Page 60 of Absolution

“Hello.” The guy on the other end of the phone sounded even younger than Ella, or maybe he was just getting old. “We have this number for Ella Bennett. Is she there, please? It’s about her father.”

“Yes, she’s here.” It was impossible to know if it was good or bad news from the guy’s tone, and Tucker watched her reactions carefully as he thrust the device at her. “It’s for you.”

“Oh God.” Taking the phone from him, she trembled.

“Come here,” he instructed, guiding her to sit down beside him. “It’ll be okay.”

“Miss Bennett?”

Tucker could just make out the guy’s voice as she held the device to her ear.

“Yes.” She drew in a breath. “I’m Ella Bennett.”

Tucker waited, just able to hear the caller’s voice, yet not able to discern what he said.

“Yes, I’m his next of kin.” Her gaze darted to Tucker as the guy from the hospital replied.

Tucker only had Ella’s responses for clues as to what was being said, and for the longest time, she just seemed to sit there wide-eyed as she listened.

“Oh, that’s great news.” Ultimately, her smile gave her away, her breaths speeding up as she processed his words. “Thank you.”

“Yes, I appreciate it’s early days,” she went on. “Thank you for letting me know.” She ended the call, passing the phone back to Tucker as she explained. “They’ve managed to stabilize him. I mean, he’s on a ton of drugs, and it’s too soon to know his long-term prognosis, but they think he’ll pull through.”

“That’s fabulous, little girl.” He pulled her closer, genuinely pleased. He didn’t have much love for Bennett, but he realized that without him, he wouldn’t have the wonderful woman he now got to call his own. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes were wet with fresh tears. “After everything, maybe last night won’t turn out to be all bad. I mean, I’m still a killer, but…”

“Adefender,” he corrected. “Some might even say savior. You saved me, little girl.”

“You’re just biased, sir.” She planted a warm kiss on his bicep.

“Damn lucky, you mean.” Replete and relieved, he enjoyed the feel of her caresses as they moved along the length of his arm. “Because that’s what I am.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dealing with Daddy Issues

Tucker

Two months later

“Good news, sir!” Ella bounced into his office, her beaming smile lighting the dark space as Tucker lifted his head to greet her.

He’d told her he didn’t want to be disturbed until his letter had been written, but there was no way he would reproach her when she was clearly so happy.

“What’s that, little girl?” He put down his pen and turned toward her.

“Well, there’s two things.” Her labored breathing conveyed her excitement. “Alexander’s doctor called to say he’s been moved from Intensive Care to High Dependency.”

“So, he’s improving?” Tucker was surprised to hear it. The last time he and Ella visited him, the man had seemed half dead. The medics were doing everything they could, but nothing seemed to be working.

“Yes.” She nodded. “I’m going to see him tomorrow if you’d like to join me?”

“Sure.” Bennett wasn’t his first choice of company, but he was Ella’s father, and Tucker would do what he could toaid his recovery. “We’ll go in the morning. I wanted to let you both know that I’m writing off the money Bennett owes me. It doesn’t seem right to chase money when I have something so much more valuable.”

“Wow.” Her eyes widened. “But you always seemed so intent about the money, sir.”

“Not anymore.” He smiled. “The money doesn’t matter. We have more than we could ever need.”

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