When Jacob and Leon returned to the loft, a woman was sitting on the couch in main living area, reclining against the cushions. She glanced at Leon before giving Jacob a small smile. "Made a new friend, Lee?"

"This is Jacob." Leon opened the refrigerator and got a bottle of beer, handing one to Jacob as well. "Want a water, Syd?"

"Thanks." She said, catching the bottle he tossed to her with ease. Instead of taking a drink, she put it down on the table next to her. "You didn't answer my question though."

"He's gonna be staying here for a little bit." Leon shot a look at Jacob, who had stayed quiet during the exchange.

"If it's not a problem. I'd hate to impose." Jacob finally spoke.

"He's British?" Sydney still hadn't spoken to Jacob. "You do have a thing for the foreign boys."

Rolling his eyes, Leon took another drink of his beer, glaring at the intercom as it buzzed. "Logan again?"

"He's coming to make sure everything is set up for the party tonight." Sydney got up and pressed a button on the intercom, allowing Logan to come upstairs. "Will you two be joining us?"

"Will the stuffed shirt be there?"

"Leon." Her tone was cautious as she crossed the room to him and took his hand. "Please? You can use the house in the country for a romantic night for you and Jake."

"Jacob." Both men corrected at the same time. It was Jacob who spoke next. "And while I can appreciate Leon's looks, he and I are not romantically involved."

"Sydney." A voice interrupted. Jacob looked over and saw a face he knew too well.

"Starrick." He growled under his breath, moving towards his enemy when Leon grabbed his arm. He glared at his new friend with murder in his eyes. "Let me go."

Sydney and Starrick were moving away from him, with Starrick doing most of the talking as Sydney listened intently. He had no idea how Starrick had survived and he didn't particularly care as long as he killed him and he stayed dead this time. Leon pulled on Jacob's arm. "What's your problem?"

"That's Starrick." Jacob pointed at the mustached gentleman. "What the hell is he doing here?"

"Starrick? From the game?"

"Yes. Do pay attention." Pulling his arm free, Jacob huffed. "What is he doing here?"

"I don't know. He's been Syd's manager since the beginning of her career. He owns, like, every big entertainment company there is right now." Leon glanced at the man and his best friend. "If he's here, is Syd in danger?"

"I don't know. But I do know that if Starrick is here, there's a reason and we need to find it. In the meantime, keep her away from him."

"I can't. He could ruin her career." Leon's concern broke for a second as he had an idea. "You. You could be her bodyguard. You could keep an eye on Starrick and keep her safe."

Jacob agreed with a nod, watching Starrick carefully. He didn't know why he was here, didn't know why he chose this girl but he would figure it out. He watched as they paraded the apartment, Starrick directing workers as they arrived. Leon couldn't take the stress of watching Jacob glare at his best friend and pulled him back into his room.

"Remind me why your friend needs managing?" Jacob asked. "Or a body guard for that matter?"

"She's a singer." Leon replied, picking up a few trinkets on his desk. "She's a beauty influencer as well. Logan is the one who brought to her to the spotlight and he's been her manager ever since."

"When did that happen?"

"Um, I think 4 years ago. She and I have been friends since we were little though."

"What about you? What do you do, exactly?"

"In a nut shell, I do tech. I handle computers, electronics, phones, that kind of thing." Leon tossed a small glass globe from hand to hand nervously. "Look, if Logan really is Starrick and he's up to something, please keep her safe. She's my best friend."

Jacob nodded in agreement. Tonight at the party, he'd find out why Starrick was here.

-0-

Sydney was a perfect hostess, greeting her guests with a smile as each one entered the loft. Jacob watched her carefully from the corner, arms folded across his chest as he leaned against the wall, only half listening to what Leon was saying. She was a social butterfly, offering smiles and hugs to people she knew, making sure everyone had a drink but he noticed she didn't partake unless Starrick persuaded her. Small sips from a glass every now and then kept him happy, it seemed. Starrick kept one hand on the small of her back, his black gloves were like ink against the yellow fabric of her dress, which was scandalously tight against her body. Leon had explained that styles had changed drastically since his time, but even so, this was more than he expected. Starrick had kept most of his personal style but it seemed to be modernized. A black suit with a white shirt and black gloves and his ridiculous mustache. When he finally killed Starrick, that would be the first thing to go. Realizing he had been lost in his thoughts, he looked around, not finding Sydney or Starrick. He moved across the floor, squeezing past people and listening intently for her voice. Starrick was in a room, talking to several older gentlemen, making them laugh with a comment Jacob didn't care to hear. He continued his search until he found her on the roof, alone and looking at the buildings in the distance.

"It's bad manners for a hostess to disappear during her own party." Jacob teased, approaching her. Sydney had her arms wrapped around herself gently, staring at the sky. At the sound of his voice, she looked at him and smiled.

"I'm sure Logan can keep them happy. He was always better at pleasing the people than me." She looked back at the sky. "He's forever the business man."

She shivered slightly, and he glanced around for something to cover her with. He found a chair with a blanket draped over it and retrieved the fabric, wrapping it around her shoulders. She smiled at him again, clutching the blanket around her. "I didn't mean to pull you away from the party. I just needed a few minutes."

"Where you go, I go." Jacob said simply. "Leon hired me to protect you."

"He worries too much."

"He's right to worry. Starr-I mean, Logan is dangerous."

"What do you mean?" Sydney's eyes furrowed in confusion.

"Ah, here you are sweetheart." Starrick's voice interrupted the conversation. "Leon is looking for you."

"I'd better go ease his worries." Sydney handed the blanket back to Jacob. "Thank you, Jacob."

He nodded once with a lopsided smile. Starrick gave Sydney a kiss on the cheek and said, "I'll join you in a moment, Sydney. I'd like to have a word with your bodyguard."

He waited until Sydney disappeared before speaking. "What an unpleasant surprise to find you here, Mr Frye."

"Funny. I was going to say the same thing, Starrick." Jacob snarled. "What do you want with the girl?"

"I'm a business man. In this day and age, beauty and talent are held in high regard. Sydney is extraordinarily talented. It's all business."

"How did you live?"

"I'm not one to divulge every secret, Jacob. You know that." Starrick stood close to Jacob, his breath on Jacob's face and held his gaze. "I'll warn you once, young Mr. Frye. If you interfere with my plans, I will kill you."

"What makes you think you'll be able to? You couldn't before."

"That was always your problem. You underestimate your opponents. Enjoy your evening, Jacob. Stay away from Sydney."

"No."

"You're playing with fire, boy." Starrick snarled, fuming as he glared at him.

"I always found arson a particularly interesting hobby." Jacob quipped.

"Logan?" Sydney's voice called up to the roof. "Are you coming?"

"I'll be there momentarily." He called back. "Be smart, Mr. Frye. Find something else to fixate on."

Starrick turned and walked away, disappearing from view. Jacob didn't know how Starrick was here, but he knew he wasn't going to leave Sydney alone with him. Once he got back inside the party, he found Leon. "We need to end this party."

"Why?"

"We need to get Starrick away from Sydney."

Leon didn't need any more explanation and handed Jacob shots of alcohol. "Start drinking these."

"Why?" It was Jacob's turn to question Leon.

"Sydney can't help but take care of a sick person. You drink enough of this and you'll get sick."

"No, thank you. Think of something else."

"What would you suggest?" Leon asked, starting to get frustrated.

Jacob looked at Starrick, who smirked at him gleefully before turning his attention back to Sydney. "I never thought I'd say this but I think I have to wait."

"I'll arrange for you to take her to the country house for a few weeks for 'relaxation'. She goes every six months or so to clear her mind before she goes on tour. She can go early this time. It gets her away from Starrick at least."

"That will work."

A/N: I want to say thank you to those of you who have favorited/followed this story. I really appreciate it guys! If you like what you're reading, please leave a review. I love all of you guys!