The phone was a cold weight in Xavier's hand as he dialed the familiar number. Caleb's voice, ever-efficient, crackled on the other end. "I got the latest iPad," he said with brisk certainty. "I'm en route to the house."

"Good," Xavier clipped out, ending the call with a jab of his thumb. He slipped from the sanctuary of the room he shared with Cathleen, only to find Olivia languishing in the corridor, her presence like a shadow that chilled the air.

Xavier’s eyes narrowed at the sight of her, the annoyance etching deep lines across his forehead. The thought of Cathleen, strong and unyielding in her own right, having to...