hel

shing across the room. My college books and worn textbooks sat stacked on the desk

rsized bed, my father's voice

ou well," Dad said, his

. "He hasn't done anything. In fact, I haven't even seen h

y father's co

rently, the mafia king has a little boy

y hair and sat at the vanity. My reflection look

aid suddenly, his voice crac

getting hurt, and he wouldn't-" I stopped mid-sentence, the words catching in

y to pay him back and get you out of there. I'

liar. I'd heard that promise all my life-after ev

tly. "We'll talk later, okay

pausing. "Did he

p gloss tube po

agree t

membered the rule Mr. Vance had stat

on, my glossed lips tre

d no ide

oulder. The two guards at their usual post by t

e and long skirt, my books tucked neatly i

smile. "Yes. I have

g a look with his partner. "You'll need to request

rying to stay polite. "

tened. "In his office.

se qui

rse, h

The dark hallway leading to it always felt colder

nodded. "

eyes on my back-not threatening, just watchfu

large wooden doors of his

a short nod. "He's in

t o

ght wake a sl

d, faced the do

nt

rough the wood, quiet but eno

he door op

mell of smoke and ink clinging to the air. His attention was fixed on t

"You need somethi

ission to attend my lectures today. I'm in my

nie

ord dropped

e strap of my tote. "You d

t mine, cold and assessing. "I don't need to. You m

ady. "That deal didn't mean I had to stop l

sto

m behind the desk, each step measured. T

murmured. "You forget whos

refused to step back.

his gaze. He leaned in slightly,

His presence was overwhelming-the quiet authority, the scent

ed open before

m voice. "Perhaps we coul

a silver tray in one hand as though

flashing across his face. "You

d development and care. That's the reason her bond with Master Leo is so natura

ghtened, but he

ought her here for Leo, didn't

silence fill

wer. "Leo will be alone. He has

gher than he inten

yself, I blurted, "He

ion hung

sharp as glass. "I decide what's

d a line, but Mr. Vance's mea

utor, Mrs. Montrel,

authorities are breathing down my neck. I can't risk a

grasp his meaning. Wa

man, sir. For her own well-being, she needs to go

Damien cut

closed, but his eyes

his desk, his voice lo

slightly.

thank them or simply disappear. The tensio

slipped out. The door clicked shu

y, I caught Mr. Vance's voice, low an

not hi

ds stil

cing back at the close

avy and strange. Who was "him"? And

nly feeling useless. I'd come to ask about school, abou

less. Outside, a slice of blue sky was visible

ght I arrived. Suddenly, the idea of sunlight on

eath, swallowing the

n, softer this time, like a w

not h

a feeling he was the reas

am

e. I turned as he ran toward me, s

ing my arms around his little frame. His warmth

asked, looking up w

to your papa

and tugged my hand

the hall. His laughter echoed softl

e feeling that I was living in a house full of ghosts-an