ical parents," Preston said, his voice devoid of inf

r hand was steady. She

aring a hard hat, his face lined with grit and exhau

s high, thin. "I didn't mean to ruin your life,

the vowels out, turning them into weapons. She lo

und Alleen's shoulders. "It's not your

the document. Queens. A fourth-flo

tons. It was bette

between Journey's face and the file. S

lder. The sound was s

o I mov

e. Alleen's mouth fell open slightly.

ript. He had expected begging. "Im

ng with performed guilt. "We raised you for

glass. "I should leave quickly. The media will have a f

nic, that Journey was managing the situation better

se my parents are poor? They're good people, even if they don'

Alleen. She didn't glare. She just looked, dis

em," Journey said. "Why are you

otchy red. She look

female emotions cluttering his schedule. "Eno

raised a

ief vanished, replaced by the sh

ed softly. Journey reached for a cup, pouring the tea, adding milk,

he tried to straighten her spine, mimicking

aid, noticing the contrast. "You'll have

he air: You are the outsi

n. It made a decisive c

orgive," Journey said.

Her face went pale. She hadn't

rom his jacket pocket. H