Leona’s lips trembled around the unfinished words.

“She… she… she…”

Cassandra’s stomach twisted painfully. Her fingers curled, nails digging into her palm as she stared at the child with a silent, furious warning.

Don’t you dare.

Booker waited, still holding Leona securely, his voice gentle in a way that made the girl want to cry even harder.

“It’s okay,” he murmured. “Just tell me what happened.”

Leona looked at him, then looked at Cassandra.

Her breath tangled ...