Page 192 of Protecting You

From inside the room, Evelyn saw him, then moved out of his line of sight toward the head of Alyssa’s bed.

“What update?” Callan asked.

“I think they’ve figured out the inside man at SJSS.”

“Ghazi had to have a contact at the CIA. Someone told him about that meeting.”

“We’re working on that. We’ll find him, or her.” Hardness settled in his eyes. “Whoever it was, they’ll…” He swallowed, looking at Peri. “We’re all safe now.” His tone shifted to the grandfatherly one he’d used the day before. “You want to go for a walk?”

She gripped Callan tighter. “I wanna see Alyssa.”

“You can see her,” Callan said. “Then I need to talk to Alyssa alone for a couple of minutes. Is that okay?”

Peri seemed to mull the question.

Gavin said, “There’s a playroom on the next floor down. I hear it’s got coloring books.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll wait for you out here,” Gavin said.

Callan started to pass him, but Gavin grabbed his arm. “Son.”

He paused. “Yeah?”

He pulled Callan into a hug, awkward with Peri between them. “Thank you. I heard all the stories, and…you saved her life. Things could’ve turned out much worse.”

Callan stepped back, nodding. “God was on our side.”

Still holding Callan’s arms, Gavin squeezed. “You’re not wrong. Just saying, I’m glad you were on our side too.”

Unsure how to respond, he carried Peri into the hospital room.

Evelyn saw him, hugged him tight, and slipped out.

Alyssa lay on the bed. Face bruised. Hair mussed.

The most beautiful creature in the world.

She smiled and pressed the button to raise her head. “Hey, you two.” Her voice was strong.

It was a moment before he could speak past emotion clogging his throat.

“Hi, Alyssa.” Peri sounded tentative. “Daddy said you were okay, but I wanted to see.”

“Well, come on in.”

He moved to the head of the bed, wanting more than anything to lean down and kiss her. But he didn’t. Not yet.

“Just a little headache. But the doctor said I’m gonna be just fine.”

“You don’t look very good.”

He wasn’t sure if he should reprimand his daughter, but Alyssa’s grin only widened. “I figure it must be bad because I asked for a mirror, and the nurse told me she’s afraid I’m so ugly that I’ll break it.”

Peri giggled. “Nuh-uh. She didn’t say that.”

“Maybe that’s notexactlywhat she said.”

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