“Sal, I didn’t know you worked this shift.”
“I don’t. They were shorthanded so I offered. If I hadn’t, I might not be here to see you leaving my sister’s house at,” he looked at his watch, “two o’clock. You do know she has to be at work in a few hours?”
She’s a big girl and doesn’t have a bedtime.Dylan also knew this had nothing to do with work, either. Dylan didn’t have any sisters, and he never gave a shit what hour of the morning his brothers got in. Actually, he usually was the last one, if he came home at all. Those were the days, when he’d run all night and then sleep it off till noon the next day. Now he’s up most nights working and hitting the gym before dawn. Damn, I thought the twenties were supposed to be your wild years. I must have quit early.
From the expression on Sal’s face, he wasn’t amused to be there. Dylan eased his mind. “She was just about to go to bed.”
“And that is a good thing?” he asked.
“Since she’s going alone, I thought you’d be happy,” Dylan stated.
Sal glared at him. “Don’t tempt me to haul your ass in, Lawson.”
“For what? Keeping your sister out past her curfew? I’d like to see that on the report. Or maybe you’d rather I go back upstairs and knock on the door. I’m sure she’s still awake.”
“And I’m sure you’re pushing your fucking luck. This is my sister you’re talking about,” Sal warned.
“I know. But she’s also a grown woman who can make her own decisions. If she wants to be with me, I don’t think there is anything you could do to stop her.”
“You’re one cocky bastard, aren’t you? Charlie told me about you. Your youthful years were…questionable. I haven’t asked him about who you are today, but there is something about you that says you haven’t changed much. Maybe you just hide it better.”
That was pretty accurate. Dylan replied, “Your mother likes me and more importantly, Sofia does. What you think really doesn’t matter one bit.” It was a hell of a lot of trouble to be going through for something that wasn’t even true. Hell, he hadn’t even had sex with her and Sal was riding his ass. This family really was overprotective. Then again, Sofia was worth protecting. She was unique, in more ways than he could count.
“Sal, I’d like to stand here and argue with you, but I have things that I need to do.”
“At this time of night?” Sal snarled. “Nothing good happens at this hour.”
Dylan laughed. “Then I really feel bad for you, because I can think of several things I enjoy all night. But then again, it’s not a topic for the two of us.” As Dylan turned to walk back towards his car, he added, “Have a safe night.” He meant it. Dylan might be an asshole in several ways, but he respected the law and those who enforced it. It just wasn’t a job for him. Hell, he’d spent a few years walking the fine line between legal and not.
Sal pulled his patrol car up to Dylan and said, “I’ll see you at Mama’s Place tonight. I think it’s a family dinner.” He was laughing as he pulled away.
I know. We set it up.It was good to know that Sofia wasn’t the only one with acting skills. Sal didn’t suspect anything, but Maria was another story. She could’ve worked for the CIA as an interrogator. If they could pull off dinner and make everyone believe he and Sofia are crazy about each other, then she would be free and clear to pursue her acting career. Because they’ll all believe she was in the city with him.
This was good news for Sofia. For him, he was beginning to question what the hell his motivation was. At first, he told himself he was helping Sal’s sister. But during their most recent talk, he’d been screwing with Sal. Was it smart pushing the guy’s buttons when he’d been sitting in his uniform? No. Had it been fun? Unfortunately, yes. It reminded him of the old days when he did such things to his brothers. Either way, it helped blow off the frustration that had been built up within him. Not that he wanted to forget the taste of Sofia’s lips, or the sexy curve of her body, but he didn’t sit on that couch for a reason.
He’d left a long list of heartbroken women in the past. She wasn’t going to be on it. Not if he could help it. She is worth protecting, maybe even from me.