Jaz walked into Pax’s office and found him sitting at his computer. He looked up as she shut the door. Pax sighed heavily and leant back in his chair. ‘I guessed this was coming.’
Jaz sat on the desk in front of him. ‘Do you hate Ryan?’ she asked. ‘For telling me about this stuff?’ she said waving her hand. She couldn’t bring herself to mention the agency out loud to Pax just yet.
Pax leant forward and held her hand. ‘Jaz, I don’t hate Ryan. He’s a terrific guy and one I’d want around in a tricky situation. What I don’t like is that he found you. You are my little angel. You and Anna are both my girls, have been since day dot. It was a rude shock to come back and find you had been dragged into my world. It’s not an easy life. Ryan is living proof of that. He is still coming to terms with Chris’ death and I would hate for you to go through that.’
‘I know you would, Pax. But people die all the time from accidents. At least Chris was doing something he believed in.’ Jaz squeezed his hand. ‘I don’t like that I’d have to lie to everyone I love, just as you have done to us. I can’t imagine that it’s easy.’ The tears brimming in Pax’s eyes agreed. ‘But I can’t see myself doing anything else worthwhile. You know I hate the rich blasé life. You know I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful. Pax, what is more meaningful than trying to save lives?’
Pax sniffed and cleared his throat. ‘You don’t have to tell me Jaz. It’s what I try and do too.’ He smiled up at her. ‘You have grown up so much, I guess it scares me. You are no longer my little angel.’
‘Pax, I will always be your little angel.’ Jaz leant across and hugged him and they stayed like that for ages.
‘How did you come to work for them?’ Jaz leant back so she could memorise Pax’s features, from his wrinkles to the soft kind eyes.
‘I was approached by James’ dad, Louis Jnr. Apparently, they had been watching me from an early age when I started winning some prizes for my computer work. I was a computer nerd, so to be offered something like this, something where I could be helping and saving people without having to leave my comfort zone, it was a once in a lifetime chance.’
‘Have you ever killed anyone?’
‘No. Not directly. But I have helped get the job done. Jaz, our job isn’t to kill people, it’s to make them do the time for their crimes. But sometimes you get caught in the crossfire and it’s either them or you. That’s what Ryan has to deal with, and I guess maybe you too if you decide to join. That’s the part I’m struggling with.’
‘Me taking someone’s life?’ God, Jaz hadn’t really thought about that much. Could she do it? When she was attacked by those guys and if they’d started to hurt or rape her, if she had a gun would she have used it? ‘Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that for me.’ Hopefully she could just do little information gathering jobs and leave the hard core gang infiltration to Ryan and the rest. At least for the first few years.
‘So does this mean you want to do it?’ he asked softly.
‘Yes, I do, but not if you are dead against it, Pax. Coming here is my home and I don’t want it to be strained. I want your blessing and your support.’ Jaz glanced around the office. ‘I like knowing I can come here with you and for this not to be a lie. I know too much already Pax, and I can’t turn a blind eye to what’s going on. Not if I can help save someone. I know I can do this if you are with me. You are one less person I have to lie to. Keeping this from Anna will be hard enough.’
‘I know, Jaz. I know. Just take tonight to really think on it. Please? For me?’
‘Okay.’
After a few silent minutes, Jaz pulled out her wallet and handed over her fake ID to Pax.
‘What is this? Where did you get it?’ His eyes grew wide as he questioned her.
‘Anna takes after you more than she realises. You should really hide your stuff better. Anna is smart and she’ll work out sooner or later that you’re up to something.’
Pax paled slightly. ‘I hope it’s later. My God she’s good.’ He handed back the card.
‘I know. She would be great working alongside you,’ she said with a smile. Although Pax didn’t return it one bit. In fact, he looked a little green.
‘For my sake, I hope you are joking, Jaz. My poor heart couldn’t take much more today.’
‘Well rest easy. I’m going to go for a work-out. I need to clear my head.’
Jaz hugged Pax and he gripped her back tighter than ever. ‘I love you, kiddo.’