"Hit me with your best shot," Lyle repeated cockily knowing she would never shoot him. Afterall, he was her brother, although his heart raced rapidly as he stared at the end of the barrel.

A heart was designed for love. Miss Parker glanced at Jarod's bedroom eyes that she so adored, recalled the night of his smiles which captivated her heart, remembered his forbidden embrace and the electrifying sensation that flowed throughout her body when she felt him in her.

She then returned her look to Lyle and felt nothing, but the emptiness of a cold heart for him. Miss Parker pointed her gun unmercifully. She spoke in her throaty voice.

"Jar, please step aside. I really don't want to miss and accidently shoot you."

Jarod stepped back, joined her at her side as she held her Smith and Wesson steadily at her sibling.

"Parker, put the gun down. You don't want murder on your hands, do you?" Jarod gently rested his hand on her shoulder and spoke slowly.

"Yeah sis, listen to yours truly. I should have known you were sleeping with the enemy," Lyle laughed a cynical laugh. "Serving him tonight is the least of your troubles.

Jarod shook his head, dropped his hand to his side.

"You think I won't use this on you, huh." She waved the gun at him.

"Okay, okay. I'm your brother," he pleaded. "Jarod, do something!" Lyle sounded desperate.

"Beg, you little weasel. Beg, for your rotten life. You son of a bitch."

"Wait until daddy comes home!" He hollered like a child.

"Don't you know how to ever shut up, Lyle?" Jarod intervened.

"Oh, but, you'll be dead by then, brother dearest. I'll throw your body into the incinerator."

Lyle finally quieted down. He knew Parker would do exactly what she threatened him. She was his sister. They both thought alike.

"Parker, don't." Jarod whispered.

"Shit...shit...shit!" She yelled out and lowered her gun. "Turn your sorry ass around and walk back where you came from."

Lyle hesitated, unsure if Miss Parker would actually blast him to kingdom come.

"Now!" She yelled as she shoved her weapon back into the inside pocket of her coat.

Lyle grabbed his gun from the ground, scurried away and never looked back. Jarod looked annoyed as he sat behind the wheel of his car as Miss Parker slid next to him.

"I've missed you," she told him as she lightly touched his bruised face. He cringed slightly and moved her hand away.

"What?" Miss Parker asked. A knife could easily have cut the tension between them.

"Why the hell did you do that? What possessed you to do such a stupid thing?"

"What?" She snapped. "Let him go? You wanted me to stuff him in the back of your trunk?"

"No. Why'd you turn the gun on Lyle instead of on me?"

"Did that punch on your face knocked off your senses? What exactly did you want me to do? Shoot you?"

"You could have brought me in, I could have escaped. I did it once, I could have done it again." He clenched his teeth as he spoke.

"Excuse me? A simple thank you would suffice for saving your life," she hissed. "I'll remember to shoot you the next time."

"You think Lyle's going to forget about what just happened?"

"Then, you should have let me shoot him. I could have killed him. I should have killed that bastard!"

"And what would I have done if they locked you up for murder?" He yelled. "You're on the run with me now, Parker." He swore softly.

"Look, why don't I just leave. You can play your cat and mouse game with Lyle. Has it ever occurred to you why I never caught you, shot you or whatever! I could have brought you back to The Centre that first year you were gone!"

"And why didn't you? If you had returned me to them, you would have been free to leave that damn organization! I was assigned to you."

"Yes," she spoke in barely a whisper. "The deal was to bring you back and I'm out of there. That would have been the end of everything. You've been a part of my life for so long, I couldn't see going on without you."

Jarod was silent for a few minutes, then buckled his seat belt, suggestive she do the same as he started the engine. She fumbled with it when he reached over and latched it for her.

"Me, too," he stroked her face. "We're going to my house."

"You have a house?" Miss Parker asked in a surprised tone.

"What'd you think? I slept in a cardboard box?" He took hold of her hand, brought it to his lips to suck it gently.

It never stopped raining that day. Perhaps the capacity to cry for even one tormented soul was for the heavens. You fold yourselves to peaceful darkness at the end of every weary day and find those gentle words.

"I love you, Parker."

Miss Parker felt his closeness and wanted more. The things people would do for love. Relationships can be so fragile, human beings aren't machines, they have souls. You can leash hidden desires. You can't convince someone to do anything they wouldn't want to do or say anything they wouldn't want to say.

"I love you, too."

Jarod ran his hand through her hair, then covered her mouth with his. With embraced bodies, their passion carried them away unto an endless journey. She was in ecstasy as they were once again joined in unity. He breathed into her and awakened what was once a closed heart. She moved with such grace and tenderness that his moans drowned out her cries of pleasure. He was on fire.

Love is a very fragile thing. One sudden gust of wind, it can be blown away and your life changes forever.

TBC - Chapter 4