I watched as the sun slowly began to rise on the horizon line, light bleeding into the bedroom.

I'd been awake for a while, contemplating our next move. While Xavier was the mastermind of the operation, he always listened to my input.

I looked down at Flower, who wrapped herself around me, our limbs intertwined. Her heart beated against my own, steady and calm. I held her tighter in my arms, praying to anyone listening that everything will turn out fine.

I closed my eyes, hoping to rest for a while when Rosaline's breathing sped up. Her body began to shake from the nightmare she was trapped in.

"Flower," I cooed and brought her face closer to mine. "Wake up. You're safe. Open those eyes for me, Rosaline."

I repeated this for a few minutes, coaxing Rosaline to wake up. Her eyes shot open and she let out a gasp as if she had been holding her breath.

I rubbed her back as she tried to regulate her breathing, gripping my shirt like a lifeline.

"It's okay, Flower. I'm here."

Rosaline shoved her face into my chest, her shoulders shaking.

"I feel so imbalanced. I-I don't even know why I'm crying!" Rosaline sobbed.

I sat up, pulling her along with me so she was now straddling me. I leaned back so I could look into her swollen eyes and spoke.

"After everything you've gone through, especially last night, I would be more worried if you carried on like nothing happened."

Rosaline shook her head and began waving her arms wildly as she spoke.

"It's just so frustrating! One minute, I feel on top of the world and free. I finally felt like I was starting to close that chapter in my life. I had been feeling this anxiety for months, Damon– months!

"And just when I thought things were going to be all right– BAM!" She clapped her hands for emphasis. "The agent that was going to help me now has a target on his back. The metaphorical chapter is still going. Maybe I shouldn't have talked to him. What if he gets hurt because of me? I-I can't handle it if something happens to him."

Rosaline went to twist and tug at her hair, but I grabbed them, intertwining our fingers. I didn't need her to pull her hair out.

My heart broke as Rosaline continued talking in a frantic voice.

"And now with these nightmares...I can't even remember what they were about, but I just feel this grief and terror. I just– I want this to end before anyone else gets hurt because of me."

"Nobody got hurt because of you." I refuted gently, but she shook her head, trying to tug her hands away. I kept them in a firm grip.

"But they did! I-I thought that once I told the agent, everything would magically get better. And I do, somewhat. But this feeling of guilt is still there that I thought would disappear. This guilt that...I caused all those deaths to happen and will cause more because I couldn't keep my mouth shut," Rosaline whimpered. "Did you know that the youngest victim was Lillian Sanchez? She was only six years old. Her parents must be devastated. She had so much ahead of her and I was the fool who–"

"Enough Rosaline."

Her eyes widened at the harsh tone in my voice, but closed her mouth. I gripped her chin and made sure she was looking directly at me.

"You are not at fault for any deaths. That falls on Lorenzo and the Diablos. I know that only time will convince you otherwise, but I will tell you every fucking day if that will help. We are going to find these fuckers and take them down. You are not a martyr, Rosaline Sinclair. I won't allow it. Do you understand me?" I rested my forehead against hers.

"You are not a killer, Flower. You will be the one that helps those families heal and cope. They want answers as much as you do."

Rosaline let out a shaky breath.

"I hear you. Thanks."

I wiped away her tears, her makeup smeared everywhere on her face.

"There's not much, if not anything, that I wouldn't do for my partner in crime."

She let out a weak smile and she couldn't have been more beautiful.

"Distract me for a little bit? Tell me something I don't know," Rosaline asked, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Will you tell me about the tattoo on your shoulder? I notice that all of your tattoos are different designs, no words except this one."

I smiled since I knew the tattoo she was referring to was on my left shoulder.

"Guardiano oscuro– dark guardian in Italian. It's a reminder of my purpose. While I have done acts that aren't redeemable, I do these things to protect others. I will damage my soul so others don't lose theirs. I never cared what happened to me if it meant another family was safe from harm." I murmured, never looking away from her. "And that applies to you. I would lie, cheat, steal– and even kill– if it meant that you are protected. I don't regret any choices I made because it led me to you, Flower."

Rosaline gulped, moving her finger across the script in reverence, causing goosebumps along my flesh.

"I'm pretty sure I've said this multiple times, but sometimes I feel like I need to bring the point home. If you can bare your soul, I can bare mine," Rosaline let out an embarrassed smile before turning serious again.

"I know there are things that you may never share with me, the darker and more brutal actions of your past. Your job isn't normal and can lead to dangerous situations. While I worry about your safety, I worry more because this includes my past. But... if you are able to see past my own faults and actions, I can certainly return the favor. I am always ready to listen and support you on the sidelines. If it becomes too much, I will always be a listening ear or find ways to help you relax," Rosaline pulled back to give me a soft kiss. "For years, you've been a guardian for others– let me protect you for once."

I chuckled and gave her a smile, a warm feeling spreading through my body. "We'll protect each other, how about that, Flower?"

Rosaline wrapped me in a hug.

"I think we can manage that."

I leaned down to kiss her, her hands tangling into my hair. When she gave my hair a sharp tug, I pinned her down so she couldn't escape. Based on the sharp intake of breath, I could tell she wasn't complaining.

My hands slowly went down her body, enjoying every reaction she gave me. For the rest of the morning, I worshiped every inch of her, reminding her of the pleasures in this world.

I loved this woman with all of my being. I would lay my life down for her without hesitation. I was just waiting for the opportunity to tell her that.

~*~

"David Adlai is in his office. I hacked into his computer and watched what he's working on. Right now, he seems to be looking through the LA crime scene footage again. It seems their tech team was finally able to recover some, but not enough to do anything with." Erik reported.

"The men that followed him last night said that the car that tried to crash into Adlai was a blue sedan. The plates showed that it was stolen, so no leads on who it belonged to. But we got some detail watching him, and our spies at the FBI are keeping an eye on him inside the building. If any word spreads on Adlai, we'll know." John paced in the office.

"But why now? Adlai hadn't been seen as a threat until Rosaline talked to him. He said that he didn't tell anyone about his meeting with her." I added.

Xavier leaned back in his chair. "Benson knew. While he wasn't there, Adlai informed him of his meeting with Rosaline. Wouldn't be surprised if there was a bug keeping track of him."

"But why would Benson try to kill his own partner? Wouldn't killing him be suspicious, especially since everyone knows of his connection to us?" Erik asked.

"Maybe not in his eyes. Adlai and Benson don't have a good relationship, not from what I've seen. Ro confirmed that herself. Adlai was building a case against Benson, correct? Benson could have found out. Adlai being seen with the 'enemy' without him? That would be the ultimate betrayal. Benson is certainly not the most stable person, after all." Xavier thought out loud, sharing his process with us.

"Great. Dealing with an unstable federal agent who's recently been seen as a hero by letting him take credit for our work, but may also be involved in a larger conspiracy. This is a fucked-up mess." I muttered and rubbed my face in frustration.

"Even if he's not involved in Adlai's incident, his bitterness and vengeance from over a decade ago have blinded him. You've left Benson alone for too long and loosened his leash, Xavier. We need to take him out of the equation one way or another." John lectured Xavier, who sighed.

Xavier didn't say anything else about the matter and moved on. I shook my head, wondering how long until he made a final strike against Benson.

Whether Xavier wants to admit it or not, I know there was a sense of guilt that our families' actions led to the creation of who Garrett was today. At the end of the day, Xavier was just as human as the rest of us. Not even his brilliant mind could prevent him from making mistakes.

And hope his mistakes didn't cost us what we can't afford.

"We have less than two weeks. If Senator Wiseman is coming to our city, we need to be prepared. I need to know who is going to be there, the security measures, everything."

"Is there an official plan?" I asked, letting all thoughts of Benson go for now.

"Eh, still a work in progress." Xavier shrugged before the phone rang. He grabbed his phone and read the number.

"Sir, Adlai is looking at some documents. It seems to be a report on a supervisor based in LA dismissing evidence that was found in the alleyway Angelo was murdered." Erik said, his face scrunched in confusion.

Xavier waved him away.

"John, take that over and keep me posted. Erik, I want you to track this blocked number," Xavier ordered. He gestured for me to move closer to hear the conversation.

I stood and went to his desk as Xavier answered the phone, putting it on speaker.

"Monroe."

"Ah, Mr. Monroe. I have come to inform you that I will no longer be associated in the deal with Mr. Campbell." A familiar voice spoke that sent me in a fury.

"Mr. Diablo, that sounds unfortunate. May I ask why?" Xavier asked innocently, but his face remained neutral.

"Well, I feel that we weren't forthcoming at the dinner the other night. It seems that you aren't being honest with me. And planting the bug on my jacket? I must credit who put it on because I didn't feel a thing. Was it you, Damon? I assume he is listening to this conversation as he never leaves your side." Lorenzo asked.

"You called me, Lorenzo, not my VP. And I am not the only one keeping secrets. Sending Campbell my way and using his wife to hack into my systems while on my property? That's not a person I want to be doing business with. Having you bugged is the least I could have done." Xavier stated.

"Yes, Campbell is a nuisance. You played him very well. But I also want to call because recently there have been a few mishaps. I hope to get your input on them?"

Xavier tilted his head, leaning against his desk. He didn't respond as Lorenzo continued.

"It has been a strange few days. One of the men has gone missing and is nowhere to be found. I was wondering if you may know his whereabouts?"

"That sounds quite vague, Mr. Diablo. If you could be more specific and give me a name, that would help." Xavier laughed at Lorenzo's question.

Lorenzo hummed.

"Awe, specifics. Maybe you can help me with something else. Before I left your office, I found a rose trinket that reminded me of someone I met a few months ago. I believe her name is Rosaline Sinclair. Did she come to you for your services?" Lorenzo mocked.

Rage filled me and it took all of my restraint not to throw the phone across the room.

"I'm sorry, but we keep the names of our clients confidential. And what makes you think it's this Ms. Sinclair's? A trinket is a trinket, it could belong to anyone." Xavier asked, denial in his voice.

"You were spotted entering Elysium last night with Ms. Sinclair. I can assure you that your security services are no longer needed and that I can hand over custody to me. She is an important asset of mine." Lorenzo spoke, his voice chilling.

Lorenzo has been watching us.

"I'm sorry Mr. Diablo, but I have no idea what you are talking about. There is no custody battle. Even if Ms. Sinclair was under our services she isn't a fucking kid or under arrest. And all information would be confidential, as I said before," Xavier gritted out. "You are barking up the wrong tree. With these accusations, maybe it is best that we don't enter into a partnership."

"That is a shame. But I want you to know something, Mr. Monroe. Damon, I hope you are listening as well. I have played these games for years and excel at them. You are just a piece of dirt on the chessboard. You don't know what kind of world you are about to enter if you don't cooperate. You would not be able to hide or run from me.

"Since you're both running a big company, I thought it would be generous of me to warn you. Tell me the whereabouts of Rosaline Sinclair and back away from my business. Do that, and I won't have to get my hands dirty." Lorenzo proposed.

"Rot in hell, Diablo." I spat, done being silent.

A laugh went over the phone.

"I just knew you were listening, Damon. Like I said, your morals are getting the best of you. But you have been warned and I'm no longer going to play nice. But I do love a challenge. You were all very unexpected, but not unwelcome. I hope you're ready. See you soon, Damon."

The phone beeped as Lorenzo abruptly ended the call.

"Damn it!" I cursed.

Xavier shook his head. "He laid some of his cards on the table and said he's watching. We keep Rosaline in the house until this is over. Being on Lorenzo's radar isn't a surprise, but he also underestimates us. He only sees us on the legal and public side of our business. He has no idea who his opponent really is."

"Doesn't mean we underestimate him." John added.

"I couldn't track him. He probably has men blocking people from getting his location." Erik said, banging his hand on the table in frustration.

"We need more intel, now. John, what's Adlai up to?"

"He's looking through his emails and was assigned to be a part of the security detail at Senator Wiseman's meet and greet next week." Erik said with a smile.

Xavier began to grin.

"Have someone pick up Adlai at the federal building. I think it's time we made some new connections."

"You want to partner with him? You sure that's a good idea? What if he turns on us? We don't know how 'by the book' he is." I argued while John made the call.

"It doesn't hurt to have more sources, especially if it comes directly from him. Besides, after studying him with Benson and at the club, I don't think we need to worry about getting stabbed in the back. If it makes you feel better, I'll continue my deductions when we meet, then make a final judgment with your input." Xavier bargained, and I nodded in agreement.

"He was surprised by the call, but he will be here in less than an hour. I'll arrange for Marco to pick him up." John said, and left the room.

"I'll check on our hostage and make sure our systems are secure. I don't want another hacker trying to get into our software." Erik said before standing.

"Make sure all the panic rooms are secure as well. We're not taking any chances," Xavier said.

He turned to face me.

"Are you done playing the slow game? We're about to slam on the gas, Asshole. It's time for Plan K."