ous when she finally

ds echoed i

how long

lm she had looke

rself. Not his wife. Not his bos

said-it was how she said it. Like she already had the keys to

ng until her body gave up

ning ca

ea

sweater and heading for the kitchen. The early chill in t

ok

win. And she

ke vanilla and warm butter. Emery moved through the space with quiet pr

she was sliding the se

pily and blinked at her

ry said with a g

he counter, still in pajamas, and watched her d

ay?" sh

paused. "Elena

y muttered.

't lik

d. "That mak

school, Emery tried

d watered the plants in her quarters. Sh

ocus kept

more than once, readin

tonight. You're still

She rea

a soft green dress that made her feel human again. She kept

trying to i

remember who she w

, Leo c

ie in hand, and he gave her a small, sl

She asked about school. He asked abou

n't mention

coul

't even

couch with a book and Pancak

ne buzz

CA

y. See y

, heels in one hand, purs

taircase, Elena's voice

nig

t stop. "Do

parked just ou

and opened the door for h

urrounded by marble walls and pa

take that as

, windows down, warm summer

e second-floor balcony, wine glass in hand

on, Leo woke up t

s eyes and l

he call

le

ns and walked toward h

to the kitch

hallway and passed the bu

een Emery?"

She stepped out, young sir. I

eyes d

e say g

m afrai

urned

k for the rest

2 p.m., briefcase in h

e empty dinin

the q

qu

n the floor, arms crossed, head down. The untouched tray

eo

th

front of him. "

l no

pulse

?" he asked th

property, sir.

slowly. "

"Lucas Hart. Picked

jaw we

ham, who stood q

clear it w

, s

eo, whose face rema

said tightly. "Get the ni

ave a sm

oured a drink he didn't want,

w how long he

t across the front steps, hi

d out of the

e her laugh in ways she hadn't laughed in we

r tonight,

k you to

teps together-but sto

ood in t

cro

s s

e said. "I

a brow. "Ever

quick nod. "I

ed, then b

ulled out, E

ng at the door like a d

ed out of this house without informing staff,

. I was gone f

to eat. Refu

ch turned. "I

cause you we

his nanny, Jaxon.

constant.

a human bein

this roof. Not when my son is looking for

ed. "Are you saying I c

oser, "that if you can't prioritiz

acked. "You'

what it takes to keep him