Jace Van Driscoll stepped in.
Every sound in the room vanished.
The ticking of the clock.
The hum of the AC.
Even Leo’s shallow breathing.
Gone.
Mr. Edwards gave a small nod, visibly relieved. “Jace. You made it.”
Jace didn’t speak right away. He returned the nod just once—then stepped forward.
His shoes made no noise. His coat was tailored to perfection.
And his face calm, unreadable. Like always.
Like a ghost walking through fire.
Leo stared at him like he was seeing a phantom.
Luca just leaned back, chewing his gum like he didn’t care—though his eyes said otherwise.
Neither of them expected him to show.
Especially not like this.
Jace walked past both of them without sparing a glance.
He took the empty seat at the table like it had always belonged to him.
Leaning back sl
