“Anytime, kid.”
From the dining table, Cal’s phone buzzes. He answers without looking away from his screens. “Yeah... Got it. Pulling it up now.”
I watch him work, his amber eyes scanning data faster than most people can read. Whatever he’s found, it’s significant—I can see it in the set of his shoulders, the way his jaw tightens.
“You should go help,” Parker says quietly.
I look at her, then at Noah pressed against my side, then at Liam curled in her lap. “They need?—”
“They need you to find whoever did this and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” she interrupts, her voice firm despite the fear I can see in her eyes. “Go. Work. We’ll be okay for a few minutes.”
“No,” Noah says immediately, his hand grabbing my shirt again. “Don’t leave. Please don’t leave.”
“Yeah,” Liam adds, his voice small. “What if the bad people come back?”
“They won’t,” Parker assures them. “We have security outside. Lots of people protecting us.”
“But I want Uncle Silas here,” Noah insists. His voice breaks slightly. “And Uncle Cal. I don’t want them to leave.”
Cal’s head comes up from his screens, his expression softening in a way I’ve rarely seen.
“We’re not leaving,” he says, standing and moving to the living room. “Not going anywhere, little man.”
“Promise?” Liam asks.
“Promise.” Cal settles on the couch behind where I’m sitting, close enough to reach out and ruffle Noah’s hair. “We’re staying right here.”
“What about Uncle Jace?” Noah asks. “Where is he?”
As if summoned, the front door opens. Jace steps inside, his expression hard but his eyes immediately seeking out Parker and the boys, cataloging that they’re safe, unharmed.
“Uncle Jace!” Both boys perk up immediately.
“Hey, guys.” He crosses to them, crouching down so he’s at their level. “You doing okay?”
“We have hot chocolate,” Noah offers, holding up his mug. “With like a hundred marshmallows.”
“I can see that.” Jace’s lips twitch into something almost like a smile. “Looks good.”
“Uncle Silas made it for us,” Liam adds. “Because we were scared.”
“That was nice of him.” Jace looks at me, and I see the question in his eyes.How are they really?
I give a small shake of my head.Terrified. Holding it together. Barely.
“Can you stay too?” Noah asks Jace. “Please? We don’t want to be alone.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Jace says firmly. “I promise.”
“All three of you?” Liam presses. “All together?”
“If your mom says it’s okay,” Jace confirms, glancing at Parker.
She nods, her throat working. “It’s okay.”
The boys visibly relax, some of the tension leaving their small bodies. Noah’s grip on my shirt loosens slightly. Liam settles more comfortably in Parker’s lap.
Jace straightens, moving to where I’m sitting. He taps my shoulder. “I’ve got this. Go help Cal.”
