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

how much you love making

about mama? Don't tell me the boy's your favorite now, hmm?"

of jewelry sets. Each piece was museum-worthy,

cheek, playing the eternal

these from that royal auction in Europe? Each

too much... though I

son's funeral had become

I stood in my basic black suit, bare-faced and puffy-eyed, looking

14:31 O

Hides Behind My

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Chapter

had ever given Noah wouldn't equal

new cars.

finally remembered

just used to European customs. And Mom's

just his birthday coming up, and

Valeria stumbled dramatically into his

up. "This is exactly

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