Page 79

The door opens and closes.

“Hey.” Dad’s using his soft voice again. He sits down next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll take care of it.”

I lean into him. Just for once I want one of the adults in my life to take on this load because it feels too heavy for me.

“I promise, Eli. I’m going to work this all out. We’re done with this stalemate. It’s time to make decisions, and I promise you I will make them.”

I drag in a deep breath and lift my gaze to my dad’s. He seems sincere.

He clasps the back of my neck and rests his forehead against mine. “I promise.”

When we arrive at the hospital, we don’t even stop in the lobby. Dad leads the charge into the emergency department and, after a quick glance at the board, he walks me to Harper’s room.

She’s curled up on her side. An IV runs from a machine to her arm. Nico sits in a chair beside her. She has both her hands holding his. I breathe in the antiseptic scent of the hospital and long to smell her sweet vanilla instead.

She looks so small and vulnerable.

“Nico.” Dad nods his head. “Mind if I talk to you about tonight?”

“Sure.” Nico’s dark eyes meet mine, and I step into the room.

I walk to the opposite side of the bed and slip off my shoes. Before Nico releases her hands, I slip in behind Harper and curl around her, brushing her hair off her cheek.

“I’ve got you, kitten.”

She releases a breath as I slide my hand into hers. Nico nods and uses the wheelchair to move toward my dad.

My dad gives me a look. “You probably shouldn’t⁠—”

“Don’t bother.” Jennifer steps into the room and nods toward me and Harper. “Those boys don’t really listen to anyone but each other. And she needs them right now.”

My dad presses his lips together and turns, obviously expecting a nurse he can chastise. His eyes widen. “Jenn?”

She gives him a wary smile. “Cam.”

His gaze takes in her scrubs. “It’s been a while.” He clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck.

I narrow my eyes on him. Is he nervous? Jennifer is pretty fucking amazing.

“A decade or so.” Jennifer laughs lightly.

He seems to remember why he’s here. “I’ve already called the DA and offered to help with this case. I want to help your daughter.”

Even though she looks surprised, Jennifer nods. “We’d appreciate that.”

Dad lifts his hand like he wants to touch her arm but thinks twice about it. “I’m going to talk to the other kids that were involved.”

“They aren’t kids, Cam.” Jennifer meets his gaze steadily. “Just remember that when you talk to them.”

Dad looks down and then smiles. “Right. Would you like to show me where they all are and introduce me? It might be easier to talk to them if they know you know me.”

Jennifer glances toward Harper and me. She gives me a small nod. Her eyes soften on Harper’s sleeping face.

Then she rounds behind Nico’s wheelchair. “Come on, Nico. Let’s show the ambulance chaser around.”

My dad chuckles a little as he follows her. I tuck myself around Harper and breathe her in. Her vanilla scent still clings to her as she snuggles back into me.

I whisper, “I’ve got you.”