A minute later, Cassandra comes out. Her eyes are glossy. She sees me and straightens.
“How is she?” I ask.
She purses her lips and looks away, like she’s not sure how to answer that question.
“Good, I think. She’s been sleeping a lot. Doctor said that’s normal.”
“She’s going to need all the rest she can get. And she’ll have it.”
A quick soft smile and a nod, as if those were exactly the words she wanted to hear.
“I…” she trails off. “I think I need a few minutes.”
“Of course. Take your time.”
She nods and heads down the hall toward her room. Alex falls in behind her at the right distance. Protective, not intrusive.
When the hall clears, I go into Clara’s room. The lights are low.
I pull up a chair and sit, hands loose between my knees. Talking to sleeping people is not my habit. Pride is cheap, and I pocket it.
“Clara,” I begin, my voice quiet, “I’m Damien.”
She doesn’t move. I do not pretend she hears me.
“I’m the reason Cassandra has been living in a house that isn’t hers.”
Still, no response.
“I put her in a situation where harm came to her. That’s on me, not on her.”
The chair creaks as I shift my weight. I am not confessing. I’m making a promise.
“I will fix the part that is mine,” I continue. “I will end the people who put her life in danger. I will do whatever it takes to keep you and your sister safe. I vow it.”
My hands close, then open. I place them flat on my thighs. Steady.
“Cassandra is carrying more than herself,” I add. The words scrape my throat. “She hasn’t told you and I won’t. But I will keep both of them safe. I won’t let her be the price of my sins.”
A soft knock. The door opens halfway. Alex slides in sideways, making himself small. His eyes do a quick sweep.
“Report.”
“Perimeter clean,” he replies. “Two guards on the far stair. Cameras on the entrances. Red Hook lead still open. I’ll walk it at dawn.”
I nod. “Good work driving last night.”
He grins. “Got lucky with the shot.”
“You saw the angle,” I shoot back. “Luck is what cowards call a skill they don’t have.”
“Noted.”
He stands straight and quiet, ready to move.
“Thank you, Alex. You may very well have saved her life.”
He shifts from one foot to another. “Just doing my job.”
