The next morning, Lynn cleaned her apartment, which only consisted of picking up a sweater she had thrown on the couch and it slipped to the floor. A few pieces of dog food that Rain had spilled from her dog bowl.
Hearing two knocks, she looked at the door before walking over and looking through the peep hole. Seeing him standing there in casual jeans and a tshirt. He looked down each hall before the door opened. He smiled when he saw her.
"Hi", he said.
She returned the smile.
"Hello. Come in", she said.
He nodded and walked in. He caught the scent of pine trees and fresh snow. Spotting a candle burning on the coffee table. It wasn't a big apartment, but he knew she didn't need it. It was just herself and her little dog.
"I know its not the biggest place, well not compared to your mansion, but its home for me", she said behind him.
He turned to look at her.
"Its fine. It fits you", he replied.
She passed him and went to sit down. He followed, before she quickly shot up from her seat, making him stand again.
"Sorry, would you like something to drink?", she asked.
"Oh, no. I'm fine, Lynn", he said.
She nodded and sat. Rain jumped up and laid beside her leg. Lynn scratched her tiny head.
"So what's with the visit? I don't mind", she said.
"I have a proposition for you", he said, resting his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward a bit.
She tilted her head.
"And it is?", she asked.
"You can help me find my family's murder, if and only if you come back with me to Earth 25", he said.
"I can't just pick up and leave. I have a life here as you can see.", she said.
"You just finished telling me that you have been having writers block. You write stories about my home and winter romances. Maybe coming with me will inspire you to write again. This way we both win.", Hunter said.
She bit her lip.
"I will also pay you for your time and help. You will have access to the best information money can buy. You will also have your own room in my mansion and you'll be guarded very well. No harm will come to you, Lynn", Hunter said.
"Can I bring Rain?", she asked.
Hunter smiled and looked at the tiny dog that just lifted her head at the sound of her name.
"Of course you can. Forest would enjoy some company as well", Hunter said.
"Okay, I'll help you", she said, standing and holding her hand out to him.
He stood and took her hand, shaking it. Her skin was warm and soft. She couldn't help but feel a certain way when she took his hand. It was rough and callused. Years of hard work those hands put in. Even though he was a king, he still put his part in to help his people. Even if he had to get dirty to do so. Then her mind drifted to how those hands would feel against her body as they made love.
He let go of her hand, and she shook her head. Where had those thoughts come from? She shouldn't have been looking at him this way.
"Pack up as much as you would like to take. My men will move everything for you.", Hunter said.
She nodded.
"What about my family? Can they know?", she asked.
"They can, just not why", he said.
She nodded.
"Thank you for agreeing to this. You don't know how much this means to me.", he said.
She smiled.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow with my advisor, but I will see you in the Emerald Region in a few days. My personal general will see to it that you get there safely.", he said.
She nodded. He took her hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing it. Their eyes meeting.
"I look forward to seeing you again, Lynn", he said.
"Likewise", she replied.
She watched him walk down the hall before disappearing from her view. She sighed, closing her door.
"What am I doing?", she asked herself.
Rain barked. She looked down at the tiny dog who was wagging her tail.
"Don't give me that look. We are strictly going for information and to help me get rid of this writers block", Lynn said.
Rain tilted her head before walking away.
Hunter got back just as his men and Shawn were packing up to leave.
"So how did it go?", Shawn asked.
"Fine. She agreed", he replied.
"Good. I can find her a house or an apartment where she would feel comfortable", Shawn said.
"No. I need her close to me just in case. She would be better protected in my house. Have Alicia get a room ready on the third floor. She can have that floor to herself. She'll need space to think and write", Hunter said.
Shawn raised a brow.
"Don't you start", Hunter said.
Shawn held his hands up.
"Hey I didn't say a thing. If you think this is what's best, fine", Shawn said.
Hunter nodded.
"You're right. She'll have plenty of space to write and think. Also be alone with you, very alone", Shawn said, winking.
Hunter chuckled and shook his head at his friend.
"You know what, maybe its time we find you someone as well. Maybe you'll stop focusing on me so much", Hunter said.
"Topic dropped", Shawn said, before walking away.
"Yeah, thought so", Hunter shouted after him.
The movers had sent her a message, giving her a deadline to have her things packed. They would be coming at the end of the week.
"So you just agreed to go with him?", Liam asked as he wrapped the glass items in newspaper before storing them in the box that said fragile.
"Yeah. You know how bad my writers block has gotten. Maybe a change of scenery will help, especially a scenery that I describe in my books. I need this, Liam", Lynn said.
"And what does he get in return? I'm sure you didn't just go up to him and ask him if you can tag along. What does he want?", Liam asked.
She had to think of something. She had promised Hunter she wouldn't tell them why she was really going. She shrugged.
"His wife was a fan of my books. He said that I can stay with him, if and only if I use his wife's name as the main character. I agreed", Lynn said.
She watched her brother and it looked like he bought it.
"His wife died?", JoJo asked.
Lynn nodded.
"Yeah. Also his two little girls, in the same accident", she said.
"I think that's sweet of you to do Lynn. Use his wife's name", JoJo said.
Lynn nodded.
"Wait, he's that king?", Liam asked.
JoJo looked at him.
"What king?", she asked.
"The one who's wife and daughters were killed in a car accident. They were taking a trip or something. I think the cops said she had fallen asleep behind the wheel", Liam said.
Lynn took that into account, reminding herself to look into it.
"When was this?", JoJo asked.
"A few years ago.", Liam answered.
JoJo couldn't help but wonder if Bray had something to do with it. This is what he specialized in.
"Do you know the exact date?", she asked, needing to know.
"No. Why?", he asked.
"Just curious. I hadn't heard about it", she replied.
He nodded, accepting her answer.
"Can we come visit you?", JoJo asked.
"Maybe. I'll ask him. I don't want to say yes and he gets irritated with me. I mean, it is still his house", Lynn said.
JoJo nodded.
Getting home after helping Lynn. JoJo excused herself to the bathroom. Liam was going to order in for them. Before she knew what she was doing, she was dialing Bray. He answered, but didn't say anything.
"Did you do it?", she asked.
Silence before he finally spoke.
"Do what? I did a lot of things, JoJo", he replied.
She swallowed.
"Did you kill the Queen of Emerald region?", she asked.
"Yes", he answered.
She thought he would have lied to her or said it was none of her business. Those were his usual answers when she would ask when they were together.
"And his kids?", her voice was barely a whisper, but he heard her.
He closed his eyes.
"Yes", he replied.
"So when you said you were taking a trip. It was to murder them. Innocent people", her voice cracked.
"Yes", he replied again.
"Why? They did nothing wrong. Those were kids, Bray", she cried.
"Its my job, JoJo. I had an order and I completed it.", Bray responded.
She shook her head and ended the call. She was about to walk out of the bathroom, when he called back. She hesitated before answering it. Not saying a word.
"You made me human, Jo. This has been my job since I was fifteen, it was all I knew. Then you came into my life and things changed. I couldn't pull the trigger when time came. My brother did it. When I came home after that, I watched you sleep. I felt sick to my stomach because that could have been you. I would be in his position right now.", he said.
Feelings she thought she had buried long ago, came surfacing to the top.
"Then you left me and I became this hallow shell. If you want to turn me in that's fine, but just me. Leave my brother out of this", Bray said.
"I won't say anything", she replied.
"Jo", she didn't let him finish.
Turning her phone off, Liam knocked.
"Hey, food should be here any minute", he called.
"I'll be right out", she replied.
Lynn handed her apartment keys to the landlord. Rain in her arms as the moving trucks were getting set to leave. A black suv pulled up next to her. A well built man got out of the driver side and walked over to her.
"I'm Emerald General, John Cena. I have orders from the king to pick you up and take you to him.", John said, opening the back door for her.
"I'm Lynn. Its nice to meet you, John.", she said.
He smiled and sent a small nod her way. Once she was in, he closed the door behind her. She buckled in as he got into the driver side.
"Need to stop anywhere ma'am before we continue home?", he asked.
Home. Emerald region would be her home for a long while. She had to get use to that.
"No", she replied.
He nodded.
"If you need to stop for any reason, let me know.", he replied.
She nodded.