Leo’s small arms stayed locked around Jace’s neck.
“Can you… take me with you?”
The words were soft. Almost a whisper.
But they hit Jace like a storm.
He froze.
For a second, everything around him faded—the hallway, the dim lights, even Roxanne.
All he could feel was the boy holding onto him… like he mattered the most.
Jace swallowed hard.
His mind flashed—Elena… their home… the life he had already broken.
Then Leo tightened his grip.
“I’ll be good,” he added quickly. “I won’t cause trouble.”
That did it.
Jace shut his eyes briefly.
“Hey…” he said gently, pulling back just enough to look at him. “It’s not about that.”
Leo’s face fell a little.
Behind them, Roxanne watched in silence.
Then she spoke, her voice soft. Careful.
“He doesn’t usually ask that.”
Jace glanced at h
