"Dad, I'm sorry," I said, the words heavy and foreign on my tongue.

It was a phrase my parents had taught Gin, Adam, and me when we were young, a simple lesson in taking responsibility. I felt no pride in repeating it now, but the apology was genuine.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I never meant to deceive you. Gin's kidnapping was an unforeseen complication, a coincidence tied to my past. I swear to you it will never happen again. I'm assigning a permanent security detail to guard you and—"

"Permit me," Mr. Stone cut in coldly, raising a single hand.

It was the first time in my life I resented my...