zaniv were back home, but they were tight lipped about their time in the Seychelles.

This was the twelfth time Zahir had visited, but it was now that he was telling him this.

"How long ago did they come back?" Zavier asked, feeling in a daze.

"The same day you had your heart attack," Zahir told him.

"Why are you just telling me now?" Zavier asked, frustration making his jaw clench.

"Mom has taken hold of the trusts. She threatened to block me from getting my trust money if I told you. She can't do me anything now. I'm 23 now. Today is my birthday. She can't control me anymore."

Zavier slammed his hands on the desk. Zahir didn't move. Only the rapid blink of his eyelids indicated he was surprised by his father's reaction.

"Go back and tell my wife if she doesn't want a noose around her pretty little neck she'll come see me," Zavier said, eyes blazing, chest heaving.

Zahir stood up. 

Zavier took a breath. "Happy birthday, son. I'm proud of the man you're becoming," he said, but he didn't meet his gaze.

Zahir nodded. "Thank you father." He walked to the door. 

Zavier lifted his head and looked at him. Hot, burning emotions tugged at his throat. "I love you, " he whispered.

Zahir's shoulders dropped. "Love you too dad." He opened the door and stepped out.

***

Ryan wrapped his arms around Sudanie and kissed her cheek. She was unexpected.

He took the risk and so far he wasn't disappointed. They were sitting in her kitchen. She had just cooked curry lobster, mashed potatoes and boiled sweet corn. 

He cleaned his plate. After two weeks of driving her home, she invited him inside her modest house. She kept it clean and tidy. He told her it was cosy.

Their first kiss was on a Tuesday night after he drove her home from watching a movie. He looked at her:  Her hair was straightened and had highlights of gold in it. It was in an updo beautifully adorned with a headband that had tiny blue and red crystals woven into the fabric. 

He looked at her soft skin that glowed in the soft amber of the street lights. She wore a long skirt with a thigh high split and another off the shoulder blouse. He came closer on the car seat and looked into her eyes. Inhaling her, he detected an interesting mix of vanilla and something that smelt rich and creamy like cocoa butter. There was an undertone of something that smelt like freshly cut flowers.

"You smell so good. Good enough to eat," he told her. He bent his head and kissed her bare shoulder. 

Since they started dating, she wore more makeup, and even at work she chose to wear just a little more, but not too much. He couldn't help, but to compliment her on the changes she was making.

"I wore perfume today," she said smiling at him. 

He touched her cheek and breathed. "For me?" he asked.

"Yes," she said simply. She closed her eyes as the warmth of his body wrapped around her.

After he kissed her shoulder again, she leaned into him, and placed her hand on his chest. She looked at him, her eyes narrowing on his lips. 

He bent forward and gently pressed his forehead on hers and breathed in deeply. He captured her lips in a slow, deliberate kiss that was sweet, almost painfully so. He didn't want to scare her off. 

However, when she fisted her hand in his shirt and pulled him to her, he increased the intensity and felt her body melt against his. He kissed her neck and heard her sharp intake of air. He lowered his head to kiss the curve of her neck and shoulder, and felt her body shiver. 

Lifting his head again, he kissed her waiting lips. He kissed her passionately, intoxicated by the taste of her mouth. When he finally pulled away from her, her eyes were dark with desire. Gently, he brushed his thumb on her bottom lip and smiled at her. 

"You're ridiculously beautiful," he told her.

She laughed softly and moved her hand away from his chest and clasped it in his hand. "And you're very handsome," she said.

Ryan felt his heart leap. They spent the next few minutes chatting about where they wanted to go for their next date. He kissed her again briefly and she went inside.

Afterwards, he stayed in his car for a long moment, just staring at her tiny house. He couldn't process what he was feeling. He knew he found her sexually attractive, but that wasn't the reason he was still sitting in front of her house. After twenty minutes had past he drove home.

Now that they were sitting in her living room, he knew what it was. It was the way she was unhurried about what they were. There was a sense of security and comfort that exuded from her. It made him want to be near her. They didn't have to speak. Just being around her filled him with something he lost after he broke up with Lissa--hope. 

She kept looking at him, like there was something she wanted to get off her chest. She was passing by to get a bottle of water from the fridge when he reached for her and pulled her onto his lap. She was surprised and her body went rigid at first. But as he cradled her to his chest and did nothing further, just held her, she relaxed.

"Thank you for challenging me," he said quietly. "No regrets so far."

Sudanie lay her head on his shoulder.

In spite of what she had said in the restaurant three months ago, she was very reserved. It was over a month before they kissed and she never once invited him to her bedroom. 

She told him that she didn't want to compromise her faith. He was relieved to hear she was a Christian, and told her so. He explained that he too was a believer and he was looking for a committed relationship that led to marriage.  

She dragged him to her church meetings several times. He told her he liked the atmosphere of the congregation. They were welcoming. She visited his church once and told him she felt at home. 

After a discussion about love and commitment, Sudanie wanted to know more about him: his family background, what he wanted in a relationship, and what he was willing to sacrifice to make a relationship work. Their conversations were both challenging and heart warming. He liked this probing, thoughtful side of her. 

 "Thank you for giving this a chance," she said. "I really like you, Rhy. I think I'm falling in love with you." He brushed his fingers through her hair, then bent forward and kissed her brow.

"I like you too," he said. He chuckled softly. "I think I've already fallen."

Later that night, she walked him to the door.

He kissed her slowly, wrapping his arms around her. "You sure about this?" he asked.

"Are you sure you want us to get closer?" His eyes took in every detail of her face: Her arched eyebrows, her soft lips; her high cheek bones and soft skin; her cute little nose and the curve of her jaw. He loved the exquisite lines of her neck and shoulders. 

He admired the way her chest rose and fell as she breathed and how it drew attention to her cleavage. He loved the way she bit her bottom lip whenever she was nervous. 

She nodded shyly. "Yes, I'm sure. I want to be your girlfriend officially." 

He took her hand and kissed it.

"You agree to take this slow with me?" he asked, his voice sincere. "We'll take our time and build something real."

She nodded, smiling at him. "It's what I want, yes," she said.

He cupped her face with both hands. "Then Sudanie Walker, will you be my girlfriend? Wil you allow me to court you properly?" 

She nodded, smiling. Her eyes shone with unshed tears."Yes, I will love that," she answered.

Ryan pulled her into his embrace and squeezed her tightly. He felt her body relax and heard her sigh. He was nervous about her answer, but now he was very happy.

***

Danae couldn't stop thinking about Mael. She missed him. She couldn't deny it any longer. 

A few weeks after she came back from the Seychelles she saw a letter in the mail box. It was from him. She read with tears in her eyes. He told her he loved her and missed her. Even as she pulled up in the parking lot of the jail to see Zavier, she knew was going to divorce him. She didn't know when it happened, but her heart was elsewhere.

She walked through the doors of the visiting area and sat down. Zavier walked out. He stopped and for a minute a shadow of something complicated passed over his face. He came forward and sat across from her. 

"It's good to see you," he said, the muscle of his jaw flexing.

She nodded. "Good to see you too," she said. Her expression was the same--a cold, blank stare.

"Our son told me you've been here a while, but it took me threatening you to come see me," he said, his voice clipped.

He really looked at her now: At her cold, unapproachable beauty.

"I loved you. I loved you to the point I was a fool. I was so blind. I know Dan Dan. I know you slept with Midnight and Nesbeth." Zavier said watching her.

The only reaction she gave was the curling of her right hand into a fist. Her face however was a blank mask.

"So you know. Who told you?" he asked.

"Kyle told me," she answered. 

"Nothing to say?" he asked, one eyebrow arching upwards.

She shook her head. "Not really," she said coldly.

"Danae we've been married a long time, very long. You owe me an explanation." He was getting irritated.

She sighed. Clutching her bag, she sat up straight.

"Where Nes was concerned it was a mistake. I went to him to complain about you and your cheating ways. One thing led to another."

"But you kept going back?"

"He's a very caring man. He's hard because he needs to be. You're hard because you are." 

She took a steadying breath. "I was a fool. I loved you even though you cheated on me. After we got married I hoped you would stop cheating and focus on me, but no you did not.

"Nes was there to comfort me. I fell in love with him. But after awhile he ended our relationship. He told me that he felt guilty about betraying you. He never touched me again."

Zavier leaned back in his chair. "And what about Midnight, how did he jump your bones?" His eyes mocked her. 

She averted her gaze and stared at the wall behind him. A guard was a few feet away. "It was just one time," she continued.

"Somehow he found out about Nes and I. He threatened to tell you about our affair. I told him, no ... I begged him not to tell you because I knew you would kill Nes. He told me if I wanted him to keep quiet I knew what I could do."

She swallowed. Her throat felt dry. "We slept one time and that was that."

"I need to know something," Zavier said leaning forward. The pain in his chest seemed to be returning, but he ignored it.

She nodded.

"Do you know if Marcia had a thing for Nes?"

That question surprised her. "Actually, I think so, yes," she answered. "She couldn't stand the fact that Nes liked me. But by then we had stopped sleeping together." 

Zavier remembered the morning of the shipment. The last time he saw his sister alive. "The last morning I saw Marcie alive, the day you spilled coffee on her clothes, you guys seemed tense with each other. Did something happen between you two? Something I don't know."

Danae took a deep breath and sighed. "I found out the night before that Izzie didn't belong to Morgan. I confronted her and she told me to keep my mouth shut or she would tell you about Nes."

A chill ran up Zavier's spine. His eyes narrowed as he looked at his wife. "Do you know who killed my sister?" 

He paused for a brief minute, calculating, recalibrating what he now knew, fitting the pieces together slowly. "Did you kill my sister, Dan Dan?" He dipped his voice low.

At first, she froze and just looked at him. Then she threw her head back and laughed. "Took you long enough to figure it out."

His hands curled into fists. "Why?" he managed to say through gritted teeth.

"I saved your life, Zav, dear husband. She was going to kill you." she hissed. She glanced over at the guard who was looking indifferent.

Zavier looked at her cold eyes and rigid shoulders. "The mask finally falls off," he quipped.

"The mask? No Zavier, you were the monster. The thing with you, you showed your fangs. Your sister knew how to hide hers. After spending the night talking to Nes on the phone, I couldn't sleep. I went downstairs for a drink of water. Marcia and Izzie were sleeping over. 

"It was probably about 1 or 2 in the morning. I went downstairs to fill my tumbler with water and I heard her talking with someone. You weren't home but Midnight was in our home talking to her. He was shirtless. I don't know if he slept with her too. 

"All I know I heard her talking about making your death look like a robbery. This was a couple months after you buried your father. She told him to make it look like a mugging."

Zavier watched her. "You lie so well. You expect me to believe you?"

"I followed her to the warehouse. She was there alone. She seemed like she waiting for someone. I confronted her about what I heard. She took out her gun and aimed it at me. She said no one would believe she shot me in cold blood. I wrestled with her for the gun and it went off," Danae whispered. She clutched her bag tightly as she recounted what happened.

She saw his amused, sarcastic expression and rubbed her temples. Danae took a tired breath. "Ask Midnight, Zavier. He isn't afraid of you anymore. Ask him. I think he'll tell you the truth." She stood up. "Zavier, I'm divorcing you. I'm done with this relationship."

"Who will you go to? Nesbeth? He got Izzie pregnant!" Zavier blurted out. "And with this confession what makes you think I won't tell the police what you told me?"

"They'll believe the testimony of a battered wife. You used to hit me once in a while. Remember?"

"What will you tell them? I haven't touched you like that in years," Zavier said, looking at her with thinly veiled scorn.

She touched her left cheek. "You have forgotten?" Her eyes observed him with disgust.

Zavier sat back in the chair. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes narrowed to thin slits.

She inhaled, put her bag strap over shoulder and sighed  "I'm not in love with Nesbeth. I used to love you, but all you did was take from me. You never loved me, Zavier. You love the idea of having me." She stood up and walked to the door.

"If you step out that door don't come back, and I will fight you about the trusts. Zah told me what you did. Trying to steal his money from him."

Danae scoffed. "I was securing it for him, so he doesn't waste it," she said, shaking her head. "Have a nice life, Zavier." Danae opened the door and she was gone.

Zavier stood up and looked at the guard, who opened the door leading to his jail cell. He walked through. 

Marcia was trying to kill me? Impossible. 

He thought again. She was acting weird the morning she was killed. After Danae spilled the coffee on her, she seemed on edge for some reason. He lay on his cot and thought of his sister. 

She was very ambitious to a fault. Did I really know her? Maybe I underestimated her?

***

Five months later

Jordan sat in the living room of his apartment. It had been almost four months since he saw Lissa. His dad and Aurora were helping in his recovery. After his father had hung up the phone, he called Sophia Aurora to take him from the airport. He slept at Jordan's apartment that night, and then the next day he was allowed to see Jordan. 

Jordan made him sit down and explain everything to him. Then he warned his dad that if he heard that he was involved in anything illegal, he would have nothing to do with him. His dad assured him that he was done with that life. He believed him.

Marcus took Lissa back to Manchester. On his way there he picked up Brandon, who had been staying with friends at a house in rural St. Andrew. Later, Brandon found out that the family had to flee abroad because Z sent more death threats. 

He was heartbroken over Zuzu. At first, he would hear from her every other day, then she would call once a week, then nothing. He was worried about her. Marcus was worried about Brandon. 

Lissa wanted Jordan to come be with her at the Professor's mansion, but he was able to convince her that he needed to be in Kingston to complete his physical therapy. He called her at least once a day to keep her up to date on his progress. He told her he loved her every time. He was also following the trial of Zavier Antoine Sterling very carefully.

It was getting quite the media buzz. One news network called him the secret mafia boss. He looked up as his sister came into the room, his car keys in her hand. She was taking him to physical therapy.

He noticed that she had a weird smile on her face, but did not say anything to her. His father had gone back to the United States after staying for two weeks. His uncle Druz's body was cremated and Jonathan decided to take the remains back with him. 

Dom's funeral was five months ago. He got to reunite with his cousins. He also met Dom's children. A young woman named Trudy was taking care of them. He promised to help in any way he could 

"Bro, we're here," Izzie said, grinning at him. He was becoming very curious about that look on her face.

Jordan walked into the gym and did a stretch. He was walking a lot better now than when he first attempted. He was still taking pain meds, but the doctor told him soon they could reduce the dose, and one day he wouldn't need them anymore. 

He had gone through a grueling set with his trainer while Sophia Aurora went to take the thread mill, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He straightened up, but did not look behind him. "Just give me five more minutes," he said.

"Eh hem, excuse me. When will you be done with this machine, please?" 

He stiffened. There was something familiar about that voice. He spun around to see Lissa standing before him in black leggings, and a white t-shirt hanging loosely over a pink tank top.

"Lis!" He forgot he was in pain and lifted her in his arms. She laughed and threw her arms around him.

"Baby! How?" he exclaimed. He saw Sophia Aurora coming towards them, a big smile on her face. Trailing behind her, was Marcus, Sandra and Brandon. They had also come to see him. 

After he set Lissa down, Sandra came forward and gave him a hug. He was very happy to see her.

When she stepped back from him, he took her hands and put her arm's length. "You look great!" he said to her.

"I feel great," Sandra said, "and now that that wicked man will spend the rest of his life in prison we can go back to our lives, and plan a wedding!"

Jordan looked at Lissa. "A wedding?" His heart started to beat fast.

Lissa smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. I tried to tell them that we need more time. Plus, with your recovery schedule and all."

He looked into her eyes and saw all the things she wasn't saying. He smiled at her and got down on one knee. He loved her.

Lissa put her hands to her mouth. Jordan smiled at her. "I'm ready. I know I've been keeping my distance, but I love you. I will choose you every day. Melissa Dixon, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Lissa gave him a tremulous smile and threw her arms around him. "Yes!" she said loudly. They heard applause behind them. He stood up and lifted her in his arms.

She giggled like a school girl as he spun her around. When he placed her feet on the floor, the family came and formed a circle around them, and hugged them both. Jordan bent his head to touch his brow to hers.

"I love you, Lis," he whispered.

"I love you, Jordie," she said.

***

Seychelles  - A few months later

He was drinking a beer with a work colleague when he thought he saw her. He must be tripping. Since she left, he saw her in everything. He drove back to his apartment. He opened the door, switched on the light and nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Danae sitting on his living room couch. She was sitting in the dark.

"I could have killed you!" he said in exasperation. 

She came to him and touched his arm. "But you didn't," she said sweetly.

"What are you doing here? And why are you sitting in the dark?" he asked her, walking past her to lay down his keys on the coffee table.

"I came back to be with you," she said. He paused, turned to stare at her.

"You came ..." His brain stuttered.

She nodded and walked towards him. "I tried to forget you, but I couldn't. I love you and I want to be with you."

"How did you get in?" he asked.

"I told management I was your fiance," She smiled cheekily.

Mael shook his head, but smiled at her.

He reached for her and she went into his embrace. "You sure?" he asked, as he wondered if she was real or a drunken hallucination. But he wasn't drunk. He didn't think ...

He kissed her forehead and smelt her skin. She felt real to him. "I missed you," he said, his voice deep with emotion.

"I missed you too. I love you," she said. "I divorced him. I am no longer Mrs Sterling. He's facing a trial back in Jamaica. The odds are stacked against him. He won't be a problem to us."

"He's before a court?" he asked, touching her face.

"Mhm,"

"For what?"

"Transporting illegal weapons, extortion and other bad things."

He put her away from him. "Did you know about any of it?"

Danae sighed. Her shoulders sagged. "I did. I asked him to stop and go legit. He told me he would. He convinced me he did. Recently, I found out he lied to me about a lot of things. That's why I'm here. I want a clean slate. I love you. I want to be with you."

"Are you telling me everything?" he asked, his eyes searching her face.

She sighed. "Actually, there is something you should know. Something I'm not proud of." She looked up at him with tear filled eyes. 

Mael held her close. "You can trust me," he said.

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