Clarissa had let her gaze droop, letting herself close her eyes on the short drive home.

Katy had rested her head on the passenger window, her eyes rested close as she took in the hot air blowing through the car.

Mario was used to the woman falling asleep in his car, they usually did when he went out of his way to make sure they were safe. He didn't care that the walk home would've taken the woman only thirty minutes, he still didn't want them walking home. He hated the idea of his daughter working in a strip club, he hated the idea that all sorts of men could harass Katy.

Mario did his best to protect the two woman who sat in his car, he did his best without breaking any known laws, he did his best to not over do the excuse of my daughter and her friend work for the club even if it was true.

Mario may have been Sergeant, but he didn't need the book thrown at him especially this late in his career.

Mario pulled the car into the driveway, his lights reflecting off the closed garage door. He just wished once, just once that the woman in his car would pull his daughter's car out of the garage and use it for work. He knew better to bring up that topic, he knew his daughter was adamant that she didn't need to take a short drive to work when she and Katy were happy to walk.

Mario shifted his gaze slightly to Katy; she was nothing like his daughter. He never begged Katy to put some more clothes on, even if he had seen her prance around in nothing less than her underwear.

Katy had a habit of wearing less even in the presence of Mario, she wasn't trying to gain his attention. It was just she was proud of how her body turned out after puberty and made every excuse she could to show off her body. She didn't hate her job; she hated the owner. She didn't hate her job; she liked the money and the flexibility that came with her job.

Mario never once thought of hitting on Katy, he never once thought of betraying his daughter like that. Katy had become like a second daughter to him and that's all she'd ever be to him, and he was fine with that.

Mario shifted his glance to his daughter, he loved Clarissa, he loved her with all his heart. He would do anything to keep her safe, after the death of his wife; Clarissa's mother, Mario promised himself that he would jump for his daughter, no matter the consequences that may come his way.

When Clarissa told him she was going to work for a strip club, Mario begged and begged but Clarissa was Clarissa and refused to back down.

Clarissa wasn't the type of woman to show off her body, she wasn't a prude, nor was she shy about how she perceived herself but being a cops daughter had come with lectures about the way men see woman, it also didn't help that Clarissa had spent years being bullied that when she looked in the mirror, she struggled to see what was so interesting about her body.

Mario sighed a little before shifting his gaze back to Katy "Katy" He hushed "Katy, sweetie. Your home now."

Katy stirred a little in her seat, her eyes squinted as she noticed the lights of the car reflecting back into the car "How bright do they need to be?" she sleepishly spoke before rummaging through her bag for the house keys.

Mario shifted his attention back to Clarissa, he wanted to drive her back to his home; his empty silent home, but he knew she'd kick up a fuss.

He let another sigh escape his lips as he heard the rattle of Katy's keys pull out of her bag, he listened as she tried to remember which key was the front door key amongst the five keys that hung on her keychain.

Mario slightly squeezed Clarissa's knee "Sweetie, your home." There was something in his voice that almost seemed like he was begging while also waiting for her to stay no, dad. I want to go back to yours, but he knew she wouldn't say that, not even if he gave her an ultimatum.

Clarissa stirred a little.

Mario gave another soft squeeze on Clarissa's knee "Sweetie."

Clarissa yawned as she slowly opened her eyes, she heard the car door open before shutting again. She noticed Katy no longer in the passenger seat, she shifted her attention to her dad "Thanks, Dad." She attempted a sleepy smile before unbuckling herself.

Clarissa leaned forward slightly and kissed her dad's cheek. She didn't hate her father, she just hated how overprotective he could be, she loved when he stepped in and helped her in a situation that she struggled to talk herself out off even if she refused to admit that she needed his help. Clarissa was sick of being seen as a cop's daughter, she always tried to throw the excuse of you know your that protective that I hope someone gets me, just to prove a point! Deep down she always regretted saying it.

Mario watched as the two woman stepped into the house, he watched as the front door shut. He watched as one light struggled to break through the closed curtain by the front window, he watched as another light struggled to break through the closed curtain by the window he knew as Katy's room.

Mario watched as the light inside the front window turned off.

He waited a few more moments, Mario had always made a habit of waiting for the woman, he always made sure they were sound and safe before he drove away from their house.