Chapter 5

Leon's appearance echoed his father's.

He gave me a contemptuous once-over, "God, you're a mess."

Then he turned to Hudson, hand extended expectantly,

"Dad, about those birthday presents you promised when Mom and I got back?"

"Eighteen in two days. Last year I got ninety-nine presents. Let's make it an even hundred this time."

Hudson ignored Leon's insult toward me, ruffling his hair with indulgent affection.

"Of course,"

He pulled out the protection pendant, carefully placing it around Leon's neck with a tenderness he'd

never shown Noah,

As if that wasn't enough, Hudson snapped his fingers.

sports cars in garish colors rolled up outside

Know how much you love making

tell me the boy's your favorite now, hmm?" Hudson tweaked her nose with a

the cars, carrying dozens of jewelry sets. Each piece was

cheek, playing the eternal

royal auction in Europe? Each set

Baby, you're too

funeral had become their obscene

suit, bare-faced and puffy-eyed,

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Chapter

had ever given Noah wouldn't equal the cost of

new cars.

remembered

European customs. And Mom's adopted Leon as her grandson, so

his birthday coming

could finish, Valeria stumbled dramatically into his arms. "Hudson... I feel faint. The

up. "This is exactly why I bought you the summer

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