William Regal was waiting in the reception area of his office early the next morning. It wasn't all that unusual for him to call in members of the support staff on a weekend. Sometimes cases began moving swiftly and their assistance was required. However, that wasn't the case today. He took a deep breath when he heard the door of the front office being unlocked. He was going to take satisfaction in what was coming, but he wasn't going to necessarily enjoy it.

The young woman happily smiled at him as she shut the door behind her. "Good morning, Mr. Regal."

"Ms. Morgan," William somberly nodded. "Thank you for coming in."

Liv Morgan's smile grew wider. "Oh, it's no problem."

"Actually, we do have a problem," Regal calmly spoke. "Don't bother to sit down. You won't be here that long." When Liv hesitated, then stopped at her desk, he continued. "A reporter named Wade Barret, who I'm ashamed to admit is a countryman of mine, was here yesterday asking about one of our clients. Mr. Moxley."

Regal saw the flash of surprise in her eyes before it was quickly masked.

"That's right," Liv nodded. "Ms. Bliss spoke with him."

"And you called him and broke client confidentiality," Regal sternly replied. He handed her a folder. "You do remember signing a confidentiality agreement, don't you?" When she took the folder but didn't open it, he added, "That is your signature, isn't it?"

Liv opened the folder, glanced at the paper inside, and nodded. "Yes, but I didn't break confidentiality. It must have been someone else."

Regal sighed. "As you were told when you were hired, a log is kept of every phone call received and made from every phone in this office. The news program that includes Mr. Barrett's reporting begins at 6:30pm. A call was placed to his cell phone at 6:17pm. From the phone on your desk."

Liv automatically glanced at the phone on her desk then straightened her shoulders. "Anyone could've used my phone."

Regal signed again. "Everyone in this building has a security badge that electronically records when they enter the building and when they leave. I've seen the security log for yesterday. Everyone in this office left yesterday between 5:08pm and 6:10pm. Except for you and I."

"I didn't say thing against Mr. Moxley," Liv quickly explained. "All I said was that he'd bought a building."

"I don't care if all you said was that he jaywalked!" Regal angrily exploded. "You say nothing about any of our clients! This was clearly and explicitly explained to you when you were hired. You have no excuse for this, Ms. Morgan!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Regal," Liv quietly spoke. "It won't happen again."

"I certainly hope not." Regal took a deep breath. "It certainly won't be happening here." He handed her an envelope. "Effective immediately, you are no longer employed in this office. Gather your personal belongings."

"You're firing me?" Liv burst out.

Regal raised an eyebrow. "You broke client confidentiality. Of course, I'm firing you." He turned to look at the office door when someone knocked. "Come in." He coldly smiled when a man entered the office. "Ah, Mr. Masters." He looked at Liv who hadn't moved. "This is Chris Masters, Assistant Head of Security. He's most kindly brought a box for any of your personal belongings. You will hand over your security badge to him as you leave." His voice deepened and grew colder. "You have five minutes."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Roman had just finished breakfast when his cell phone rang. He saw the name on the display and frowned. "William? Is there a problem?"

"Good morning, Roman," Regal sighed. "Not a problem for you, but a problem has arisen that I need to discuss with you and Mr. Moxley. Would the two of you be available right now? I can be there is about thirty minutes."

"Actually, we have a meeting at 10:30," Roman advised. "Since we'll be in the city, we can drop by your office around 9:30 if that works for you." He heard Regal sigh again.

"Of course, I'll see you then," Regal answered. "Thank you, Roman."

Roman stared at the phone for nearly a half minute after Regal hung up wondering what the hell was going on.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"What's all that stuff?" Mox asked as he met Roman in the garage.

"Heavy boxes," Jey grunted as he and Jimmy shoved the last box into the back of the SUV.

"We're making a stop at your building," Roman grinned as he lowered the hatch. "I got those boxes from Ben Dawson when he closed the business. They're his old business records. I figured you could use them in getting started." He nodded at the twins who walked away towards another SUV.

Mox scratched his chin. "Why would you keep Ben's business records? And why would you have them in the first place?"

"Part of my long-range plans," Roman cheerfully explained. "Step One. Clear your name and get you out of prison. Step two. Reopen the business. If that's what you wanted to do."

Mox stared at his brother for several seconds. "You know, there are times I think I'll never completely understand you," he softly spoke.

Roman chuckled. "No offense, but I've thought the same about you a couple of times." He turned and walked towards the driver's side of the SUV. "C'mon. We need to meet Regal and then drop these off."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Come in. Please have a seat." Regal motioned towards the conference table. "I would've been happy to drive out to speak with you."

Mox glanced at Roman who shrugged. "We need to be in the city anyway." He studied Regal for a few seconds. "What's the problem you mentioned?"

Regal took a deep breath. "I presume you heard that trash from Wade Barrett's broadcast yesterday evening?"

Mox fought back a grin, remembering Roman's seething anger.

Roman's face hardened. "Yeah." He glanced at Mox. "For some reason, I was way more angry about it than Mox."

Mox shrugged. "Until the cops have the person who murdered Renee Young and the others, people are going to talk."

"Yes, well…" Regal took a deep breath. "I'm ashamed to say the part about your purchase of a building came from this office. It was in inexcusable breath of client confidentiality and ethics. That person has been fired and will find it next to impossible to find employment anywhere that requires maintaining confidentiality."

Mox looked confused. "Why? The only people I know here are you and Alexa."

Roman held his breath, hoping Alexa hadn't betrayed his brother.

"She did it for money, I suppose," Regal shrugged. "It was the receptionist. Part of her duties was to log all paperwork into our computer systems to keep track of when paperwork is sent out and where. She saw the paperwork on your purchase and called Mr. Barrett." He coldly smiled. "She forgot that a log is kept of all phone calls. It was a simple matter to find that call which she stupidly made from the phone at her desk."

Regal straightened his shoulders. "I personally want to apologize for this breach of confidentiality. The young lady had been with me for nearly three years; and while she'd given me no cause to even consider she would do such a thing, it's still my responsibility to see that this doesn't happen."

"William, I can't speak for Mox, but you were my father's attorney," Roman spoke after a few seconds. "He had nothing but good things to say about you and your people. That's why I came to you about Mox."

"I appreciate you taking responsibility for this, but you're not responsible," Mox added. "She did it. She's responsible." He shrugged. "Sika trusted you. Roman trusts you. Everything you've done on my behalf has worked out." He shrugged again. "Shit happens. You clean it up and move on."

Roman coughed, amused at Mox's bluntness.

"Yes, well…that's most generous of you," Regal nodded. "I'm also going to take steps to make sure our next receptionist doesn't have access to such information." He stood and held out his hand to Mox. "Again, I apologize."

Mox stood and shook his hand. Then waited as Roman and Regal shook hands.

Regal escorted them out then sighed again. Now to call Alexa. That young lady wasn't going to be happy about what had occurred, but he wanted to be sure she was fully informed before her date with Moxley.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mox casually glanced around as they exited Roman's SUV. He saw Jimmy park a short distance away.

"Looks like Seth's already inside," Roman nodded towards the front window.

Mox nodded. "Roman, you still got someone watching over me when I go out?"

Roman paused and nodded. "Yeah. Is that a problem? I still think…"

"No, I understand why." Mox rubbed the back of his neck. "Just…might get a little…awkward." He inwardly signed as Roman patiently waited. "I got a date tonight."

"A date?" Roman's grey eyes widened in surprise. "Okay…I mean that's great!"

"It's just dinner," Mox grunted. "Nothing fancy. Real casual."

"I'll make sure whoever's got protection duty keeps it low-key," Roman promised. They began walking towards the Study Hall. "So…who is she?"

"Alexa Bliss." Mox opened the front door before Roman could reply. As he walked into the building ahead of Roman, he didn't see the wide grin on his brother's face.

Seth looked up from where he was sitting behind a counter serving as a reception desk. He quickly got to his feet with a smile. "Glad you could make it!" he greeted. He pulled coffee cups from a carryall. "You'll have to let me know what you think about the coffee. The Deli just got the coffee machine installed. And I didn't know how you like your coffee so I brought cream and sugar."

"Thanks, Seth," Roman smiled as he took one of the cups and opened the lid. He opened a sugar packet and put in a tiny bit of sugar. "This is Jon Moxley."

"Black's fine with me," Mox said. "Nice to meet you."

Seth paused. "I remember you. From high school." He saw Mox hesitate then exchange a look with Roman who casually walked away.

"That was a long time ago," Mox said, sipping the coffee. "Pretty good," he added.

"I never thanked you," Seth said, ignoring Mox's attempt to change the subject. "I should've. But…" he glanced to the floor. "Things with my Uncle were…strange at times."

Mox shrugged. "Gallows and Anderson weren't as tough as they thought they were. No big deal."

"It was to me," Seth firmly replied. "When you and Roman showed up at the bookstore to study, all I could do was make sure you had tutors if you needed them and whatever books would help you. And I wanted to say thank you for what you did, but…but I really didn't want Uncle John to know what was going on. He would've stormed down to the high school and…well, that would just have made things worse."

Mox nodded with a slight grin. "Roman's mother came to middle school one time. Raised holy hell because some teacher told Roman he couldn't share his lunch with me. She got reprimanded by the principal and then made my life a living hell until I got out of there."

"And I know we're not supposed to talk about what happened recently, but thank you for saving me again," Seth quietly spoke.

Mox finally stared at Seth. "You need to know the cops are still going to be on my back," he warned. "That broadcast of Barrett's last night isn't going to help. I guess you saw it." When Seth nodded, he stepped closer. "So why do you still want me doing this work? You gotta know people are gonna try to throw dirt on you because of me."

"Let them," Seth firmly answered, meeting Mox's eyes. "I'm not doing this out of some sense of obligation for what's happened in the past. I want you on this project because I know the quality of your work. If Ben Dawson taught you half of what he knew, then I'll have great furniture in here and not junk."

"And that'll make a difference?" Mox smirked.

Seth returned the smirk. "When you studying in the bookstore, how did you treat the tables and chairs? Did you slam your books down and put your feet on the table? Did you bang the heels of your boots against the chair legs?"

Mox grinned. "Your Uncle would've thrown my ass out if I had done any of that. But I get what you're saying." He set the coffee cup on the counter. "Show me around."

Seth grinned and walked both men through the building. Each subject would have its own classroom with no more than six students at a time.

"A desk for the instructor and two long tables for the students," Seth eagerly explained. "Oh, and with chairs."

Mox looked up from where he was scribbling in a small notebook. "No kidding, Rollins. I thought they'd be standing while they studied. You're gonna spoil those kids."

Roman choked back a snort when Seth chuckled. "Don't mind me. I'll just want out front."

He leaned against the wall and checked his phone while waiting. He glanced at the counter, hoping there was more coffee. It actually was pretty good. But Seth had only brought three cups. Mox's cup, however, was still sitting on the counter. Roman grabbed it and added a little sugar. It would be cold by the time Mox returned. No need to waste good coffee.

He'd just put the empty cup back onto the counter when he heard Mox and Seth's voices as they approached the front room.

"I've got an extra set of blueprints that you can have," Seth was saying.

Mox nodded. "Good. That'll save me having to measure all the rooms. What kind of wood and stain are you wanting?"

"Umm…whatever's in the bookstore?"

Mox shoved the small notebook in to the back pocket of his jeans. "Let's go look. I'll know what it is when I see it."

Roman proudly smiled and pushed himself away from the wall. "Coffee's really good, Seth."

Mox glanced at the counter, eyes narrowing when he realized all the cups were empty.

Seth grabbed the carryall and put all the cups into it. "Thanks. I'll let the guys in the Deli know."

"When is it opening?" Roman curiously asked as he took the carryall from Seth so he could lock the door.

"The Deli should open next week," Seth explained. "The Study Hall in a couple of weeks. Uncle John had ordered some prefab type of furniture that we can use for now. I also had the front windows of the Deli replaced and these should be replaced next week." He glanced at Mox. "I had a recommendation for that."

Mox nodded. "I'll get you a quote with pricing and delivery as soon as I can. I gotta set up business arrangements with some vendors."

Seth nodded as he pocketed the keys. "No problem. I'm willing to wait."

Seth led the way into the bookstore and waved at Finn. "Everything okay?"

Finn nodded with a wide grin. "Look at what we got!" He held up a book from a stack sitting on the counter. "Advance copy of R. S. Gyxx's next book!"

Seth took the book, noting the brightly colored cover. A young man stood on a rocky outcrop, his hair blown back by the wind. A red and gold dragon loomed behind him with a small child curled around one of the dragon's legs. "Nice," he commented. "How many copies did we get?"

"Six," Finn chuckled. "Usually your Uncle would only get four." He hesitated. "Both Xavier and I are fans so he'd give us each one."

Seth grinned and handed the book back to Finn. "Tell Xavier his copy is behind the counter." He walked around the put two copies behind the counter. "My old landlord has grandchildren who are fans so I'll send him one."

"Thanks!" Finn put another copy on a stand next to a sign that read 'pre-order now'.

"Put me down to pre-order one," Roman requested. "My daughter loves these books."

"Little Princess reads them?" Mox asked, eyeing the book cover.

"Bedtime story," Roman chuckled. "Edited for young ears."

"Here." Seth handed Roman a copy. "We only need one to promote the pre-order sales. I'll guess I'll read the other one."

Roman slowly glanced at Mox.

Mox's blue eyes widened slightly as he remembered Roman's words. "Wonder what he's writing now?"

"Thanks, Seth. I appreciate it," Roman said.

"Let me grab those blueprints." Seth headed down the hallway to the office. "Go ahead and look at the tables. Remember where the study area is?"

Mox grinned. "Oh, yeah. I remember."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

That evening, Mox waved at Roman as he walked towards the back of the house towards the garage. He stopped when he heard someone wolf whistle. Curious, he glanced into the kitchen and saw Naomi leaning against the island, grinning at him. "Looking sharp," she nodded. "Hot date?"

Mox glared at Roman who raised both hands in silent defense then went back to slicing a cucumber. "Didn't say a word."

"Roman didn't have to," Naomi stepped towards Mox. "Clean and pressed jeans. Pressed white shirt too." She glanced down at his feet. "Boots all nice and shiny." Then she leaned closer and sniffed. "And just a hint of cologne." She solemnly nodded. "Yep, hot date."

"It's not a hot date," Mox groaned. "Just a casual date."

Naomi hummed in amusement. She reached out and undid the top two buttons of Mox's shirt. "Now it's casual."

Mox looked at Roman who was trying hard not to laugh. "Okay, I'm outta here before anybody else comments." He spun around and walked towards the back door.

"Have fun," Roman called after him. He didn't have to look to know Mox had flipped him the bird.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Precisely at seven, Mox parked across the street from Alexa's apartment building. He quickly crossed the street then pressed the intercom button.

"Security."

"Uh…yeah, I'm here to pick up Alexa Bliss. Jon Moxley."

"One moment."

Mox absently swayed from side to side for a few seconds. Then he heard a crackle from the intercom.

"Mox? Are you downstairs?"

Mox grinned at hearing Alexa's voice. "Yeah, right outside."

"I'll be right down."

Mox silently gave Alexa props for choosing a building with decent security. A few minutes later, Alexa came out of the building and smiled at him.

Mox hesitated, unsure of how to greet her. Was a hug appropriate at this point? Would she be upset if he didn't hug her?

Alexa solved his problem by impulsively hugging him. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving!"

Mox grinned as he held her hand and got them across the street and into the SUV. He didn't see Alexa's slight frown as he pulled the vehicle away from the curb or that she kept watching the side mirror. Finally, she spoke. "Mox, I think someone's following us."

Mox's blue eyes flickered to the rearview mirror. He spotted Ali and Ricochet two cars back. "What makes you think so?"

"There were two guys in a car parked a short distance behind where you were parked," Alexa explained, her eyes still on the side mirror. "One of them was looking at you. Then they pulled out right after us and have been following since we left my place. They're in a dark grey Ford sedan. Nice-looking one, too."

Mox snickered under his breath. When Alexa looked at him in surprise, he grinned. "This is gonna be fun." He activated the phone control on the steering wheel. "Call Ali." Alexa heard a phone ringing over the speakers and a young man answer, "Hello."

"You guys got busted by a very keen-eyed young lady," Mox chuckled. "Two suspicious characters driving a nice-looking dark grey Ford sedan." He heard Ricochet groan, then Ali laughed.

"You're not going to rat us out, are you?" Ricochet pleaded. "Especially to the twins?"

"Depends on if we come to an equitable agreement." Mox winked at Alexa who'd started to grin. He heard Ali sigh.

"What do you want?"

"We're going to Sane's Sports Center," Mox explained. "Back off a little, okay? If we decide to go somewhere else, I'll let you know."

"Roman's gonna kill us," Ricochet muttered just loud enough to be heard.

"Deal," Ali quickly agreed. He hung up before Mox could put any additional conditions on their deal.

"Mr. Reigns has them following you?" Alexa asked with wide eyes.

Mox chuckled then nodded. "He wants somebody watching me who can corroborate any alibi I might need. As long as those murders are unsolved, I'm in their sights." He glanced at Alexa. "I guess I should've told you."

Alexa shook her head, hearing the hesitation in his voice. "No, I understand. It's not a problem. Mr. Reigns has a good point." She paused, then continued. "And I should tell you something as well." She saw Mox's shoulders tighten. "Since we're dating, I can't be your attorney."

"Why not?" Mox asked, clearly surprised.

Alexa sighed. "The Iowa Bar prohibits an attorney from representing a client if they're having a personal relationship. I mean, beyond that of friendship. Since we're dating which implies a potential sexual relationship…" She glanced at Mox who was coughing. "Then it's best to err on the side of caution and step away as your attorney. But if you'd prefer I remain as your attorney, then we don't have…"

"No!" Mox interrupted. "I mean.." He took a deep breath.

Alexa nodded. "I'd like to see where this goes as well. So, Mr. Regal will be your attorney of record for now." She glanced at him. "I'm sorry."

"I should be the one who's sorry," Mox admitted. Then he grinned. "But I'm glad you made this decision." He paused, then continued, "I guess we should get everything on the table. Did Regal call you today?"

Alexa grimly nodded. "I can't believe she sat there are innocent looking while I was talking with that slimebag Barrett. Then turned around and told him about your building." She snorted. "Liv Morgan considered herself God's Greatest Gift to men. I think Mr. Regal was the only man in the office immune to her so-called charms. There wasn't a woman in that office who wouldn't have cheerfully kicked her down the stairs."

Mox chuckled. "To be honest, I couldn't tell you what she looked like."

Alexa stared at him then nodded in silent satisfaction.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Samoa Joe smiled as he paused inside the door of Sane's Sports Center. He spotted Lin's granddaughter, Kairi, behind the counter. The young woman watched him approach with a wary smile.

"Hello, Kairi," Joe genially smiled. "How are things with you?"

"Pretty good," Kairi admitted. "Classes are hard but…" She shrugged. "My grandmother is in the office speaking with one of the vendors."

"How is your grandfather?" Joe gently asked.

"He's no better," Kairi bitterly replied. "He will never be any better. No matter what my grandmother thinks."

"Your grandmother thinks of her husband with her heart. With love," Joe kindly said.

Kairi looked at him with narrowed eyes. "My grandmother told you about that man. Mizanin." When Joe nodded, she leaned closer and hissed, "And then he died." When Joe started to speak, she held up her hand. "I'm not a fool."

"I never thought you were," Joe quietly answered. "Yes, your grandmother told me about him. I told her I would have a conversation with him. But I didn't kill him and no one that I know killed him." He almost smiled at the sarcastic look she threw at him. "I would never lie to you, Kairi. I might not answer a question, but I would not lie. His murder is not because of me or my associates."

Kairi stared at him for a few moments then curtly nodded. "My grandmother should be out shortly."

"I didn't stop by to talk with her although I would have if she'd been out here," Joe admitted. "I was in the neighborhood and stopped by to get a couple of hot dogs to go."

Kairi nodded and quickly fixed his food. She attempted to wave away his money.

"I insist," Joe said, placing a twenty on the counter. "Accepting food as a gift from your grandmother is one thing. You and I aren't at that point yet." He smiled and stepped away. "Put the change in the tip jar." He nodded to her and walked out.

As Kairi put the money into the tip jar, she watched him walk away. 'Yet?'

In the parking lot, Joe settled into his car and started eating his hot dogs. He'd almost finished the second when he saw a familiar SUV drive into the parking lot and pull into a spot close to the door. He watched as Mox got out of the vehicle and walked around to open the passenger door. He began chuckling when Alexa Bliss got out and the two of them entered Sane's Sports Center.

"Well, well, well…what do you know?" Joe grinning, wondering how he much he could tease Mox before Roman interfered…or Mox blew up. Then he saw a familiar grey Ford pull into a parking spot close to his. He waited but no one got out. Curious, he got out of his SUV and walked over to see Ricochet and Ali in the car. Ali grinned as Ricochet waved from the driver's seat, cellphone held to his ear. He walked to the passenger side as Ali rolled down the window.

"We got spotted by Mox's date," Ali grumbled. "Mox promised not to tell the twins if we backed off a little while he's with his date."

Ricochet finished his call and glanced at Joe who looked amused. "Got a couple of guys coming. They'll go in and keep an eye on Mox and his lady. Mox has never seen them so he won't know they're there." He took a closer look at Joe and sighed. "We'll tell Roman about this. So there's really no need for you to tell the twins."

Joe paused, then spoke. "You know. I've a hankering for the lamb dish you prepared not long ago, Ali. You plan on making it again?"

"I guess I am now," Ali grumbled.

Joe looked past him to Ricochet. "And that marshmellow fruit salad was certainly tasty."

Ricochet nodded and waved a hand at him. "Done."

Joe smiled and nodded. "See you later, gentlemen. Enjoy your evening."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Two hot dogs. Nachos. Half of his French fries. All washed down with a soda. For a small woman, Alexa certainly packed away the food. She also decisively beat him at miniature golf. He got revenge at the batting cages. And she got her revenge at SkeeBall. By the end of the evening, Mox was more relaxed than he could ever remember. And he'd laughed more than he had in years.

As they were leaving Sane's Sports Center, he called Ali. "I'm taking her home."

"We'll be a discrete distance," Ali promised.

Mox groaned and disconnected the call. He shoved the phone in his back pocket and unlocked the SUV door for Alexa.

Ricochet called his people in the Sports Center. "Wait five minutes then you guys are off the clock."

"I had so much fun," Alexa said as Mox drove her home. "We'll have to do that again."

"Yeah," Mox nodded. He felt his body tensing up and a feeling of sadness. "I had a lot of fun, too."

"I'm gonna have to really exercise hard tomorrow to work off those calories, but…" Alexa shrugged. "Sometimes you just gotta indulge, you know."

"Sure do," Mox absently agreed. He stayed mostly silent until he parked across the street from Alexa's building. He turned off the engine then gripped the steering wheel hard.

"Mox?"

He heard Alexa's soft voice and shook his head. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. Then he heard Alexa unlocking her seat belt and felt her slide closer to him. To his horror, he felt her fingers wipe tears from his face.

"It's okay," Alexa murmured as she slid her arms around his shoulders. She gently put her head on his shoulder and continued, "Whatever it is."

Mox took several deep breaths. "When I first got to prison, I'd dream of this. Taking someone out on a date. Having fun. Sometimes to a ball game. Sometimes to the movies. Or whatever. Then I'd wake up in that prison cell and realize that was going to be my life until the day I died. And it would hurt…so much. So, I stopped dreaming. I think I would've gone insane if I hadn't stopped dreaming."

Mox opened his eyes and barely kissed the top of Alexa's head. "Then tonight was so much damn fun. Like the past five years of my life never happened." He glanced across the street at Alexa's apartment building. "And now, the date's over; and it's like I'm waking up in prison again. The dream's over."

"No, it's not," Alexa firmly answered, looking up at her. "I told you. I want to see where this relationship goes. And I hope you want that, too."

Mox looked down into her eyes. "I want that," he promised. "But I come with a lot of baggage, sweetheart."

Alexa sadly smiled. "So do I," she admitted. "Tonight was one night I didn't care how much I ate or what I ate." She took a deep breath. "My mother was obsessed with being thin. She couldn't tolerate any of her children not being thin. She and my sisters were tall and elegant. Then there was me…the short one. And the second I hit puberty, I started putting on weight. So, I started making myself throw up. And not eating until I was so hungry that I'd binge. And the cycle would continue. My high school guidance counselor got me into therapy, and I managed to break the cycle. But I still find myself being critical of what I eat. Except for tonight. I was having so much fun, I didn't care." She suddenly grinned. "Even though I'll be at the gym longer tomorrow than usual."

"Takes a strong person to break that kind of abusive cycle," Mox quietly spoke. "I may not have the right to say it, but I'm proud of you."

Alexa took a deep breath. "That means a lot." She leaned forward and gently kissed him on the cheek. "Walk me to the door?"

Mox silently nodded and got out of the SUV. He held Alexa's hand as they slowly crossed the street. At the door, they hesitated.

"Would you like to go to the movies and dinner next Friday?" Mox hesitantly asked. "I know it's probably hard for you to go out during the week what with your work and all. And I gotta get things rolling on my business. If Friday's not good then…"

Alexa put her fingers against his lips. "Friday is great. If something comes up, we'll go on Saturday."

Mox grinned. When she moved her fingers, he added, "You pick the movie."

"Might be a chick flick," Alexa warned with a laugh.

"I don't care. I haven't seen a movie in years."

"Text me when you get home," Alexa said. "I know you've got an escort of sorts but…"

Mox nodded. "And you text me when you're in your apartment. I know this is a secured building but…"

Alexa grinned. "Deal."

Mox watched as she keyed herself into the building. He waved when she turned and waved to him. Then he turned and walked back to the SUV, taking deep breaths. For the first time in a long time, he felt no fear as he moved into deep waters.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Roman looked up as Aleister joined him in the library. He silently motioned for Aleister to join him on the couch.

"The target is scheduled to be transported across the river for a court appearance," Aleister quietly spoke. "As usual, he will be accompanied by two guards who are paid by him to do him favors and look the other way when required. My sources tell me that an unusual route from the prison to a safehouse is planned because of concerns that he might be prevented from testifying."

Roman nodded. "The date is confirmed?"

Aleister nodded and patiently waited for what he knew was coming.

Roman silently recalled the information that Aleister had provided. All the instances where Mox had been assaulted. All the times he'd been in the prison infirmary. He knew his brother was a stubborn man and wouldn't have backed down. Five years of near constant warfare to just stay alive. "Select a team," Roman finally spoke. "I'll lead it."

"No, you won't."

Roman glared at Aleister.

"You want vengeance. I understand and agree," Aleister calmly nodded. "But if something should go wrong, and there's a chance that it will, you cannot be involved."

"It's about family," Roman snarled.

"Yes, it is," Aleister softly spoke. "But your family is more than Mox. It's also your wife. Your daughter. The people here. All the people of the Bloodline who depend on you." He paused. "This is one of those decisions you told me to challenge. Your decision to be there is being made on emotion."

Angrily, Roman stood and walked to stare out the window into the darkness. "Who is he testifying against?"

Aleister coldly smiled. "A member of the Authority. Mid-level. They've made a deal with him so his testimony will be flawed."

Roman was silent for several minutes. Then he quietly spoke. "I want him to suffer every injury that Mox suffered. The two guards are to be eliminated quickly. But he is to suffer. Leave evidence that will lead to the Authority."

"I'll see to it personally," Aleister promised as he got to his feet. He was almost to the door when Roman spoke again.

"Thank you, Aleister."

Aleister silently nodded to Roman even though Roman wasn't looking at him.

'It will have to be enough,' Roman silently told himself. But deep in his heart, he knew it wasn't.