AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What do you want, Sloane? I’m taking the night off.”
“You see, that’s what I thought until I rode over here and saw your car in the parking lot at the park. So, feed me another line about why you’re out here working without your partner again,” Sloane hisses.
“I came to talk to the girls from last night, to see what I could find out about their pimp, but they weren’t here. Since I didn’t plan to deal with any Johns, I didn’t think I needed any backup,” I reason.
“But you did deal with a guy tonight,” he says.
“What are you talking about?”
“The guy that was in your face before the old lady said something to break you two up. I thought I was going to have to rescue you from him. What was up with that?” he asks protectively.
“Damn, what have you been following me all night? Are you watching me right now?” I ask, looking around.
“I’m not watching you. I’m looking out for you, Yan. There’s a difference. I know you’re headstrong and will try to work without me. It’s too dangerous out here for that,” he argues.
“I know what’s going on out here better than you do, Sloane. Remember, I’m the one that goes into these rooms with men, and you’re the one who stands outside waiting for a signal. I’m always closer to death than you are, and I never flinch; I have no fear,” I tell him.
“Whoa! That cuts deep. I didn’t know you thought of me like that. I think you know better than I do that I would go in with them if I had the right utensils,” he says, sounding wounded. “I care about what happens to you. That’s why I guard you even when you don’t want me to.”
“I don’t mean to come off rude, and yes, I appreciate you looking out for me. It just can be a bit much sometimes,” I acknowledge.
“Well, I want you to know that I’m here for you, even though you’re always pushing me away. When I vowed to look after my partner, I meant it,” he says.
“Thanks, partner. I have your back, too.”
“You’re welcome, and that’s good to hear. Good night, Yan.”
“Good night,” I say and hang up.
A few minutes later, I drive off, heading home. I see Sloane’s car take off in the opposite direction, but as I suspected he would be, when I arrive home he’s already waiting at the edge of my driveway.
“Just making sure you get in safely,” he yells out of the window.
I smile, go inside, disarm the alarm, and do a quick search throughout the house. It’s all clear, so I come back to the door to let Sloane know it’s safe for him to leave. It’s a routine we follow most nights, so I’m used to it. Sloane’s biggest fear is that one of the perps will find out where I live and come to attack me. He has to be swamped with work for him not to see me home safely.
“Everything is good, big brother,” I say because he treats me as if I’m a little sister that he has to guard against the world.
“Sweet dreams,” he says, waving before he pulls off with the turbo pipes on his Camaro raging as he rides away.
My house is quiet as I go through my usual routine of getting ready for bed. Once I lay in bed, the stranger from earlier tonight comes back to my mind. Somehow, when he was around, he made me forget my overbearing partner would likely be somewhere close by watching. Heck, he almost made me forget I’m an agent.
