My eyes widened, a jolt of disbelief hitting me as I stared at Liam’s little face. How could a kid so young come up with something so heavy? I pulled him closer, hushing him softly. “Shh, baby,” I whispered, my voice low, “where’d you get that idea?”

Liam giggled, like it was some fun secret. “In the car earlier, one of Uncle Damon’s friends told me. He said Uncle Damon’s my new daddy now, and I don’t gotta worry about my old papa anymore.”

His words lit a fire in me, ...