The Ultimate Soldier

Simon spent the next few days reflecting on the night with Khloe and Alex. The unease he had felt toward Alex hadn't completely dissipated, but he trusted his instincts—he always did. Still, being who Simon was, he couldn't just let things slide without making sure he had all the facts.

As a former major, Simon had learned the art of investigation—gathering intel, reading between the lines, and making informed decisions based on hard evidence. He wasn't about to let someone get close to his sister without knowing exactly who they were.

The next morning, Simon sat in his study, his laptop open in front of him. He began his research on Alex. Using the connections he had from his time in the field, Simon quickly dug up information on Alex's background. He found that Alex's parents were both well-respected doctors—established figures in the medical community. That gave Simon some peace of mind. A solid family background meant that Alex had some sense of responsibility, something Simon valued highly.

He also discovered that Alex was deeply involved in his community, regularly attending church with his parents and participating in various charity events. For Simon, this was a sign of good character. Someone who believed in family values and community service had earned some level of respect in his eyes. It wasn't enough to erase all of Simon's lingering doubts, but it was a start.

Simon leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he thought about everything he had learned. He had wanted to ensure that Alex wasn't just another opportunistic individual. Now, Simon was feeling somewhat relieved. The man wasn't perfect—no one was—but Simon was beginning to see that Alex was at least decent.

After a moment, Simon closed his laptop and stood up, stretching his legs. He wasn't the kind of person who dwelled on things for long. If Alex was serious about Khloe, then Simon would respect that—at least for now.

Later that day, he caught up with Gigi, who had been busy with her own projects. She could sense Simon's mood had shifted, and she raised an eyebrow as he joined her in the living room.

"Something on your mind?" she asked softly, her voice full of warmth.

Simon walked over to the window, looking out at the view for a moment. He didn't need to explain everything to Gigi—she already knew him too well. She could tell when his mind was racing and when he was deep in thought.

"I did a little digging on Alex," Simon admitted, turning toward her. "Just wanted to make sure he's a good match for Khloe."

Gigi's expression softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I know you're protective of your sisters, Simon. But you also know that Khloe's not a little girl anymore, right?"

Simon's lips twitched upward, but there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "I know. But I can't just turn off the protective brother mode. It's a habit, and it's who I am."

"I get it," Gigi said, walking over to him. "But it sounds like you've done your homework, and Alex has passed the test. You can relax a little, you know."

Simon nodded slowly. He wasn't quite ready to fully relax, but Gigi was right. He had done his due diligence, and for now, Alex wasn't a threat to Khloe. He would watch over her, of course, but he didn't need to be as on edge as he had been.

Later that evening, as the family gathered for a casual dinner, Simon noticed that Khloe and Alex seemed to be getting along well. There was no tension in the air, no awkwardness between them. Simon observed their interactions closely but found nothing to be concerned about. Alex was respectful, and Khloe seemed genuinely happy with him.

After dinner, Simon made his way outside to the balcony, where the cool night air was a welcome change from the warmth inside. He leaned against the railing, watching the stars above. Gigi came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Everything okay?" she asked, her voice soft.

Simon turned and looked at her, his eyes filled with quiet affection. "Yeah," he said with a smile. "I'm just thinking."

"About Alex?" Gigi teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Simon chuckled. "Maybe a little. But also about everything. About family, about how much we've all been through."

Gigi nodded, her gaze becoming more serious. "We've all had our challenges, Simon. But we've come out stronger. And now... we've got each other. I think that's what matters most."

Simon pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. "You're right," he said quietly. "I'll keep my eye on things, but... maybe I can finally let go of the worries for now."

They stood there in comfortable silence, the quiet hum of the night surrounding them. Simon knew the next steps would be important, but for the moment, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. His family was together, and he had the support of Gigi—his partner, his equal. That, above all else, was something he'd always protect.

As the night stretched on, Simon made his way back inside, ready to face whatever came next. He was still who he was—a protector, a warrior, but now, he had something else too: peace of mind.

And for now, that was enough.

To be continued...