Page 84 of Protecting his Heart

Evan swallowed hard and stared at Owen, wanting to ask a question but not knowing how to. In true psychic fashion, Owen stepped closer.

“Talk to me, Ev. Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”

“This question might hurt…” Owen smiled as if he’d expected it. “Does it feel worse losing someone unexpectedly orknowingyou’re going to lose them?”

Owen blew out a breath, his eyes off to the side as he thought about his answer. Then he met Evan’s gaze again. “I think they both hurt the same. Even though Amy was only missing in the beginning, I think…deep inside somewhere, I knew she wouldn’t come home. I hoped, don’t get me wrong, but I think I knew.” He fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. “One of the worst things was the sheer helplessness I felt, and I expect you’ll feel the same.” He slid his arms around Evan, pulling him to his chest. “It’ll be awful. You’ll feel anger, resentment, frustration, and every other emotion that you could possibly feel because you can’t change a thing.” He lifted Evan’s chin, brushing away his tears. “But I’ll be here with you—both of you—every step of the way.”

Evan kissed him and then tucked his head back into Owen’s neck and held on. This was going to suck, even more than the concussion, but he wouldn’t change anything because at least he got to know his sister before it was too late.

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Chapter 26

Owen

When Owen pulled up outside Evan’s parents’ house the following morning, he sent a message to Jessica telling her he was there. There was no way he was knocking on the door because he could only hold back to a certain extent, and if they said anything to him…

She acknowledged the message with a thumbs up, and he waited for her to come out. As she did, her mother was behind her, helping her down the steps. Owen climbed out of the car and held out his arm for Jessica to take when she arrived at the gate. He didn’t acknowledge Bernadette at all. He couldn’t.

“Good morning, princess. Are you ready for your adventure today?”

Jessica’s smile lit up the grim, sunless day. “Yes, I’m so excited.”

He helped her into the front seat and rounded the car again, seeing Bernadette waiting at the gate with a wheelchair. Swallowing down any anger for the moment, he headed towards her.

“Please look after her,” Bernadette said.

“I look after family. No matter what they did or didn’t do.”

Bernadette’s expression crumpled, but she just sniffed and nodded. “Jessica won’t always say when she needs the wheelchair, but she has a tell.” As much as he didn’t want to listen, he did. “She’ll rub her side and rotate her shoulder as ifshe has an ache in it, but it usually means she’s getting tired. She might fight you about the wheelchair, but please put your foot down. She needs it, despite what she thinks.”

Owen nodded and put the wheelchair in the back of the car before climbing into the driver’s seat again. “All ready?”

“She told you about my tell, didn’t she?” Owen grinned. “Damn woman,” but she said it fondly. She waved at her mother, and they headed off.

Evan had wanted to come, but he hadn’t wanted to see his parents, so he’d decided to stay home. They would pick him up before heading to Windsor Castle. His concussion had eased, which was a good thing, though Owen would still keep an eye on him.

“I know I’m going to cause Evan a lot of pain, and I’m really sorry you’ll have to pick up the pieces.”

Owen’s throat tightened. “You don’t need to be sorry. Getting to know you is worth it.”

“How can you say that?”

It didn’t seem like she knew about Amy, so he told her what happened. “We got through that, and we’ll get through this. I promise you, it’s worth it despite the pain we will feel.”

Jessica pulled a tissue from her bag and wiped her face. “I’m sorry you went through that. Amy sounds like a wonderful girl. I would’ve liked to meet her.”

“You and her would’ve got on well. I can guarantee it.” He laughed.

Evan was waiting outside the door when they pulled up, and he climbed into the backseat. “Hey, you,” he said with more excitement in his voice than he’d remembered hearing for a while.

“Hey, yourself,” Jessica said back, grinning at him.

“Ready to meet royalty?” Evan teased as Owen pulled back out onto the road.

“It’s fine if no one’s there. I know they’re busy. I’m looking forward to seeing the castle.”

Evan frowned at Owen, but he shook his head. He hadn’t told Jessica that she was, indeed, about to meet royalty. He’d arranged for certain royals to be available as they were around. And if the entire Sexy Sixteen said they’d be there, well, who was he to say no?

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