Page 96 of Xavier

It fits her- the elegant but comfortable furniture and the tech savvy house right on the beach.

I stare at Brianna as she heads out to the balcony. She looks so peaceful, like she feels at home when she’s at the beach.

She had the same look while relaxing in the hot tub at the hotel.

I want her to be happy and free and not have to look over her shoulder all the time.

“Man, you’ve got it bad.” Jordan’s voice pulls me out of my head.

Running my hand through my hair, I chuckle and say, “Yeah, I do.”

It wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. Something about Brianna draws me in, like a moth to a flame.

No matter how hard I tried to keep my distance, I always ended up with her wrapped in my arms.

Not that I’m complaining. I’ve loved every minute of it, but it wasn’t supposed to happen.

“So, who is she?” He gestures outside, where Brianna is leaning on the balcony railing.

“Brianna is the mayor’s daughter. This situation is so fucked up, and I’m in too deep. I’m letting my feelings get in the way of the job.”

Feelings were never an option. I learned my lesson the last time I let feelings get involved.

At least I thought I did.

Clearly not because I’m making the same mistakes all over again.

“Hudson actually brought me in on the situation. Brianna was receiving death threats, but John kept it from her. She was involved in a car chase, a witness to a break in and murder at her uncle’s restaurant.”

Jordan’s mouth falls open, but I continue.

“Somehow her uncle and dad are involved because the guy that was murdered stole something from her uncle’s office. Now the two guys have whatever it is.”

“John has a safe house near St. Augustine that we’ve been living in for almost two months, but his name isn’t really John. It’s Isaac Thornton. He was spec ops for the Army.”

“Is he on our side or theirs?”

“I honestly don’t know. I feel like he’s still keeping secrets, and not actually trying to end this, but why would he put his daughter’s life in jeopardy? Why would he tell her about his past and his real name, if he’s working with them? Nothing is adding up.”

Jordan rubs his shaved chin as he contemplates the issues at hand. “I can do some digging and get to the bottom of all of this.”

“That would be great. She’s strong, but if he’s working with them, she will be crushed.” Watch her for several moments.

She gazes up at something in the sky before looking down at the beach.

“So, what’s your plan for stopping them? I’m surprised you and Hudson haven’t already apprehended them.”

There’s something in his voice that causes me to look back at him. Concern?

“I don’t know. I have to abide by the laws now, and it hasn’t been easy. Plus, I’ve kind of enjoyed the solitude with Brianna. Sure, it would have been better if this was a vacation and we could travel freely, but it hasn’t been all bad.”

“Why not take a vacation with her? You two deserve it.”

A plan starts to form in my head. I can put an end to this.

I would need help from Hudson, John, and possibly the police officers that know what’s going on.

Yeah, it might just work out.

---