s Mrs. Gable's worried calls faded down the hallway

times the size of his and his mom's entire apartment. But it was cold and steril

n computer programming and introductory finance. A wave of pity for his unknow

he room, his movements quiet and methodic

der a row of identical gray suits, wa

e'd seen about the famous Damien Sterling. He tried Damie

en, on a hunch, he typ

in the closet. The s

welry. There was only a single,

center of the room and sat cross-l

s stone. The woman beside him was his mother, Eleanor. She wore a beautiful gown, but her eyes we

his mother's face. His eyes burned with unshed tears. He

incubators. Under one, a neat label read 'Leo.' Under t

father. And he was the reason his mother had t

about his father. But he once happened to see

ands were clenched into tight fists, his childish features harden

r from outside, vibrating through

vy curtains. He watched the tall, imposing figure of Damien S

e handle turned, then rattled when it found the lock. There was

ng a chill into the room with him. His sharp, penetratin

er than Cody expected, an attempt

rossed his arms over his ches

room, his patience already wearing thin. "The ki

hand to place o

epped, moving with a speed that surprised them both. He tur

, steady, and utter

h me, Damie

respect, made Damien's hand freeze in mid-air. His fac

evered and feared his father. He would never,

es narrowing as he studied the boy bef

ated by the man's size and power. A small, m

ation of war, each word

ake me

ed to crystallize, fragi