36.

Alex

S omething has happened to my brother. I don't know what, and I don't know why, but I suddenly feel a renewed desperation to find him for real. Ryan promises to help me, and I believe him. I also realize that it's going to take more than just money this time. It's going to take power. Whoever has him is pulling some serious strings. Hiring an actor to play Aaron was something that required planning and precision.

This means these people aren't playing around.

I'm standing in Ryan's house. I'm in the office on the second floor of the mansion, and I'm looking out of the window at the stars. He comes up behind me, slides his hands around my waist, and tugs me back against him.

"I promise you that we're going to find him," he says.

"I don't know how hard that's going to be," I whisper. I've been searching forever. Now I have to keep looking. I don't know why someone has hidden my brother away. I don't understand what Aaron could have meant to them. All I know is that Ryan makes me feel safe, and for some strange reason, I truly believe he's going to help me find Aaron.

I turn around and kiss him. Ryan kisses me back. I don't care that he's rich. He doesn't care that I'm poor. The two of us happened to somehow do something that most people never do: fall in love.

And I'm not giving up on him. I'm going to do whatever it takes to love Ryan because he's worth loving. He's worth the trouble, and he's worth the pain. He's worth everything to me. I need him so damn much.

"I love you," I promise him. It truly is a promise.

Then he whispers the words I've been needing to hear.

"I love you, too, princess. I love you, too."