Page 125 of My Damaged Protector

“At least take the car!” he yells after me.

Rolling my eyes, I turn around to face him. “I said I wanted to go on a stroll, not a drive.”

“Please Sarah, just take the car. It'll give me some semblance of peace while you're out.”

Looking at him, I see sincerity in his eyes, and I hear them in his words. Nodding, I give into his request and turn back inside the house to pick up my car key.

He's still outside when I come back, and he watches me as I enter the car and drive away.

It's not until I leave the estate that a breath of relief finally releases from my lungs.

When I get to the bar, I order a glass of lemonade, and it earns me a pointed look from Marlowe, the bartender, who I wouldn't exactly call a friend but isn't a stranger.

“I've just been feeling a little under the weather, and I don't want to trigger it by drinking alcohol,” I lie.

He nods and goes to fetch my order. He's back within a minute.

“Here, I got you some cookies from the kitchen, too. Whatever you're coming down with, I hope it's not too serious.”

I smile. “Thanks, Marlowe.”

“You're welcome,” he says but still doesn't leave.

He has more to say, doesn't he?

“What is it?” I ask him.

“It's just…” He trails off, a look of hesitation crossing his face.

“You can tell me,” I encourage him.

He nods and sighs, glancing behind me for a bit before he looks back at me again.

“There's this guy who’s been asking about you around town. From what I know, no one has told him anything so far, but he just walked into the bar, and he's coming toward us. I can help you escape through the kitchen, if you want.” He finishes, his words growing frantic toward the end, telling me Peter is closer to us.

“It's fine, Marlowe.”

“Are you sure?” he whispers.

“Yes.” I smile and grab my drink to take a sip. Picking up one of the cookies on the plate, I take a bite.

I feel Peter come up beside me on my left. He takes a seat before I feel his eyes turn to me.

“That looks good,” he says.

“It tastes better,” I counter.

“Mind if I take a bite?”

“Only if you promise to stop stalking me and get a life of your own,” I snap, finally letting myself face him.

There's a fat big grin on his face that leaves a huge hole in my gut.

He knows something.

He laughs and then shrugs before he stretches a hand to take one of my cookies. I slap his hand away.

“I see you're as greedy with food as you are with saving a life.”

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