Chapter 45

The hallway beyond the door was vacant, and the carpet masked the sound of the wheels on his suitcases as he walked. He didn’t have to lift them until he reached the foyer. It was surprisingly easy. Embarrassed, angst-induced rage was, apparently, one heck of a power booster.

“John?”

The concern in William’s voice was unmistakable. And it added a world’s worth of weight to John’s shoulders. He dropped the suitcases and turned, eyeing William hard. “Tell me you didn’t know.”

William stepped forward, both his hands clutched in front of them. They worked at each other as if William was kneading invisible bread. “Know?”

John almost laughed. He would have, if he could have found the energy. But as he watched William fret for the first time ever, John knew he didn’t need William to answer. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

William lowered his eyes and studied the floor. “I did warn you.”