Read Online Out to Protect by Amber Skyze - Free Book Online

could see what he’s doing.”
    Grant’s phone beeped, alerting him to an incoming call on his other line.
    “Hold on, Parker. I got a call on the other line.”
    “Matteson here.”
    “Watch your back, faggot.”
    “Ralph? Is this you, Ralph?” Fear rocked him to the core.
    The phone beeped. Ralph had hung up.
    He pressed the Talk button and switched back to Parker.
    “Hey, that was Ralph again warning me to watch my back.”
    “Damn, he must be calling from his car. Wait, I see taillights. He’s on the move.”
    “What direction?” Sickness filled Grant. He didn’t want Ralph to be guilty. He didn’t want to have to arrest his friend. He didn’t care that Ralph regarded him as an enemy now; Grant still cared about him. Yes, he still feared Ralph. Given the two phone calls he’d received, he had every right to be frightened. Yet, until Ralph was proven guilty, he wanted to believe the best about him.
    “Stay put, Grant. I’ll keep you posted. Once he stops, I’ll give you a location so you can meet up with me.”
    Fine by Grant. As much as he wanted to catch the killer, if it were Ralph, Grant preferred to remember his friend as a hero, someone who saved lives, not ended them.
    “Are you sure?” Grant held his breath, waiting for Parker to change his mind.
    “Yes. I’ll get back to you shortly.” Parker ended the call.
    Grant sat in his car outside the pizza place. He wouldn’t be eating now. His appetite fled once he learned Ralph was on the move. He rested his head against the side window. Where did everything go wrong? How had things come to this? He knew he wasn’t to blame for the killings, but shit if he didn’t feel partially responsible. They seemed to come out the same day he told Ralph, and that was the day the killer took the life of a male prostitute. It seemed there had to be a connection to Grant coming out. It was the only thing that made sense.
    As much as he wanted to believe Ralph was innocent, there were the phone calls. They basically pointed a guilty finger at him.
    “Fuck.” How much more could go wrong?
    A car honking caught his attention. He looked up and realized it was directed to another driver. Unable to wait any longer, Grant grabbed his phone and dialed Parker.
    “Hello.”
    “Where are you?”
    “You really want to know?”
    “Of course; why the fuck do you think I asked?” What was wrong with Parker? Had he lost his mind?
    “He’s headed in the direction of your house.”
    Grant’s lungs constricted. He couldn’t breathe. Ralph was headed in his direction. What did that mean? Was his life in danger?
    “Are you certain?” He knew the answer, but hoped it wasn’t true.
    “I’m certain. Stay out of sight. I can’t protect you if I’m not there yet.”
    Grant wanted to laugh. Parker acted like Grant wasn’t capable of protecting himself from Ralph.
    “Have you forgotten how long I’ve been a cop? I can handle Ralph if I need to. Besides, we’re not certain he’s coming after me.”
    Grant watched the street, looking for signs of Ralph’s car. Shit, the chief would be extra pissed at Grant once he found out he and Parker had separated. Grant would need to be honest and let the chief know it wasn’t Parker’s idea; he’d take all the blame for this one. He couldn’t allow his new partner to get in trouble for Grant’s actions.
    “I’m not saying you can’t handle Ralph. It’s just that we’re better as a team than alone.”
    Grant wondered if his comment had more meaning to it than just protecting him from Ralph. Pumped up from a possible encounter with Ralph, Grant felt the adrenaline flowing through his veins. The idea that Parker may feel something for Grant added to his blood flow.
    He didn’t have much time to contemplate Parker’s feelings, because Ralph drove by him.
    “He just passed me.” Grant pressed the Off button and turned his car around to follow Ralph. As predicted Ralph pulled up in front of Grant’s house. He turned