Page 2 of Sworn to Defend
Shy or bashful wasn’t something she’d ever list as a character trait. Still, the seriousness of Hunter’s tone had her momentarily fixed on the screen displaying his vitals rather than him. “Hannah. Please look at me.”
Nerves tingled in her chest, but she did as he asked. His eyes locked on hers, and the heat and determination in his gaze nearly knocked her back. He reached out and covered her hand, resting on the bedside rail, warming her skin and pushing a rush of pleasure through her.
“I made myself a promise during that fall. I told myself I would stop pretending you weren’t on my mind every second of the day. That started the first time we met, and I’ve just gotten deeper since. I want to spend more time with you. Alone and with Collin.”
Her heart slowed to a dull thud. Logically, she knew Hunter’s affection for Collin couldn’t be faked. The love she’d seen reflected in his eyes minutes ago when he opened the drawing was genuine. Whether or not he originally formed that bond with Collin to get closer to her wasn’t something she was ready to ask. Because asking might shatter the wholesome illusion she’d built in her mind. Where Hunter’s bond with Collin was his and his alone. Something pure. Something that lacked contingencies or strings.
Her son was loving, trusting, and open. As Collin’s only parent, her sole ambition for the past fourteen years was to protect and provide for him. If she died or was no longer able to care for Collin, of course her family would financially support her son. Hunter was someone who actually got him, though. Who could intuitively understand what her son was thinking and feeling—something that was difficult for many. Not that people, in general, were unkind or closed-minded, but when Collin missed specific social cues or had to be reminded to give others space because he was just so damn excited to interact with them or clapped his hands and paced in circles, people didn’t always know how to react. Not Hunter, though. Without even recognizing it, she’d put Hunter on a pedestal as the perfect male role model for her son.
“What was that thought?” Hunter’s look of confusion turned to concern when she slowly pulled her hand out from under his.
She gripped the edges of the seat. “I’m happy you’re back and safe, but I need time to think.” Guilt slammed into her when he masked his features, but she hadn’t lied. She did need time to process his words. To analyze what it meant for Hunter and Collin’s relationship if she said no…or if she said yes. Space and time were the only things that would give her clarity. “I’m sorry. I know that’s not what you want to hear.”
“I never want you to tell me something that’s not true because you think it’s what I want to hear.”
The truth was, she was interested. Had been for a long time. She wasn’t just living for herself, though. “I should get going. It’s already pretty late.”
“Drive safe, and please tell Collin I can’t wait to see him.”
She pushed to her feet, crossed over the tiled floor, and paused by the door. “Feel better soon,” she said before slipping into the hallway. The words were lame and insufficient for the situation. He’d almost died. Her throat constricted as she skirted around gurneys and linen carts lining the corridors. The day had been a series of highs and lows. Desperation to get to the hospital, the breathless excitement of learning Hunter was interested in her, and the concern of a mother who just wanted to do what was right. If only she could cut herself some slack like she’d give the rest of the world.
Her phone vibrated in her back pocket, and she drew it out. Only two numbers called her—work or Collin’s school. It was far too late for a call from her son’s school, so it had to be the former. She paused when the name on the screen registered. Vivienne. Pageant princess. Social media influencer. Little sister. They’d never been particularly close. Even as a baby, Vivienne was striking, with big blue eyes and their mother’s pale hair. From birth, she was primped and paraded around her parents’ social circles, much like her eldest sister, Regina, had been. She hadn’t spoken to her sister in months, and the last time she called was to tell Hannah she was the new brand ambassador for some handbag designer. Not that she wasn’t happy for her, but she could be doing so much more with her life.
She started to tuck her phone away but was stopped by a twinge of guilt. Her baby sister was the least obnoxious member of the Day family. She blew out a quick breath, punched the elevator button, and swiped her screen.
“Hey, Vivi.”
“Hannah.” There was a breathless note to her sister’s voice. “Scott proposed. I’m engaged.”
She caught her reflection in the metal. Her lips were downturned, her hair in disarray from coming straight to the hospital after her shift. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy for Vivienne, but something in her tone didn’t sound right. Not like an ecstatic bride-to-be. “Congratulations,” she ventured carefully.
“Yeah. Thank you.” The click of heels was audible on the other end of the receiver.
“Are you…pacing?” Hannah asked. The elevator jolted to a stop, and the door slid open to the first-floor lobby. The sound of footsteps abruptly stopped.
“No,” she said a bit too quickly. “I’m calling because I want you to be at the wedding. A bridesmaid. I want Collin there, too. Please say yes.”
She could picture Vivi biting her top lip with her eyes wide and pleading. An expression their mother hated because it wasn’t poised.
Her yearly visit to the Day estate was quite enough. The last thing she wanted to do was attend a stuffy, elaborate wedding, let alone have to participate in it. Her day kept spiraling. “Of course.”
“Thank you.” Relief was palpable in her sister’s voice.
“Are you okay? You don’t sound like yourself.”
The clip of heels resumed. “It’s all so sudden.”
“You and Scott have been together around a year now?”
“Yes.”
“And do you love him?”
“He’s perfect. A complete gentleman. It’s the ideal union between two powerful families.”
“Vivi, that’s not what I asked.” The words coming out of her sister’s mouth were so practiced there was a pang in her heart. She’d never lived by the Day rules. In a way, she’d been lucky. Allowed far more leniency because no matter how her mother tried to shape her into the perfect lady, she never fit the mold. While it hurt to overhear her mother’s friends whispering about how tragic it was for Hannah not to be blessed with the beautiful Day family genes, it also afforded her more freedoms than Regina and Vivienne. The two were constantly thrust into the spotlight. Always perfectly polished and well-mannered. Both were prized for their beauty and the inevitably lucrative families high in the social circle they’d someday marry into.
“He’s an ideal match,” Vivienne repeated. “The timing just has me out of sorts. There’s so much to do in two weeks. The dresses, the cake, a venue—”