Wrapping her arms around his neck, she settled her head on his chest. Every nerve ending on alert, he slid his arms around her perfect frame. As he crushed her to him, her warmth seeped into his body, making him feel alive again, healing him, if only fractionally.
As she stroked the back of his neck with her soft fingers, the cracks in his heart began to mend. Her lilac fragrance permeated his nostrils, sending emotions spiraling higher than they’d been in a long while.
They stood that way for a while, Callie giving him much needed strength. Was she taking as well? He wouldn’t question. For now, he’d take what she offered and give her whatever she wanted. But after this short reprieve, she’d most likely want him to go away. Not for herself but for the sake of their son. And he would. He had no other choice.
* * * *
‘Jonathan was rushed to the hospital. Callie said something about internal bleeding’.
The words played through Jack’s mind over and over. The call from Scott had come a few hours ago while he’d been meeting with Steve. It took two hours to get to Connecticut but at least he hadn’t been on the construction site in Pennsylvania. That drive would have been interminable.
What in the world had made Jonathan start bleeding internally? Had he fallen? Had an accident? And how serious was it? Internal bleeding could be fatal. Scott hadn’t had too many details. Callie had been hysterical when she’d called Heather, and Heather had been distraught herself when she’d relayed the information to his cousin.
He glanced at his watch, noting it was almost midnight. When he’d gotten the call, he’d jumped right in the truck but he had to stay at the speed limit. The last thing he needed was to get pulled over.
Approaching the hospital, he checked for the right parking lot, but slowed at the sight of the police car near the entrance to the Emergency room. New Jersey cops? What were they doing here in Connecticut? Victor’s men? Looking for him? How would they know he’d be here?
He sought out the farthest parking spot he could find then slipped on the bulky tweed blazer and straw fedora that had been his dad’s. They came in handy when he needed to change his appearance. Grabbing the thick-framed glasses from the glove compartment, he shoved them on his face.
A few entrances might be less guarded so he scouted around the building. As suspected, a delivery truck was offloading food supplies for the cafeteria. Impatient to be with his son but unwilling to get caught, he waited and slipped in when the driver was inside, quickly making his way to the main part of the building.
Ducking into a men’s room, he texted Heather, not wanting to bother Callie if she was with the doctors. The text came back swiftly. They’d taken Jonathan from the ER and moved him to ICU. Heather was in the waiting room nearby.
Making his way up, he was glad the hallways were deserted at this time of night, the lighting low.
“What happened?”
He kept his voice soft but the words sounded rough even to his own ears. It wasn’t often he saw his son but he loved him more than life itself. What would he do if something happened to him? He was a large part of the reason Jack still fought to keep away from Victor’s men.
Heather’s eyes were tired and sad as she gazed up at him. Her shoulders lifted halfheartedly. “I don’t know. Callie was pretty freaked out when she called me. They won’t let me in. I’m not family.”
Pulling her close, he rubbed her back. “Yes, you are. You’re the closest thing Callie has to a family.”
“Thanks, Jack. Let me bring you over. Maybe I can get some more information. The doctor was planning on talking to Callie soon. Although I can’t tell them who you actually are but it’ll have to be a family member.”
“Say I’m Callie’s brother. That should be enough.”
She nodded. “I’m sure she needs someone about now. I hate that she has to go through this alone.”
Guilt flooded through him, his head spinning. Damn. What did he need to do to find evidence to convict and put Cabrini away for good? Without getting himself killed in the process? He couldn’t keep living life this way. His family needed him.
The nurses at the ICU desk were happy enough to allow Jack to enter the ward, mumbling something aboutthe poor woman being alone and upset. The doctor had apparently just been in to see them. They wouldn’t tell Heather anything though.
Stroking her arm, he promised, “I’ll make sure you get word as soon as I find out what’s up.”
Heather smiled tightly then walked back out to the waiting room. Jack headed in the direction the nurse had indicated. There was a large window into the room but a curtain had been pulled across it for privacy. The door was open.
One bed sat in the middle of the small room along with lots of equipment but the only thing Jack took notice of when he stood in the doorway was his son, lying still and calm. An oxygen mask covered his tiny face and several tubes were taped to his arm, connected to clear bags hanging near the bed. A vise clamped around his heart. What could have caused this?
Callie looked up at his approach and her eyes showed confusion for a second. Jack pushed back the hat and removed the glasses. Recognition dawned and she stood, moving closer to him.
“Jack.”
Her lower lip trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks. Callie was tough but this had outdone even her. Fear slashed through him and he drew her into his arms. Even as distraught as she was, with anxiety coursing throughhim, the pull between them was electric.
“What happened?” His gaze kept returning to the pale form of Jonathan on the bed.
“I don’t know,” she sobbed, more tears trailing down her face. “He was fine this afternoon. Then after supper he complained he didn’t feel good. Right before bed he got a bloody nose and when he used the bathroom there was blood in his urine. I immediately rushed him here.”
