Hello. Thank you-thank you for the reviews and comment.

I want to thank Siennese for doing me favour. I really appreciate it.

violet1429: Riley is a very good Agent that she forgets that she's more than her job. She joined the bureau when she's young and she hasn't really given herself time to date or discover romantic feelings. As the story progress so will Riley and her emotions. Yeah, Riley was checking Lucas out (if you know what I mean) because she thought he was already sleeping but Lucas wasn't really sleeping, he's a good actor, he can play dead and it'll be realistic 😜😜 besides I doubt anybody can sleep or not wake up when someone's touching you...well actually I know someone who I can guarantee that won't wake up no matter what! As for Lucas sleeping on the couch? Hmmm, like he would let an opportunity pass him by. What can I say? These two are a lot of work.

PART 21

She just got out of the powder room when she heard Nina talking to someone. Riley walked towards the living room.

The woman with Nina has her back to her but Riley can see that the woman is slender, probably couple of inches shorter than her if she took off her shoes. Paying closer attention, Riley can tell that the woman is of means; her clothes, shoes and purse a designer.

Just then Nina noticed her. "ma'am Riley."

The other woman turned to face Riley. "Hello. I'm Lala."

"Good morning Lala. I'm Riley."

"Is Lucas here?" Lala's tone was clipped.

"Yes ma'am. Wait here, I will go and wake him up... ma'am Riley is it okay if I go to your room to wake Sir Lucas?"

Riley forced a smile and tried distraction. "Nina can you please give Ms. Lala coffee? I'll go get Lucas."

Hurriedly she went back to her room to wake Lucas only to find him emerged from her bathroom, immaculately shaved and hair still damp.

"Hi. The bathroom's all yours, and I'll ask Nina to prepare breakfast."

"You have a guest."

His brows lifted. "Who?"

She said icily, "Your girlfriend." She paused, allowing that to sink in and then added, "Now, go out there and meet her. You may also want to explain to her why you slept in my room."

Quickly she picked up the phone and dialled Thor's number. "It's Riley," she said when he answered. "Can you come over?"

The shower didn't help calm Riley's nerves. Worked up she pulled out skinny jeans and a see-thru blouse with matching camisole and ran a cursory brush through her hair.

Riley heard a tap on her bedroom door and the soft turning of the door knob. Lucas gently pushed opened the door and let himself in.

"Please do come in," Riley said curtly.

He put a hand under her chin, surveying her critically. "I'm sorry about that."

She jerked her head away. "Sorry about barging into my room or sorry that you forgot to mention that you have a girlfriend?"

His mouth twisted sardonically. "Are you jealous?"

"Why should I be? It would have been nice if I'd known earlier, that's all. Besides who you date is none of my business."

Lucas grinned. Was there a hint of distaste in her tone? He suspected she didn't approve of Lala Young.

"Excuse me. Ma'am someone's here to see you."

…..

It was a long, endless, sleepless night. He'd paced the room off and on, and by the time the sun started to set, Thor felt as though he'd gone thirteen rounds in a heavyweight fight.

After dressing and downing a cup of strong black coffee, he dragged himself out of his motel.

Thor was parking his car in front of the building, and as he got off, the front door of the condo opened and out trooped three of Fudo's henchmen.

"I'm here for Fudo," he said, letting the car door slam behind him.

"He's busy," the man answered.

Thor shrugged. "I'll wait."

A man with a huge scar on his face folded his arms across his chest. "Maybe you should wait somewhere else."

"No. So if it's all right with you –", and his smile was predatory, antagonistic "—I'll just wait here until Fudo sees me."

Scarface's eyes narrowed. "Maybe you didn't hear me. He is busy."

Thor drew a deep breath. It'd been a long night. It seems that it'd be a long morning as well. "I'll wait."

The front door of the condo opened again and this time Fudo appeared.

"I want to talk to you." Thor said coldly.

Fudo stepped forward. "Talk."

Thor studied the line-up of Fudo's henchmen. "Stay away from Riley."

Fudo jammed his hands into his jean pockets. "I can't."

Thor nodded once, slow and thoughtful. "Let me get this right. You can't stay away from Riley?"

"That's right. I can't and won't stay away from Riley," Fudo answer. "If and when Riley wants to see me then it's up to her and not you."

…..

Thor winced as he shifted the ice pack around on his head when his phone rang. In pain, he picked it up.

"Can you come over?" asked Riley.

…..

Riley hadn't expected Thor so soon. "Hey."

"Hi." Thor looked drily at Lucas. "Morning."

"What in God's name happened to you?" With a horrific wave of dread Riley knew exactly whom Thor fought.

"When did this happen?" she demanded.

"Earlier," Thor answered roughly, the corner of his mouth split.

Riley couldn't even look at Thor. "You've been in a brawl this early? And FYI, the shades and cap doesn't help much."

Thor removed the cap and dragged a hand through his hair. "Look, this is nothing," he said.

"Really?" She interrupted, glancing down at her right hand and gingerly flexing her fingers into a tender fist. "Where's Fudo?" she croaked, taking a step closer to Thor and staring aghast at him.

"At his condo."

Riley shook her head in disbelief. "Is he dead?"

"No." Thor said, grimacing at her question.

"Good," she whispered, livid beyond measure. Her voice faded and she looked at Thor and Lucas, "My God, you're all out of your minds."

Her lips pursed. "Let's get you to the kitchen and get some ice on those bumps and bruises."

…..

Riley studied Thor, ice pack in hand. His forehead was shadowed with pink and purple. His hair is longer, definitely not combed.

"Congratulations, you'll end up with a brand new scar."

"I don't care."

"That's good then," she said, removing Thor's glasses and pressing the ice pack to his temple, furious all over again.

Thor reached up to wrap his hand around her wrist as she held the ice to his temple. "Riley, please go home."

"Stop it!" she snapped. "I feel like beating you and Fudo myself. You both can't tell me what to do!"

Thor shrugged wearily. "Why did you ask me to come over?"

Riley drew a breath and reached up to wipe away the blood trickling from a cut in his lips. "I need your help."

"How can I help you?"

Riley reached into her back pocket and pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Thor.

He took the paper and began reading thru the list. He scowled. As if he'd suddenly realized his emotions were showing; he'd shut them down.

Such precision, such control. Riley tried to focus and scold herself to stop noticing details about the man already. Though his eyes were unreadable, there was a new edge to his voice that threw her off.

"What the hell are you planning Riley?"

"Wow! You really are in a very cranky mood today. One would assume that after all the cuts and bruises you've recently received you'll be too weak to even raise an eyebrow, but noooo... here you are not only raising your eyebrows at me; you still have a lot of energy to yell."

Incredibly he began to laugh, throwing his head back so the muscles in his throat stood out like cords. Then he looked straight at her.

A prickle of unease scudded down her spine. She drew in a breath, her stomach dropping into freefall when her eyes met a steel-dark scrutiny.

Riley sighed. "Please. I give you my word that I won't go RAMBO on this. Thor will you help me?" She gave him the flirtiest smile she can muster.

The answer was so simple. Didn't she see? Thor looked at her in silence. She was – he knew this without a shadow of a doubt – the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He leaned forward and said with dangerous softness, "I will help you if you promise that you won't be seeing Fudo alone."

"Promise," she said sweetly.

Thor rubbed his neck, trying to get the tension out, "I'll call you in a couple of days," he said. "Try to stay away from trouble till then."