Page 46 of Callahan's Haven

That most definitelywasthe question. That and where was Haven? He knew Garrett was banking on his girl activating the tracking mechanism on the bracelet so they could at least get to her. Then perhaps they’d be able to beat the Colonel’s location out of Woosley or whoever was holding her. The idea of the smarmy man anywhere close to Haven had him clenching his fists.

God, let Haven be able to turn it on.

It was Haven’s, and possibly the Colonel’s, only hope.

Cal glanced up at his opening door. Speaking of hope…

Hope’s red-rimmed, worried gaze searched his for several seconds before Destiny pushed past her and barged into the room.

“Where’s Haven?”

“We—”

“We don’t know,” Garrett spoke up before Cal could answer her.

Destiny rounded on Garrett, staring him down while pointing a trembling finger at Cal. “I’m asking him,” she nearly shouted. “He was supposed to keep her safe. He was supposed to make sure she…she…” Destiny took in a breath and turned her dark brown eyes swimming with unshed tears on him. “You were supposed to take care of her,” she whispered while Hope came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You promised.”

“It’s going to be alright.” Hope leaned down and said in her ear before looking at Cal, her usually soft features hardening. “Isn’t it.”

“You can’t be here,” Declan growled, moving closer to Hope while glowering down at her. “And how the hell did you get back here anyhow?”

Hope’s eyes widened as she looked from Cal up at his friend while a blush spread up from the collar of her shirt and filled her face. “Well, the…” She cleared her throat. “The security guard is a part-time student in one of my classes. He likes me, so—”

“So…what?” Declan said, leaning into her, his voice going low. “You flirted your way in?”

“Of course not,” Hope answered with some heat and frowning. “He said only family, so I told him we were.”

“Declan…” Cal warned his friend.

“That had better be all,” he muttered as Hope’s brow furrowed at his statement.

Dammit, they didn’t have time for Declan’s jealousy.

Hope stiffened. “I don’t know who—”

“Look, ladies,” Solace said, interrupting a narrow-eyed Hope while pushing her way in front of Declan and jabbing him in the stomach with her elbow. “What my gargantuan friend here should have said is, it’s really not safe for you to be seen with us right now.”

It seemed Destiny was having none of it. “I don’t care about my safety. I’m not the one who’s been taken!” She skewered Cal with her gaze and gripped the end rail of his bed. “We’re not leaving here until we know Haven can be found.”

“What’s going on in here?” Everyone turned their attention to the doorway and the doctor in a white lab coat Cal had only seen once since coming to. “There are too many of you back here, so at least three of you need to leave.” He frowned at each of them. “Now,” he said, stepping inside and motioning with the chart in his hand for them to file out.

No one moved.

“Are those my discharge papers?” Cal asked, instead, easing out of the bed and trying not to grimace as pain rocketed through him.

“Discharge?” The doctor looked at him like he was crazy. “No, these are your admitting papers. And you’re not ready to get up yet.”

“I’m not only ready to get up,” he said, “but I’m leaving.” He glanced around the room. “Where’re my clothes?”

The doctor moved farther into the room, his face in a dour pinch. “Mr…” He glanced down at the chart. Why didn’t that give Cal a good feeling? “Rothe,” he finished, looking back up, “you’ve been lucky up to this point. If the bullets had hit you at any other angle, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.”

Cal remembered turning just before the shots rang out. More than likely the bullets were supposed to have targeted his back. He grinned over at Solace. She’d probably saved his life.

“But youwereshot and we need to have you in for at least a twenty-four-hour observation.”

“Sorry about that, doc, but the only thing anyone will be observing will be me walking out with my friends here.” Cal glanced around again for something to wear without turning too much. As it was, his ass was hanging out the backside of his gown and he didn’t think he needed to flash Haven’s friends.

“Here ya go,” Garrett said, handing him a white plastic, drawstring bag. “Everything’s a little bloody, but we can get you something when—”

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