Page 97 of Protecting You
“Papi’s just sleeping. He’ll wake up, be grouchy as a grizzly because he’s in the hospital, and insist we take him right home. You let me worry about him, and you get some dinner. Okay?”
She shrugged, but her expression brightened. She wanted to leave, and he couldn’t blame her.
“It’s a plan, then. I’ll call Alyssa if anything happens.”
“Promise?”
He pressed his palms to her smooth cheeks and kissed her forehead. “I promise.”
As they walked away, Alyssa called over her shoulder, “See ya later, crocodile!”
His daughter giggled. “That’s not it.”
“Whaddya mean?” Alyssa sounded perplexed, and amused, as they stepped onto the elevator.
He stared after them until the doors closed, amazed at how quickly Peri had warmed up to her.
Alyssa had already connected with her. As the oldest of five, she’d had plenty of experience with kids, but who knew that the woman who’d always seemed socially awkward could be such a natural with children?
His Paris kept surprising him.
* * *
Hannah was waitingfor Callan outside the closed door to Dad’s room, arms crossed. “What’s going on?”
“It’s a long story.”
She stared at him, lips pressed closed. The fun, cheerful little sister who’d always been his biggest fan was none of the above today. “Not that long a story. It boils down to the fact that you have time for romance, but you don’t have time for your daughter.”
“It’s not…” He couldn’t tell her the truth, and he didn’t want to lie. “It’s not that.”
“Explain.”
“No offense, sis, but it’s none of?—”
“If you tell me it’s not my business, I’ll punch you in the nose.”
He made a show of looking around, trying to lighten the mood. “How are you going to reach? I don’t see any step stools around.”
“Fine. I’ll kick you in the shins.” Despite the forced banter, Hannah wasn’t kidding. “I’ve put my life on hold to help take care of your daughter. I deserve an answer.”
He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I’m sorry. I can’t explain.”
Far from mollifying her, his words stirred her ire. “Are you telling me?—?”
“Shh.”
A nurse walking by gave them a dirty look.
Hannah lowered her voice. “Are you on an op?”
“Not…not officially.”
“What does that mean?”
“Alyssa was in trouble, and I stepped in. That’s all. There are dangerous people?—”
“Are they after you?” Fear flashed in her eyes, quickly replaced by the irritation he was getting used to.
