Page 24 of Scoring in Cedarwood

“I will and you, too. I’ll touch base with Tanner.”

“Keep an eye on your car. I’d hate to get paint on a perfectly good Beemer.”

“Me too.” He couldn’t imagine cleaning graffiti off Tanner’s ’Vette, either. “Call me or the desk if there are more developments.”

“You bet,” Devlin said.

“Thanks.” He hung up and bowed his head.Jesus fuck.He dialed Tanner. The call rang through to Tanner’s voicemail. Dane pounded his fist on the desk. He hated to wake Tanner up, but this was important. He tapped the icon for the call again.

After the fourth ring, Tanner answered. “Hi. You don’t need to wake me up. I’ve got the alarm.”

“I believe you.” He couldn’t hide the tension in his voice. “I didn’t call for that.” Besides, he wasn’t Tanner’s father.

“You’re angry.” Tanner sobered. “What’s wrong?” he asked, more awake.

“Can you get a ride to the ballpark? Would you let a friend of mine drive you to the stadium?” Dane asked.

“I could, I suppose, but I have a car. Why?”

“Someone defaced the parking lot of the stadium and painted all over the statue. Hate speech.” Dane stared out of the window at his own car. At least they had security cameras in their parking lot and a healthy relationship with the police. If something happened, they’d know and the situation could be rectified quickly. “I’m worried that when you go to the stadium, you’ll be attacked,” Dane said. “It’s dangerous.”

“I’ll need a ride home,” Tanner said.

“I’ll get you.” He didn’t have to think twice. He couldn’t leave in time to deliver Tanner to the Wildcats facility, but he could retrieve him.

“Dane.”

“I protect my own.” He’d surprised himself with his defensive streak.

“Your own? I belong to you?”

“Do you not want to?” Dane asked.I’ve overstepped my boundaries, haven’t I?

“I like being kept by the doctor,” Tanner said. “But I didn’t think you cared that much.”

“I do,” Dane said. “I’m going to call my friend Lindsay. He’ll give you a ride.” His friend owed him a favor or two. “Once I’m sure he’ll be there, I’ll text you with the kind of car and what he looks like.”

“You don’t have to do this, but I appreciate how much you care,” Tanner said. “Thank you.”

“I’m hoping it’s a one-time graffiti incident, but with the fliers and other shit happening, I don’t want to take any chances.” He suppressed a groan. “I want you to be safe.”

“You trust Lindsay?”

“I do. He and I met at the October Faire after I moved here and have been tight ever since. He’s part of the newspaper staff, so once I tell him about the graffiti, he’ll be right on the story.” Dane nodded, not that Tanner could see him. “He’s smart and will help.”

“All righty.” Tanner hesitated. “It’ll be okay.”

“I hope so.”Am I acting like a father figure?Kind of looked that way.Do I care?Part of him did, but the rest didn’t. Tanner’s safety was the most important. “I’ll see you at the end of the second game tonight. I won’t miss it.”

Tanner snorted. “I’m looking forward to seeing you. I never thought you’d come through, but I’m glad.”

“Good. Until later,” Dane said.

“Until later.” Tanner laughed then hung up.

Dane typed a message to Lindsay and made a mental bet as to how fast Lindsay would reply. He’d make sure Tanner was taken care of—even if it meant calling in favors. If he could prevent Tanner from being assaulted, then all the better.

Lindsay replied slower than he’d expected.

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