This really isn't my story. You'd be wrong if you think this is going to be all about me. I actually play a very minimal part. I was only dragged into this whole mess by a cruel chance of fate.

"You look stunning, by the way," the message on my phone read.

I called bullshit on that one. I stuck out like a sore thumb. My fingers bunched in my short, silver-blonde hair as my eyes flicked around the room every so often as I glanced over my phone. I never felt so exposed in my entire life. Being "stunning" was not a good thing. I needed to be inconspicuous in a place like this.

"Stop flirting with me. I did what you asked. Just send the information so I can leave," I typed back.

Most times in these kinds of exchanges, I had to ask why me? This was the most ridiculous setup I had ever been persuaded into. I never had to be called out in the open like this. I usually just had to stake out a place and wait for something to happen. This was too personal. It felt like a trap, but what choice did I have?

The problem mostly had to do with this pesky informant. A few years back, the precinct was lucky enough to stumble upon him. He called himself the Scarlet Lion. The informant insisted on using a code name to remain a secret to those who want to keep him quiet, which was pretty much everybody at this point. He, of course, knew our names before we even told him. His knowledge made him pretty dangerous. I was just glad he was working for us and not for them. He was the best eyes and ears into the Chu syndicate that we had. Problem was, he was a bit...picky.

He was hard enough to deal with as it is, but he only held communication with one detective at a time. Ever since I joined this district, he practically begged for me. Apparently, he gave better information and a better demeanor while working with me than with any other detective, so the chief had no problem partnering us up. Why he chose me, I still don't know. He probably had a horrible sense of irony. Either way, I was going to use this relationship for my own benefit.

"Impossible. First of all, there's no way I can stop flirting with you. Second, this interaction isn't going to go the way it has in the past," I received his message.

I scowled. "That wasn't part of the deal," I typed and sent back.

"Hold on! I'm sweetening it up just for you. This is the motherload we're talking about. I'm giving out all my secrets. You don't even have to tell your little police department if you don't want to. I'm in as much danger here as you are."

I stiffened. I knew it. There was definitely a reason why he had chosen me. He knew exactly what I was here for, and he was finally going to give it to me.

I waited a bit before I typed my next message. "Well?"

"Hold on. I've got to finish something up real quick."

I rolled my eyes. It was just like him to make me wait. He probably just wanted to see how I'd react. I took another look around at my surroundings.

It was a darkly lit, authentic looking Chinese restaurant. A red dragon painted over the door signified that this was a regular Chu meet up point. Not that I looked like I had anything to do with the Chus. I should be avoiding this place like the plague. My fingers strummed impatiently over smooth mahogany

The only other person alone here was sitting a few seats over from me at the bar. He had potential. He gave off a different aura than the others. The other minions had been better at blending in than him, but at least he looked less out of place than me. Actually the more I stared at him, the stranger he seemed. There was something... unnatural.

I reached in my purse. It wouldn't hurt to try. It hadn't worked on anything else, but I had a good feeling about this picture. Maybe for once I'd actually be able to see something.

I brought the camera's viewfinder to my eye. I focused in on the stranger's face as he concentrated on his phone. I took the picture with an audible click.

"You know, usually when people say, 'Take a picture. It'll last longer,' they don't mean it quite so literally," the guy said. He turned his face towards me.

Now that I got a good look at him, I could see that he was really attractive. That hadn't been the reason I took his picture, but it was something to consider. His chin length, dark chestnut hair was stylized into place. His dress was casual, yet intentionally cool. His almond shaped and colored eyes looked me over. His physical characteristics would place him at least part-Chinese.

"But that's a really neat looking camera, so I guess I don't mind," he said off-handedly, clearly not very upset that I stole a picture of him.

I half smirked. "It's vintage." My camera was one of the best things I possessed. It was the only thing I had that was hers.

"Cool," he said.

I took a chance and snuck a glance at the phone he left on the bar. It looked like he was in the middle of a game of Candy Crush. Not very likely he was working with the Scarlet Lion. Or the Chus for that matter.

"So...are you waiting here for anybody?" he asked.

I considered my options. On the one hand, I really needed that information. On the other, it wasn't everyday that a hot guy showed interest in me. It'd only be fair for the Scarlet Lion to wait on me for once. He could consider it payback.

"Uh...no. I'm not," I said, giving my full attention to him.

He smiled. "You're a terrific liar, Emily Callaway. You really made me think you were going to ditch me for me."

I stiffened. That little... I collected myself and kept my calm exterior. "I wasn't waiting. Apparently, you were already here." Blowing me off for a game of Candy Crush apparently. I put my camera away and turned my shoulder to him. "So, I'm guessing you're the Scarlet Lion."

"The one and only, but you can call me Leon," he said.

I turned toward him. "Leon?" Seriously? He called himself the Scarlet Lion because his name was Leon? That was probably one of the lamest code names I had ever heard. He had clearly watched too many secret agent movies as a kid.

He nodded. "Leon Chu."

Chu?! His last name was Chu?! This was bad. This was really bad.

"My first of many secrets," Leon said. "But don't worry. You can trust me."

"Trust you?!" I said incredulously. My skin was crawling. I really don't think I could trust him if he'd been part of the Chu syndicate this whole time.

"Yeah, I have been feeding you top secret Chu information despite my pedigree. I think a little trust is due," Leon said. "How much do you know about the Chu family itself, Emily?"

It was a bit too late to get away now. He was the one who gave me information, so it's not like I could feign ignorance at this point. I sighed and reached back into my purse to get out my little notebook and pen.

"Yao Chu is the current head of the Chu syndicate, which is a family based organization going back for several generations. He was the youngest brother of the last head of the family and was made the leader due to desperate and unforeseen circumstances. The other brach leaders in the Chu syndicate are his niece and nephews." I drew out a sloppy family tree to show their relationships. Without looking up, I drew Xs on all of the important family members who were dead.

"You missed one," Leon said. He took the pen from me. He drew a line from the former head of the Chu syndicate and drew another stick figure. He emphasized this figure by circling him several times.

"Ta da!" he said. He clicked the pen closed with a sense of finality. He handed the pen back to me. "That's me."

"You're telling me that you're the next head of the Chu syndicate?" I said disbelievingly, looking at the clear lineage.

"Predictably. I lived with my mother in England, but yes, my father was the head of the Chu family. The fact that you don't know who I am is exactly why I am the Chu syndicate's best kept secret," Leon nodded. "As you so promptly noted, all of Yao's nieces and nephews have a position in the business. I happen to be in charge of information and its manipulation. It's my job to know the dirty secrets of everybody." He gave me a teasing smile. "Now, before we get to the good stuff, I have to ask you one question. Why are you so curious about the Chus?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You really have to ask? There's only reason I became a detective. I don't care what crimes the Chu syndicate have been up to now. I need to know the truth about what happened fifteen years ago. I just want to close this case once and for all."

"...and that's all?"

I knew what he was getting at. "That's all," I assured him. I was just so tired of all of this.

"Okay, then," Leon said. He sat back with a satisfied look on his face.

"Okay then what?"

"Okay, then I'll tell you the truth. It's what you want, right? I've got a room in the back where we can talk about this a little more privately." He hopped off the barstool and held his hand out to me.

Maybe it was because I just wanted this all to be over. Maybe it was the strange, unexplainable connection I had with this informant. But some feeling made me slide off that barstool, take his hand, and follow him.

He explained everything carefully and calmly. The more he went on, the worse the dread compiled in my stomach. In a corner of my mind, I knew this was it, but I had shoved the very thought so far away that I couldn't believe it was possible. I didn't want this to be the truth. There was no chance for justice.

"Lydia Callaway, your mother, had no reason to massacre the Chu family. So, it can be concluded that the cause of what happened fifteen years ago was an act of pure insanity." Leon let his words sink in. "Do you believe me?"

"All this time..." I said weakly. "I thought there had to be some sort of reason, some logical explanation to why my mother would do something like that. Black mail, torture, anything. But she really was just crazy."

All of the others had been right. My sister's comforting words had been wrong. Lydia did it, and she did it out of cold blood.

"So, am I here for revenge then?" I crossed my arms. "Is this the final stake in the Callaway family?"

"No, not really."

His answer surprised me. I'm sure my eyes went wide.

"Sure, your mother killed my dad and most of my family, but what happened back then had nothing to do with you. Too many people have suffered at the hands of Lydia Callaway."

I relaxed slightly. So, he wasn't going to kill me. "That's a relief, I guess," I said.

"But that's just me. I wouldn't say the same for my uncle and cousins," Leon sighed.

I stiffened.

"They want you and your family dead. Completely wiped out. They were planning for me to get close to you to draw out your father and sister," Leon revealed.

"You have got to be kidding me! Do they want another massacre?!" I exclaimed.

"That's what I'm saying!" Leon huffed in frustration. He looked over at me. "Knowing this, what are you thinking about doing?"

"I..." What were you supposed to say in a situation like this? I could feel my adrenaline pumping, preparing my body to flee. "I'll give my two weeks notice. Get as far away from the Chus that I can."

Leon shook his head. "Not good enough. You don't have two weeks for a clean get away."

I caught on to the key word. "Clean?"

"Run away with me," he said suddenly. "I'll make sure that they'll never be able to find you."

I was astonished to say the least. "Why would you do that?"

"Like I said, I'm in as much danger as you are," Leon said. "I need to make a fast break, and I think I'd rather enjoy your company."

"What did you do?" I asked with caution. It couldn't be good coming from the next leader of a major crime syndicate.

"Nothing much. Just committing the greatest taboo in Chu family history." He gave me a mischievous smile. "I've taken quite a strong liking to one of the Callaways. If I'm not careful, I might even fall in love."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. I guess that pathetic flirting hadn't all been for show. "Is this my only option?"

"It's your best bet." He nodded. "I can manipulate our records so that we're completely untraceable. It's not like I'm going to force you to be with me. You'll just need to stick with me until you're good and far away."

As much as it pained me to think, this was my best bet. But it was a bet. That's all.

"Everything is arranged already. We can leave as soon as you say yes," Leon said.

I sighed. "Fine."

"Your enthusiasm is overwhelming, Emily. Try to dial it down a notch," he said with a laugh. He got up from his seat. "It won't be that bad. I might even sweep you off your feet."

I got up too and looked Leon in the eye. If I was going to go through with this, I needed something more to go on.

I brought my lips to his once as a test. It felt good. I brought my lips to his twice just to double check. Still felt good. I brought my lips to his a third time just because I wanted to.

There was an undeniable connection between Leon and I. Strong enough that even I could sense it. Leon's lips moved gently against mine. His hand curved against my face, softly pulling me towards him. This was definitely something I could get used to.

"Well..." Leon started. There was an excited glint in his eye as he smiled. "That was unexpected, but it certainly does make things easier."

For the first time in a long time, I smiled. "Let's go."

We ran for three months before we settled down. Leon was happy and far too confident in our situation. He'd tell me not to worry. "You'd have to be psychic just to get a lead." Well, they do say ignorance is bliss.

Anyway, like I said, this is not my story. This is simply an introduction with a love story far too cut-and-dry to amount to any sort of heart pounding adventure. This story is about my sister: Elenora Callaway. Psychic extraordinaire.