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“That’s the hand he writes with,” she said

“He can still write with it,” I said, even though I had no idea if that was true “Once it heals”

“What happened?” she asked,my eyes as hers filled with tears

“Bad men attacked us,” I replied, unsure how much I should tell her

“But you’re okay,” she said There was no accusation in her voice, only confusion

“That’s because your dad protected“He made sure I was okay”

“What if they cohtly “Do they knohere we live?”

“No,” I said instantly Jesus, I couldn’t ih her head How terrified she must be “Those men are dead”

Kara jerked, her eyes widening

Maybe I shouldn’t have said it Maybe I should’ve sugarcoated it, or gave some bullshit answer to try and placate her But I ree She wasn’t stupid, and she saaythat, I couldn’t let her continue to worry about so after us if I could put her mind at ease

“Do you think me or your dad would ever let so close “Those ain”

I almost stumbled as Kara suddenly wrapped her ar lad you’re back,” she whispered with a shuddery sob “Don’t leave again”

“I’ my eyes as tears fell down my cheeks “You’re stuck with me, kid”

“Christ ally quiet as he came into the room He stopped next to us, and put his hand on Mack’s foot “You’ve sure gotten your ass handed to you this time, son”

“Can I go out with Nana?” Kara asked quietly

“Sure, princess,” I said, letting her pull away “You want me to walk you back?”

She shook her head “I remember the way” She turned to Mack and lifted her hand, hesitating as she looked at all the wires Then she laid her hand on his “I’ll be back later, Daddy Love you”

I walked her to the door and watched her until she rounded the corner to the waiting room

“They really did a nuain “You were there?”

“Not officially,” I said cautiously

He nodded “Yeah, talked to the boss man He let us knohat happened”

“He cutto keep my voice steady “But he wouldn’t let me help him”