“You don’t have to say anything,” Leo says softly, “but I’m here.”

~$~

The door to Leo’s mansion clicks shut behind Jennie, and the moment it does, her knees almost give out. Her eyes are swollen. Her hands are clenched so tight the skin around her knuckles is a ghost-white. She looks like a woman who’s just crawled out of a war—and lost.

Leo is already stepping toward her. He doesn’t even ask where she’s been. He just watches her with those worried, soft eyes, waiting.

Jennie shakes her head. “I’m fine,” she says with barely enough energy. “I just need water and—”

But her breath breaks. Her chin quivers....