The security feed shows Hannah finally picking up a brush, only to set it back down moments later. She hasn't painted since the attack. Hasn't really smiled, either.
"Damn it." I push away from my desk, intending to go to her. The memory of her trembling in my arms at the hospital haunts me. She'd tried so hard to be brave, to brush it off like it was nothing. But I felt her fear, saw how it hollowed out that bright spirit of hers.
I should comfort her. Hold her. Tell her everything will be okay.
My phone rings. Habit has me checking and seeing that it’s Phoenix. Fuck. I pick it up, telling myself that getting rid of Kean is the most important task right now. I can help Hannah when I know she and the rest of the world are safe from Hampton Kean.
“What?”
“I see your old attitude is back.”
I’ve been putting off telling him about the Sullivans, but I imagine that’s why he’s calling. “The dinner was a shit show.”
“I never liked them. They act like they’re mobster royalty or something. Remember how Mom used to imitate her?”
The memory that had been lost comes back. After a dinner party, my mother, incensed by how conceited Mrs. Sullivan was,grabbed a carving fork, holding it like a scepter, and set the ring of flowers decorating the table on her head and walked around like a queen with a stick up her ass. It was hilarious.
The memory is followed by guilt that I hadn’t taken that into consideration last night. Hannah has the ability to charm just about everyone except the Sullivans who clearly are soulless people.
“Ash… you there?”
“Yeah. Just thinking. Do you suppose everyone else knows they’re assholes?”
“They wearAssholelike a sign. That andPussy. They act all high and mighty, but everyone knows they’re weak. Don’t worry about it.”
Now I really do need to find Hannah and make things up to her. “I’ve got to go.”
“Yeah, alright. Call me later.”
I hang up and take a moment to figure out what to say to Hannah. I realize that I don’t just need to apologize for last night but for keeping her prisoner in her own home. For not being there after her trauma to soothe her.
I still don’t want to let her out of the house on her own, but I do want to show her that I care about her happiness and well-being. I make a few calls and organize my men.
Then I head to Hannah's studio, knocking softly before entering. She's sitting in front of that same blank canvas, looking small and lost. God, I hope I can fix this.
"Hey." I keep my voice gentle. "I want to show you something."
She turns, surprise flickering across her face at my presence. I cross the room and crouch beside her chair, holding out my phone.
"MassArt has some incredible programs. Their painting and illustration departments are particularly well-regarded." I scrollthrough the course listings. "They offer private tours of their facilities and galleries."
Hannah's eyes widen slightly as she takes the phone, scanning the information. A hint of that old spark returns to her expression.
“We have an appointment to take a tour. Right now.”
"I thought…" She hesitates. "I assumed college wasn't an option anymore."
"Why wouldn't it be?" I place my hand over hers. "You're talented, Hannah. You shouldn't have to give up your dreams just because you're married to me."
For the first time in days, a genuine smile tugs at her lips. It's small, but it's there, and seeing it makes me realize how much I've missed her light.
“What about?—”
“We still need to be careful. But by the time the next semester starts, the Keans should be dealt with, which means you can go to school. Come on. Let’s check the campus out. I’ve got an army waiting to escort us.”
An hour later, we’re on a tour of the college, a registrar staff member rattling off statistics… one of the oldest art schools in the U.S., first to give an art degree… But my attention is on Hannah. Her expression is one of awe and excitement.
I find myself smiling, really smiling, for the first time in days. Her joy is infectious. She looks up at me with those bright green eyes swimming with happiness, and for a moment, she's my Hannah again, the one who fills every room with warmth and light.
