The sound of Jackson's voice, small and clear, sliced through the tension like a knife. It was a sound of pure, unadulterated joy, a sound Rafe hadn't heard echo in the small apartment for weeks.

Leo emerged from the shadows, Jackson clutched tightly in his arms, tears streaming down his face as he buried his nose in the boy's hair, breathing him in. Max, who had remained frozen, rigid with suspicion, let out a staggered breath as he watched the scene. His own eyes welled up, the rage ...