Chapter 30
They headed toward the entrance and Cole pulled Hannah back from the group. “We’re in this together. They can’t force you,” he reminded her as his hand slid behind her neck and he kissed her forehead. “Brody and I will be right beside you.”
“I know,” she said shakily.
They entered the conference room. Her mom sat in a chair at the end of the table.
Kassie, Claire, Catherine, and the lawyer sat on one side of the table.
Her father stood behind his wife, pacing the floor.
When he saw Hannah, he pulled out a chair beside her mother and gestured for her to have a seat.
Cole walked to where her dad stood and pulled out another chair and held it while she sat. He took the seat her father offered while Brody and Nine stayed on her right, leaving her father to sit by Doc Winters toward the front. Hannah hid her smile at Cole’s chess move.
“What in the hell is going on here?” Conrad Bailey thundered. “I brought my mute daughter to a hospital and requested you send her home. We fly across the country to find her shacked up with some man and playing Bingo.”
“Mr. Bailey, I informed you of Hannah’s decision to stay here. Our attorney assures us the paperwork Hannah signed revoking your POA got delivered,” Kassie said firmly, refusing to let the man intimidate her.
“Hannah didn’t talk for two years. She suddenly decides to speak, and you believe she’s capable of making smart choices?” he asked incredulously.
“She’s extremely capable of making her own decisions. It seems to me, you’re more concerned you can’t control her,” Cole growled. Brody stood at hearing his master’s tone.
“Young man, I don’t even know why you’re here,” Conrad exclaimed. “I’ve never seen you at any of those meetings.”
“I’m Cole Martin, an employee of the Serenity Securities Team. Hannah’s currently staying with me,” he said boldly.
Kassie groaned and took out her phone, texting someone.
“I’m still under the Winters Foundation’s care,” Hannah explained. “I have a job with the security team and I’m healing.”
“When did Bingo constitute therapy?” her father spat. “Do you have any idea how much worry you’ve caused your mother?”
“I…I” the words refused to come out. She felt her body shutting down, and the fog descended over her emotions.
“Stay with me,” Cole murmured as Brody whined. Nine placed her head in her lap, willing her to touch her, feel her.
“Hannah, we’re concerned for you,” her mom pleaded. “Why did you stop taking our phone calls? Why did you remove us from your care plan? This doesn’t seem like you.”
“Mrs. Bailey, Hannah has progressed beyond our expectations,” Claire interjected.
“I’ve evaluated her myself and found her of sound mind.
She doesn’t need anyone to manage her healthcare other than herself.
We encourage our patients to participate in daily activities such as getting a job, volunteering, and living independently. ”
“Hell, she can barely string two words together—” her father began when the door opened.
Scarlett entered the room and Ty led her to a seat. Each man from Serenity Securities filed inside. Their presence filled the room as their shoulders touched. Leo closed the door and leaned against it. “We heard one of our own needed backup. What can we help you with, sir?”
“We’ve come to take our daughter home,” Conrad blustered.
Hannah glanced at each man. They all crossed their arms and appeared intimidating, yet to her, they resembled giant teddy bears. She wanted to get up and hug each one of them.
“I’m afraid your daughter signed a contract to work for me. I’m not inclined to let my chief supply clerk go,” Leo said firmly. “As you know, she’s one of the best and I refuse to spend another year searching for someone with her talent.”
“Do you think you can intimidate me with your fancy lawyer? She can’t be held responsible if she’s declared incompetent,” her father spat.
Hannah sucked in her breath and Cole clutched her hand.
She rose slowly from her seat. Her body shook with rage.
Her gaze went around the room. Shadow sent her a chin lift.
Patch gave her a thumbs-up. Ragu winked.
Saint nodded. Knight narrowed his eyes and flicked his head toward her father.
Scarlett stood, despite her migraine, sending her message of support.
Taco scratched his scruff, secretly giving her dad the finger.
Whiskey recrossed his arms, ready to fight.
Leo silently sent her his strength. She finally gazed at Cole, who cupped her cheek.
The heat radiated to her chest, where she found the tiny kernel of courage.
“If you intend to hire a lawyer, be prepared for the fight of your life,” she seethed. “I’m staying here to heal. I’m sorry I let you down, but for once, I’m doing this for me. Mom, I hope you understand.”
Her mother sent her a smile through her tears.
Her dad’s face turned beet red as she turned around and walked out with her team.
The walls disappeared and the fog drifted away.
For once, she saw her life without the constraints of her father’s voice in her head.
Hannah wanted the life Serenity offered her.
She wished to play jokes on the men, play Bingo with the seniors, and gab with her new friends. Most of all, she wanted… Cole.