"There you are," I said as I entered Angel's study, later the next morning.

He smiled and rose to meet me just as I stepped into the room. The sight of him took my breath away. He had never looked more handsome now that I knew how he felt about me.

"You were sleeping so soundly I didn't want to wake you," he pressed a kiss to my lips. "How are you feeling?"

The brief kiss was no where near enough but it had to do for the moment. There would be time later.

"I'm okay." The events of the day before had been hectic and I was still trying to process what had happened.

"Trent is on the mend, a few stitches and some bed rest and he'll be as good as new."

"That's good news."

I needed that.

"Mr. Vincent called. He wants to come by to discuss the handover and put some measures in place."

I wasn't sure I was ready for any of this, at twenty one I didn't have the experience to run an empire.

"What's wrong?" Angel asked softly, studying my features.

I shrugged. "It's overwhelming. I have no idea how to do any of this."

"I do and I will be with you every step of the way."

Releasing the tight breath I held held his hands a bit harder. "I put us all in danger. Running off with my brother without confronting you directly. It was me who created the mess we were stuck in yesterday." I hated to recall the feeling of being in a situation where we had believed the only outcome was death.

You didn't come away from situations like that unscathed. I was scarred and unsure if I could trust my judgment again.

"We all had a hand in what happened. If I had been more honest with you, instead of trying to shield you from everything it wouldn't have happened. If you brother had chosen a less remote place, it might have not happened. And this list goes on..."

"Point taken. What time is my father coming over?" I asked, feeling like I needed to prepare myself in some way beforehand.

"This afternoon. You brother is on his way. He says he needs to speak to you."

I frowned. "Anything wrong?"

"He didn't say."

I didn't think I was strong enough to deal with any other stuff and I hoped whatever my brother had to talk to me about wasn't as bad as my imagination was conjuring up.

"Where's James?"

"He is at the shooting range."

I frowned. "Really?"

He nodded. "It's his way of getting rid of all the pent up energy from yesterday."

"I need to speak to him."

He had been an integral part of why I was still alive today and I wanted to thank him for it.

"I'll handle your brother if you're not back in time."

I nodded. "I won't be long."

James was solely focussed at what he was doing and didn't even look in my direction when I entered the shooting range. He was reloading the gun.

I cleared my throat and he stopped to give me a side glance. "Can I help you Kira?"

"I wanted to talk to you." He still had a way of making me nervous with his direct gaze.

"About?"

"Yesterday."

He finished with the gun and laid to on the table. "I'm listening."

"I wanted to thank you."

"You don't have to do that Kira." His usually cool gaze held some warmth. "We might not have been close but I grew up with you in pigtails following us round as kids. We are family Kira. I would lay my life down for you, Angel and Kaiden."

I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. "I've always felt so alone but I don't now, not anymore."

"You aren't alone." He smiled, easing his serious expression.

He wasn't an affectionate man but I moved forward and put my arms around him to hug him awkwardly. "If you hadn't been there, I can't think of what would have happened."

"There will always be another time Kira. And every time I'll be there."

He made no move to embrace me back but his words took my breath away.

"Thank you," I murmured softly, allowing my arms to release him and fighting back the tears.

"You're welcome."

My heart lifted and I left him as he reached for the gun.

When I returned to the house Kaiden was already waiting for me in Angel's study.

"Hi," I greeted him. He hugged me, lifting me off my feet.

There was so much between us. Everything that had happened before the attack and everything else subsequent.

He released me after several seconds and I felt emotional all over again. Maybe my emotions were amplified by yesterday.

"You and Angel have sorted things out," he said. "I've never seen him like this."

"We did. There was a lot to talk about."

"His actions spoke louder than words," he said and I nodded.

"I love him," I replied. "I know you don't approve of him or this life but I can't walk away from him or the responsibilities I have."

He nodded solemnly. "I understand."

"Really?" I couldn't quite believe it. My brother who had been trying to outrun this life for so long and everything connected to it was having a change of heart. Was the world going mad?

"When you came to me for help I was focussed on doing whatever I could to help you but I think I've allowed my own bias to influence a lot." He raked his hand through his hair. "The moment you found out who your real father there was no walking away from this life. And when we put all the puzzle pieces together, I wanted to believe that Angel had done all of this for revenge. But you know what, I think I've always known how he felt about you. But denying it, kept you from leading the same life mom did. I didn't want that for you."

I reached for his hand. "I'm not the same as mom. As much as it hurts to think of how lonely she was and all the things that pushed her to take her own life, I'm not mom and Angel isn't dad. I know this life can be brutal and I'm not sure if I'm capable to taking over from Andrew but I know that I have someone who has my back, no matter what. And that's the difference. Mom never had that."

If she had just had someone, like I had, I believed she would still be with us.

I sighed. "I know what he feels for me is real and I know that despite all the evidence, he only married me to keep me safe."

He nodded. "After yesterday, I have no doubt of that."

I moved to sit down. "He's going to show me the ropes. I don't know if I can do this Kaiden. What if I'm not strong enough to handle this?"

"Like you said. Angel has your back. And there is also James."

I nodded in agreement. "He is a complex character."

"He is the most loyal person," my brother added.

"I know. So what did you want to talk about? Angel said you had something you needed to discuss?"

He sat down across from me. "I've been a shitty brother Kira. I was so busy outrunning my own demons I couldn't be there the way you needed me to."

"I don't want to live in the past Kaiden. We all have regrets but when I came to you for help you dropped everything to do just that and I will always be grateful of that."

"I'm you brother, that's part of the job."

I smiled.

"Angel has always relied on James to help him make the best choices and run things he can't. You're going to need someone like that Kira. Someone you can trust with all aspects of your life."

My smile waned. He was right. I didn't have someone like that other than Angel.

"I quit the FBI," he announced and my mouth fell open from shock.

"But ...I don't understand. You love that job, why would you quit?"

"I love you more, and you need me. I want to be the person you depend on and I want to help you navigate your new responsibilities. I'm in your corner Kira and I'll have your back no matter what. You will never have to question my loyalty. Besides when you take over from Mr. Vincent, law enforcement will be breathing down your neck waiting for you to make mistake they'll be able to capitalize on."

"But I don't want you to sacrifice your happiness for mine. You've been trying to get away from this life for as long as I can remember. I can't keep you chained to it no matter how much I want you by my side Kaiden. It wouldn't be fair."

I loved him. I needed him to be happy in his life and the one he wanted to commit to had cause heartache and pain for him.

"I've realized I can't outrun my demons Kira, running doesn't help. I've been doing it for years and it hasn't worked. I'm doing this for the both of us."

He stood and I leapt to wrap my arms around him as he hugged me back. "Is that a yes, you're hired?"

I laughed through the emotional tears. "Yes, yes."

He kissed my cheek. "I love you."

"Same Kaiden. So much."