Page 91 of Protecting You

Hannah wasn’t exactly the put-together type. Her curls were usually unruly, and she rarely wore makeup. When she wasn’t working, she preferred leggings to jeans or slacks and often paired them with oversized sweatshirts. Today, she wore one emblazoned with the name of his alma mater, Boston College. He’d bought the sweatshirt his freshman year—and been certain he’d lost it. The little thief.

He missed his sister.

She was, as a rule, a cheerful person. Fun to be around and one of his closest friends. Their easy friendship had become strained after Peri had stepped into the picture. Not because of the child—Hannah adored her niece—but because of Callan’s failures.

When Hannah saw him, she froze, a frown in place.

“Did something happen?”

She walked toward him, and he opened up to give her a hug, but she stopped short a few feet away. “How are you here?”

“What are you talking about?” He dropped his arms. “You called me.”

“How are youalreadyhere?”

Oh. Right.

They’d left Portland because they hadn't wanted Ghazi tracking them down.

They’d come to Augusta because he’d hoped that, if there was time and if it was safe, he’d be able to visit Peri. But he hadn’t been sure, so he hadn’t told his family he was coming. He hadn’t wanted to make promises he couldn’t keep.

“I just got to town a little while ago. How’s Dad?”

“They took him for tests. When they’re finished, they’ll bring him to his room.”

“Did you see him? Were you there?”

“How could I be?” She threw the words like missiles. “I have a job, too, you know. Which I left early so I could pick up Peri from school.”

Usually, Mom or Dad did that. Maybe his confusion showed on his face because Hannah blew out an exasperated breath.

“I told you on the phone the other night that Dad wasn’t feeling well. Mom was exhausted from taking care of him andyourkid?—”

“Hey. Don’t be…” He took a breath and exhaled his desire to defend himself. “Can we cover all my shortcomings later? Would you please tell me what you know about Dad?”

Her gaze flicked away. Her eyes were rimmed in red, her cheeks blotchy. His sweet, tenderhearted sister was always willing to jump in and help everyone. But sometimes, people took advantage.

Like he’d been doing for months. Not just taking advantage of her but of Mom and Dad too.

“I’m sorry.” He gripped her arms and pulled her in for a hug. She didn’t return it, but he deserved that.

He rubbed her back. “It’s okay. They’ll take good care of Dad. I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I’m sorry I’ve asked so much of you lately.”

She let him hold her for another moment, then pulled away.

“Where’s Peri?” he asked. “Did you get a sitter, or?—?”

"She's here." Again, Hannah's gaze flicked past him toward the elevator. “They told us it would be an hour at least before Dad’s up here, so Mom took her for a walk. I’m sure they’ll be back any minute.”

He was itching to hold his daughter, hug his mother, and see his dad, even though all of them probably felt about Callan the way Hannah did.

“Were you even going to tell us you were in town?” Hannah asked.

“It was a last-minute decision.”

She touched his swollen lip. “Those bruises have anything to do with that decision?”

“It’s a long story. I was planning to call. I just wasn’t sure of my plans, and I didn’t want to disappoint?—”

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