Chapter 1

I exhale deeply. All I did last night was toss and turn. It's the first night in months that Ryder isn't asleep by my side. Not to mention the jet lag I am currently experiencing. It isn't helping at all. I grab my fire and ice pendant and move it between my thumb and pointer finger, smiling. It's a beautiful necklace, both Ryder and I wear. We never take it off.

We are in Shanghai for one of Ryder's business meetings. I suspect it has nothing to do with Boeing, a major airplane company he owns. Instead, the one where he stalks unsuspecting victims and kills them.

I get up from the bed and walk to the window, pulling the curtains back. The view of Shanghai is gorgeous. The sun shining through the clouds makes me feel like this day will be a lot better than the last. It's been raining throughout our entire stay, becoming rather annoying.

I have been wanting to explore the city but would decide against it every day. My hair and rain are natural enemies. I don't want to risk scaring someone out in public.

Sighing, I open the glass door to the balcony and step onto the ledge. My hair dances across my face as a gentle wind blows. Praying every day for good weather had not helped until now.

I look down, all the way from the seventieth floor, and smile at the small cars and even smaller people. I want to explore the city and spend some money! Ryder is way too busy, though, and I don't want to drag anyone else halfway across the world just because I

I am bored.

Taking one last look, I turn around and head back in. After all, we are staying at the PuLi Shanghai. And I must say, I'm impressed!

Our king penthouse suite has two bedrooms, a spa, a gym, and a full kitchen with a cook: four bathrooms, a pool, and a jacuzzi—a sleek and modern look.

Ryder and I have christened every single room. I smile at the thought as I am making my way into the kitchen.

A knock on the door brings me back to reality. I grab my robe and put it on as I make my way to the door. As I look through the peep-hole, my heart soars.

"Oh, my God! What are you doing?!"

Freddie laughs at my remark and pulls me into an embrace. "So you did miss me!"

"You have no idea. Get in here!" Pulling him into the suite, I close the door.

No doubt, this is Ryder's idea to invite Freddie. He knows I spend the morning and afternoons alone, so he feels I need the company.

I do!

Freddie's mouth drops as he looks around. "Seriously! This suite is amazing! My room is one-tenth the size of this place," he says with a grin while giving himself the tour.

I don't mind. I am so excited to have my best friend here.

"Where's your room?" I ask, crossing my arms and following him as he opens the door to the balcony.

"Two floors down and God, almighty! This view of the city is amazing!!" He pauses, giving me an odd look. "Wait, do I smell breakfast?"

Freddie smiles at me as he makes his way back in. He suddenly pushes me onto the closest chair and darts to the kitchen area. I laugh as I watch his run. He has a very goofy run.

When I enter the kitchen, Freddie is already taking a seat at the table.

"Wait, that's not fair, Freddie! How did you know where the kitchen was?" I ask, sitting across from him.

"Honey, I'm a chef! I follow my nose. Duh!?"

"Good morning, Miss Hallowell and sir!" The chef greets us while putting flutes of mimosas on the table. He then bows. Freddie looks at me, impressed.

"So, how was the flight? More importantly, how is Mom?"

While Ryder and I were here in Shanghai, Mom invited Freddie to one of her charity balls in California. No way would Freddie turn that down!

"Rebecca is amazing! And listen, the gown that she wore was everything! Here, let me show you!"

He reaches in his pants pocket for his cell phone and begins to show me pictures of Mom. It is so cute how animated Freddie is when it comes to my mother. She wore the tightest, strapless, golden dress, of course! Bath in jewels from head to toe. My mother was really a sight for sore eyes.

I smile as I watch Freddie go on about mom. They are a lot alike, morphing into the same person. Freddie isn't a colossal gossiper, but he loves Mom's banter. I'm sure he worships the ground she steps on.

"And Dad?" I ask as the chef starts to lay the buffet of food in front of us.

"Annoyed by Rebecca, like always," Freddie says nonchalantly, grabbing a plate. He starts to serve me some scrambled eggs.

"The moment I would walk into the room, Tim would be grateful for my presence and leave!"

I laugh as I grab a croissant and bite into it.

After we finish breakfast, I decide to go and get ready for the day. I am super excited that Freddie and I are going shopping.

Finally!

I look in the closet for something simple to wear. A gray, wrap-up dress catches my eye, and I pair it with nude flats.

Finishing my hair and makeup, I hear Freddie whispering. I put my ear near the doorway of my bedroom.

"I know, I know! I miss you too," he quietly says as he continues to whisper. "Yes, I'll be back in town in a couple of days. You knew about these past two weeks, so don't start with me," Freddie jokes. "We can meet up Monday at the café, all right?" He pauses and then laughs. "Oh no, you're so bad!"

Whoever Freddie is talking to is making him laugh. Wait, is he in a relationship!? One he never told me about?!

I clear my throat as I walk back into the living room. I'm not supposed to know about this conversation Freddie is having, so I am giving him a fair warning about my presence.

"Gotta go! Bye!" He stands quickly and puts his phone into his pocket.

I glare at him.

"Wow, you look pretty!" Freddie happily yells, looking like he just caught doing something he shouldn't have.

I sit on the sofa, fixing my dress, and cross both arms and legs. "Freddie," I say, smiling at him. "Who was that? On the phone."

"Uh, what?! Oh, the phone?!" Freddie pulls out his phone, looking uncomfortable, dumbfounded, and flushed. He scratches his forehead.

I sigh deeply.

"Okay, fine!" He exhales annoyingly. "I won't lie. I'm horrible at it. I've been seeing someone."

I stand and grab his arm in elation, both of us falling back onto the couch.

"Seriously!? Why didn't you tell me before? I live for stuff like this! I am so happy for you! I need details!"

"No wonder Ryder calls you nosy, nancy!" He laughs, crossing his legs and sitting back. I squint my eyes at him. "Just kidding! I'm the only one that calls you that, but I swear I've heard Ryder whisper it as you walk away."

I nudge him, and we both laugh. He is telling the truth. Ryder doesn't particularly care for me being so curious.

"Well, I don't know!" He begins. "It's my first, real relationship. Don't get me wrong, I've been with other men, but I never put a title to it. I guess I was afraid because I'm Ryder's right-hand man. My professional and personal life would definitely collide. But now that Ryder has you, and it's been going great, I think I can start living my own life, you know? I don't have to worry that much for him."

Freddie's words make me feel bad. "Yeah," I say sadly, looking down.

"What's wrong?" Freddie stands, grabbing my purse off the couch and handing it to me. He then pulls me up and guides me to the front door. In other words, walk and talk. I smile at his rudeness and exhale.

"We've talked about him quitting," I say, furrowing my brows. "You know, the assassin thing. And he said okay, but I know him. I know that's why we are here. Right now, he's probably sitting in a car surveilling someone."

Freddie opens the front door and leads us to the hallway. "I honestly can tell you he isn't stalking anyone! I am the one who set this trip up. It has to do with Boeing, sweetie. The company is doing something huge with its Rolls Royce engines, and I felt like he should be apart of that. Since he owns the damn thing!"

Freddie ushers me out of the suite and closes the door behind him.

"Obviously, he's going in as Peter's assistant so that no one will ask questions. He kicked and screamed about not wanting to come, but in the end, it worked out."

Peter is the President of Boeing. Ryder hired him so his identity could be kept a secret. Having the whole assassin job, someone can point out Ryder if he isn't careful.

"I'm sorry for making this about me," I say as we get into the elevator.

"No worries! However, if I were you, I'd talk to Ryder about how you're feeling. You both deserve the peace of mind. After all, you both are not in a normal relationship."

I nod in agreement.

"Speaking of which, how are you holding up? Did your nightmares go away?" Freddie asks as he crosses his arms and leans against the elevator wall. I push the button to the lobby floor.

After the whole Maxwell thing, I started having nightmares that he was still alive. He would come after me and finish what he started. I couldn't eat or sleep for almost a year. I wasn't even able to start construction on my flower shop either. My head and heart weren't into it anymore.

No one could identify Max's body at first. It was so severely burned in the warehouse fire. Ryder made it possible to get DNA from his parents, the Crawfords. We also got his dental records. Eventually, it was confirmed that Maxwell had died in that inferno. Even with that information, I still couldn't shake the fear of him coming back.

"Yeah, they've stopped. LeAnn told me she had PTSD when she returned from her first assignment to Afghanistan. So she took me to this woman who specializes in yoga and meditation." I shrug. "It worked. I guess I wasn't accepting that Max is dead. But he is, and I feel much better now! When I'm stressed, I still have nightmares."