The car didn’t slow as it passed Desiree’s house.

She noticed immediately.

Her fingers tightened around the soft blanket cradling her son as she turned to Gideon, confusion flickering across her face. “I thought you were taking me home,” she said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady. “Where are we going?”

Gideon kept his eyes on the road, his hands firm on the steering wheel. After a brief pause, he answered gently, “With Roman gone, I figured it would be safer if you ...