Page 148 of Protecting You

“Not in years. Not since I got out.”

“Any idea what he’s up to?” At the man’s quick head-shake, Callan asked, “Could you find out? And let me know.”

“I’ll make some calls. Now, it’s your turn. Tell me everything that’s happened.”

Callan did, starting with Alyssa’s meeting with Ghazi at the restaurant four days ago. Felt like a lifetime.

He gave Gavin the short version while the man studied him with an unwavering gaze.

At the mention of drones, his jaw tightened.

When he learned Callan and Alyssa had been taken to the Brookline house, his stoic facade disappeared. “How could you let that happen?”

“Please, tell me what I should’ve done differently.”

“Gotten her to a safe place, far away.”

“And left you and your family vulnerable?”

His mouth opened, then snapped shut.

“As you know, things aren’t always so cut-and-dried. I got her out of there.”

“You might not’ve.”

As if Callan hadn’t figured that out all by himself. As if Callan hadn’t experienced that race through the woods, nearly sacrificing his own life to ensure her escape.

“Our excuse for leaving was this party, so we had to come.”

“For leaving, but you went out the window.”

“She told Ghazi that it was my idea, that I got a bad feeling and insisted we sneak away, not alert the guards.”

“He bought that?”

“Alyssa is very, very good. I have no idea what kept her out of the CIA, but…”

His words trailed at the quick wince on Gavin’s face, not hidden quickly enough.

“It was you. You blocked her.”

“You know what this business is like. You think I want my daughter involved? I’ve given enough for this country. No way was I going to sacrifice my firstborn.”

“And you never told her?”

“She’d have been furious.”

“You might’ve trusted her with the truth. You might’ve told her exactly what you just told me. You might’ve indicated to her that you believed she was capable but loved her too much to let her risk her life.”

“I don’t see how it’s any of your business,Caleb, how I talk to my daughter.”

“Just saying,Gavin.It might help her to know you think she’s competent. That you’re proud of her.”

“Of course I am.”

Callan didn’t bother pressing his point. The man had heard, whether he cared or not.

“What happens now?” Gavin asked.

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