by Nana Malone
I had only made three trios. We’d played with a double deck since there were so many of us, but it wasn't looking good for me. I still had eight cards in my hand. This was not going to end well.
She dropped her final card, and the game was over like that.
Ethan chuckled as he strolled in with a snack cart. "Ah, I missed Alexa handing all of your asses to you. Damn."
The Queen Mother grinned at him. "Oh, it was epic."
I'd asked Penny why her mother wasn't here, but she was on assignment, as was her brother. I still marveled at how it was a whole family business for them. Penny came from a long line of badasses, and she was one herself. I still couldn't believe that at one point she hadn't been a complete and total badass, but Ariel and Sebastian assured me they could tell the tales.
Roone wrapped an arm around me. "Ah, I'm sorry you lost baby."
"I prefer to see it as quietly learning the game."
He laughed. "Yup that sounds like you. Putting the positive spin on it." He laughed again and kissed my nose. “Now what are you really thinking?"
I lifted my brow. "Clearly you cheated. You’re such a pompous ass. You can't stand to have a girl beat you."
He laughed. "Yeah, there's the girl I love."
I tried to squirm out of his hold, but he held on tight and then planted slobbery wet kisses on my cheeks. And I loved every moment of it. I was home. And for the first time in my life I had family. For now, the threats against us had been neutralized. We didn't have to run, we didn't have to hide. I spent my whole life running and hiding. It was nice to finally sit down and enjoy the family around me. I wish my father had lived to see this day. He would have been so proud.
Sebastian checked his phone. Lucas noticed right away and was on lookout for it. “What’s wrong.”
Sebastian shook his head. “Nothing. Winchester just asked his lawyer to put a deal together.”
I frowned. “Are you going to give him one?”
Sebastian shrugged. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to put this to bed. But at the end of the day it won’t be entirely up to me. It will also be up to the Council. But for now, we know one of the main conspirators is in jail. And he’s willing to deal and give everyone up. We’re finally safe. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Lucas seemed unconvinced. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
My oldest brother put his arms around us. “For now, let’s enjoy it. Our father wanted us together and we are. And we are all safe and sound in our home, surrounded by friends. For a while, we can stop fighting.”
I smiled up at him. “Even though the way we came together was crazy. I wouldn’t change it. I love you both. It feels incredible to have a family.”
Out of the corner of my eye, as everyone got up for snacks and stretched their legs, Ariel pranced around smiling at everyone as she quietly backed out.
She was leaving. And she didn't want to say goodbye.
She was just going to go?
Maybe it's better for her that way.
I considered this. I knew that I wouldn't want to have to endure goodbyes. Hell, I endured goodbyes my whole life. I got it; I got her. Her gaze met mine, and I gave her a soft smile. She nodded at me and blinked rapidly, and then she was out the door.
I excused myself from Sebastian and Lucas to pull Roone aside. "Ariel is trying to run, so if you have something to say to her, now would be the time."
He glanced toward the door and then around the room. Before muttering a curse under his breath, he said, "Woman, I love you."
I grinned at him and placed a quick kiss on his lips. "Good because I love you too. Now, I'm pretty sure you of all people would want to say goodbye to Ariel."
"And you would be right about that."
I watched him scoot out of the room quickly. He didn't alert anyone else though. He wanted a private moment, and I could respect that. Even though I would miss Ariel, I was so glad she was part of my family now. I fought hard for this. And I wasn't going to take any of it for granted.
Ariel
"So, you weren't going to say goodbye?"
I paused in the middle of the south hallway. I could try running faster, but he would likely catch me. So instead, I paused and turned around. Roone was coming from one of the secret tunnels. I’d taken three to get to this hallway, hoping to avoid anyone. But still he'd known exactly where I was going.
"Goodbyes make me crazy, so I figured I'd leave on a high note."
He shook his head. "That's bullshit. You don't think there is a whole team of people in there who wouldn't want to hug you and say goodbye?"
I blinked away the tears threatening to well in my eyes. "Don't you get it? Those guys in there, they are my family. I don't want to have to say goodbye to them. I just wanted to slip into the darkness and start a new chapter in my life."
He dug his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and rocked back on his heels. "I get it. It sucks, but I get it." It was only then that I realized he had a folder tucked under his arm. "What's that?"
"It's a present."
I frowned. "What do you mean a present? It looks like a folder."
He nodded and handed it over. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to open it or not. He spoke quickly. "So, I know that there's no chance of you staying. It was hard to accept. Even though in the early days of this assignment I didn't exactly want you in charge. But you're good at your job. Excellent, actually. And you've been there for me in a way that I don't think anybody else would have been."
I choked back the little sob threatening to escape my throat. "Shit, Ainsley, you're going to make a girl break into tears."
He suspiciously cleared his throat too. "Let's not have any of that. No uncharacteristic displays of emotion needed. But, um, that folder. That's someone who could use your help."
"Oh yeah?"
He nodded. "Jax Reynolds. He was a guard. He was a year behind Sebastian and me when we joined the military. Good guy. Strong. Smart. Works hard. His fiancée wasn't real thrilled about him being a guard. Not prestigious enough for her, even though he was on King Cassius’s detail. So after Cassius died, he left. I guess they were good for a bit, but she had someone else and left him, dumped him out of the blue. As a rule, if you leave the guard, that's it, you're out. I think he's been drifting, a little lost, so since you're starting your own outfit and you'll need a team, I figured I'd help you get started."
I fingered the edge of the folder. "You didn't have to do this."
He shook his head. "I haven't done anything yet. He might not be too keen on working with you. He's a little distrustful after what happened. So anyway, you need a team, he needs a family. I think you two could help each other."
I nodded and opened the folder. Jesus Christ, the guy had awards and commendations up the ying-yang. His guard photo was tucked in the file. Good looking asshole. That was the last thing I needed, but if Roone was giving his name to me, it meant he was really good at his job. And Roone was right. I did need a team. "Thank you for this."
He shrugged. "You know, just looking out. You don't be a stranger, yeah?"
I nodded. "Yeah. It's not like I'm far. I'm basically just down the shore. Not even a half mile away."
"I know. It still won't feel the same though, so I want to make sure we don't lose track of you."
"I'll be here next week for game night."
"You better be. I have plans of kicking your ass."
My lips twitched. "Aw, I guess by now you're used to disappointment."
His chuckle was low when he stepped forward, and I knew immediately I was going to be hugged. I braced myself for it because hugging was not something I was usually down for. But somehow when Roone’s big body wrapped around mine and he squeezed me tight, I felt happy. Safe.
And goddammit, one of those tears leaked out. I gave him a tight squeeze back and then shoved at his chest. He didn't budge. I shoved again, ducked my head and swiped at the tear that had escaped. "Yeah, I'm out. Thank you for
this."
He sniffed and then abruptly turned his head. "Don't be a stranger, yeah?"
"Never. I'll see you around, Ainsley."
"See you around, Ariel."
Epilogue
Ariel
I was going to kill Roone if he’d sent me on a wild goose chase. I needed a team and I’d take any help I could get in building one. But I had my doubts.
Jax Reynolds was my best lead, and so far I found him…lacking. I’d been watching him for a week. So far all he had done was drank, skulk around, pretend to be some kind of investigator bodyguard type of person. How was this guy supposed to help me?
Do you really have a choice?
No. I didn't. Besides, Roone would never steer me wrong. Maybe he knew something about this guy that I didn't.
In the week I’d watched, Jax, so far he'd been tracking someone called Max Teller. I didn't know what Max Teller had done, or who wanted him tailed. But, at least I knew from watching, that Jax didn't suck at tailing people.
What I did know about Jax, was that he drank too much. It was one thing to be undercover, but he was taking undercover work to new heights. Max Teller had been at The Porkbelly pub every night. Which means Jax had been here. But instead of just sitting down and watching the guy, quietly skulking in a corner like every other normal PI, he posted up at the bar, and took drink after drink.
I rolled my eyes. What had I gotten myself into?
You have no choice. Make your move.
The fall from Royal Guard grace had been a steep one.
Doesn’t that apply to you, too?
Indeed it did. Right now, I had backing to start my own shop. Thanks to Sebastian, and Penny, and Roone. Basically everyone I ever loved had put in all kinds of support, friend equity and contacts. I refused to take their money. I had money saved up, from working with the guard so long. I hadn't had to spend much of it. And I’d made good investments. So I had enough to invest in the perfect location.
And before I could even blink, I had a roster dozens of clients. All clamoring for my services. Some were easy enough that I could take care of myself, basic network security kind of things. I could manage all those clients. But, also on that list waiting for me, were clients that required actual physical presence. Which meant I needed to hire.
And Jax Reynolds was at the top of my list. Also on that list were Zia Barnes, a referral from Ethan, Tamsin Jacobs, a referral from Lucas, and Theo Denton, a referral from my bestie. With five, I could get started. Most jobs didn't require around the clock service, so I could do this. I would be fine.
I just prayed to god I didn't let everyone down. Ever since joining the guard, I never imagined that I would have to leave. That the palace would no longer be my home. But thanks to dear old dad, it wasn't my home, not anymore. So, I had to make the best of it. Which meant getting my ass in gear.
I followed Jax out of the pub. The guy he was tailing was some public school educated guy. Money running out of his nose. From my light look under the hood, Maxwell Teller had been a naughty boy, stealing corporate secrets. The company had hired Jax to get the proof, and catch Teller in the act. I didn't know why they didn't just fire him after they suspected him. But there might be more to it than I knew.
Chiswick at night was still quite pretty in the main part of the village. But as I drove away from the high street, it became more industrial. Warehouses, dark alleys, chain-link fences. Signs that practically screamed “Keep the fuck out, dodgy as hell in here.”
Sure enough, Teller walked right on into dodge city. And Jax wasn't far behind him. Which meant ... double check my weapons time. I zipped up my leather jacket, pulled up the hoodie attachment, to cover my hair. And I kept to the shadows.
From behind a dumpster, I watched as Reynolds made his approach on Teller, who had been talking to someone else. I couldn't hear everything they were saying. But there was an exchange of words. And Reynolds' tone said everything. Pure sarcasm, derision. He loathed him. Or maybe it wasn't personal and that was just how he talked.
There was a minor scuffle where the man talking to Teller tried to run. When that didn't pan out. He attempted to hit Jax…which really didn’t work. Next thing I knew,
Jax had the first guy patted down and tied to a chain-link fence. He was patting down Teller when trouble showed its face.
There had been another man. And currently he had the nozzle fo his gun pressed against Jax’s neck.
I cursed under my breath. What, he didn't check to see if Teller had any friends or if the guy Teller was meeting with came with anyone? Rookie mistake.
"Roone, are you sure about this guy?" I muttered to myself. Either way, I couldn't let him get shot in the back of the head. I made my calculations on what it would take to disarm the new guy, in time with my problem. The barrel was at Jax' neck. Slowly I approached, staying in the shadows. Surprise would have to work for me and I hoped Jax was good at talking himself out of shit. I couldn't move my new team member before he was actually even on my team.
My heart hammered in my chest as I watched Jax turn slowly. And he was talking. I could hear him better now. "What's the matter? Performance anxiety? You don't want to do it now?"
What the hell was he doing?
The assailant muttered something under his breath that I couldn't hear. And then I stepped out of the shadows. My own gun at the shorter man's neck. I whipped my hoodie off. "Tsk, tsk. Don't you boys know how to play nice?"
Jax' gaze flickered to me. And then back to the guy between us. "Thanks for the assist, Red, but I'm good."
"Oh yeah? You call this good? He was about to blow your head off."
"I promise, Red, I had it completely under control."
"Oh, sure you did."
The guy between us whipped his head back and forth. "Oi, if you two wankers can stop bickering, that would be great."
"Oh, you're in a hurry for me to shoot you?" I asked.
Jax chuckled. "If I were you, I'd put your hands behind your back. Let the pretty lady zip tie you, leave you here. And wait patiently for the nick. I get the impression Red's handling some heavy weaponry there. She shoots, you're going to get blood all over my nice jacket. And I love this jacket."
I glowered at him. "You'll have to do the zip tying if you don't mind."
He rolled his eyes. "Sure, sure, leave me to do all the work."
"You know what? Next time, I will let the guy blow your head off."
Jax flashed a grin at me. And I could tell that like Roone, he had that charming, roguish kind of swagger that women probably loved. Just not this woman. "You know, I'm still waiting for you to say thank you."
He had his friend zip tied, and then secured him to a nearby pole. He slapped the guy on the cheek and grinned. "Don't move."
And then he turned his attention back to me. "Thank you. Now, do you mind me asking who the fuck you are?"
"I'm Ariel Scott. Roone Ainsley sent me. He's under the impression we could help each other."
Jax' brows lifted. And his gaze swept over me. I could see it, even in the dark. Mild interest. Curiosity. The hint of attraction. "Red, if you wanted a date, you probably should have approached me at the pub. But instead you tail me over here. You interrupt my business."
"Please, you were so busy drinking at the bar, you didn't even see me."
"Oh, you've been on my tail for a week. Of course I saw you."
"No way you saw me. You're making some educated guesses right now. And P.S., you shouldn't drink on a job."
"Ginger ale, love. You think I don't know any better?"
"God, I will kill Roone. Why did he send me to you?"
"I don't know, love. But whatever his reason, it's not happening. I don't need any help."
"Are you insane? Your life is in the shitter."
"Huh, says the redhead skulking in the shadows. Something tells me if you're looking for me to help you, your life's not much better off either."
He had a point there. "Roone said we could help
each other, so I'm here."
"Yeah, Roone, good mate. But, even good mates make mistakes. I'm not interested in whatever you're selling."
He brushed past me. "Where are you going?"
He dug through the pocket of Max Teller. Who was coming to, and moaning. Jax fished out a flash drive. Then muttered, "Thanks, Max. Pleasure doing business with you. Do try and stay out of trouble now, won't you?"
And then he stood. Heading back towards the alley exit. "Wait. You haven't even heard my proposal."
"I don't need to hear it. I'm not interested."
What the hell? I followed after him. "You haven't even heard it yet. And, let's face it, you owe me now."
"No, I don't owe you."
"I didn't ask you to follow me. Like I said, you're not that good at it."
"Oh, I'm excellent at it."
He laughed. "I've seen you at the pub every day this week. Your hair. Either cover it, or dye it. I saw you outside my flat too."
"Oh really? Just at the pub and outside your flat? Where else did you see me?"
His brows furrowed. "Does it matter?"
I grinned. "Oh, you didn't see me everywhere. Interesting."
"Where else were you?" He crossed his arms.
"Teller's office. I was one of the security guards. I also managed to get in as a day temp. I guess you missed that one. I knew you were tailing him, so I figured to tail you, it'd be easier to get in closer to Teller."
He lifted one brow then. Assessed me again more shrewdly. "What day?"
I shrugged. "Tuesday last week."
"I knew it. I saw you with the sandwich cart."
I grinned at him. "Yeah, but you didn't recognize me, did you?"
"You looked familiar."
"Did I? Or did you just want to bang me. Don't think I didn't notice you staring at my ass."
He shrugged. "I'm a bloke. I'm born to look. Besides, redheads aren't my type."
"Oh, overbearing roguish assholes, not my type either. I need your help. And you're going to give it to me."
