Free Running From Love by Maggie Marr

his voice very clear. “I don’t.”
    “She’s important, this girl?
    “The most important girl I’ve ever met.”
    “Okay. Well she’s got a clean background, not that you asked for that, but the computer, it coughs up everything.” Robert stood and tapped his hand against the counter. “You’ll let me know if you need anything else.”
    Trevor lifted the file and flipped it open. “I will. Thanks for this.”
    “No problem.” Robert paused and his eyes scanned the kitchen. He took a breath and hesitated before he spoke again.
    “Trev?”
    “Tell me.”
    “I’ve been with your family since right after you were born, and you’re like a younger brother to my little girl. I’ve been assigned to you for forever. Maybe even more than you know. In the shadows, even after they told you that you got cut loose.”
    A grin hitched up one corner of Trevor’s mouth. “Kind of figured as much.”
    “You’re a smart guy, so I kind of thought you did. I know that this girl is important to you. I can tell from … well … because … Mesquale has security and I’m security.”
    Trevor sighed. “I’m not surprised.”
    “Look, your mom never asks. The order is to just let her know if there’s a problem. She doesn’t get reports on your personal life or any of that, so give her a little credit. She has the money and the access to know what you do every friggin’ second of your life if she wanted, but she doesn’t do that. She just asks if you’re okay. Safe. I definitely didn’t tell her about the big wave surfing you were doing on your vacation.”
    “Thanks for that.”
    “So I know, Trev, that this girl is important and she’s beautiful and she’s smart and she seems, you know like a good match, but there’s one thing.”
    Trevor’s heart tightened in his chest. Robert was a great guy. Guidance from him was usually right. Even as a teenager, Trevor had listened to Robert.
    “She runs. A lot.”
    Trevor nodded. “I know.”
    “She doesn’t want to feel trapped, and maybe it has to do with her mom ditching her family when she was only five or maybe it has to do with her dad having this borderline drinking problem and working all the friggin’ time, or maybe it’s just who she is. But Trev, man, you need to know, you need to be real clear, because man I’m older and here’s the thing”—Robert placed his hands on his hips—“I’ve met lots of people and while they can soften, man, they really don’t change.”
    Trevor tapped the edge of the folder on the counter. “I know that too.” He smiled at Robert. “Thanks man. Thank you for the information and thank you for the words. I get it.”
    “Okay then. You’re a grown man.” Robert clasped Trevor into a man hug. “When the hell did that happen?” He stepped back. “Shit, that means I’m old, because I was a young guy when I started watching you.”
    “Ha! You can still kick my ass any day of the week.”
    “Speaking of, gym, Friday. Krav Maga.”
    “Dude,” Trevor said and shook his head. “You’ll kill me. Seriously, I’ll die.”
    “Better you die on my watch than because some dumbass with a vendetta because his Up Side Burger was cold jacks you in the parking garage.”
    “Who was so obsessed with security?”
    “Funny enough, the way I heard it, your Grandma Estelle. Also heard she carried a peashooter in her purse her entire life.”
    “That I know is true,” Trevor said and followed Robert to the front door. “Got in trouble for playing with it when I was a kid. Was looking for mints and found Grandma’s gun.”
    “Bet Adele went ballistic.”
    “Yup.” Trevor opened the front door.
    “Seven a.m. Friday. Gym.”
    “Fine, fine.” Trevor nodded. “Got it. Just don’t get angry when I puke all over your shoes.”
    Robert laughed and walked down the front brick steps to his car parked on the circular drive. “Good luck, Trev,” he called and hopped into his car.
    Trevor closed the front door. He had his