He laid the body down on the abandon road. He had to be particularly carefully not to leave anything but what he planned to leave. It would be his biggest one yet. She deserves this, she knows it. I am giving her what she wants. Next time I wouldn't be so nice, this present would cement my plans for her. This is only the beginning, she will be mine.

"Like one that on a lonesome road doth walk in fear and dread, and having once turned 'round, walks on, and turns no more his head, because he knows a frightful fiend doth close behind him tread."

She'll know. They'll know.

When I woke up the next morning the sun shined brightly through the windows. I could hear my brother's dog barking just outside the window. I rolled over; the scent wafting from the pillows was foreign to me. It immediately reminded me of Carlos; it seems as if the spare bedroom wasn't put to use. He used mine, with me in it. His side of the bed was still a little warm. I rubbed the spot and smiled. One thing I've learned about Carlos is that he likes to cuddle. I thought I was dreaming when I felt his arms wrap around me. He made all the stress from yesterday just fade away. I just met this man yesterday and I am already sleeping with him. Maybe I'm being a little too easy. But he felt like home, he made me feel safe and wanted. I have never met a man like Carlos. He was the strong and silent type, power just emitted from his stance. And the look in his eyes, he looks at you and only you. His attention doesn't wander. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, it's not like we are together.

I turned over to find the man on my conscious standing in the doorway. He most likely came from a run because he had on basketball shorts and nothing else. He padded softly towards the bed barefoot. The smell emitting from him were like pheromones. I could feel the blush rising in my cheeks. My heart pounding as he came closer. And when he stopped at my side of the bed I had to swallow what little saliva I had in my mouth when it went dry.

"Babe, where do you keep your towels?" I could only gawk up at him, his body even more unbelieve with the sun bouncing off his abs. My fingers inching to touch his skin.

I could only point to the closet next to the bathroom across the room. He walked away and I let out the breath I had been holding. It was a shame how often he took my breath away, no man should have the ability to do that.

I groaned and finally got up, walked to my closet. I felt the steam from the bathroom when Carlos walked out. I knew that if I turn around at that moment, that towel he had wrapped around his waist wouldn't deter me; it would make its way to the floor. I continued to my closet pulling out some black chino pants with the skinny ankle, a red slip camisole, and my red loafers. I speed walked to the bathroom, avoiding his dark eyes as they tracked every movement. The heat from his shower fizzing my curls. The deep breath I took did nothing to ease my nerves. I took a quick shower, the adjustable shower head coming in handy. I quickly got dressed and went looking for Carlos.

I found him in the office looking over the paper we left out overnight. He looked intimidating behind my desk, something I cannot manage to do. My cheeks still flushed from the shower, I saw his lips twitch. Somehow he knew what I had been doing in the shower. I mustered up all the courage I had and looked him in the eyes.

"Morning, how'd you sleep?"

"Best sleep in a while."

"Oh?" I walked around the desk and settle on the edge closer to him.

"We need to meet with my team so that we can go over the notes we compiled last night."

"Ok, what time are we meeting them?"

"They should be ready to meet in about an hour."

"Ok, I'll be ready. I just need to stop at the main house before we leave."

For the next thirty minutes, I made two copies of all the files. Just as a precaution, I've had one case where someone stole the physical evidence. But because I made digital copies and took photos we were able to use those and close the case. I've always thought that someone on the force was either bugging my office or waiting until I leave to come in and steal things. I'm starting to think there are some dirty cops working at the precinct. I don't think it's safe for me to work there anymore. After these past years of training I might have to give up on something I am finally proud of doing.

While Carlos put everything in his car, I walked up the back to my dad's house. My mind was racing and heart heavy with decisions. When I walked through the backdoor, my three boys were waiting for me. I was embraced, they surrounded me. I could feel some of the tension leave my body.

"Pumpkin" My dad stepped back but my brothers still held me.

"Pumpkin!" my twin brothers said and unison while squeezing me. I chuckled and bent down to squeeze them back.

"You're ok?" I guess he notice the makeup covering the dark circles, "You'll be careful today?" My dad gave me a serious expression.

"I will be dad, don't worry I'm in good hands." Even though you couldn't hear him, I noticed the moment he walked through the door. The strange thing about it is, I was developing some type of sense around him. My body tingled with awareness whenever he was around.

"Mr. Plum," his way of greeting my dad, then he looked down, "Boys."

Zaiden the braver of the twins walked up to Ranger, "Are you going to protect my sister?"

"Zaiden!" I couldn't believe he did that.

"What its simple question," he looked at me in exasperation then looked back at Carlos, "So are you?"

Carlos bends down to his level, "I will do everything in my power to protect your sister."

Sebastian feeling a little brave stood next to Zaiden, "Good."

"Alright boys leave your sister's friend alone." My dad guided them out the kitchen and into the living room.

"Don't you mean BOYFRIEND!" they laughed and ran away as I launched at them both. Those little rascals.

"So you ready to go." I was mentally trying to block out what happened a moment ago, like I said twin terrors.

We got the car and made our way toward downtown Trenton. The car ride was silent but it wasn't uncomfortable. More nerve wracking and panicky on my end, Carlos was in the zone. When we pulled up to a big grey building, he went around the back to the parking area. And a parking space that was conveniently stationed right next to the elevator for him.

Carlos shook his head, "Babe they look just like you."

"I know when they were little I received many looks and snide comments about being a teen mom, but they have some features of my step mom."

"Babe they look like what our kids would look like."

After that comment you could imagine what my face looked like. I watched him as he smoothly got out of the car without a care in the world. Meanwhile I was having a panic attack from his little comment. He's so smug, I could tell just from the little arch of his brow. I jumped out of the car after him when I noticed he was at the elevator holding the doors.

"Thank you."

The elevator ascended to the 3rd floor. The elevator opened to a dark corridor with almost blackish-blue walls with chrome décor. We walked along the hall until he stopped in front of conference room 3. When he opened the door, 3 men sat around a large table.

"Babe, this is Santos, Brown, and Tank."

"Nice to meet you guys."

They gave their nods, but the one called Santos leaped over a chair and stood in front of me.

"Babe?" he smirked at Carlos, "I'm going to call you beautiful and later you can call me oh god."

The next thing I knew Santos was held by his neck against the wall by Carlos.

Sorry for the late post. Never watched Game of Thrones and have been binge watching. Going to try post the next chapter soon.