d like old books

se full of papers, sat behind the massive mahogany desk. He adjust

ingers drumming an agitated rhythm on the wood. Evette stood behin

small hands were fisted in the collar of his shirt, her knuckles whi

s. He pushed a stack of papers across the desk. "It states that Conrad and Evette Solomon voluntarily relin

hroat. "Mr. Solomon, do

r pen from the desk. He didn't hesitate. He didn't look at Izz

eet of paper, the ripping sound loud in the quiet room. He

ned her name with quick, angry strokes, the letters jagged and slante

he papers around an

atures of his brother and sister-in-law. Then, carefully, deliberately, he

d that had tied Izzy to Conrad snap

out," he said, his voice flat. "Take her and ge

ped from his chair by the fire. "S

eplied coldly. "Bryan wanted a

is brother. He didn't waste another breath on him. He turned an

e looked back at the grand staircase, at the glittering

lid down and stuck her tongue out, her face twisted into

ad in Bryan's neck, breathing in the scent o

en walked around to the driver's side. He started the eng

behind. Bryan gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles wh

voice awkward and gruff, "it's o

y were dry. She looked at Bryan, and a small, peaceful

he plants told me there is no love in that hous

at her, his brow furrowe

her face comp

just a child's way of processing trauma, a metaphor she had invented to make se

said, his voice thick. "I promise you, Izzy. I'm going to be your real dad from n

veloping hers. She held up her free h

compared to hers. He hooked it around her little finger. The skin

r," Bry

d, her smi

awns giving way to cracked sidewalks and chain-link fences. They we

enery change. A flutter of nervousness retu

brow furrowed slightly, a new worry creeping into his

hter, and he had no idea ho