Free Her Only Protector by Lisa Mondello

you stretch out on the sofa? It’s comfortable.”
    â€œNo, that’s okay.”
    Before she could protest further, he stood. Ellie seemed unaffected by his movement. “That’s okay. I’ll sit in the chair. You don’t have to sleep if you don’t want to. Just get comfortable. You look like you’re about to fall over.”
    Gone were the cold stares and harsh attitude and in their place, Sonny saw concern. She welcomed the change, but she knew she shouldn’t. Gil wanted something she couldn’t give him. Something she didn’t want him to get. As nice as he was now, she was sure the accusing glare would return if she didn’t give him the information he wanted.
    Walking over to the sofa, she perched on the edge. If she allowed herself to fall back against the deep cushions, she’d pass out. She was sure of it.
    â€œEllie’s asleep,” Sonny said. “Maybe I should put her back in the crib.”
    â€œNot yet. She needs to be fully asleep or she’ll wake up again. Too bad we don’t have a car seat to put her in,” he said, easing back in the armchair.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI used to let Johnny sleep in his car seat by my bed. It helped him.”
    â€œI could just hold her like you’re doing.”
    Gil shook his head. “You’re not used to holding her like this. If you fall asleep, she might slip from your arms.”
    Sonny sighed, annoyed with herself for thinking more about getting sleep than what she could do for the baby.
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    The words were spoken so softly that Sonny would have missed them if she hadn’t seen Gil’s lips move. The expression on his face told her he meant it.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI was wrong. I shouldn’t have called you a criminal,” he said gently.
    Her smile was weak, but she felt it in her heart. “Forgiven.”
    â€œThat easy, huh?”
    â€œYep, that easy. You got the baby to stop crying, so I’m in your debt for that.”
    He looked down into Ellie’s face. “She doesn’t look like you.”
    â€œShe looks like my mother. Cash looks like my mother, too.” Tears filled her eyes. How could she be complaining, even if only to herself, that she was tired and out of her element when Cash was the one so clearly in trouble?
    â€œCome on,” Gil urged. “You know you want to trust me.”
    It was true, but could she?
    â€œTell me what I want to hear, Sonny.”

FIVE
    â€œY ou never stop, do you?” she said, the weight of the day practically pulling on her eyelids. She was fighting to stay awake.
    â€œNo. But I can help you if you let me.” His voice was sincere and made her yearn to let down her guard with him.
    I trust in You, Lord, to guide me through my darkest hours. It would be so easy to trust Gil. But his motives for wanting information were mercenary.
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    â€œI’m no fool, Sonny. This wasn’t a quick vacation to Colombia. Why would Ellie’s mother allow you to take her to a foreign country? And why didn’t I ever see you with her until today? It doesn’t make any sense.”
    She lifted her chin. “It doesn’t need to make sense to you.”
    â€œLook, I know something is going on. I can help you. But only if you let me.”
    She turned away from his probing gaze. “You already ‘helped’ me back at the airport,” she said sarcastically. “Or have you already forgotten that?”
    â€œYou’re terrified of something.”
    â€œHow do you know it’s not you?”
    He took in her words and considered them. “Fair enough. But I know what kind of trouble your brother was in. If you’re afraid—”
    She cut him off. “I told you all I know.”
    â€œHave you?”
    Running her fingers through her hair