The flight to Brazil was long. Clayton hated long flights sitting coach, he was too tall for the seats, awkwardly standing up in the aircraft to gather his belongings.

The airport was busy as Clayton passed security, the amount of people flowing passed him was amazing. One or two people stared at him due to his height, something he had grown accustom too.

The heat hit him as he walked out of the airport. It was a wet heat, Clayton could feel it in his lungs. He thanked god that he had quit smoking a year ago, this would had killed him if he hadn't.

He scanned the crowd and saw Samuel, smiling with that cocky grin and a sign reading: senhor idiota

Clayton couldn't stop smiling as he greet Samuel with a hug.

"You took long enough" Samuel said as he grabbed Clayton's bag from his hand

"Yes a 25 hour flight with two stops is actually a short flight" Clayton said with a yawn, he was eager to have a shower and call Alice, he knew she would be wondering where he was in the world.

"Ruth and Danny will be here by Thursday I believe. They are enjoying the honeymoon period too much." Samuel cut in with a smile as they climbed into the jeep. Clayton hated jeeps, he missed his red truck. It was old but it managed and now in Alice's care.

He was tired as he rested his head against the headrest, "and you're not in the honeymoon stage with Celia? You have been spending a lot of time with that girl. What's the deal?"

Samuel stared at Clayton for a second before turning his attention on the road, pulling away from the curb, "She's a good girl, a little annoying. But I don't know, I'm not willing to give up the whores just yet. Don't tell Alice, since they are best friends and all. I'm pretty sure she will hurt me"

There was a short pause before Samuel continued, "I can't believe y'all engaged. I'm being push aside by a chick...only a few years your junior. Girls hearts' will be breaking all over the world now Clayton."

They laughed together, only a slight hint of awkward shuffle from Clayton as he repositioned himself within the car. He knew Samuel's game, love and leave, but it wasn't really his thing.

Not anymore.

He was trying the one girl thing, faithful, but it was going to be hard. Clayton had been single for six years now and use to pulling any girl he wanted, no matter who they were. Rich or poor and no matter where he was. Clayton had to admit though Brazilians did have the best asses in the world...and the French knew how to fuck too.

Shaking that dangerous thought out of his head, Clayton turned on his phone, a silver iPhone and very beat up with a cracked screen. He was pretty sure that he could crush it with one hand.

The thing buzzed. It was Alice, he smiled as he read it.

"Hey babe. Um hope the flight went well. I'm ok, just finished at school and just starting work. Call me when your free. No pressure. I love you. P.S. Thank you for the truck x"

He smiled like an idiot, his fiancée was keeping busy. He missed her. His Alice was different, she gave him purpose and made him want to change.

Clayton breathed, texting back

"Hello babe. I've arrived in Rio, Samuel picked me up from the airport. Very tired and hungry...not for food. Hope your behaving and thinking about the wedding. I'll call you later when I've slept."

Alice was quick with her reply he thought

"Ok babe, glad you're safe. I've started saving, picked up a few extra shifts, much to Celia's dismay. I've been checked out by the doctor, everything is fine. Expect a huge New Years wedding. I...we have 10 months to save. I've found a venue, it's called Alden Castle. I'll send you the link. I love you and will be thinking about you tonight."

Clayton smiled, all of this is worth it for her.

They drove quickly through the crowds, the signs of poverty very visual as the parked in the neighbourhood. The place was tiny, guarded with old iron gates. The smell of rubbish filled his nostrils.

This will do, Clayton though as he picked up his bags and walked up the steps with Samuel.

The house was simple and basic. Wooden floors and no tv, unlike Boston. Paper thin walls that he would hear the neighbours have a argument, and he was pretty sure that when Ruth and Danny arrived, he would hear their porno sexlife in the next bedroom.

He placed his bags on the bed and then laid down, once again the frame to small from his tall size that he feet hung off the end.

Clayton sighed, pulling himself up to find the shower which was located by the kitchen. Samuel was in his own room, he was talking to someone. The bathroom was small and in need of a clean Clayton thought. He was pretty sure that the former owners were drug addicts by the smell of bleach and cigarettes.

He changed quickly and climbed into the shower, and it felt amazing as the hot water rushed over him. Shit, he thought to himself. He had one month to find that prick, his future father-in-law. Clayton was pretty sure Fredrick was helping him in some way. It wouldn't surprise him if he was. He would start with Carlos tomorrow, his old friend, he was man to deal with when you needed something from the black market. He had information. Anything you needed, he had or knew where to get it.

Clayton was in the shower until it ran cold, he couldn't stop thinking about the Three Kings and their next move. They wanted Richard alive surely, but why target his illegitimate children, with Philip as the enforcer? It didn't make sense.

With that in his head, Clayton got out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist. He brushed his teeth, able to see the true damage of his life in the army and the years after. The scars all up his chest that were roughly stitched by Ruth...he knew she took pleasure from his pain.

She loved it.

Walking out of the bathroom, the place was quiet, Samuel was out, possibly, for the night. He is not sure how Alice dealt with being alone. He hated it, as he found some clothes for bed and quickly made a peanut butter sandwich, the only thing that was eatable in this whole house. He made a mental note to find some food tomorrow, Ruth wouldn't be able to handle a empty kitchen, she was great like that.

A true mother hen.

Clayton hated the quiet as he sat down on the old brown couch, the only sound of cars outside and loud neighbours. He quickly fired up the Apple Mac, gracefully paid for by the boss. Clayton began searching for leads on Mr. Richard Booth.

Within 20 minutes, Clayton was struggling with no sleep. He made his way back to the bedroom, not even bothering to pull the sheets over him because of the heat as he laid down. There was nothing on Mr Booth, no Facebook page, no records with online bankings, he was mostly paying everything with cash. Using a fake name, staying at 1 star hotels and hostels.

Clayton grunted in anger, he didn't like feeling three steps behind.

He managed to count to 48 before Clayton fell asleep and he only dreamed of Alice.

Clayton woke up a jolt, rolling over in the small bed with difficulty as he checked his phone. Two missed calls from Alice.

He dialed the number and she picked up within seconds.

"Hello" she whispered

Her voice was like heaven as he smiled

"Hello Miss Allie" he whispered, checking his clock. It was midnight back in Boston

She yawned, "Hey Mr Clayton", Alice sounded cute when she was half awake, Clayton thought.

"Honey. I don't want to wake you. But missed hearing your voice. It's so hot here"

Clayton said, hearing Alice giggle

"Maybe it could be a honeymoon?" Alice said

"Maybe babe. Look I'll call you later when it's morning and you're awake. I love you" Clayton whispered, trying not to be a little disappointed.

Alice whispered back, "ok babe. I'll call you later. Love you"

The phone went dead and Clayton was left alone in the hot darkness of Brazil.