Out to Protect by Amber Skyze Page A

point.”
    Parker placed a hand on Grant’s arm. “I’ll do what I can to keep you safe from him.”
    “Thanks,” Grant said, touched by Parker’s intimate act.
    “It’s my job.”
    Grant’s mouth hung open unable to grasp the quick change in Parker’s attitude.
    “Yeah, I got that.”
    “Get moving.”
    The chief’s command charged the duo from their chairs.
    Grant stormed from the office and through the department. He spied Ralph sitting at his desk. He shot Grant a look of disgust.
    It struck Grant as odd. He expected something more. Something evil. He hadn’t expected disgust. It gave him pause for a moment. Wouldn’t a man who had murder on his mind have a different look on his face?
    “Hey”—Parker nudged Grant’s arm—“let’s get moving.”
    “Yeah, right.” Though Grant felt they should stick around. Ralph was sitting at his desk. Where the hell were they going to go? The person they were supposed to be tailing wasn’t out on the streets.
    Grant gave Ralph one more look, but his former partner wasn’t paying attention to him. Ralph seemed engrossed with his computer screen.
    The last few days had been such a whirlwind of events. He wished he could turn back time and start over.
    “Do you want to go back and see if we can question some of the people we missed?” Parker suggested.
    “Can’t hurt.” Grant turned on his heels and headed out the door into the sunlight. The bright sun blinded him momentarily. He pulled out his sunglasses and covered his eyes. The walk to the car was done in silence.
    Grant’s thoughts turned to Parker’s touch. It’d sent heat radiating through his veins and straight to his groin. In lightning speed Parker had turned him on and off.
    Parker jumped in the passenger seat, and Grant took the wheel. For the first time in ages, Grant didn’t feel like driving. He wanted to be a passenger and get lost in his thoughts. Masturbating hadn’t curbed his desire for Parker. He’d hoped it would make him forget the idea of bending him over the bed and stuffing Parker full of his hard cock.
    With the car started and in gear, Grant stepped on the gas and sent Parker slamming against the seat.
    “What the fuck?”
    “Sorry, Sloane.”
    He eased off the gas and slowed the car. As they pulled out of the parking lot, he glanced into the rearview mirror and noticed Ralph standing in the lot staring in his direction. A chill filled him.
    “Looks like we’re gonna have company soon.”
    Parker turned his head to look out the rear window. “Who?”
    “Ralph. Can’t you see him standing there?” When Grant looked into the mirror again, Ralph was gone. Fuck, the guy scared him. He had the ability to appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. That didn’t give Grant the warm fuzzies.
    “I don’t see anyone.” Parker turned and buckled his seat belt.
    “Well, he was there. Just standing there looking directly at the car. He gave me the creeps.”
    Parker placed a reassuring hand on Grant’s arm again. “It’ll be okay. I’m not going to let him hurt you. I have your back.”
    How did he manage to do that? One minute Parker seemed so guarded, the next so comforting.
    “I appreciate it, Parker. If Ralph is the killer, we’re dealing with the worst type of killer. He knows the ins and outs of the detective work.” They really were dealing with the extremes—the worst-case scenario.
    Parker moved his hand up and down Grant’s forearm. “He’s not going to get to you. I know you look at me like a rookie, but I have expertise. I can protect and serve you and the citizens of Bristol.”
    Grant laughed.
    “What’s so funny?” Parker pulled away as if his skin had been singed.
    “Nothing. There’s nothing funny about this situation. I just think you’re being a bit naive if you think you can protect me or yourself from someone as skilled as Ralph. He’s been around a long time. He’s averted danger on many occasions. Do you know he’s never been