Page 104 of We Own Tonight
Instead of doing what I really want to do, I smile. “Okay.”
Eli bursts out laughing and pulls me on his lap. “You’re such a shittyliar.”
“Don’t laugh at me.” I smack hischest.
“You should see your face. Don’t ever go intoacting.”
Whatever.
“Let’s go, Eli.” Sharon claps her hand. “I want you to go for as long as youcan.”
I glare at her. “Don’t you think you should be a little concerned forhim?”
“I’m concerned for his career, which is my job.” Sharon doesn’t even look at me. She goes back to her phone and huffs. “I’ll meet you out there. Don’t takelong.”
I get to my feet once she leaves the room. “I’m pretty sure she’s Satan’sdaughter.”
He chuckles. “Makes me glad she’s on our teamthen.”
Eli pulls me into his arms, and I wrap mine around his waist. “I love you,” I tellhim.
“I loveyou.”
He drops his lips to mine, and I couldn’t give a shit less about his fans waiting or Sharon, who is probably ready to butcher me. Right now, I have him all to myself. I love how centered he makes me feel. I never worry where his mind is. When we’re together, it’s onus.
“You should go,” I mumble against his mouth. “And be careful, those women are crazy and will try to kidnapyou.”
He pulls back. “Don’t worry, we have policeprotection.”
“What?” Iask.
Eli shrugs. “I know you’re able to take care of yourself, but this is a new set of rules. You’re in my world now, and I’m going to do what I can to protectyou.”
I’m still not understanding. What the hell does any of this have to do with policeprotection?
He waits a second, and it hitsme.
“Oh my God! You have people here to protect me? Other cops? I am a cop, Eli. I don’t need protection.” There’s no freaking way this is going to work for me. I’m not getting other cops to shadow me. A lot of us do it part time. It’s great money when the celebrities are in town. I’ve done it, and over my dead body will I become one ofthose.
“You have no idea what the hell crazy fans are like, I do. We do this my way, baby. No room for discussion, at least in the beginning. I have a bunch of off duty guys who will stay with me and some will stay withyou.”
My eyes narrow. There are so many damn things to say to him, but the worry in his eyes makes me swallow every single one of them. He’s truly afraid and doing what he can to ease his ownfears.
“We’ll talk later. Right now, you need to go.” I table thediscussion.
His brow raises, but he doesn’t say anything. We both know what this means . . . one hell of an argument followed by some fantasticsex.
We exit the room, and I see a bunch of my squad leaning against thewall.
“Hey! Look who it is, our very own celebrity officer!” Whitman laughs and looksaround.
“Look, it’s my over-aged security detail.” I smile. “I’ve missed youjackasses!”
And I have. I’ve been off work since Stephanie passed away, and I’ve been itching to get back on the road. This squad is part of my family. We may give each other a hard time, but I would literally take a bullet for them. They’re my brothers, and I don’t forget how lucky I am to have these kinds of people in mylife.
Whitman and Vincenzo pull me in for a hug. “It’s good to see you with asmile.”
“Yeah, it’s all thanks to this guy. Boys, this is EliWalsh.”
