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Aresius' POV

I sat in front of a pile of paperwork, willing myself to focus on what was in front of me.

I let out a sigh, signing the bottom of the contract, and placed my pen on the table. I leaned my head back in my seat and shut my eyes, rubbing the dull ache in the back of my neck with my fingers.

Despite the pain and the mountain of work in front of me, I felt more at peace than I ever had before. The air was still and calm, my mind and body felt light.

I felt alive.

My heart and soul felt alive, and a fire coursed through my veins.

Because of her.

The sound of a ring on my security sensors made my eyes shoot open, and I looked at the security screen.

It was Tai and Karter.

I unlocked the door using a button on my computer, and heard their chatter as they entered the house. Knowing where they would find me, they made their way to my office without any prompting. I heard the sounds of their voices walking down the hall and past the kitchen until they stopped at the wooden door of my office.

I heard a single knock, and I cleared my throat, "Come in."

The door slowly swung opening, revealing the Tai and Karter, who both walked into the room.

"Hi Adler," Tai smiled, whilst Karter just nodded at me.

The two were dressed completely oppositely, with Tai wearing a light blue dress shirt and grey slacks and Karter wearing workout gear. Tai held two square shaped things, wrapped in brown paper, and Karter held a stack of files.

More work.

They sat down in front of me, Tai opening the buttons of his sleeves and rolling them up.

"I was just with the sergeant, there's been a string of kidnapping outside of our area. He was asking if we could take a look at them on the down low," Tai told me, his voice grave.

I nodded once, "I'll speak with him."

I turned my eyes onto Karter who cleared his throat to speak.

"I did a training course with some new recruits, but I don't think most of them are fit for us. I think they would work better on some kind of law enforcement agency," he said, making me grit my teeth.

"Not one?" I asked, knowing that our job was tough, and not everyone was cut out for it.

He shook his head, "On another note, the beta team is ready to go on the search and rescue tomorrow."

I nodded, picking up some of the papers in front of me and slipping them into their respective file.

I handed three of them to Karter, and one to Tai.

"You're off next week," I said to Tai, not looking up from the papers I was reading. "Take two weeks off if you want."

"Oh that's not necessary Boss, honestly, I don't need to take any time off, I know how much work we have right now," Tai rushed out.

I looked up at him, "You've got exams, take the time off," I told him, my voice strict, knowing how much pressure he was under, and how badly he wanted to get into Law School.

He nodded, "Thanks Adler," he said gratefully.

My eyes flitted back down to the papers, wanting to make sure they were finished so the two of them could take them.

"Karter you don't need to join us on the cartel job," I said, checking the dates on the paper.

"Uh...I thought I was scheduled to go?" he asked, his voice laced in confusion.

"I'm un-assigning you, I didn't take a look at the dates, you have an appointment on that day," I crossed his name off, making a note to fix the document later, "I apologize for that, I should've paid more attention."

"Oh that's not an issue, I can reschedule my appointment," he said quickly.

"No," I declined, "It's important you go to your appointment." My voice was definite, no room left for arguments. I knew his eye had been bothering him more and more recently.

I signed off on the final paper, and put it securely in the file, holding it out to them.

Karter grabbed it from me, and the three of us stood up, walking towards the office door. I followed behind them to bid goodbye.

My eyes fell onto the two brown packages that Tai had brought, and I cleared my throat, gesturing to them.

A smile bloomed on Tai's face, "Those are actually for you," he told me, causing my brow to rise.

"Yeah, take a look at them whenever," he said, a hint of mischief in his tone. I nodded once, completely confused.

The two said their goodbyes and walked out.

I walked to the kitchen, looking out to the backyard where Grasso perched on the porch.

I drank some water, and pulled out my phone out of my pocket, a small smile forming on my face just at the sight of her name in my contacts.

Simple and to the point was how I had always texted, but once I clicked send on the message, I wished I could take it back.

Was that too simple? How did you text the person you loved-

A smile now completely overtook my features.

She loved me.

I don't know what came over me last night when I confessed my feelings to her. When she said she had to tell me something, I thought my heart would fall out of my chest.

When I looked at her, her beautiful features illuminated by the moonlight, my heart knew that it was hers.

In that moment, I knew that I had to tell her.

I couldn't begin to describe how it felt to hear her say those words at the same time as me.

I wrapped her up into my arms, feeling at ease, and we slept.

We had woken up in a soft haze this morning, our movements and touches lethargic because of the intensity of the day yesterday. The first little while was spent in a peaceful silence, watching the sunrise in the sky, her fingers on my chest as she laid her ear on my heart.

Then she proceeded to jump out of bed and squeal, anxiously rushing around the room.

She had an exam today.

Amused at her antics, I had calmed her before driving her back to her Grams' house at the early hour.

Selfishly I wanted to keep her with me all day.

Everyday.

But she had a life, that didn't revolve around me; as she should.

I waited leaning against my car, and she clumsily ran up to the house. Then comically, she stopped and turned around, her eyes wide.

She ran back to me, jumped into my arms and gave me a kiss, apologizing for forgetting to do so when she first get out of the car. With a proper goodbye, and another utterance of 'I love you,' she was off.

To say that I came home and was able to focus on work would be a lie. I attempted to work, but every other second, my thoughts drifted back to her.

She had consumed every fibre of my being, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I came back to reality when my phone chimed.

I whipped it out of my pocket, my heart automatically beating faster when I saw her name.

No way this shit is normal. There's no way.

My angel.

I locked my phone, breathing out once to wipe that foolish smile off of my face.

I checked the time, and walked back into my office, knowing I had an important meeting soon.

My eyes fell onto the two brown packages that Tai had left me. Slowly I inched forwards, and picked the first one up, taking the paper off.

The paper moved away to reveal a picture.

My breath caught in my throat.

Alette.

It was a picture of her from last night, during the birthday party. Her hair was flowing in the wind while her eyes shone with laughter. There was a bright smile on her face as she looked away; not even knowing the camera was on her.

I knew Tai was taking pictures last night, but this was a whole different kind of magic.

This belonged in galleries.

My finger subconsciously made its way to her face as I took in the picture, utterly in awe.

I swallowed deeply, feeling like the luckiest man in the world for being able to see that smile when I woke up this morning.

I placed the picture down on my desk, directly in front of me.

I moved quickly towards the second package, ready to give Tai a promotion and anything else he wanted for taking that picture of her.

I ripped off the brown paper in my haste.

It was us.

I had my one arm around her waist, the other relaxed by my side, and she hugged onto me with both of her arms around my middle. She was beaming with her blinding smile at me, and my face looked completely relaxed as it looked down at her; we were lost in our own world.

I placed the picture down on my shelf, clenching my fists to keep from running over to her right at this moment.

She was it for me.

I shook my head and scrunched up the brown paper when something else fell out from it.

It was a white square, slightly smaller than a Polaroid picture. It was her again, and this time, she was smiling directly at the camera, her head tilted sideways.

Any ounce of composure that I had, I lost completely. Feeling so winded, I sat down on my office chair and continued staring. Only when my security cameras picked up a car driving up my driveway did I look away from the picture.

I pulled out my wallet, and neatly put her picture in there.

My guardian angel.

Throwing the brown paper in the garbage, I sent Tai a text message containing the words 'Thank you.'

The doorbell rang, and I straightened out my dress shirt, my watch and silver chain.

Squaring my jaw, I walked to the front door, making sure to check the yard to see if Grasso was okay.

He was asleep.

Lazy as hell.

I picked him up from the porch and put him inside where it was cooler. He just hissed at me when he felt he was being moved.

I walked to the front door and opened it.

"Adrik."

He gave me a nod, "Adler."

I moved aside, letting him walk into my place.

"Thank you for meeting with me," he said, his tone devoid of any emotion, but I knew he was being genuine.

I nodded at him and he followed me into my office.

I gestured for him to sit down, and he took a seat in front of me.

"I had expected you would have security lined up, escorting me in," he said to me, his accent pronounced and his brow raised.

"I expected you to show up with an army of men," I countered.

He finally smirked, "I trust you my friend."

I let my shoulders drop slightly, "Likewise."

I cleared my throat, "What did you want to speak to me about?"

His eyes hardened, "I was able to uh...interrogate the man that shot at us at the club. He was working for Kan."

I set my jaw, "Do they know we're looking for him? Or was it by chance?"

"Apparently he knows. He already knew that I was looking for him, and Sylvester Blaine has been after him for years. Knowing how closely you work with Blaine, I'm sure word got out," he leaned forwards in his seat, "Kan has gained ranks over the years, he seems to be the head honcho now."

"That's to be expected, his cover was blown the day that Sylvester Blaine walked into that room," I gritted my teeth, "He has to get his sick pleasure one way or another."

"I will put an end to him," Adrik ground the words out, venom dripping from his voice.

"I'm not looking for justice," I told him plainly, "I'm looking for revenge."

A slight look of shock appeared on his face, "That's not usually what you strive for," he said to me questioningly.

He was right to be surprised. I wasn't the type of person that looked to kill and torture anyone. I tended to hand them over to the system so they would be imprisoned or whatever else the judge decided. There were times where I had to kill, but that wasn't my end goal. That wasn't what my men did, that wasn't what my company did.

I straightened in my seat, leaning back completely and spreading my legs out.

"I have my reasons. It's personal this time," I told him, feeling anger course through my body at the thought of what he had done to my Alette.

Adrik's face was blank, and he looked away into the distance but not before I caught the pain in his eyes, "Likewise."

"We'll find him."

He turned back to me, and nodded his head.

"Do you have any other information at this time?" I asked him, sorting through my own files.

He began telling me what he knew and we sat pouring over papers and maps, figuring out why this man was so hard to track.

Halfway through, my security sensors at my front door alerted me of someone's presence.

I looked at the cameras, my hand already on the drawer with my gun in it. Adrik, noticing my movements, placed his hand on his side, presumably where his gun was.

What I saw the screen I breathed out a sigh, "False alarm," I told Adrik, who also lost the tenseness in his shoulders.

My phoned beeped the same time as I heard the doorbell.

And then a second later:

Knowing that she would be rolling around in a field of anxiety in her head, I quickly replied, and pressed the auto unlock button for my front door.

I heard the front door open, and my phone pinged again.

I turned my phone off, looking back at Adrik who stared at me quizzically.

I cleared my throat, "Let's get back to work."

As if sensing my rush, Adrik hurried through the meeting, and within the next hour, we were finally finished.

Adrik pushed his chair away from my desk, standing up and I followed suit.

"I'll be in contact with you my friend," he said to me, and then smirked slightly, "I'll take my leave, I think you have more important things waiting for you."

"Yeah I do," I said plainly, not giving into his teasing.

His smirk widened, and I walked out of my office, him following behind me.

I strained my ears to hear where she could be, and my heart lightened when I heard her humming from the kitchen.

I quickened my pace and turned the corner, finally setting my eyes on her. She stood in front of the stove, a spatula in her hands, and she wore a pink frilly apron.

She turned around as if sensing my presence, and smiled wide.

"Hi lovebug!" she beamed

I felt as though I was about to go into cardiac arrest with the way my heart seized at her words.

She was wearing a soft lilac sweater, and loose white pants. Her hair was half up, a lilac bow securing her wavy pool of soft brown hair.

Not being able to take it any longer, I walked over and wrapped her into my arms, kissing her deeply. I pulled back and kissed her forehead as she reached her hand up to cup my face, one resting on my chest. She looked up at me, as a warm feeling washed over my body. Her eyes were bright as they stared in mine, and they brought me mountains of peace.

"How was your day? How was your meeting? I made you some cupcakes! Oh I also brought you some dinner, and it's almost done, I just have to put it in the oven-"

Her rambling was cut off as her eyes drifted behind me. I felt her shrink back into herself slightly.

Adrik.

"Oh hello..." she started hesitantly, her voice quieter but still as kind as ever, "D-Do you want a c-cupcake?"

I turned around, as she stepped forwards, and stood behind her, my hands on her waist. She leaned back into me for comfort, which made waves of satisfaction roll through me. I was beyond proud that she stood her ground, and didn't shy away too much in fear.

Adrik wasn't exactly the most laid-back person, and he looked every part of the tough and haggard don that he was.

At this moment however, he looked slightly shocked at the sight of her. And the sight of me holding onto her.

She didn't miss a beat when he didn't reply.

"There's chocolate a-and s-strawberry?" she asked again, tilting her head to the side.

He cleared his throat, shaking his shock off, "Chocolate."

She hummed, her shoulders straightening up again. She went to the tray of cupcakes that she had brought, and picked up a chocolate cupcake. I grabbed a plate and handed it to her, ignoring the flabbergasted look that I was getting from Adrik.

She held the plate out towards him, and I leaned back on the counter and watched as he grabbed the cupcake from the plate, still looking at her as though he couldn't believe she was there.

I knew that he respected me too much to try anything with her, but I still hated the thought of him looking at her so intently.

She put the plate down and walked back to stand beside me, grabbing my arm.

I immediately relaxed and stared at Adrik, who looked down at the cupcake in his hand. He cleared his throat, "Thank you."

She smiled at him, and then she tilted her head, "Would y-you like to stay f-for dinner?" She looked up at me at the end of her sentence, making sure I was okay with that.

As if I could ever say no.

"Ah no...no that is alright, I have to get some work done," he cleared his throat, bowing his head slightly, "Thank you for the uh...cake."

We made eye contact, and I kissed the top of her head, "I'll see him out."

She nodded, softly placing a kiss on my bicep, and stepped away.

The two of us walked out of my house, and he turned to me to say goodbye.

"Is that your reason?" he asked tilting his head towards the inside of the house.

I looked at him, and nodded my head once.

She was my reason.

He nodded, straightening out his collar and walking towards his car, "I'll see you soon brother."

I watched him drive away and walked back inside the house.

Alette was hunched over, placing a dish into the oven, mumbling something about melted cheese.

I cleared my throat, making her jump up.

She turned around with her hand on her heart, "You scared me Reece!"

We stared at each other for a moment, until she finally, very slowly began to take her apron off. She bundled it up and placed it on the counter, walking over towards me.

Letting her make the first move, I watched as she placed her hands on my lower chest, and leaned up slowly. I tilted my head down, kissing her back.

My hands went to her waist, and I lifted her up. She broke off the kiss, her mouth opening slightly. I walked over to the counter, and placed her down. I kissed her again, the distance between us now decreased.

She pulled away, "I love you."

Her voice was breathless, and her eyes said the words to me with the same intensity that her voice did.

I saw, felt, and heard nothing but her at this moment in time.

She really felt this much for me?