I Choose You

Chapter 39: Invested

           Finding Sloane outside in the backyard with Gunner after work, he walks out the open back patio door. He sees her sitting in the grass playing with the crazy K-9.

          "Hey," he smiles, sitting down right beside her.

         "Hi," Sloane greets.

         "You okay?" Liam asks, kissing her temple.

          "Mhm."

          "I fired Kyle today," he informs Sloane, "for his insubordination and always being late issues."

          "Oh, that's good," looking over at Gunner whose sitting in front of Sloane and looking at her.

          "And I got a different lawyer to help get my daughter."

         "You didn't have too."

          "I'm not letting a guy that lets his girlfriend get the shit beat out of her help me."

         Sloane nods.

          "You need to press charges or something."

           "He's a lawyer. I won't win."

           "I'm talking about against Kyle."

           "I don't think so."

           "Why not Sloane? He could have killed you. Do you not think that?"

           "He didn't. I'll be fine."

           "Why don't you want to do it? Talk to me."

           "I just don't want too. Why can't you take that answer?"

           "Are you afraid he's gonna do it again?"

           Sloane nods.

            "He's not going to okay?" Liam says, sliding a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

          "You don't know the people he knows."

           "Look at me."

           Her eyes find Liam's.

          "Trust me on this. I'll protect you," Liam says, kissing her forehead.

           "You said I'm still his girlfriend."

          "Yeah," Liam smiles. "I know, but you aren't, because you're mine."

          Sloane smirks, looking out over Liam's yard. She feels Liam's lips kiss her temple. Gunner chasing squirrels and butterflies.

          "I have to go home."

          "Okay. You want me to take you home?"

          "No, it's okay. I can take a cab."

          "Sloane, don't shut me out now."

           "I'm not. I don't want you involved more than you already are."

           "I'm already invested."

           "The press and media will be all over me. I don't want you in that."

           "What did I just tell you?" Liam says. "I love you, and I'm invested. I want to make sure you get home safe."

          "I love you too."

         "Come on," Liam smiles kissing her forehead.

          She gets up, following Liam into the house.