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He nods, studying my face. “Are you sure you're okay? What did they do to you? Did they hurt you?”
My head aches at the idea of explaining any of this to him. “Dad, I'm exhausted. And I don't think I have it in me to rehash the whole story.” His face falls, and that expression stirs up guilt, so I add, “They didn't really hurt me. For the most part, they left me alone. I was in a tiny little room by myself.”
“So no one... tried to take advantage of you?”
My skin crawls, and I can almost feel Dominic's hands on my ankles when he forces my legs apart after I kick him. I don't want Dad to see what his question does to me, so I shake my head with as much of a smile as I can muster. “Honestly, it was scary, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Callum got there before things took a dark turn.”
“Yeah, he's a real hero,” he says sarcastically. It's not that I didn't expect the anger, the way he slides right into his typical attitude toward Callum. It still hurts to see it, though. Is this how it's always going to be? Torn between the two of them, wanting them both to be happy no matter how miserable it is for me?
“He is,” I insist. “He ran right into the chaos to save me and ended up getting shot and risking his own life to get me out.”
He shakes his head just when I think he's about to come around. “There wouldn't have been any need for that if it wasn't for the way he lives his life. Don't argue with me,” he grunts when I open my mouth, prepared to do just that.
“He almost died for me. I don't know what else you want from him.”
“Not only for you.”
There goes my heart, stuttering at his words. “What do you mean?”
“He did it for the baby, too, didn't he?”
“Oh.” Suddenly, I'm too tired to sit upright, so I lean against the raised bed with a sigh. “Surprise?” I offer in a whisper. This wasn't how I envisioned him finding out, but there's no keeping it a secret anymore.
“I'm glad you can joke about it.”
“I didn't want you to find out this way.” I pick at my thin blanket, suddenly nervous to look at him.
“I'm surprised you wanted me to find out at all.”
“You're my father. Of course, I was going to tell you. Although it's still so early.”
“Don't give me that bullshit,” he scolds.
“Even now, you're going to be this way?” I slap a hand against the bed, releasing some frustration. “You come running in here and almost squeeze the life out of me after I was missing for days, then give me this attitude.”
Silence falls between us while he sits with his gaze downcast. “What do you want me to say?” I finally whisper. “I didn't plan it. Sometimes, these things happen.”
“Now there won't be any escaping him. Whatever future you had planned, it's now tied directly to his.”
“How can I make you understand? I don't want to get away from him. I want to be with him.”
“I know.” I can think of only a few times in my life when I saw the look that's on his face right now. A look of disappointment and sadness. He will never understand what not having his approval does to me. It looks like this is the way life will always be. Carrying the weight of his disappointment on my shoulders even when I know Callum is the only man I will ever want.
It's a relief when a knock on the door interrupts us. “Come in,” I say, and the door squeaks open as a staff member brings in a tray of food. The aroma of bacon and sausage leaves me practically choking on the saliva that floods my mouth. The second the tray is set on the wheeled table near the bed, I pull it closer, then manage a mumbled apology before practically shoving my face into the plate. The first taste of salty bacon is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Nothing has ever tasted this good.
Shuffling footsteps at the open door grab my attention from my feast in time to find Callum slowly walking through the door. Now the bacon might as well be sawdust, because nothing else matters. He's here. He's alive, and he's walking—even if it's slow going.
“Should you be walking around?” I ask, while my heart skips a beat. He looks about as well as I would expect anyone to look after being shot, even though, at this moment, he is the sweetest thing I've ever set eyes on. Even while wearing a hospital gown over his slacks.
“They say movement is good for healing.” He tries to hide a wince as he makes his way across the room. Dad doesn't get up from his seat on the edge of the bed, and all I can do is roll my eyes and hope he doesn't plan on acting childish for the rest of his existence. He doesn't have to like my choices, but he should respect them.
“I told you we'd get her back.” The two of them stare at each other for a silent eternity, while all I can do is look back and forth and hope they don't decide to get into a fight. Callum's looking a little pale, and his voice is not as strong as usual, but the electricity crackling through the room tells me he wouldn't back down if Dad goaded him.
It's Dad who blinks first. “Thank you for bringing her back safely.” It doesn't do much to ease the tension, but it warms my heart anyway. He's trying. I have to give him credit for that.
Callum's scowl deepens, and I hold my breath, waiting for him to ruin the moment. Instead of smarting off, he only nods with a soft grunt before directing his attention to me. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, now that I've eaten. I really want to go upstairs and see Tatum?”
