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me, and we talked for at least an hour.
    Two days later, I called him.
    The following Friday, I met with Harrison Jones—a private detective who used to work with Aiden. I talked him through what happened and explained what I needed him to find out for me. An hour later, I’d paid him a sizeable deposit and left him with Barrett’s business card, as well as having told him every detail I knew about both the man in question and Gavin. He advised he would be in touch when he found anything.
    Then I tried to put it all behind me and get on with living my day to day life. I focused all of my time and attention on my company and the new magazine we were about to launch. I ended my nights talking to Aiden on the phone, or video calling him, and falling asleep with a smile on my face. The feelings between us were growing deeper and stronger, and I was more than looking forward to having him back in Seattle with me, even if it was just for a weekend.
    Two weeks after leaving Las Vegas, I received a surprise phone call from my mom while I was knee deep in writing a report.
    “Alyssa, I have wonderful news for you,” she said, her voice jovial.
    “You’re coming to visit me?” I guessed, my voice filled with hope. I wanted to spend time with her by herself. I wished I’d seen her more when I was in Vegas, and I desperately wanted to find out more about Gavin and whatever he might have been involved in so that I can protect her.
    “I wish I could. But guess what? Gavin surprised me yesterday with an impromptu wedding!” she cried and I froze, a cold chill washing over my body.
    “You what?” I shrieked, unable to filter my reaction.
    “Isn’t it romantic? He organized the dress, the reception, everything. I’m now Mrs. Gavin Barnes.” I heard the happiness in her voice, and my heart squeezed. “I wish you could’ve been here, sweetheart.”
    “I wish I was too, Mom.” A bad feeling settled deep in my stomach, and I suddenly felt the need to call Aiden and tell him what had happened. Before I could contemplate that, she continued.
    “We’re going to Bora Bora for our honeymoon tomorrow, but I wanted to tell you the good news and let you know that I would be overseas for the next two weeks. Two weeks! I can’t wait,” she continued excitedly.
    “Mom, I’m worried,” I said.
    “Sweetheart, you don’t need to fret. I’m happy. Finally, happy.”
    “I’m glad, Mom, I really am. Can you just put my mind at rest and email me your travel details.” I paused before saying, “just in case there is an emergency or something.”
    “Of course, I’ll send them through today.” At least that put me at ease, if only slightly.
    “I’d almost expected Gavin to surprise me again and fly you in.”
    “You know I would have.”
    “I know, dear. You’ve been looking out for me ever since your father died. Now I have Gavin.” That’s precisely what I was worried about now. Not that I could tell her that.
    “I’ll always protect you, Mom. It’s my job.”
    “Are you sure you’re the child and not the parent?” she said, the warmth in her voice unmistakable.
    “Will you come visit me soon?”
    “That sounds like a fantastic idea, sweetheart. I can show you all of the pictures from the wedding and our honeymoon.” She sounded ecstatic, and I wanted to feel happy for her. If only I didn’t have suspicions about Gavin. If only I knew more.
    I sighed and dropped my head down to rest on the top of my desk. “I’ll look forward to it.” I replied distractedly.
    “You sound busy. I’ll let you go, but I’ll call you the minute we get back.”
    “Be safe, Mom.”
    “Always, Alyssa. Love you.”
    “Love you, too,” I said back before I ended the call.
    When I called Aiden and told him about the quickie wedding, he sounded just as concerned as I was. He agreed that there was nothing we could do about it until we had some evidence—if there was in fact any to be found.
    Two weeks after that—a month after