Rachel POV
The playroom was quiet. Leo lay asleep on the velvet sofa, his breathing deep and even. Matteo and Thalia were gone. Mark stood by the door, a silent shadow watching over Leo.
“He just fell asleep, ma’am,” Mark said softly.
I didn’t answer. I walked over and gently gathered Leo into my arms. He was heavier than he looked, a warm, limp weight against my chest. He murmured but didn’t wake, his head settling into the crook of my neck.
I turned, Leo in my arms, and found Damien standing in the doorway, his expression dark.
Without a word, I walked toward him, intending to move past.
He didn’t step aside.
“Give him to me,” Damien said, his voice low and rough.
“I’ve got him.”
“Rachel.” His hand shot out, not touching me, but blocking my path. “Give him to me.”
Something in
