There was no denying how incredibly handsome Alex was. His rugged features and put-together appearance commanded attention. Studying him was impossible to resist. Even his voice captivated me; the confidence behind every word could put anyone in a trance. For the first time, I felt like I had a chance with someone who might actually be my equal. Maybe even out of my league.

Not that I think I'm some celebrity, but I know my worth. I'm the owner of a global house-sitting service. A one-woman empire I built from scratch. My daily routine revolves around maintaining myself: gym sessions, skincare, perfectly manicured nails, healthy eating. I don't have an expensive wardrobe, but my boho-electric style has collected some incredible pieces over the years.Tonight's choice was perfect, a black maxi dress with a slit that climbed dangerously high up my thigh, stopping just where imagination takes over. I could tell Alex's hadn't stopped running wild. The dress hugged every curve, sculpting my body like it was made for me.

Alex looked equally stunning in his linen shirt, top buttons undone just enough to reveal muscular pecs and a silver chain with a thick "AP" pendant. He wore it constantly, and I'd never worked up the courage to ask what it meant. Every time I tried, we'd get interrupted, or he'd launch into another captivating story about his work as a private investigator. His stories were incredible, client cases and life experiences that made me question how one person could find themselves in so many extraordinary scenarios. But he was equally interested in my adventures, questioning me about the situations I'd encountered in my travels.

The waiter approached to refill our wine glasses. Alex politely waved him off, gesturing to leave the bottle. "So when will I have the pleasure of getting my hands on you again?" he asked, suggestion heavy in his tone as he poured wine into both glasses. This was our third date. We'd known each other for two months, speaking almost daily, but both travelled constantly for work. The intense lust that built during our time apart, filled only with phone calls and FaceTime, was becoming harder to ignore. We'd agreed not to rush things, but the tension was killing me.

"Well, I was hoping to surprise you, but a client had to reschedule..." I paused, hoping his quick wit would catch the hint. His brows lifted expectantly as he brought the glass to his lips. "So... I don't have to leave for San Diego in the morning. I was thinking I'd finally have time for apartment shopping." I swirled my wine nonchalantly, rolling my eyes away to gauge his reaction.

"Really? Josie, this is fantastic! Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could've arranged for my friend, who’s a real estate agent, to show you around." His eyes beamed with excitement, making my heart flutter. "I wanted it to be a surprise," I said, shrugging and smiling before taking a sip.

The rest of dinner was perfect. Alex had made reservations at his friend's five-star restaurant, and the energy between us elevated with news of my extended stay. We even agreed I'd stay at his place tonight, my stomach erupted with butterflies as possibilities raced through my mind. Alex had also hinted at making things official between us, which thrilled me beyond words.

After all the tragedy I'd left behind in my old life, this new happiness felt almost too good to be true. What could go wrong?

As we left the restaurant, Alex excused himself for a client call. I welcomed the cool summer air against my flushed cheeks as I made my way toward his car, slightly unsteady from wine and impossibly high heels. The car sat under a streetlight in the back corner of the parking lot. That's when I noticed a tall, dark figure emerging from behind the vehicle. The silhouette was too familiar. My eyes squinted, trying to focus, praying my mind was playing tricks.

"Jo-Jo!"

The voice carried across the parking lot, stopping me cold. Sebastian. How had he found me?

Fear and shock paralyzed me as Sebastian strode across the asphalt like he'd just found his lost puppy. But I wasn't his anything. I was once his childhood best friend. Years of memories, years of close friendship that he'd destroyed with an unforgivable betrayal. His harassment had escalated until I feared the person I'd once trusted most.

"Jo-Jo! Thank God I found you! Let's get you home." I wasn't going anywhere with him. How the hell had he even found me? "Sebastian, stop!" I demanded, but he barely broke stride. If anything, he moved faster.

My feet fumbled as I tried to create distance. Sebastian grabbed my forearm before I lost balance, his grip knocking the breath from my lungs. I couldn't scream even if I wanted to. Paralyzed by fear, held face-to-face with someone I'd known my whole life but no longer recognized.

Sebastian's eyes held a wild, unhinged look. His obsession had worsened with time and distance. "Sorry, Jo-Jo, but I have to take you home now." His voice was soft as he slowly pulled a dampened rag from his tattered sweater pocket.

Before my brain could process what was happening, my knee shot up hard into his groin. I missed the target but hit him in the upper thigh, enough to make him release my arm. My heels betrayed me as I ran toward the restaurant's front entrance.

Alex and I collided as I rounded the corner. "Josie! What's wrong? I thought—"

"Sebastian's here," I gasped through shock and panic. "He found me."

Something switched in Alex instantly. He tucked me behind him, maintaining a gentle but controlled hold on my wrist as he guided me back toward the parking lot with cautious steps.

Sebastian was stumbling around, reeking of alcohol. Between my blow to his thigh and his intoxication, he was a mess. Alex tugged my arm slightly as he confidently walked past Sebastian without even a glance.

"Who the fuck is that? Jo-Jo!" Sebastian straightened and shouted drunkenly.

"Josie, get in the car and keep your head down behind the dash until I'm in," Alex said swiftly, his tone sweet but urgent. He unlocked the car, headlights flashing and illuminating the lot. I quickly followed his instructions as Sebastian strode toward us.

Sebastian ignored Alex's commands, and the men began struggling. My curiosity battled with terror as I occasionally peeked over the dashboard. I'd never forgive myself if Alex got hurt, but childhood trauma reminded me that the sounds of struggle were better left unseen.

The fight was intense, and Sebastian was much bigger than Alex. Then, as quickly as it started, a muffled bang echoed through the air. A gunshot, but not loud enough to ring out behind these buildings. Too scared to look, my heart hammered in my throat.

"Shit!" Alex sighed.

Relief flooded over me knowing he was safe. Curiosity won as I peered over the dash to see Sebastian's boots and his still body on the ground.

Alex raised his watch to his mouth. "This is AC4, I need backup." Wait… backup? I leaped from the car. "Josie, you shouldn't see this. Get back in the car." Sebastian groaned, and Alex quickly ushered me back to the passenger seat. Four cars rushed into the parking lot within minutes. Men and women efficiently tended to the scene. Two loaded Sebastian onto a stretcher and into a blacked-out SUV, while others walked the perimeter with phones, emitting huge green flashes at security cameras.

Alex jumped in and sped off, tires squealing as we wove through traffic.

He slammed the steering wheel. "Fuck! … He's alive, by the way. Though it would've been better if he wasn't. I'm not sure how much longer he will be after pulling a stunt like that. Now I have you involved in all this!" My brain couldn't process where to begin panicking. Whose gun was it? How was Sebastian alive? Who were those people who showed up so quickly?

We reached Alex's building, where he guided me firmly but gently through the garage, elevator, and up to his apartment, constantly vigilant of our surroundings. Once inside, Alex locked the door and immediately examined me, my face, arms, hands. "Did he hurt you? Are you okay?" I was eye-level with the circle AP pendant hanging at his sternum, frozen like a deer in headlights. He gently tilted my chin up to meet his soft blue eyes.

"You're safe now."

"What happened?" Emotions finally caught up, my voice shaking as tears welled.

"He grabbed my gun and shot himself," Alex explained.

I pushed away from him. "Gun?" Alex raised his hands calmingly. "Josie, it's okay. It wasn't a real bullet. Sebastian's being taken care of. He'll be fine for now."

"Not a real bullet? Taken care of? Fine for now? What the hell does any of this mean, Alex?"

"It means I'm part of a secret organization, and you're now under our protection." The absurdity almost made me laugh. Alex moved to his bar cart, made himself a drink, took a long sip, then topped it off before making a second. "Sit. I'll explain." He gestured to the couch, setting a drink on the coffee table.

Reluctantly, I sat with cautious eyes on him.

Alex removed his necklace and handed me the pendant. For the next two and a half hours, he transported me into a world I could never of imagined existed.

Alex was part of a worldwide secret organization of hitmen, but not the lawless, “kill-for-cash” type. The Apex Circle was extremely structured, with rules, laws, and training. They were sworn to kill only for good, targeting those who threatened the innocent: pedophiles, rapists, kidnappers, murderers.

The organization was employed by families who'd been part of it for centuries, all sworn to secrecy. They recruited anyone with skills and potential. Everyone lived double lives, his mother was a nurse whose medical knowledge made her a calculated assassin, often serving justice to those who arrived incapacitated on gurneys. His father was a lawyer who represented victims before eliminating their attackers. His brother was a city cop, and Alex, obviously, a private investigator.

The perfect system.

Sworn to secrecy or face death. Good luck running, their agency was international with skilled agents hiding in plain sight as regular people. My head and heart played tug-of-war between "I'm sitting on a hitman's couch!" panic and "I'm under a hitman's protection" relief. Danger and safety danced simultaneously as Alex explained his secret life, the secret life I was now part of.

The pendant felt heavy in my palm as I stared at the letters "AP" Apex Circle. My ordinary life had just become anything but ordinary, and there was no going back.