arching

e slipped off the stool like a string had been cut. He crawled und

him, dropping to her knee

, her voice shaking. "I'm

t rocked slightly, e

hat not to. He was shivering-tiny, rhythmic trembles

d footsteps echo

ression thunderous. Two security men followed,

him. "What the

e out. "A guard outside discharged his weapon accid

acci

gaze going to Leo. The boy

tly. "You're safe. Not

idn't blink. Just

st wing. I want a full report in ten minutes. No press leaks. No

dded and d

t really what you're worried a

said coolly. "Security failures.

e managed, Jaxon. He's

But his face

he said. "Take him to his room. He'll

ent. She crawled beside him and spoke gently. "Hey, it's okay. Let's go upsta

, Leo's lashes fluttered.

ed out-small, sha

under the blanket and pressed Pancake Bear into his arms. She stayed close but didn't

eo whispered finally. "They s

blinke

s thin. Almo

him speak in da

d you hear something l

a bang. A loud one. Th

ery's eyes, but she

e," she said softly. "Th

ar closer. "Is D

unned. "He's not mad. He's worried

ets q

o that sometimes w

at her. "Is

he thought of the way he barked orders instead of checking on Leo. The w

id finally. "

that afternoon, staring out th

wn. No leaks. No signatures. I don't care if it was a fa

pa

his doesn't reach shareholders. If PR c

and tossed the p

a knock at

er

or permission, arms crossed, her

talk to hi

ck to the windo

he's

forge

steel and money and pretending none of it touches you. But Leo's not you. He reme

His eyes were sh

p with orders

le

ser. "He thinks y

row furro

der a counter, shaking like a leaf, while

e paled jus

t know,"

you did

er si

quietly this time. "H

a liability. But kids-especially kids who've seen what Leo h

down at

ood at thi

y. "But you could be. If you'd just l

u to care for him. I didn

"But it might

ut with something unsaid. Emery looked li

he di

d and walked o

hey watched a cartoon about a bear that owned a bakery, and Leo didn

he credits rolled. He pau

him. "He's been

epped in

y look

ry," Jax

blin

. "And when I get scared, I get

ed-just slightly-and patted

nvit

ked over and sat down. Ri

ched ou

n fr

ancake Bear in h

ug. Not

n off

ar like it was somethi

s," he

t sat there. Qu

dn't say

he sm

t time, Jaxon Thorne

as t