Paladin Protocol: Reclaiming What's Mine

d a large oak tree, my hands shaking as I pull out the burner phone

ed six years ago. He answers on the secon

el

y, my voice raspy, unf

pause. "Wh

nd. I was just checking in. He as

aniel is doing wonderfully. Just wonderful! You wouldn't believe it. He just won th

Nathaniel was alway

It's been a long time. Could you... could you se

" Kevin says. A moment

black stallion, grinning, holding a trophy. He's wearing a riding outfit

o complete,

d walk towards them. My son, the real Nathaniel, is stil

voice low. "Lea

at me. Their faces are a mix

e tough-as-nails lawyer, asks, her

my eyes fixed on her. "You swore to

r face, then it hardens into susp

d of any recognition. "Listen, whoever you are, this is

You're letting them do this? To my...

shoulder. "This other one is just the groundskeeper's boy. A troublemaker." He turns to the campus security gu

s. They see me in my worn jacket and jeans. They don't h

ne of them grunts. "

rambles to his feet. He throws himself at t

st trying to help me! Ple

th the toe of her expensive shoe

arms crossed, her express

stumbles, his head cracking hard against the stone wa

g inside

throat, a name I have

-the-