I stood next to Xavier as we watched Koyle squirm in his seat. Both of us were silent as we let the information process through our heads.

Xavier leaned against his chair with a calm expression. I already knew this wasn't going to end well.

"So let me clarify what you just told me," Xavier said in a monotone voice. He stood up and leaned over the desk, letting his intimidating form shadow over the trembling man.

"The body of one of my top ranks was found in a river? And am I hearing correctly that it took your team weeks to find and confirm his death with all of your resources? Am I getting that right?"

Koyle was someone hired outside the organization, going through police and government records. He was sometimes called to do the grunge and dirty work, communicating with Erik or our other higher ranks. We usually didn't bother talking with these type of guys unless there was a major fuck up.

Such as not finding our friend's body - Angelo De Luca's body to be exact.

Koyle was a coward of a man, fear always oozing from his pores. He did everything he could to protect himself even if he had to go through great lengths to do so.

This was one of the main reasons I despised him. I didn't know why Xavier kept him around. He was a sloppy and sleazy man to work with. If anything, Xavier probably kept him around in case we needed a fall guy. We wouldn't lose any sleep at night for framing him.

Even though most of our work was outside the law, it didn't mean we had to work with a bunch of fools who thought they were superior.

Those were the people we sought out to destroy. And now Xavier was finally done with him. The only reason he was put on the job was because he had connections in LA that would benefit us.

"S-Sir, Los Angeles is a large area–"

"I don't give a damn!" Xavier cut Koyle off. "You promised that you would find Angelo and you had been avoiding my calls. It's only because you were dragged here that you finally disclosed the information. I am going to send my own men to bring the body back. You and your men made us lose critical time.

"Now, get the hell out and you better not step foot on my property again. I won't hesitate to shoot it next time. And don't think that we won't be watching you," Xavier scowled as Koyle scampered away, leaving an awful smell as he slammed the door behind him.

I scowled and pinched my nose as Xavier cursed.

The coward peed himself and the damn smell had spread throughout the office.

"That piece of shit–"

Xavier was cut off by the door barging open again.

"Guys, I need your input on– what the hell is that smell?" Maria gagged as she plugged her nose. She walked to Xavier as she waved her free hand around to get rid of the stench.

Xavier grunted as he pulled Maria into his arms, burying his face into her neck. Due to his lack of response, Maria turned to me. I scowled as I went to open some of the windows.

"Xavier finally got rid of one of our contractors. Scared him enough to leave us something to remember him by."

Maria made a disgusted face as she tried to pull away from Xavier, but he just pulled her even closer.

"Xavier! You are going to suffocate me and make me desperate for urinated air," Maria complained. "Sticking onto me like a leech isn't helpful."

"It helps me," Xavier retaliated as Maria was able to dodge his advances, rushing to hide behind me. Xavier pouted, glaring at me like I was the one that put her there. At least his mind was distracted. I raised my hands in surrender.

"Stop glaring at your best friend," Maria scolded Xavier as she pressed the intercom button, asking the maids to help clean up the office from our last visitor.

"Anyway, I still need your help with something."

"Does it involve anything that includes working at the club?" Xavier groaned with raised brows.

"Not this time. But it would be nice if I got more money from work–"

"I can give you all the money you want." Xavier retorted. Maria glared at the interruption, her left eye twitching.

"I like being independent and working with my hands. I refuse to be a trophy wife or be a high socialite. You know I like to work for my own money."

"That was before we became public figures and I was in charge of an international security company. And it has nothing to do with money but your safety–"

"Wasn't there something you needed, Maria?" I cut off their argument. Those two could argue for hours if you let them.

"Right, right! I need you to dig into Rosaline."

I froze at the name.

"Rosaline? The new hostess that you met with this afternoon?" Xavier said with confusion. Maria nodded worriedly.

"Something's wrong with Rosaline or she's in trouble. I want to find out what that is. We went out to eat today and she was completely fine until she watched the news on the shootings. She turned pale and clammy and wouldn't snap out of it until I brought her home. I think she was affected by it at some level and I want to help her." Maria rambled.

"Are you sure it's not just trauma, or she had been in a shooting before? Maria, what do you know about her?" Xavier asked gently.

I was thinking the same thing. There could be many reasons as to why she reacted like that. For all we knew, a friend or family member lived in LA. Still the thought that Rosaline ever went through an experience like that brought out a foreign feeling in me.

Maria looked out the window, her expression troubled as she thought about Rosaline.

"All I know is that she just recently moved to New York. She didn't have a cell phone until I bought her one this afternoon, though she was trying to stop me the whole time. She also lives in a shitty apartment. I'm sure you have seen the living conditions Damon," Maria looked at me pointedly.

I nodded in agreement. Her apartment did look like shit. It took everything I had not to drag her out of that complex.

"What really bothers me, though, is that she is easily shaken up. I thought it was because she was just shy and cautious, but I think there is more to it. She was almost catatonic for the rest of lunch and when I dropped her off." Maria said slowly.

The room went silent as we went over the information. Xavier tapped his chin thoughtfully as he watched his wife. He would do anything to keep Maria happy, so I knew he wouldn't have a problem getting information on Rosaline to her.

I didn't know what to think. I pictured Rosaline in my head, her shy and wide brown eyes and her trembling form. She was scared easily, but it didn't seem out of the ordinary. Maybe it was a bad relationship?

Poor girl probably wouldn't even know what to do with me and my profession.

"Damon, keep an eye on her while I get Erik to find Rosaline's profile. Get to know her and see if she knows anything about the shooting," Xavier ordered. "Who knows, she may have information that could be useful."

My eyes widened.

There was no way in hell I could guard her. I knew without a doubt that I would get attached. And getting attached was dangerous. And getting dangerous can put someone in hell, most likely me.

"You should ask someone else. We have other pressing matters to attend to and I may be needed somewhere else."

Xavier raised his eyebrows in surprise. This was the first in a long time that I didn't follow orders right away. We always depended and supported each other.

Maria snorted and gave me a secret grin.

"That's bullshit. Rosie trusts you, Damon. If a stranger introduced themselves, she'd shy away. Besides, you already saved her once and I am sure you can do it again. Easy peasy.And I am pretty sure she won't mind one bit that you are around." Maria finished.

I glared at her. I knew exactly what she was trying to do and it needed to end. Maria loved to play matchmaker and though I loved her like a little sister, she made me want to strangle her.

Xavier went to stand by his wife, looking me over. Xavier and I grew up together and he knew me well- too well. I shut my eyes once I saw the new glint in his eyes.

"You little Asshole...you really thought you could hide from me that a woman caught your eye? Oh, this is gold!" Xavier laughed, leaning on his desk in hysterics. I scowled at him as he howled with laughter. This was the first time in the last week I had seen him loosen up again. Unfortunately, it was at my expense.

"Are you done yet?" I growled once he gained his composure.

"I thought I would never see the fucking day Damon Cohen would fall for a girl." Xavier gave me his usual toothy grin. "I think Maria is right, though, on this one. Until we are sure Rosaline doesn't need help, you need to keep an eye on her. Besides, it's our job to protect others. Think of it as an unofficial case."

Xavier ended the argument by grabbing Maria's hand and pulling her to the office doors.

"She's working at the club tonight! Her shift starts at nine and I'm giving her a ride there in a few hours! Be there around eight," Maria shouted before the door slammed behind them.

I processed the words in my head before anger brewed in my system.

The club? The same club she promised she wouldn't work at anymore?

I picked up a glass that was on the desk and threw it across the room. The glass shattered against the wall and scattered across the floor. I heaved as I marched out the door, passing the maids who arrived to clean up the mess.

What was she doing to me already? I never let my emotions explode drastically. It was very rare for those feelings to be let out, but Rosaline seemed to know how to press my buttons.

She was already turning me into a ticking time bomb.

I was just worried that when I finally did explode, I would take her with me.