Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies – NELSON MANDELA

Alex had felt a sense of deep urgency. He knew he had to reach home. Always immersed in work, living the jet-set lifestyle, Alex honestly could not remember calling any place his home... in years. The last place he'd called home had been where he'd grown up with his mother and later when he'd met Cat and felt that same sense of belonging again.

However, false that may have been.

He had worked harder and faster than ever to get the Chinese to co-operate and sign on the dotted line for a new contract to build a fleet of armored trucks and jets. Never one to ignore his instincts he'd felt a sense of expectant danger in the air. He had told Cat that he would be coming back in two weeks. Maybe longer. But here Alex was, finished with cutting through the heavy Republican red tape within eight days. His pulse sped up and his stomach tightened at the thought of seeing Cat again. Alex quickly rushed through Customs and made his way from JFK airport to his ride.

Did she miss him? Did she think about that kiss? Did she stay up these past few nights and remember how it was between them, how it could be again?

This was driving him crazy. Alex had needed some time away from the gravity she exuded whenever he was in her orbit. But all he felt was restless and edgy and Alex didn't know why. He fought to remind himself that all Catrina said and had been was a lie. She was a cold and calculating woman who couldn't be trusted or depended upon. But the way she responded to him in his office a few days ago and the way her beautiful eyes changed from one color to the next, made him itch to find out if he could arouse that melting response in her again and again.

"Welcome home Mr. Knight."

He snapped out of his musings to see Jason standing next to his Bentley Continental GT. He opened the door and Alex entered to find his requested files and a decanter of his favorite scotch resting on the adjustable console.

"Hello, Jason. I trust that all has been well in my absence."

Jason knew what he was being asked and launched into a thorough explanation, "I escorted Miss Banning from the office to her house and back. She was very friendly." He was immediately alerted to the weary tone of his friend's voice.

"What did she ask about?"

"Nothing much. Just asked me a lot of questions about what I did before working for you and about my relationship with you."

"She was trying to dig up something. Any theories?"

"She seemed to be interested in knowing how we met and what I do for you. I told her I'm a pretty average bodyguard slash driver. She wasn't inclined to believe it."

"You overplayed it. Anyone can see that you're more than that."

"Yeah, she's a smart one. Not like your usual type."

"Jason," Caution was implied in that one word.

"She is pretty tight with her neighbor... one Eric Salver. They met while she was moving in a day before yesterday. Background check and attached photos are in the file. She hasn't ventured very far from home except for her morning runs. For the last week, she has maintained this routine except for yesterday when she went for a run in the evening as well."

"What about Mr. Salver?" He asked in a calm and unaffected tone.

"He is a fairly well-known artist and sculptor. Has been living in New York for the past five years, parents remain in Florida where he grew up. He is an only child and very recently moved into Ms. Banning's building. Also, his last girlfriend broke up with him a month ago. He has been contracted for a sculpture by your competitor, Mr. Van Ness and has a gallery showing this week."

"Thank you, Jason. Continue to keep an eye on Ms. Banning. Let's head to the office."

"Yes, sir."

Resting his eyes, Alex pinched the bridge of his nose. He thought about the danger they were in. Accessing Knight Inc's Security footage all week to...monitor Cat had not been enough. A memory of the day Cat had met Shore where he'd hardly been able to keep him from noticing her sprang to mind. Then there had been Nate, who had hung on to Cat as if... she was his every dream realized.

Are you sure you're not thinking about yourself?

Mentally banishing his conscience, he focused on this Salver guy. It added to the already complicated situation that was building. He had a feeling that some cataclysmic event was just waiting to happen. Alex didn't doubt for one second that Cat and he would be at the epicenter of it all. Something had to change and he had to decide what he was going to do about it. Soon.

His mind flashed back to when it had all started for him. He remembered the day as if it was just yesterday. His grandfather had summoned him to the secluded island restaurant where he had taken Cat. Sebastian Knight had owned that place and Alex had never been there before except with Cat. Even when he'd given Jeremy his job, Alex hadn't bothered to show him the place.

Trying to overwrite bad memories.