Page 100 of Undeniable
“You did the right thing,” I said.
Connor shook his head. “No. All I did was make a bad situation worse. The ambassador fired Hudson, cutting off our ability to monitor the situation and potentially help the wife and child. Then he filed a lawsuit.”
My jaw dropped open. “What? You’re kidding.”
He shook his head.
“But it was his daughter-in-law. His granddaughter,” I said, aghast. Surely he…
“He was more concerned with his reputation.”
“That’s…” I shook my head, my stomach curdling with nausea. “Despicable.”
Was this what Connor had been trying to tell me about the world not being the safe, happy, beautiful place I wanted it to be? Dad gave my shoulder a squeeze. Even if my mom and I didn’t always have the best relationship, I could never imagine my dad being anything but my protector.
“The ambassador was a high-maintenance client, so I shouldn’t have been surprised. But I also shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. Not only did I threaten Hudson’s business and undermine everything we stand for. But I put my friends’ lives in danger.”
“You did the right thing,” I said again, wishing he’d come closer. Let me comfort him. Connor had tried to defend them. Save them.
“I got suspended for it. That’s why I was so angry about the Spines for Soldiers program at first. If I wanted the chance to go back in the field, my participation was mandatory, along with attending physical therapy and meeting with the company therapist twice a week.”
All this time, and I’d had no idea.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, wishing he hadn’t felt the need to keep this all to himself.
He dropped his head. “Because I was ashamed of my actions. I had no proof of the abuse, and for a while, no one else believed me. I’d let my past cloud my judgment. And my mistakes nearly cost me everything in the end,” he said, giving me a meaningful glance.
“Connor,” I chided, my tone gentle. I could understand why he believed that, but he was a hero. To that family, to me, to so many other people.
He shook his head, his gaze trained on the floor. And I knew he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to hear my words. So instead, I took a deep breath then asked, “What about the wife and daughter? Where are they now?”
“We were finally able to extract them.” I breathed a sigh of relief at Connor’s words. “But who knows what he did to them in the meantime.”
My heart was racing as I considered the precarious situation they’d been in. If this morning with George was any indication… I swallowed back my fear. “I hope they’ll be okay.”
“And George?” Dad asked in a hard tone. I’d almost forgotten he was there. “Where is he now?”
“That’s probably a better question for my supervisor,” Connor said. “Clay is out in the hall, sir. I’m sure he’d be happy to give you a sit rep.”
Situation report. Right.
Dad’s eyes held mine, questions and concern swirling in their depths. “Are you okay if I leave you for a little bit?”
I nodded. “As long as Connor’s here, I’ll be okay.”
“I’ll give you two a minute.” Dad gave my shoulder another squeeze then excused himself.
Once the door closed behind Dad, I patted the bed. “Come here.”
Connor shook his head.
“Connor.” I stood, and he was immediately at my side, ushering me back to the bed, his hands gentle on my waist.
He was strong, powerful. A protector. And if today had shown me anything, it was that he’d always put me first.
I stepped into his arms, wanting to stay there. He held me, giving me a feeling of safety and security that only he could. I tried to memorize the look and feel of him, knowing he’d be leaving soon.
“Goody, you need to rest.”