“Good,” I replied. “Thank you, Dad.”
His shoulders lost a tiny bit of tension. “Let’s get you both inside.”
I felt a hand on my back and looked up to see the concerned look on Crypt’s face. “You okay?”
“I hope we will be. With time.”
“Back to the room? You could use some privacy.”
“Yes, please, Crypt.”
Hannibal followed us inside The Crossroads and back to the room I had taken a nap in, pausing in the doorway as I sat on the edge of the bed.
Rylee must have been exhausted. She was already asleep, breathing deeply as I continued to hold her.
“They didn’t touch her,” Hannibal informed me.
God, that was my biggest fear. “How do you know?”
“I just do,” he growled. “Trust me. She’s traumatized, but we don’t have that worry to add to the list.”
Relieved, I moved to the side of the bed and managed to lie back, still cradling my daughter against my chest. She held on so tightly to my clothes, even in sleep, that I knew we would have a long road of recovery ahead of us. It broke my heart, and tears slipped from my eyes, dripping down my cheeks as I smoothed her hair and whispered that I loved her.
“Is there anything I can get for you?” Hannibal asked, taking a chair and pushing it toward the door. He sat in it, watching like he might try to shoot anyone coming through the door.
“Not yet. That might change once she’s rested.”
“Anything you need, let me know.”
“I will, Dad.”
Hannibal glanced at Crypt. “Why are you here?”
Crypt didn’t seem ruffled by the question. “Offering my support in any way that Rachel or Rylee needs.”
Hannibal didn’t seem to like that response, but he didn’t argue. At least, not yet. I had a feeling that might change once Rylee was up and things calmed a little. My father kept giving Crypt looks like he was sending an unspoken demand: Get lost.
To say he was being overprotective was an understatement.
“He’s here because I want him to be,” I whispered, keeping my voice low for Rylee. “So that’s the end of it for now.”
“For now,” Hannibal agreed.
“You brought her home. I won’t forget that.”
“Brought in your suitcase and bags,” Crypt informed me. He gestured to the dresser across from the bed. “Let me know if you want anything we bought.”
“You took her shopping.” Hannibal sounded surprised.
“Yeah. Couldn’t have them come here and stay without what they needed.”
Hannibal grunted a response.
“He’s been good to me,” I assured my dad. “So stop being grumpy.”
His frown remained.
I knew his reaction came from a place of concern. That was the reason I let it go, focusing on Rylee as she whimpered. “I’ve got you, Ry-Ry. Mommy is here.”
