Page 19 of Billionaire Protector

“Actually, I can think of more serious things.” His voice deepened. “However, it’s best not to tell you how I actually feel.”

Her smile faded. What didthatmean? She already knew how he felt about her. She was like an annoying kid sister you tried to protect yet couldn’t quite manage. He couldn’t possibly feel anything more.

Could he?

She heaved in air scented with his masculine spice. She needed to change the subject before she admitted a far too personal truth. “I wanted to ask you something. When you were climbing the tree–”

“You mean climbing the tree to save a monkey, who by definition, lives in a tree?” he interrupted. “Who showed me his gratitude by using me as a urinal?” He grimaced, yet unlike the original episode, didn’t threaten to put her back in pretend detention. “What about it?”

“What happened up there? You were doing great, then you froze and stopped responding. You seemed–” She hesitated. “Out of sorts.”

All traces of humor vanished. “I was fine,” he replied gruffly. “Iamfine.”

His denial was strong, vehement and invited no reply. She should leave it alone, forget and move on, yet something propelled her forward. Not curiosity, although there was plenty of that, but something kinder, stronger. If he needed help, she had to try. “Are you sure, because for a second–”

“I said it was nothing.” Cole’s voice stabbed the question, his countenance raw ice. “Just forget it.”

She hadn’t even told him what she’d seen. The fear. The sheer terror. Yet she bit back her response, instead gripping her desk and scooting her chair back. This meeting had definitely gone too long.

Only before she could leave, loud voices sounded from outside, including one very familiar slurring cadence. She bit back a curse. “Not again.”

“Not again?” Cole turned, just as an older man burst into the office without asking.As always.

A toxic combination of whiskey, rum and general uncleanliness filled the room, so thick it merited its own gray cloud. The man was only sixty, but looked decades older with wrinkled gray skin, yellowing teeth and stringy, scraggly hair, no two of which seemed inclined to go in the same direction. His eyes were red and bloodshot, his jeans ripped and his wife-beater shirt stained and ill-fitting.

The familiar horror swirled, the anger, the frustration, and most of all pure grief. Sarah forced it away, as she stood, hands on hips. “What are you doing here?”

His mouth turned into a sneer. “Don’t take that tone of voice with me, young lady. I don’t need a reason to visit my kid.”

Cole stood. “Mr. Tanning?” His eyes were wide with incredulous recognition, his voice a thousand shades of surprise.

Just perfect.

Alfred turned to Cole, his sneer deepening, and almost falling for the effort. Sarah prepared to jump to his aid as he teetered like a toddler, only just managing to right himself. “What’s it to you?” The older man pointed an accusing finger… at the potted plant five feet away. He shook his head and managed to point it within two feet of Cole. “Hey, I know you. You’re that kid who keeps accusing my Sarah. Why don’t you leave her alone? She’s never broken the law in her–”

“Dad, we have to get you out of here.” Sarah jumped forward before Alfred gave Cole a new reality to consider. Not that he’d believe the truth anyways.

“Wait a second, girl. Someone needs to set this boy right. Always walking around like the high and mighty. Not that I’m free of blame of course.” He sniffed. “Baby, can you ever forgive me?”

How dare he.

How dare he beg for forgiveness when he was doing exactly what had almost destroyed her in the first place? How dare he show up at her work after a day and night of carousing? How dare he ask forhope?

Her sympathy – and hope – had run out long ago. “You get sober, then we’ll talk forgiveness.” She strode to him and reached out, but he surprised her by looping his arm across her neck, suddenly putting all his weight on her slender frame. Gravity pulled her toward the hard floor, upending her balance and the world.

She would’ve fallen if Cole hadn’t stepped in. The muscular man had no difficulty supporting the drunkard. “Let him go,” he said in a gruff voice. She did as he directed, only because the weight was so great. “Where should I bring him?” he asked.

Oh no. The two of them together, sharing memories and secrets? “If you get him outside, I can drive him home.”

Cole shook his head firmly. “You can’t support him all the way to his place. Just tell me where he lives, and I’ll take him.”

“No!” The word emerged strong and loud, filled with decades of pain and anguish. Cole looked startled, as did the entire office staff, who now provided a rapt audience for the unfolding drama. If she didn’t let Cole take her father home, he’d demand why, yet if she did, he could learn the truth. And if Cole ever found out what her childhood was truly like, it would change everything.

She hadn’t a choice. Getting Alfred home on her own was nearly impossible. Usually, she’d ask one of the other deputies for help, but she couldn’t do that after Cole had offered. “All right,” she acquiesced. “If you’re sure you don’t mind. His home is a few blocks away, right next to Mary Lou’s Bakery on Fifth, number 115. But don’t bother talking to him. He’s so drunk, nothing he says is going to make any sense.”

Cole’s gaze sharpened. Had she already said too much? Thankfully, he said nothing as he easily hoisted the man forward. “Come on, Mr. Tanning, let’s get you home.”

“Fine, I’ll go.” He gazed at Sarah out of one bloodshot eye, and somehow her heart cracked at this man who had already pierced it so many times. He tore his gaze away, turned to the strong man who supported him. “You’d better start listening, son. I have a lot to tell you.”

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