I couldn't help but write a response to the 1000 word challenge. I went over by a couple words (sorry). I did manage to get ephemeral into the story.

All mistakes are my own. If you find one please message me and politely let me know and I'll correct it.

Enjoy!

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

I leaned against the side of the SUV and watched as she walked into Trist. Her long legs highlighted by a short skirt and high heels that were more death trap than shoes. I wondered if I was making a mistake. Kelly had spent the last several days training with Lester and Hal she understood the job, the textbook version anyway, but she lacked instinct.

I tilted my head back and let out a long breath hoping to find my center. Only that place in my mind was eluding me. It'd been gone for a year. It left when she did. I wasn't sure how to get it back.

The sounds of the nightclub filtered through my ear. Tank who was standing next to me asked for an update. He made a few adjustments to ensure everyone was covering Kelly's back. He looked at me to see if I wanted to change anything and I gave a single nod indicating I agreed with his call.

Kelly's throaty voice crossed the airwaves and I listened as she made contact with Fulton, the FTA. He offered buy her a drink. She made small talk while they waited on the bartender. Kelly gave a breathy laugh at something he said and I rolled my eyes.

Fuck when did I start rolling my eyes? Probably about the same time I started lying in bed for hours wondering what she was doing. Kelly laughed again and I yanked the out earpiece. I cracked my neck for the thousandth time that day and let out another long breath.

"Looks like it's going to be a while," Tank said.

I just cut my eyes at him not responding.

"She'll get him out though. She's a professional."

"She's a hooker," I said.

"An escort," Tank corrected.

I rolled my eyes, again. Then before I realized I'd done it Tank's face broke into a shit eating grin. I glared at him hoping he'd let it drop.

"Have you talked to her?" He asked.

"No."

"She's in town. Lester saw her at Pino's with Mary Lou."

I shrugged one shoulder and turned to look at the entrance of the club. Kelly was slow, too damn slow. These meetings need to be ephemeral. The longer she was in there the less likely Fulton was to come out with her. I'd have to question Lester and Hal about her training.

"She's meeting Lester later. Here. After we get the guy they're going dancing."

I didn't move I didn't want Tank to know what he'd said affected me. But it did my heart was beating so hard I could felt it banging on my ribs. She was in Trenton. Stephanie was home.

"Keep your ears on Kelly."

"Don't pull that bullshit with me. You've been acting like an ass for a year. You miss her. Hell we all miss her."

"She made a choice. She left town."

"Did you tell her you didn't want her to leave?"

"They're coming out," Cal said exiting the back of the surveillance van.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The club was crowded but I needed to see her. I knew it was crazy but since I'd met her she was my greatest vice. I wasn't sure if I loved her or the chase. But, I knew that over this last year she'd been away I'd been miserable.

I passed through the crowd looking for them. For her. Then I saw Stephanie. She was dressed in a pair of skin tight jeans and a low cut top that gave me a glimpse of her long neck and pale skin. She was thinner and she'd cut her hair. But the curls were still wild and my hand ached to touch them.

Lester saw me across club and his lips tipped into a small smile. Then he grabbed her by the ass and pulled her body flush to his. I expected her to shove him away; to protest his actions. She didn't instead she ground her hips into his and gave him a smile I thought she only shared with me.

My hand that just seconds before had ached for her now clenched in anger toward my cousin. How dare he touch what belonged to me. Only she didn't she wanted freedom. She'd made that clear when she left. She wanted to make it on her own. It'd been hard but I'd honored her wish.

Before I realized what I was doing I was standing behind her. Lester knew I was there but never lessened his grip on her hips. Instead her pressed his face into her neck and dipped his knees lower bringing them closer together.

Jealously flared through me and I grabbed him by the throat pulling him off her. I tossed him off the dance floor following on his heels. I was going to kill him for touching her. He knew she was mine. Everyone knew she was mine; everyone but her.

I pushed him into the parking lot and before I could swing my fist I was stopped by her voice.

"Don't you dare hit him," she said. "He did nothing wrong."

She was right. I knew she was right but he'd touched her. He knew how I felt about her. He knew the hell I'd been living in since she left and he didn't even have the decency to tell me she was in town.

Lester stood a foot from me. To anyone else he looked calm. I could see he was lethal. He couldn't beat me we both knew that. He did, however, know how to hurt me. He'd already done it once tonight by keeping Stephanie from me.

I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and he smiled. The bastard smiled at me.

"If you want her this is your chance," he said quietly. "If you let her go this time you're a fool."

Slowly, I let him go and turned around to face her. She stood there fury in her eyes. Beautiful. Sweet beautiful perfection. I was in love with her.

"Babe."