MICHAEL

I detest shopping with people like we didn’t almost lose Aliana. Like my son wasn’t almost kidnapped. Like half the people walking behind us aren’t armed, suspicious, or silently assessing exits.

King is holding Aliana’s hand. I’m holding my patience.

Evera is on Aliana’s other side, Lily is already drifting toward a baby store she doesn’t need to be in, Jenna is pointing at shoes she absolutely doesn’t intend to buy, and behind us—like a bad omen wrapped in designer jackets—are Ron, Levi, and Collins.

I stop walking.

Everyone else keeps going for two seconds before realizing I’m not there.

Aliana turns first. “Why did you stop?”

I glance...