Chapter One

The rushing wave of desire is really starting to annoy me. It's felt like an eternity since we started this trip and I'm anxious to get out of the damn car.

My brother Alexander and I recently set out moving from Los Angeles to Seattle for new job opportunities, although I'm pretty sure it's just because he wants a fresh start and nothing more. We had some difficulties back home and he felt the need to get away from it, which resulted in dragging me along for the ride.

I love my brother but Jesus, can he ever give a girl a break? Suffocation is not good for our relationship.

Just as I'm thinking about it further, I'm suddenly interrupted to a large bump from behind and it jerks me awake.

"Hey asshole, watch where you're goin'!", my brother yells before climbing out of the car. Oh shit. I quickly unbuckle myself and climb out.

'A', what's going on?, I ask as I see him yelling at an older and more muscular man. He's possibly in his forties with tattoos on every inch of his body and a big mustache completely hiding his lips. He doesn't look like a class clown so I'm afraid of where this will go.

"This jackass wasn't paying attention and reared my bumper. I just got it repaired from the last accident I was in", he replies and I can see the vein popping through his forehead. Yep, he's gonna blast if he's not careful. Typical.

"The light was green buddy. Maybe you should've been paying attention", the other man retorts with his arms crossed and it's obvious that he's not sorry for his mistake.

"Maybe you should watch what you're doing, 'buddy' and obviously you're gonna be paying for the damages", I respond.

'Damages'? You're not dead sweetheart and all he wants is just a damn case", the asshole replies.

"Oh please; the only case he wants contains bottles of beer."

"Hey…", he begins but I hold my hand up to stop him.

"The point is that you hit us, you fucked up and I will not hesitate to press charges for you being an idiot on the road. Now, you can walk away from us and we'll forget this ever happened but if not, I'll make sure you end up exactly like this car, and worse. Are we clear?" The man doesn't budge but I suddenly have the feeling that I've seen him somewhere before.

"Wait a minute, I know you. You're that criminal from TV aren't you?"

"Depends which one you mean", he remarks, trying to feign innocence.

"The California Homicide Case?" He looks at me with worry in his eyes; that got his attention. No stopping now. "That's right, Carl Evan Lewis, the man solely responsible for almost half a dozen murders in one week and the police were still on pursuit of his arrest. Of course, he confessed and spent ten years in jail, but just recently he escaped as a means of "redefining his life" but that just led to credit card fraud and an accidental murder of his ex-fiancée that brought his career, or lack thereof back into full swing and the police have been searching for him since.

Imagine the news story that will explode on social media when a certain journalist, who shall remain nameless, gets their hands on this outburst of information and releases it to the public. I'm sure the press would love that story on their hands and you on the other hand can forget about that new direction as you spend the rest of your life in prison just filled with your regrets."

"Holy shit", Alexander replies and I can tell the man is sweating from fear.

"So, unless you want that story to be on the eleven-o'clock news tonight, I suggest you back up your poor excuse of a car and drive away. This will be our little secret but I won't guarantee that it won't get out eventually. It's your call." The man is speechless but ultimately clears his throat and fishes out his wallet.

"Uh, um, how much do I owe you?", he stutters.

"$500 for the damages and an extra $100 to keep us square. Deal?"

"Y-yes ma'am."

"The name is Alexandra", I correct him.

"Alexandra. I'm sorry. It won't happen again", he answers and hands me the money before quickly getting in his car and driving off. Alexander's mouth is gaping as I hand him the money and head back to the car.

"Damn. And I thought you were only a bitch towards me", he retorts as he climbs in himself.

"You're welcome", I remark but he just laughs in response.

"I guess that boarding school did a number on ya", he jokes but I try to ignore his comment. He carefully pulls out in the street and I stare out the window out into Seattle.

"Hey, you know I'm just joking alright?", he says after a few moments.

"Yeah I know", I respond."

"Listen Alex, I know home is a distant memory to you but I'm just doing this to help you forget about that."

"'A', I don't need you looking out for me."

"It's not like anyone else is doing it for you!" I take a deep breath but realize he's right.

"Just stay here with me, okay? If you don't like it within a week, you can go back home. Deal?", he asks as he holds out his hand for mine. Slowly, I take it and express my approval.

"Cool. And hey, thanks for the help back there." I chuckle.

"Somebody's gotta keep you in line."

"I think I could've handled myself if you didn't intervene."

"Your last three girlfriends say otherwise…", I mumble under my breath and 'A' responds by giving me a playful punch on my arm.

"This is gonna be different; I promise", he says after a moment and I roll my eyes in return.

"It's Seattle; what could possibly happen within a week?"