Page 114 of Protecting You
“How in the world did you guess that?”
“Megan always said she was going to name her daughter Persephone and her son Atlas.”
“At least Atlas is a tough-guy name. Persephone lived in Hades with the dead. This is why children have two parents, so if one comes up with a ridiculous name, the other can talk her out of it.”
“Among other reasons. But didn’t the goddess Persephone bring springtime? Isn’t that her myth?”
He loved that Alyssa knew that.
As if hearing his thoughts, she said, “Megan used to talk about mythology a lot. She loved the drama and intrigue of it.”
Sounded like Megan. She loved drama enough that she’d created it all the time. “In that sense, the name fits. Peri is the epitome of sunshine and spring.”
“I agree.” Alyssa leaned against the counter opposite him. “Hey, Callan?”
Her serious tone had him tensing. “Hmm?”
“I overheard some of your conversation with your sister. And so did Peri.”
He cringed, wiping his hand down his face as if he could wipe away the truth that, one more time, he’d injured his sweet little girl. “I thought you were with her.” The words came out like an accusation. “I thought you two were upstairs.”
“I went to the bathroom. I didn’t realize you wanted me to keep her up there. The point is, Hannah is right. You need to figure out how to be a father.”
“I know that.” His volume was too high, and with effort, he lowered it. “You think I don’t know that. It’s not that simple.”
“Sure it is. Move her to Boston with you.”
“And put her in public school in the city? No way am I tossing my precious girl into that.” He’d done just enough research to know it wasn’t an option. He’d gone to rural country schools, safe schools. Not the kinds of schools that had metal detectors and uniformed cops roaming the hallways.
“Private school, then.”
“Not all of us come from wealth, Paris.” He was angry, and he was taking it out on Alyssa. It wasn’t her fault, but he’d been hearing the same message in stereo for months. He didn’t need to hear it tonight.
“Then quit your job and?—”
“Some of us have bills to pay.”
“I understand bills. I also understand you have a family that’s willing to help you. You and I both know you could find another job or start your own business and do great at it. You don’t need the Agency to be successful.”
“It’s not that simple.” He realized he’d just said that. Was it true? Or was he just making excuses? “Raising a kid all by myself…”
“Megan did it, right? Or did her parents help her?”
Her parents hadn’t helped her, not a bit. When she told them she was pregnant, they’d demanded she get an abortion. When she’d insisted on having the baby, they’d suggested she put her up for adoption.
When Megan refused, they’d told her she was on her own.
If nothing else, Callan was beyond grateful that Megan had at least gotten a few things right. His daughter was alive and well, and Callan was in her life now.
Megan had never told her parents who Peri’s father was, but she’d added his name to Peri’s birth certificate, which was how her parents had found him. Because of that, Peri hadn’t ended up in foster care or boarding school.
It said something about the kind of people her parents were that they’d told him all of that without the slightest hint of shame.
Alyssa must’ve read his expression because she said, “For seven years, Megan raised her, alone.”
“She didn’t have to. She could’ve asked me. I’d have supported her.”
“Not my point.”
