LEONE
The sudden knocking on the door wakes me. “Enter,” I command, the sharpness of my voice slicing through the morning stillness as Maria’s persistent knock drills into my consciousness. My hand moves swiftly, covering Fallon’s exposed skin with the blanket. The door creaks open, and Maria, whose imperturbable demeanor doesn’t waiver, steps into the room without a twitch of her well-groomed brows.
“Your father is here,” she announces, her voice steady, betraying none of the urgency such news warrants. “Waiting in the study,” she adds.
“Dammit,” I groan, the word hissing through clenched teeth.
“Tell him I’ll be down in a minute.” I make no move to rise, lingering in the warmth beside Fallon, a moment longer knowing the questions; I thought I would have enough time to go over with h
