a temporary sanctuary far from Devonte's reach. But the peace didn't last. At

trical hum had gone completely silent. She called the emergency number Pa

nock came at the door. Au

was wearing a worn leather jacket over a dark henley, and faded jeans tucked into scuffed work boots. His hair was dar

is voice was deep, ro

owed. "Yes.

her hand. He just stepped past her into the

, his penlight sweeping over the fuse box. As he wor

voice yelled from the hall.

n cold. Devonte's

in a fraction of a second. He walked to the door and pulled it o

tis said, his voice a

of the men sneered, trying to push

man's wrist and twisting sharply. The man let out a y

, his eyes cold and unbli

e, then scrambled down the hallway, th

e looked back at Audrey, who was standing froze

yours?" he

g over her. "He's trying to force me into a psychiatric hold. If I don'

ce, his sharp eyes missing nothing-the fear, the exhaustion, the de

all assumed she was fighting for money or out of spite. But this stranger,

yself," she whispered. "I spent twenty-five years being his wife, his hostess, his caretaker. And somewhere along the wa

ves of his henley. "I'm a union electrician. I make seventy-five thousand a year. I have a daughter. I'

by the sudden turn in the conve

ou out of a psych ward and give you time to

th caught. "J

d. "You need a shield. I

grip was firm, warm, and strangely comforti

d, a ghost of a smile on his lip

n, Devonte was pouring himself a scotch. The door creake

t?" Erma asked. "Is she real

ned. "She can file all she wants. She's broke, she's alo

the Leo file, we frame her as delusional. The hospital r

ake sure she's locked away by the end of the we

k, Devonte. Hiding the child's wher

her dragging my name through the mud. This way, she mour

ds out the trut

a delusional woman's ramblings. Now stop worrying. By this time tomorro