in Brooklyn. The facade was weathered, but the structure wa
or without breaking a sweat, leaving Alayna d
e brass fauce
fore spitting a short burst of rusty water d
umped back, sh
taking in the scene in a fraction of a second. The cold water had soaked thro
y back in place. He stepped closer, crowding her into the small kitchen with his broad presence. Without a word, he unbuttoned his heavy flannel sh
inst the sensitive skin of her collar
nd change into dry clothes," he said, his voice dropping to a low, gra
tering as she clutched the warm shirt tight
nd checked the rusted valve. With two precise turns, he tightened the joint and bl
weater with two glasses of water, she found
Pinned in the center was a small, faded photograph: a ten-year-old Alayna in
looking at?" s
his posture relaxing as he tur
as she looked at the photo. "Yes. Ten years old, at a summer camp
gering on the wrapper in the girl's hands. "
. I was so proud of it. But right after my mother snapped that photo, it started pouring. I walked behind
er, his dark eyes fixed on
that kindness costs nothing. I never even learned his name, but on r
uiet, profound intensity in hi
," Cruz said, his v
at him, curious.
quiet curve. "A boy who received warmth like
se that moment to le
blush rising. "I guess I forgot to eat today
rom his jacket pocket. "There's a piz
rfect," sh
indow, sharing slices off paper plates. For the first time in
letely quiet. Alayna had gone to be
out the back door into the small, fenced courtyar
ed one
s Chief of Staff an
," Cruz said, his voice clipped and precise. "Lock down the identity. Make sure my milit
The firewalls ar
oo
phone, and walked back inside,
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