Page 46 of Discretion

“No. Wait.”

Why was she fighting me on this? “Mom, it’s getting dark. The longer we wait, the greater risk of harm. Once I alert the police, I can try to book a plane ticket to come help.”

“No. It’s Dad. He’s…he’s here. He’s in the backyard.”

It was too much to process too quickly. Relief. Concern. Despair. My hands were shaking so badly, I almost dropped the phone.

“Is he okay?” I asked, trying to focus on what mattered. He was home.

I could hear the hinges of the back door as it creaked open. “Oh, thank god, Daniel,” Mom said to him in a rush of relief.

“Minnie?” Dad asked. Concern mingled with confusion in his tone, and it was heartbreaking.

“Why don’t you sit down at the table, sweetheart, and I’ll get you some water?” I could hear my mom bustling around the kitchen, could picture it in my mind.

“Mom?” I called, then louder still, “Mom!”

“Yes. Sorry. He’s back.” She exhaled, keeping her voice low. “Just a small cut on his hand, but he’s okay. Thank god.”

“Go take care of Dad, but I want you to call me later.”

I held it together long enough to tell my parents I loved them and end the call. And then I covered my face with my hands, my heart fracturing into a million pieces.

“Halle?” Jasper called through the door.

“Yeah? Yep.”

I sniffled and straightened, frantically wiping away my tears.Get it together.

“The delivery team is gone, and Kai fell asleep.”

Oh my god. I’d been so immersed in my call that I’d neglected to help Jasper with the delivery. With my own son. I didn’t know if that meant I was negligent or just that I trusted Jasper. When I thought about it, I was surprised to realize the latter was true.

“Okay.” My voice warbled, and I clapped a hand over my mouth.

Jasper opened the office door before I could add that I’d be right out. He took one look at me and frowned. And then, without another word, he crossed the room and pulled me into his arms.

I considered backing away, but I was too weak to protest. Especially not when Jasper was offering me comfort that felt like home.

CHAPTER TEN

“I’m so sorry.” Halle backed away from me but kept her hands on my chest. “This is so…” She shook her head. “And…” She sniffled, and I hated seeing her so upset. “I probably ruined your shirt.”

I couldn’t stop touching her. I kept my hands on her shoulders, needing that connection. “The shirt doesn’t matter.”

“I, um—” She spun away from me, grabbing her purse. “I need to get Kai. We have to get going.” Her movements were frantic, and I itched to fix whatever was bothering her. To beg her to open up to me. Trust me.

Before her phone call, it had felt as if we were on the precipice of something. But whatever she’d intended to say was now lost. And it didn’t matter. What mattered was that Halle was upset.

“Halle.” It was a plea. “Halle,” I said again, more of a command. “Stop.”

“I-I?—”

What the hell had happened on her phonecall? Who or what had made her cry? My mind raced with possibilities, none of them good.

“Stop.” I guided her over to the sofa, taking a seat next to her. I placed my hand on her thigh, desperate to ground her. “Take a breath.” I waited until she did so. Until she’d taken a few slow, deep breaths.

“There,” I said. “That’s better.”