"Let him ask. By the time he figures out what's happening, Leo will already be protected." I moved to my desk, pulling up a message to Isla. "Anything else?"
"Brooklyn docks. Matteo made another move last night. Talked to three supervisors."
My jaw tightened. "And?"
"Two stayed loyal. Jenkins is wavering."
"Handle Jenkins. And increase security around the Morrison building. I want to know everyone who comes within a block of it."
After hanging up, I opened a new message to Isla. My fingers hovered over the screen for only a moment before I typed:
Results confirmed. Leo is my son. Car will pick you up at 10 a.m. We have matters to discuss.
I hit send. No explanation. No room for negotiation.
Today, everything would change.
The elevator doors opened at 10:07 a.m. to the Morrison building's penthouse, and there she was.
Isla stepped out first, Leo's hand clutched tightly in hers. My son wore his blue dinosaur jacket and carried that worn T-rex—Rex—against his chest. Isla looked exhausted, dark circles under her eyes, her other hand gripping a small dinosaur backpack.
"You're late," I said, keeping my voice level.
"Traffic." Her tone was flat. "And I had to pack."
I couldn't take my eyes off Leo. Seeing him in the daylight, in my space, made him more real than even last night. He looked around the penthouse with wide eyes, taking in the floor-to-ceiling windows, the modern furniture, and the vast open space.
"Wow," he breathed. "It's so big, Mama."
"Yes, baby. Very big." Isla's voice was strained.
I moved toward them slowly, crouching down to Leo's level. "Good morning, Leo."
"Morning, Mr. Cassian!" His face brightened with recognition. "More trucks here?"
Despite everything, I felt my lips twitch. "Even better. Would you like to see?"
"Yes, please!"
I stood and gestured down the hall. "This way."
I led them to the third bedroom—the one my team had spent the past week transforming. I opened the door, and Leo gasped.
The room was painted a soft blue with white clouds. A proper bed with safety rails sat against one wall, covered in a dinosaur-printcomforter. Bookshelves lined another wall, filled with picture books. And in the corner sat an elaborate wooden train table with tracks already set up, complete with bridges, tunnels, and a tiny village.
"Trains!" Leo released Isla's hand and ran forward. "Mama, look at trains!"
Isla stood frozen in the doorway, her face pale. "When did you?"
"I had it prepared before last night." I kept my voice neutral. "I've been planning this since I discovered he existed."
Her eyes snapped to mine. "You've been planning to take him?"
"To protect him." I gestured to the room. "This is his space. Safe. Secure. Everything he needs."
"Except his real home." Her voice was tight.
"This is his real home now." I moved closer, lowering my voice so Leo wouldn't hear. "The DNA results were conclusive. Leo is my son. My heir. And he belongs here, where I can keep him safe."
