Kaiden's p.o.v

I sat on the edge of my desk while Jerome paced around the room, playing with the material of his tie - both of us clearly in a state of angst.

Last night didn't end how either of us pictured it would, a fire consumed one of our pharmaceutical warehouses - leaving a trail of destruction in its path and a dead body with a message.

"When is your source getting here? We need to come up with a contingency plan to safe guard the company against Brutali Fuorilegge."

A knock on my office door had us standing to attention, I clearly knew who it was but Jerome was in for a shock.

"Come in."

"Nova?"

"Jerome?"

They both look at each other stunned, before turning to me.

"Please tell me she's not your informant." Jerome's voice faulted as he looked at me but I couldn't hold his attention, my eyes drifted over to Nova who cheekily smiled at me.

"She is."

"What? How? Did you know they were going to attack our warehouse last night?"

"I swear, I didn't." and I believed every word she spoke.

"That's not all, there was a body found in the debris with a note."

"Well? What did it say?"

"Here's your rat."

"Oh my God." Realisation must have hit Nova by the look on her face.

"Johnny called Cash a rat and told me he 'took care of him'."

"He must have thought Cash was the one who told me about their plans to steal from my company."

"Wait, Johnny as in the Capo of Brutali Fuorilegge? What the hell are you doing having conversations with him? And who the hell is Cash?" Jerome shouted towards Nova and I was ready to take him down a few pegs but to my surprise she held her own.

"You really want to know the truth? Cash was my drug dealer and he worked for Brutali Fuorilegge."

"For fucks sake Nova, don't you think this is something you should have mentioned to me and why the hell are you so casual about all this?"

Jerome turned to me expecting an explosive response but the truth is I put things together a while back - I found Nova's bottle of pills on my bedroom floor and from then on out things just fell into place.

"What Nova chooses to do is her own prerogative, she doesn't owe either of us anything."

"Oh okay but let me ask you this, what if Johnny sent her here to infiltrate our lives and trade him information for her next fix?" His point might have been valid but my gut told me to trust her.

"Wow, I can't believe you right now." Nova readied herself to leave my office but I chased after her.

"Stay." My hand engulfed her wrist.

"Why so I can continue to be insulted?" She bit, pulling her hand away from mine.

"Jerome you're being paranoid right now." I turned to my best friend, hoping to calm down the situation.

"Are you of all people seriously calling me paranoid after what happened last year?"

"Don't go there." My voice shifted into a deep growl, warning Jerome.

"What happened last year?" Nova queried, curiosity coating her words.

"Nothing." I answered, hoping she would let this go.

"Oh come on, you have so much trust in Nova so why don't you tell her the truth? Tell her about how you were convinced someone was stalking you but the police couldn't find any proof and don't forget to mention how you had to be put off work by a psychiatrist because you went crazy."

"Get out before I do something I won't regret." Anger coursed through me as I shut my fists.

"Fine, I've got work to do."

"Are you okay?" Nova came up behind me and started to massage my shoulders. I turned around to face her and held her chin between my fingers.

"Go, I have a meeting with the board of directors in a few minutes." I let go of her and sat behind my desk, avoiding any other eye contact.

All could hear was the silence between us, the words left unsaid and the clicking of her heels against the floor. We both had secrets that swept us into a whirlwind, leaving us clenching onto anything but reality - for me it was work and I'm guessing for her, it was drugs.

End of p.o.v

That evening

Kaiden's penthouse

"Enjoying the view?" Kaiden questions as he hands Nova her drink on the balcony.

"I can see my apartment from here."

"Oh really?" He wriggles his eyebrows and the two laugh, clearly in a much better mood than this morning.

"I have to take this call, be right back." Kaiden smiles and walks back into the penthouse, leaving Nova to her own thoughts.

"Could you check who's at the door please?" She hears him shout from inside.

An almost intimidatingly good looking woman stood in front of Nova, with glossy curls that eased over her shoulders and a smile that made the sun seem dull.

"Are you my welcome home present?" The woman spoke and Nova couldn't help but blush.

"Back off you horn dog, she's taken." Kaiden spoke from behind.

"Well I know you don't do relationships, so who's the lucky lad or lady?"

"Jerome. Now Gen are you going to just stand there or come and give your brother a hug?"

"Not anymore, we're done." Nova spoke up as the siblings embraced.

"Oh so you're single then?" Genevieve flirted, twirling a strand of her hair.

"She's still not available." Kaiden stated, his possessiveness over Nova clear.

"I believe the lady can speak for herself baby brother."

Nova and Kaiden exchange knowing looks before been interrupted by Genevieve.

"Wait a god damn minute, have you two fucked?"

"Real classy Gen." Kaiden pours himself a drink.

"That doesn't answer my question."

"It's none of your business."

"Is my dickhead of a brother the reason you broke up with Jerome? Because if he is, you've made a gruesome mistake - you're not going to be the girl that changes him."

"Drop it okay."

"How could you do this to him? After everything her went through with Andrea? And you Nova, acting like a slut. Do you realise you could wreck their friendship just because you couldn't keep your panties on?"

"Enough." Kaiden bangs his glass against the counter.

"Gen, you may be my sister but I will not have you disrespect Nova like that, leave."

"Seriously? You're going to kick me out and let the slut stay?"

"Get off your damn high horse and stop acting holier than thou, remember the time you slept with uncle Hendrik? Dad's best friend?"

"I was 18."

"Making excuses are we?"

Nova stood in the shadow's as the siblings continued to argue, feeling rather awkward and deep down shameful.

Was Genevieve right? Was all of this a mistake? Funny thing is when she looked at Kaiden and their eyes locked, her mind was put to ease.