"I'm so lost," Jonathan murmured.

I didn't reply. Clarke, who had been watching from the doorway, sidestepped as Axe came striding into the kitchen, glaring.

"What did you do to him?" he demanded as Ember, who was still sniffling, threw up arms.

"Oomen say — " Ember choked on another soft whimper. "Say no Emmy speshul. Just Oomen. Say dat Star no loud to howld Emmy. Just Oomen."

"My kid is territorial," was my only excuse. "If you were watching yours, it wouldn't have happened."

"I was cleaning up the breakfast that your kid rubbed into the carpet," Axe shot back.

"Star be nice to Emmy," Ember whimpered, clinging to...