Chapter 182

Standing there in the foyer, she told him about her brother and how she was worried about Candace's news. He listened, his hold on her never faltering even as her voice thickened with the admission that she was afraid about what her brother had gotten himself into and how they should have checked on him more often.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he murmured, his big hands rubbing up and down her spine. She burrowed closer into his frame, seeking his strength, leaning into it. “But I don't think it's any of your fault though. Your brother is an adult. More of your presence in his life wouldn't have stopped him from doing what he wanted to do,”

She eased out of his embrace and scrubbed both hands down her face. Pacing away from him, she let loose a small, humorless chuckle. “Yeah I guess,” She paused midstride, whirling around to face him. “I just hope we figure out a way to help him before things get worse,”

Nick slowly approached her as one might with