Page 20 of Billionaire Protector

Sarah’s breath hitched, yet there was no way to stop the two most infuriating men in her life from leaving together. As they staggered out of the building, she could only watch…

And hope her father didn’t reveal the truth.

“So tell me about Sarah.”

Cole wasted no time, offering the question as soon as Alfred was safely ensconced in the back of his patrol car. No telling how long the inebriated man would remain conscious, and although everything he said would be suspect due to his state, he might share something that would illuminate the mystery of his captivating boss.

“Sarah, Sarah, Sarah,” Alfred sang as he splayed across the back seat. “My poor baby Sarah.”

Cole frowned. Through the years Sarah had frustrated him, practically driven him half mad, but she’d never elicited his pity. Not that he didn’t empathize with her – he just didn’t know ofany reason to pity her. Had he missed something? “Why do you say that? She had a difficult childhood.”

“Sarah was never any trouble!” Alfred shot up, bloodshot eyes flashing. “She was perfect. The most perfect, giving kid who ever lived.” He sniffed.

Cole gripped the steering wheel until his fingers stuck to the fake leather. Sarah used to be the queen of mischief, yet the man who raised her was now defending her? What didn’t he know? “It must have been stressful fighting to keep her out of trouble. I always tried to help, but she never seemed to want it.”

The words seemed to infuriate Alfred even more. He banged on the divider between the two rows. “That’s because you didn’t really want to help! I know what you want. You want to separate us, don’t you? Well, she’s mine and you can’t have her. Not ever! I’ll take her away if I have to. You’ll never see her again!”

A fierce denial raced through Cole, electrifying his senses and energizing his predator’s instincts. Like hell he wouldn’t see her again. Just the thought of her leaving instigated the fierce urge to chase.

Wait, what?

He would chase her?

YES.

“Mr. Tanning, calm down.” Cole kept his eyes on the road. “No one is taking Sarah away from you.”

“Not because they haven’t tried!” the older man thundered. “That’s what you want, isn’t it? You want her all for yourself, don’t you?”

Cole opened his mouth, but the denial wouldn’t come. Not a protest, not a rebuttal, not the simple word no. As Alfred’s nonsensical words flew into the background, a new mystery surfaced. Why couldn’t he reassure the distraught man?

Did he want Sarah for himself?

“I knew it.” Alfred suddenly appeared as deflated as a two-week-old helium balloon. “That’s how special my Sarah is. Even thinking the worst, everyone still wants her. Could you imagine if they knew the truth?”

“The truth?” Cole seized on the slip. He lifted his foot from the pedal, slowing the car and extending his time. They had just turned onto the older man’s street and would be there in moments. Was he on the verge of discovering Sarah’s secret?

He waited impatiently for a response that didn’t come. Time ticked as he rolled down the block and finally pulled to the curb in front of Alfred’s home. He shifted the car into park and turned. “What do you mean?”

Alfred gave a loud snore.

“Mr. Tanning?”

Another snore.

Frustration tightened taut muscles. He’d been so close. But no answers would come, at least not now, so he walked around the car and opened the back door. Alfred was lying on the seat, drool dripping down one side of his mouth. “Mr. Tanning, wake up.”

Alfred barely moved. Cole shook him firmly, but he was out cold. Finally, he gave up and carefully hoisted him over his shoulder. The older male was frail and light, not like the brawny man he remembered. He carried him easily to the front door, which was thankfully unlocked, and traversed the cluttered yet surprisingly clean interior. There was no way Alfred kept a neat home on his own; Sarah must either do it or hire a maid. He deposited Alfred on the couch, left a phone nearby and quietly left the home.

What had Alfred been about to reveal? What had he meant when he mumbled about Sarah being perfect, about people wanting to separate them? What secret was she hiding? A hundred possibilities rose as Cole drove back to the station.Perhaps they were simply the ramblings of a drunk man… or perhaps they represented something far more.

Whatever it was, he would discover the truth.

CHAPTER 5

Cole Carter’s Review

Secrets:3 stars

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