–Damon–
I woke up violently, my heart slamming against my ribs.
A bad dream.
Someone took my son. I could still hear his cries ringing in my ears—raw, panicked, tearing through my skull. I sat up abruptly, breath uneven.
The room was silent.
Too silent.
Right. My son isn't home. He's with his aunt and his mother right now.
I stood, dragging myself out of bed, my body heavy and stiff. I walked down the hall to Alyssa's room and quietly opened the door.
My mother was there.
She was asleep on the bed, hugging Alyssa's pillow like it was her lifeline.
My chest tightened.
If only she knew.
I can't tell Alyssa about this plan either. This has to look real—so real that Tyrona won't suspect a thing.
Dad stood nearby, awake, eyes sunken with exhaustion. He glanced at his wife, then at me. I closed the door gently.
"Are you sure about this, Damon?" Dad asked quietly.
I nodded without hesitation.
