Read Guarding Sophie for Free Online Page B

said.
    â€œDon’t apologize. I’m sorry this is happening to you.”
    He let out a long breath. “I know it’s rude, but I have to call this guy—”
    â€œDo you mind if I get things ready to go into the oven while you’re on the phone?”
    â€œOf course not. Make yourself at home,” he said.
    K YLE STEPPED INTO the alcove off the living room the interior decorator had made into a small office for him. He was embarrassed that Sophie had witnessed his conversation with his agent. He shouldn’t have answered the phone while she was there in the first place; it was rude, but even more, he didn’t want her to know about his problems. She had enough of her own right now.
    His hands shook as he stabbed the numbers on his business cell with one finger to dial the private investigator. He stared out the window overlooking evergreen trees and blue skies to calm himself as he listened to the rings.
    He’d always thought guys who let their families and friends spend every cent they made were spineless. He never thought it would happen to him. He wanted to spend the evening reminiscing and laughing with Sophie. Instead, he was dealing with yet another problem with his family.
    He wished he had the supportive, loving families most of his teammates had. Mostly, his family (specifically, his parents) let him know early and often that he owed them, and he wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like they were at all of his games. Well, until he became famous, and then nothing could keep them away. He’d done his best to be generous to them even if they were uninterested in his challenges and struggles. He paid off his parents’ mortgage when he was drafted into the league, made sure he paid for their late-model cars and a nice vacation each year, gave out more “loans” (which were never repaid) than he could count, and picked up the tab for everyone’s cell phones. They weren’t grateful for any of it. When his playing days were over, they sure weren’t going to help him out financially. He needed to get out with enough money to get started on a post-football career, and he’d like to get married at some point and have a family of his own.
    He couldn’t figure out why he was still giving them money. Once upon a time, he’d thought they’d at least thank him for his generosity. They didn’t bother, and the money he offered them was never enough.
    He wondered what Sophie would say if he told her the truth about his family. He’d kept his problems with them concealed for a long time now; he didn’t want anyone else to know how bad it was or how much it hurt. He remembered that her family was close and loving when he’d met them previously. She said she’d contacted them to let them know she was fine, but they had to be in hell right now with worry about her.
    Maybe there was a way to reassure them without tipping Peter the Psycho off to where she really was. He’d do his best to protect her while he was in Noel too. In the meantime, he needed to tell the private investigator to buzz off. He heard the click as the guy answered his phone.
    â€œRick Thomason.”
    â€œHello, this is Kyle Carlson. I’m fine. Your services are no longer needed.”
    Kyle dropped into the leather desk chair. The decorator had hung his framed college jersey on the opposite wall surrounded by a grouping of photographs of his on-field exploits. She cost a lot, but she’d made a home instead of a place to sleep and do his laundry. She’d done the same at the condo in Bellevue.
    â€œYour family is convinced you are being held against your will. I’ll need to see proof that you are not being coerced in any way, Mr. Carlson, or I’ll contact the local authorities in—Newcastle, isn’t it? I do have information that you’ve sold that home in the past two weeks. Where are you living now?”
    â€œAre you with law