s I walked side by side with Ayo. His laughter echoed softly, a sou

e when you're wi

doesn't make me feel like I'm carryin

ar my house. Ayo leaned close, his eyes fixed on mine. "Am

le in the dark caught my attention. I glanced aroun

f. "Someone m

mply. His voice was st

eone di

wall. His eyes glittered with the thrill of discovery before h

-

g against the counter as if he owned the place. He looke

antly. My father's eye

, a

d forwar

d, his tone sharp, leavi

et was quiet, but the tension bet

rs, his voice cold. "You must

d. "With respec

d his people-" My father's voice hardened. "They won't forgiv

aid firmly, his eyes never leaving

't protect her when Andrea decides to strike. Caring won't k

dropped lower, steadier. "Then

ion and fear. Then he turned to me, his words clipped. "If you truly va

f, leaving s

s tight. "Why didn't you just

y hand, "a man doesn't walk away from the

me, even as my stoma

silence, I could almost hea

-

office, tapping a silver ring against the armrest of his

a asked, his voice

er. Amara. With that boy, Ayo. T

only leaned back slowly, his lip

ied venom. He rose to his feet, sliding his hands into his

liates me an

nervously. "What

them. Every move. Every whisper. Then we'll remi

he window, staring

ed into a whisper. "She will l