Read More Than Words: More Than, Book 3 for Free Online Page B

him like dark shadow.
    “Where is he?” he demanded.
    “Where is who?” Molly kept her voice calm. The man was so distraught, she feared he might have a full-blown panic attack where he stood.
    “My son, Greg.” He lurched to the counter, dragging a suitcase behind him. His eyes were bloodshot, his clothes badly wrinkled and his hair a mess. “I need to see him. Need to know he’s okay.”
    Greg’s father. That explained his distress.
    “He’s downstairs. Why don’t you give me your name, and I’ll get Greg’s doctor to have a word with you about him?”
    “Ethan. Ethan Avery.” He grabbed the counter, his knuckles white. “Is he okay? Is my boy going to be all right?”
    Molly’s heart clenched. The man had spent the last twenty-four hours flying halfway around the world, knowing his child was seriously hurt. How had he gotten through the trip without losing his mind? “He’s been admitted to the children’s Critical Care Unit.”
    “How do I get there? To Critic—” His voice broke. “How do I get to Critical Care?”
    Molly didn’t need to answer. She gestured to Sam, who was already walking towards them. “I’ll take you.” Sam offered the man his hand. “I’m Sam Sherman, Greg’s neurologist.”
    Ethan shook it. “I’m Greg’s father. His real father.” His expression blackened, and he clenched his free hand into a fist. “Unlike the worthless son of a bitch who put him in hospital.” For a second Molly thought he might punch the wall or counter, but then his expression changed, going from enraged to bleak and despairing. “Please tell me my son’s okay. Lisa gave me no information on the phone. She just said I should come straight upstairs and talk to you.”
    “Let’s sit and chat a minute before we go see Greg.” Sam led Ethan over to the empty chairs. “Leave your bag here. Molly can stow it behind the counter for now.” He looked over his shoulder, confirming that was okay with her.
    “Of course,” Molly agreed. She rolled the case into her office, setting it where the surfboard had been the day before, then slipped into the kitchen to let them talk.
    She prepared two cappuccinos. One the way Sam liked it, and the other extra strong with two heaped teaspoons of sugar. The little boost might help Ethan Avery get through the rest of his day.
    She placed a few Tim Tams from Sam’s stash on a plate and took it all through to the two men. Sam had told her umpteen times that coffee-making was not one of her duties, but Molly prided herself on recognizing necessary caffeine moments. Sam was going to need a coffee almost as much as the devastated dad.
    Sam smiled his thanks. Ethan didn’t notice. His face had collapsed and tears streamed down his cheeks. “He did it,” Ethan told Sam. “Martin. The bastard Lisa married.”
    “Did what?” Sam’s astute gaze was trained on Ethan’s face.
    “Hurt Greg,” Ethan growled. “It was no accident. He’s been smacking my son around for months.”
    Sam was super alert. “You know this for a fact?”
    “Hell, yeah, I know it for a fact. I’ve laid charges against him. Alerted the daycare teachers to look out for signs. I even phoned DOCS. Jesus, I’ve filed for full-time custody, but everything in the system takes so damn long…” He swiped a hand through his hair. “I shouldn’t have gone on this trip. Shouldn’t have left Greg alone with them, put him in that kind of danger…”
    “Beating yourself up won’t help,” Sam said practically. “I need you to be strong for Greg. Need you to be his anchor. If what you say is true, the police are going to be called to the hospital. DOCS is already involved. The case worker was here yesterday and is coming again today. We’re going to have to ensure you’re here at the same time, so you can report all of this directly to her.”
    He picked up one of the cups Molly had set down and gave it to Greg’s father. “Drink this, have a biscuit and we’ll head downstairs. I