My gut tightened as jealousy flared. It was beyond ridiculous. Mymarried, madly-in-love brother had noticed that Hallie was beautiful. So what? “I highly doubt Roan called you up to say my nanny was smokin’.”
Nash just grinned wider. “Mads and I were dropping off their wedding present. He was intrigued about how you were handling working in close proximity to her.”
The muscle beneath my eye began to flutter. “She’s thirteen years younger than me, not to mention the fact that I’m her boss.”
“Age ain’t nothin’ but a number, big bro.”
“Don’t.” My single word sliced across the space, and Nash’s eyes flared. I struggled to gentle my tone. “I’m sure you and the rest of our family will meet her soon. I don’t want anyone making her feel uncomfortable. She’s…”
I wasn’t sure what the right word was. I had intended to go forsensitive,but that could make Hallie sound weak when she was anything but.
“Hallie’s been through a lot. She doesn’t need you or any of our siblings giving her a hard time.”
Nash straightened, going on alert. As much as he was a jokester, he had a fierce protective streak. He didn’t stand for anyone hurting women. Especially after everything his fiancée, Maddie, had been through.
“You said you knew her from your past. A case?” Nash probed.
My fingers tightened reflexively around my pen. Hallie was trying to make a fresh start. I knew she wouldn’t want people to know everything she’d been through. But I needed to let it out. Talk to someone. And Nash would recognize her when he saw her anyway.
“This stays between you and me. Don’t even tell Maddie.”
Nash’s expression was stony. “Okay.”
I forced my fingers to release the pen, letting it drop to the table. “You remember the search about five years ago over in Shallan County? The twenty-year-old college student at her parents’ vacation home for winter break? She went to a bonfire party and was abducted on her way back to her car. Held.”
“Sure. Most messed-up case we’ve ever worked—” Nash’s words cut off as his eyes widened. “No way.”
My expression was grim, but I nodded.
“But the name was different,” Nash argued.
“Halston. She goes by Hallie now. Trying to get some distance from it. A fresh start.”
Nash blew out a breath. “Holy hell. What’re the chances?”
One in a million, it felt like. That she would be the one to show up on my doorstep. The one who was the perfect fit for my family.
“I never forgot her,” I admitted.
“Of course, you didn’t. You saved her life. Didn’t the doctors say that she might not have made it had it been another hour?”
Just the thought had my insides turning to granite. Hallie was light. Goodness. I’d only really known her for a few days, and I already knew that was true. The world would be a hell of a lot dimmer without her in it. “I don’t know,” I lied. “I’m just glad that didn’t happen.”
Nash had that thoughtful look on his face as he studied me again. “How is she?”
What a loaded question. It was one I wasn’t sure I had the answer to.
“She’s got scars—mental and physical. But she’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. And there are some powerful women in my life.”
Nash made a noise of agreement.
“Like I said, she wants a fresh start. But everything new is a struggle. I’m pretty sure she has PTSD and anxiety.”
“Who wouldn’t after everything she went through?” Nash muttered.
I met his gaze. “But she never stops trying. Even when she’s terrified.”
Emotion filled Nash’s eyes. “Sounds like a hell of a woman.”
