“Come in, come in!” Hana’s brother opened the door and waved them through, stooping to kiss Hana on the cheek. Logan accepted the outstretched hand and gave an upward jerk of his head in acknowledgement. “This is a nice surprise.” Mark ushered them through to a simple but expensively dressed lounge.
“Neat house.” Logan looked around him in approval, his eyes drifting over the evidence of bachelorhood; a car magazine on the coffee table and black cushions on the sumptuous sofa. The place oozed maleness.
“Yeah, it’s amazing,” Hana said, giving her husband a smile of thanks for his effort.
“I just bought it,” Mark announced and Hana’s lips parted in surprise.
“You decided to stay? I thought you were renting it.”
“No, I’m staying here. I’ve made my decision. The owner was happy to sell without brokers’ fees.”
“I’m so pleased.” Hana stood to embrace him and Mark patted her on the back, feeling the wince as her body tightened in pain. He lifted her face with a finger beneath her chin and examined her red eye and the surrounding bruising. His gaze strayed to the scratches on the side of her face and he lifted a lock of hair and knitted his brow at the patch of scalp showing through underneath.
“What the hell happened?” He ran his fingers down her arms as though checking a horse and pulled her hands up to his face. The wound from the flick knife blade showed as a thin red line on her palm and Mark’s attention travelled up to her wrist. Moving her sleeve back, he examined the scar tissue concealing the shard of glass he tried, but failed to remove. As always, his nose wrinkled in displeasure. The hard look he gave Logan spoke volumes and his harsh tone communicated his own guilt. “I hoped you’d take better care of my sister!”
Logan gritted his teeth and emitted a rough exhale of annoyance and Hana tensed. “It’s not his fault.” She swallowed, not wanting to discuss her ordeal. “I’m fine.” She pushed Mark’s hands away with deliberate gentleness, working hard not to offend. “Tell me what you’ve been up to. How’s your new relationship?”
Mark’s face broke into a grin which almost split it from ear to ear. “I don’t remember ever being this happy.”
Hana met his smile and backed up towards her husband, her soul craving his nearness. “That’s amazing, Mark. I’m happy for you. When do I get to meet her?”
Mark’s smile never wavered. “Soon. Shift ended about half an hour ago, so not long.”
“Great timing then.” Hana backed far enough for her spine to contact Logan’s chest and stomach and she heaved a sigh of relief. Remembering her injuries, she touched her face. “Maybe it’s not great timing. We should come back.”
The sound of the front door closing sent Hana’s spine rigid and she snatched at Logan’s hand in fear. His arms fixed around her chest from behind, bringing comfort and security. Mark wagged a finger at her. “You need to tell me the story about all these injuries, Hana. I’ll get it out of you.”
Her nod appeared half-hearted as her attention fixed on the open lounge doorway. Hana readied her expression in expectation of meeting Mark’s new love interest, hoping the woman saw past the cuts and bruises. Logan’s hands slipped to her stomach and he caressed her waist with gentle strokes of solidarity.