8 Travis House

As we left, we walked right into the last person I was expecting to see: Jasper, standing there in full police uniform, a sight that caught me off guard and sent a shiver down my spine.

"Alex! There you are! I was so worried after you disappeared this morning!" Jasper's grip on my shoulders was firm, his concern palpable as he scanned me for any signs of harm.

"Why are you here?" I asked, taken aback by his sudden appearance.

"You should be wearing more than that in this weather," Jasper's eyes narrowed as he assessed my appearance. "Your face is also dirty. Come with me, I'll get you washed up."

"No, I have some things to do. If we bump into each other next time then maybe," I replied, trying to maintain my composure. "Besides, I'm not going to sleep in the park, so there's no need to worry."

"At least let me buy you a jacket," Jasper pleaded, his concern genuine.

"No thanks. Mother already got me one," I gestured toward Travis, who was fawning over Jasper with a handheld fan.

"Madam Trav," Jasper greeted Travis with a nod. "Mind if I borrow him?"

"Actually, Travis and I have some things to do. We're busy," I interjected before Travis could be swayed by Jasper's earnest plea.

"Are you still hiding?" Jasper's voice was laced with concern.

"Yes, so keep your mouth shut about seeing me!" I snapped, the urgency in my tone revealing the gravity of my situation.

Travis gave a knowing look between Jasper and me, sensing the tension in the air. It was as if he could see the unspoken one night history between us, the weight of our past interaction hanging heavy in the moment. Despite his flamboyant demeanor, there was a shrewdness in Travis's gaze, a keen understanding of the dynamics at play.

"Looks like you two have some catching up to do," Travis chimed in with a mischievous grin, breaking the palpable silence that had settled between Jasper and me.

"Yeah, maybe some other time," I replied tersely, eager to extricate myself from the uncomfortable situation.

"Take care, Alex," Jasper said, his expression a mix of concern and regret as he watched me turn away.

As I walked away with Travis, I couldn't shake the feeling of Jasper's eyes boring into my back, a silent reminder of what he wanted from me.

Travis slapped my shoulder and kept on congratulating me, explaining that Jasper was someone who was almost impossible to bend. His words were laced with a mix of admiration and amusement, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the way he painted Jasper as some sort of unbreakable force.

"I didn't sleep with him," I clarified to Travis. "He just let me use the spare room for the night."

Travis raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of surprise and skepticism. "Really? Just a friendly gesture?"

"Yeah, just that," I insisted, though a part of me wondered if Travis would believe me or if he'd continue to tease me about it.

Travis nodded knowingly, but there was a gleam of mischief in his eyes that told me he wasn't quite done teasing me about it.

Suddenly a hand grabbed my arm.

Jasper's persistent presence grated on my nerves. His sudden appearance felt like an intrusion, a reminder of a past I was desperate to leave behind. I clenched my jaw, trying to contain the surge of anger that threatened to consume me.

"I'll let you go this time, but next time we really have to talk. Do you still have my number?" His voice was insistent, his grip on my arm tightening.

I nodded curtly, my muscles tensing against his touch. "Yes, it's in one of these bags," I replied, my tone laced with impatience.

Jasper's expression softened momentarily, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "Don't forget or I'll corner you around town," he warned, his hold on my arm loosening slightly.

"You win, now fuck off," I snapped, my voice edged with frustration as I tried to wrench my arm free. "You didn't see me."

With a resigned sigh, Jasper released my arm and turned to walk away. I watched him go, a mixture of relief and resentment swirling within me. As he disappeared from sight, I couldn't shake the feeling that our paths would cross again, whether I liked it or not.

"You're so lucky," Travis sighed.

Travis's comment grated against my nerves, his tone carrying a hint of amusement that only served to exacerbate my irritation. "Lucky?" I scoffed, shooting him a sharp glare. "More like cursed."

He chuckled in response, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Come on, Alex," he teased, nudging me playfully with his elbow. "Having a hot cop chasing after you? That's every man's dream."

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head in disbelief. "Believe me, Travis, it's not as glamorous as it sounds," I muttered, my frustration still simmering beneath the surface.

But despite my protests, Travis seemed unfazed, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Well, if you don't change your mind, he knows where to find me," he quipped, before turning to continue on our way.

The thought of Jasper frequently appearing in front of me sent a shiver down my spine, each encounter a potential risk of exposure that I couldn't afford. His presence was like a double-edged sword, offering assistance one moment and threatening to unravel my carefully constructed facade the next.

I knew I couldn't rely on luck to keep our encounters discreet. With each passing moment, the weight of paranoia grew heavier on my shoulders, reminding me of the precariousness of my situation. Every glance over my shoulder, every unfamiliar face in the crowd, became a source of suspicion, a potential threat to the fragile semblance of normalcy I sought to maintain.

Travis's nonchalant attitude only added to my anxiety, his carefree demeanor a stark contrast to the constant nagging fear that gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. As we navigated the bustling streets, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were walking on a tightrope, teetering on the edge of disaster with every step.

"Don't forget, our plan depends on them not knowing I'm alive. He needs to be silenced or something!" I grumbled.

"But he's hot, Alex." Travis whined before leading me away quickly.

As we hurried down the street, the towering luxury apartments loomed ahead, their imposing facades casting shadows that seemed to stretch endlessly across the pavement. With each step, the weight of anticipation grew heavier, fueling the fire of determination that burned within me.

Travis's hurried pace matched my own sense of urgency, his footsteps echoing loudly against the concrete as we approached the entrance. The grandeur of the building was unmistakable, its sleek design and pristine exterior standing in stark contrast to the dilapidated surroundings that lay beyond.

As we reached the entrance, Travis shot me a sidelong glance, his eyes alight with excitement and anticipation. It was clear that he shared my sense of purpose, his unwavering commitment to the task at hand evident in every step he took.

With a quick nod of acknowledgment, we pushed through the glass doors and into the opulent lobby beyond. The air was filled with the scent of polished wood and fresh flowers, a stark contrast to the gritty reality of the world outside.

Travis wasted no time in leading me towards the elevators, his determination propelling us forward with a sense of purpose that brooked no hesitation. With each passing moment, the weight of responsibility hung heavy in the air, driving us ever onwards towards our goal.

As the elevator doors slid shut behind us, I felt a surge of adrenaline course through my veins, the anticipation of what lay ahead fueling my resolve.

Entering Travis's apartment was like stepping into another world entirely. The glamour and luxury that surrounded me was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the dingy reality I had become accustomed to. Everywhere I looked, there were plush furnishings, gleaming surfaces, and tasteful decorations that spoke of wealth and privilege.

Travis wasted no time in leading me further into his opulent abode, his excitement palpable as he eagerly showed me around. From the spacious living area to the sleek, modern kitchen, every inch of the apartment seemed to exude an air of sophistication and refinement.

As we settled in, Travis and I got to work on our mission, the hours slipping away as we meticulously combed through the evidence against my brother's infidelity. With each slide of the slideshow, we carefully curated a damning collection of images and videos, ensuring that every detail was captured with precision.

Travis proved to be an invaluable ally, his keen eye for detail and technical expertise complementing my own determination and drive. Together, we worked tirelessly to compile a comprehensive dossier of evidence, each piece carefully selected to expose the truth behind my brother's deceit.

As the hours passed, the slideshow took shape before our eyes, a powerful testament to the depth of my brother's betrayal. With each slide, I felt a surge of satisfaction knowing that we were one step closer to achieving our goal, no matter the obstacles that lay ahead.

By the time we had finished, the sun had long since set, casting the apartment in a soft, ethereal glow. With a sense of accomplishment, I looked to Travis, a silent acknowledgment passing between us. Our work was done, but the battle was far from over.

"So, you're not really disconnected from your family, are you?" I asked taking in my surroundings again as Travis served me "farm to table" food.

"Publicly, I'm disowned. But my family loves me too much and just says to do what I want, just as long as I don't get in trouble. They honestly don't care about the drag, but for the good of the company investors, it's better for me not to be there." Travis explained.

"Aren't you pissed?"

"I do drag for a living while you young masters are fighting over things you don't even need and killing each other. My beautiful skin could never take it. I couldn't wait to take myself out of it. My sisters will take care of me regardless."

"Got it. Your family loves you." I scoffed.

"They're just glad to have the real successor out of the way," Travis laughed.

"Your family sounds... complicated," I remarked, taking a bite of the delicious food Travis had prepared.

Travis chuckled, setting down his own fork. "Complicated is an understatement, darling. But hey, at least they keep things interesting."

"I guess we all have our own dramas to deal with," I mused, swirling the food around on my plate.

"That's the spice of life, isn't it?" Travis grinned. "But enough about me. What about you? What's your family like?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Let's just say they're not exactly the Brady Bunch."

Travis raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Sounds juicy. Care to spill the tea?"

"Not today," I said with a forced laugh. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything."

Travis nodded understandingly. "No rush, honey. We've got all the time in the world."

"I suppose you really are living the dream life," I said, raising my glass in a toast to our shared sense of liberation.

"To freedom," Travis said, clinking his glass against mine.

"To freedom," I echoed, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders as I savored the moment of camaraderie with Travis.