oe

ncoming call from Amber. I reached ou

atred. "You think you're clever? You're nothing but a used-up stray Richard threw in the tr

stillness settl

" I said, my voice dropping

ter is an illegitima

n my steering wheel, patchin

y. "Execute Protocol B on

o's synthesized voice repl

solved into a sharp, choking gasp of terror as a

line, her voice trembling. "My boutique charge car

her, my tone as sharp as a scalpel. "I just filed an emergency forensic freeze on all family distr

the connection before her f

b, my hands gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turned

d three dynasties-Rhodes, Vance, Sterling-as possible leads. But tonight, after humiliating Amber, after playing

he clinic encryption. I'm narrowing th

hroat. "Keep at it, Solo. I'

evator to the Peninsula's executi

is broad chest. The boy was breathing in rapid, shallow gasps, clutching a small portable nebulizer mask in his trembling hand.

overrode everything else. I s

l spasm," I said, my voice cri

g rigid with defense. "Stay back, Par

could twist away, I reached out and pressed two fingers firmly into the thoracic pressure hollow beneath Leo's col

ence. "Breathe in through your nose for three counts

econds, the panicked gasps began to s

ent mark beneath his hairline. My heart lurched. If my son were alive, he'd be this age. This big. This beautiful. Would he

"Mommy?" he whispered, his voice fragile and thi

rned to look at him fully, my heart pounding