PHOENIX

16| LET'S NOT PLAY GAMES

Jackson decided that a phone call wouldn't suffice. Sue needed to see his conviction in person, and he needed to ensure she understood how important it was for her and Ethan to move into the new apartment. After finishing the paperwork, he drove straight to Sue's apartment.

When he arrived, Sue opened the door with a weary smile. "Jackson, what are you doing here? I thought you'd call today."

"I needed to talk to you in person," he said, stepping inside. The apartment was small and cluttered, a stark contrast to the spacious place he had just secured for them. Ethan was playing with some toys in the corner, and his face lit up when he saw Jackson.

"Hey, little man!" Jackson greeted, ruffling Ethan's hair. Ethan beamed up at him, and Jackson's resolve to get them out of this place strengthened even more.

Sue motioned for him to sit on the couch, and she sat across from him, her expression curious but concerned. "What's going on, Jackson?"

"I went to the estate agent today," Jackson began. "I bought the apartment. It's perfect for us, Sue. Safe, spacious, and a real home. We can move in within a week."

Sue's eyes widened. "That's amazing, but... I don't know if we can just up and leave like that. Ethan's school, my job, all our stuff..."

Jackson leaned forward, his gaze intense. "I know it seems sudden, but this is for the best. The neighborhood is better, and Ethan will be safer. You’ll be safer. We can figure out the logistics together. I'll help with the move and getting Ethan settled in a new school. And your job? You can find something closer to the new place."

Sue looked down, biting her lip. "It's just... a lot to take in."

"I understand," Jackson said softly. "But you know the situation we're in. The threats, the uncertainties that will come with what I'm doing right now... Moving in with me will provide the stability and security we need. I can protect you both better if we're together."

Ethan wandered over, sensing the seriousness in the room. He climbed onto Jackson's lap, looking up at him with wide eyes. "Are we moving, Jackson?"

Jackson smiled down at him. "Yeah, buddy. We're going to a new home. A really nice one, with lots of space for you to play."

Ethan's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? Can I bring all my toys?"

"Of course," Jackson chuckled. "We'll bring everything."

Sue watched the interaction, her eyes softening. She sighed, finally nodding. "Okay, Jackson. We'll do it. We'll move in with you."

Jackson felt a surge of relief. "Great. We'll start packing tomorrow. I'll take care of everything."

Sue gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Jackson. For everything."

As Jackson left the apartment, a wave of relief washed over him. Sue had agreed quickly, sparing him the anxiety of having to convince her further. He didn't know what he would have done if she had refused; the need for their safety was too urgent.

Claire had assured him that the security at the new apartment was top-notch. There were 24/7 surveillance cameras, a secure entrance, and even a guard on duty at all times. It was a far cry from the flimsy locks and questionable neighbors of Sue's current place.

The thought of moving them to a safer environment eased some of the tension that had been gnawing at him for weeks. He could finally breathe a little easier knowing that Ethan would be safe and Sue wouldn’t have to worry constantly.

As Jackson drove back to the hotel, he noticed a black SUV in his rearview mirror. It had been following him for the past few miles, maintaining a steady distance. His instincts kicked in, and he decided to play dumb, allowing them to think they had the upper hand.

He continued driving at a normal pace, making no sudden movements that might alert his pursuers. As he neared the hotel, he took a detour through a series of side streets, a route he knew well. The SUV followed, confirming his suspicion that he was indeed being tailed.

Instead of heading straight to the hotel, Jackson decided to take them on a bit of a ride. He maneuvered through the city, taking random turns and occasionally glancing in his mirror to see if the SUV was still there. It was. They were persistent, he had to give them that.

After about twenty minutes of this cat-and-mouse game, he figured it was time to confront his shadow. He pulled into a well-lit gas station, parked near the entrance, and casually got out of the car. He pretended to stretch and yawn, making it look like a routine stop.

The black SUV pulled into the gas station, parking a few spots away. Jackson kept his movements nonchalant, walking into the convenience store. He grabbed a bottle of water and paid for it, all the while keeping an eye on the SUV through the store's glass windows.

As he walked back to his car, he noticed a man stepping out of the SUV. The man was tall, muscular, and had an air of authority about him. Jackson decided it was time to confront his tail.

"Nice night for a drive, isn't it?" Jackson said casually as he approached the man.

The man didn't respond immediately. Instead, he scrutinized Jackson, his eyes cold and calculating. "You're a hard man to follow, Mr. Stone."

Jackson raised an eyebrow. So the man knew him by his alias. "What can I say? I like to keep things interesting."

The man smirked. "Melissa sends her regards. She thought you might need some company tonight."

Jackson's heart skipped a beat. So Melissa knew he was being followed. "Well, if that's the case, why not join me for a drink?"

The man shook his head. "I'm just here to keep an eye on you. Make sure you don't get into any trouble."

Jackson nodded slowly. "I see. Well, tell Melissa I appreciate the concern. But I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself."

The man gave a curt nod and got back into the SUV. Jackson watched as the vehicle drove off, blending into the night traffic. He took a deep breath and got back into his car, his mind racing.

Back in his hotel, Jackson paced around his room, his mind racing. Why had Melissa ordered him to be followed? He couldn't shake the feeling that she was up to something tonight. Every instinct told him that this was more than just a casual precaution on her part. There was a reason she wanted eyes on him.

He replayed their interactions over the past few days. Melissa's behavior had been erratic, oscillating between familiar warmth and a cold, calculating distance. She had kissed him, spoken cryptically about their past, and now this. He felt like he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Sitting down at the small desk in his room, Jackson pulled out his laptop. He needed to dig deeper into Melissa’s recent activities and connections. His fingers flew over the keys as he accessed various databases and social media platforms. Melissa Roy was a public figure, her charity work and socialite status often putting her in the spotlight. But he needed to look beyond the surface.

He found recent articles about the charity function they had attended, photos of them together, and speculation about their relationship. But nothing concrete about her plans or why she might have him followed. He checked her social media profiles, noting her recent posts and the people she interacted with. Still, nothing out of the ordinary.

Frustrated, Jackson leaned back in his chair. If Melissa had him followed, she was likely trying to control or monitor his actions. But why? Was it because she suspected his true identity, or was she protecting him from something?

He glanced at the clock. It was nearing 9 PM. He couldn’t just sit around and wait. If Melissa was up to something tonight, he needed to find out what it was. He grabbed his jacket and headed out, deciding to do a little recon of his own.

As he stepped out of the hotel, he scanned the area for any signs of surveillance. The black SUV was nowhere in sight, but that didn’t mean he was alone. He walked briskly, heading towards the parking garage where he had left his car.

Driving through the city, he tried to think of places Melissa might go or events she might attend. He recalled the charity function and the people they had met. One name stood out: Edward Steele, a wealthy businessman with a reputation for throwing exclusive, secretive parties. He had seen Steele exchange a meaningful look with Melissa at the function.

Jackson decided to start there. He drove to Steele’s mansion, a sprawling estate on the outskirts of the city. The place was lit up, and a steady stream of luxury cars were pulling into the driveway. There was definitely something happening tonight.

He parked a few blocks away and approached the mansion on foot, blending into the shadows. He watched as elegantly dressed guests were ushered inside. It was a high-society event, and he needed a way in. As he considered his options, he saw a familiar face: Max, Melissa’s bodyguard, standing near the entrance.

Jackson kept his distance, observing. Max seemed to be scanning the crowd, his demeanor tense. Whatever was happening inside, it was important enough for Melissa to have her bodyguard on high alert.

Suddenly, he spotted Melissa herself, stepping out of a car and walking towards the mansion. She was dressed in a stunning evening gown, her expression unreadable. Jackson’s heart raced. This was his chance.

He waited until she was inside before making his move. Using the cover of darkness, he slipped around the side of the mansion, looking for an alternate entry. He found a side door, guarded but less conspicuously than the front. Timing his approach perfectly, he managed to slip past the distracted guard and into the house.

Inside, the atmosphere was electric. Guests mingled in opulent rooms, the sound of clinking glasses and murmured conversations filling the air. Jackson kept to the shadows, his eyes scanning for Melissa.

He found her in a private room, speaking with Edward Steele and a few other influential figures. They seemed to be discussing something serious, their faces set in grim determination. Jackson strained to hear their conversation but could only catch snippets.

“…tonight’s the night…”

“…ensure everything goes smoothly…”

“…no room for error…”

Jackson’s pulse quickened. Whatever they were planning, it was happening tonight. He needed to find out more, but he couldn’t risk getting caught. He moved closer, trying to stay out of sight.

Before Jackson could approach Melissa as she left the private room, a familiar figure stepped in front of him. It was the man who had followed him earlier, now blocking his path with an imposing presence.

"We meet again, Mr. Stone," the man said, his voice low and menacing.

Jackson's heart skipped a beat. This was not the encounter he had planned. He quickly assessed his options, trying to gauge the man's intentions.

"Do I know you?" Jackson replied, feigning ignorance. His mind raced, trying to remember if he had seen this man anywhere other than the surveillance tail.

The man smirked, clearly not buying Jackson's act. "Let's not play games. You’ve been quite persistent in your little pursuit. Melissa's been too lenient, but my patience has its limits."

Jackson forced himself to stay calm, meeting the man's gaze. "I’m just here for the party. I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else."

The man’s smirk faded, replaced by a hard, cold expression. "You don’t belong here, Mr. Stone. And you certainly don’t belong around my cousin. My advice. Don't ever follow her again or you may find yourself facing my wrath and that of the rest of the Roy family."