“Thanks.”
Eastern grasped Lock’s shoulder before heading back into the hall.
Lock returned to Callie’s bedside and lowered beside her. He threaded his fingers through hers and lifted her hand to his mouth to press a kiss to her soft skin. “Wake up for me, Cal. Let me see your eyes when I tell you I’m sorry. You should have been safe in my home, and you weren’t.”
He lowered his head so his temple touched her hand.
The slow rise and fall of her chest continued, and every second that passed made him want to yell that bit louder. Rage at the world that this had happened. That he’d come so damn close to losing her.
The door opened a second time, but it wasn’t Eastern.
Lock rose to his feet. “Jude—”
“What the hell happened? Why is my baby in a hospital bed?” Jude stormed over to Lock, eyes narrowed and hands fisted.
Lock hadn’t seen him this angry since he’d knocked on the older man’s door two years ago, looking for Callie. “Someone broke into my house through the bedroom window. They drugged and tried to kidnap her.”
“Where the hell wereyou?”
“I was out back.” And he would hate himself for that for a long fucking time. Probably forever.
For a moment, Lock thought the older man might hit him. Lock would let him. He deserved it.
“You were supposed to protect her,” Jude hissed.
“I know. I fucked up.”
Jude swallowed hard. “Did you catch him?”
“No.”
Jude’s eyes darkened, and some of the anger shifted into something else…fear. Fear for his daughter. That this asshole was still out there.
“With all due respect, sir,” Lock said quietly. “You couldn’t say anything to make me angrier than I already am at myself.”
Jude stepped closer. “I—”
“Dad.”
They both turned.
Callie. Her eyes were open.
The smellof cleaning products tinged the air. It was a familiar smell, but not in a good way. It reminded her of the night she’d lost her baby. Of lying in a hospital bed, feeling empty and alone.
She kept her eyes closed.
Why was she in the hospital? She’d been outside with Lock, Jace, and Elle, then what?
Voices pricked at her ears. Loud voices. Angry but also familiar.
“You were supposed to protect her.”
Dad…what was he doing here?
“I know. I fucked up.”
Lock. He sounded angry…angrier than she’d ever heard him.
