“Hmm, you’re a good, if cocky distraction. I might need distracting again later.”

He threaded their hands together. “Deal.”

After a quick stop at the nurses’ station, they reached her father’s room. Rome was leaning against the wall outside, cradling a takeout coffee cup.

“Hey, Rome,” Easton said.

The big man nodded. “Harlow, your mom’s inside.”

Harlow smiled. “Thanks for watching out for her.” She reached the doorway and saw her mother in a chair beside the bed. Her father was propped up. He was pale, but awake.

“Mom? Dad?”

Charles Carlson’s head whipped up. “Princess.” He shook his head slowly. “I’m so sorry. It’s not enough, I know—”

Harlow hurried to him, and kissed his cheek and grabbed his hand. “I was so worried about you.”

“I brought this down on all of us. You bore the worst of it.”

“I haven’t been alone. I’ve had help.”

Her father nodded and met Easton’s gaze. “I’m grateful, Norcross.”

“Dad, Easton’s brother Vander found the dagger. He returned it to Rhoda Pierce.”

Her father shuddered. “Thank God.”

The door opened and Scarlett stormed in.

“Scarlett,” her dad said.

“Dad, I am so angry at you—” Scarlett sucked back tears. “And I’m damn glad you’re okay.” She rushed to the bed and gently hugged him.

“Dad, we need to talk about Antoine,” Harlow said.

Her father pulled in a shuddering breath. “When I get out of here, I’ll take care of everything.”

Harlow’s stomach turned over. She’d heard this story before.

“No.” She shook her head. “Dad, you’ve tried to fix this. You got shot, you got me shot—”

“You got shot?” her mother cried.

Her father’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“Nicked. I’m fine.” She looked hard at her dad. “If I’ve learned anything during all of this—” she glanced at Easton “—it’s that you can’t always do everything alone. Sometimes you need help.”

Her sister straightened. “We’re all going to help sort this out. I’m going to take out some student loans. I can pay for my own college degree.”

Their father’s mouth dropped open. “Sweetie—”

“No, Dad.” Scarlett held up a hand. “I’m doing it.”

Then their mom stepped forward. “I can cut back. No more spa retreats.”

“Ella—”

“No, Charles.” Her mother lifted her hand. “And I’m canceling our cruise.”

Her father’s chin dropped.

“And…we’re selling the house,” their mom declared.

Harlow gasped and her dad’s head shot up.

“No,” he breathed.

“Rock on, Mom.” Scarlett grinned.

“It’s our family home—” their dad started.

“The girls are grown. It’s just you and me rattling around in that big place. It’s time to downsize.”

Harlow had never seen her mother so take-charge.

Her father swallowed. “It will go long way to pay the debt…but not all of it.”

Harlow’s stomach dropped. “How much, Dad?”