Page 16 of Protecting Hailey

My breathing quickened, and I wondered what I should do. Should I follow Christian to see what was going on back there? Or should I wait here in the kitchen alone? I didn’t like either option, but when I heard shouting and a familiar voice, I ran down the hallway.

Oh, no. No, no, no.

I raced through the living room and stopped short when I saw Christian pointing his gun at someone’s head. The man staggered in his ripped jeans and white T-shirt. His dyed blonde hair was perfectly disheveled using an expensive pomade. I knew this because I’d bought it for him.

“I told you to stop moving and tell me who you are.”

“Me? Who ‘d fuck ‘r you? The man slurred and then tried to slap the gun away from Christian, but he was too slow. Christian twisted away and put the man in a headlock with the gun pressed against his temple. “I’m going to ask you this just one more time,” he snarled. “Who are you?”

There was a funny sound, a tiny yelp, and my eyes dropped to the ground near the man’s feet. Water trickled down his pant leg and pooled just below his jeans.

I closed my eyes and said, “He’s my boyfriend.”

***

I helped Trey out of his dirty clothes and threw him inside my shower. He screamed when the cold water hit his thin shoulders. “Stop complaining. You stink and you’re drunk.”

“I’m not drunk. I was nearly killed and you don’t give a shit.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me you got a new bodyguard,” he whined.

“I didn’t think you were going to try to break into my house.”

He coughed and gulped some water. “I wasn’t trying to break in,” he sputtered. “I just wanted to surprise you. I have news.”

I squirted body wash into a washcloth and passed it to him. “Don’t forget to get into all the spots,” I said.

“Maybe you can come in here and help me.”

The request should have been sexy, but the smell of stale whiskey and urine still permeated my nostrils. “I’ll be in the kitchen when you’re done.”

I found Christian sitting at the kitchen table. “Do you want a coffee?” I asked, walking up to the coffee machine.

He shook his head and stood up from the table. “Look, Hailey, I’m sorry about that. But when I saw him inside your home, I just reacted. I didn’t think.”

I nodded. “That’s what I pay you for. So don’t sweat it. It’s not like you shot him or something.”

“It was close,” he muttered. Then he looked up at me. “Why—”

“Why?”

He shook his head. “Never mind.”

“No. Say what you were going to say.”

“Is there anyone else I should know about?” he rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean, so that I’m prepared.” Clearing his throat, he added. “Anyone else with a key to the place?”

I shrugged. “Nah, most people just ring the doorbell. Besides my parents, and Trey, no one else has a key.”

He nodded. “Ok. Thanks.”

I pressed the button for an espresso and waited while the machine prepped the water.

“So, how long have you two been dating?”

“Um…” I tapped the counter, trying to think back. “Ten months?”

---