Page 116 of My Damaged Protector

“What do you need me to do?” I ask.

“Protect me?” she says questioningly.

I huff. It's not even a question. I would drop and do anything to keep her safe.

“I'm on my way,” I say, already thinking of how fast I can get there before morning. I'll have to call Richard to inform him I'll be away for a while.

“No, Ian. You don't need to come to where I am. I don't… um… feel too safe here. Can I… Can you help me get anywhere safe? So I can come and hide out for a while?”

I immediately remember the mansion, and I nod.

“Sure. Can you get to Glazer Ville on your own?”

“I don't want to go to my old house, Ian, or my aunt's. He can easily find me in either of those places,” she says frantically.

“Yeah, I know. This is somewhere different and safe. Trust me.”

“If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have called.”

Hearing her say those words makes my heart swell. Then I remember the only reason she's in trouble right now is because she's hiding something from not only the world, but me too. She claims she trusts me but clearly not enough to tell me what her secret is.

That doesn't mean I won't help her, though.

“Alright then. See you soon,” I say.

“Yeah, I'll be there before morning. Thank you for doing this.”

I shrug and then remember she can't see me. “It's fine. I have to go, get things set.”

“Alright. Bye.”

“Yeah, bye.” I end the call and let my head hang for a few minutes.

Exactly what is she hiding?

When I've finally had the time to wrap my head around what's going on, I shower, pack a bag with some of the new clothes I've bought, and head to my truck.

My phone starts to ring again as soon as I get inside.

Good, I planned to call him anyway.

“Richard, I was just about to call you.”

“Whatever you have to say, it'll have to wait. I need you to come by the station right now. There's an emergency, and Shine just got ill. I need you to cover for him.”

Shit.

I can't.

“Richard, I'm leaving town. That was why I wanted to call you,” I say gently. He's not going to like this. I don't either, but I hope he understands. I've never had to turn down a job until now.

Sarah needs me more, and I'm sure the guys will manage without me. It'll be tough, but they'll manage. Richard just called because I'm always the one available for cover and extra time.

“Fuck. How many days?” he asks.

“I don't know, a few days, maybe a week or more. I'm not sure, but this is important.”

“I know. You wouldn't be leaving if it wasn't. Call me when you get there. Right now, I have lives to save.”

---