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Eric kept his face neutral. He was disappointed, but it had been a long shot. “Thank you for answering me. If you think of something, ask Ms. Tracy to call me.” He nudged Lucky’s hand with the train, and the boy took it this time, scooted backward another few inches, then began tracing the road again.

Eric studied him for a moment. The blank expression hid the fear and anxiety he had to be feeling. “You’re gonna be okay, buddy.” He prayed the words were true.

He rose and stepped out of the play area to where Tracy Ann was waiting.

“Thanks for letting me talk to him.”

“Of course. I hope you find his brother soon.”

“Yeah. Me too.” He glanced at Lucky. “I know you guys are stretched, but if you can, would you keep me posted on him?”

“I’ll do what I can. I haven’t found a placement for him yet, so he may be staying with me tonight.”

He thanked her again, then headed for the office exit.

“Will Dion take me home when you find him?”

Tracy Ann sucked in a breath, and Eric released the doorknob and turned to find Lucky watching him. He searched for a response that wouldn’t crush the kid, but he wasn’t going to outright lie to him. The truth was hard, but a lie would only give him false hope. And a short-lived hope at that. Lucky deservedbetter. “No. I’m sorry, Lucky. He’s too young to be able to take care of you. You’ll be going to a new home, but hopefully it’ll be a better one and you two can be together.”

The boy’s shoulders slumped, and he turned away—but not before Eric saw the quiver in his lower lip.

He met Tracy Ann’s eyes and saw the tears there. She still felt for these kids. The system hadn’t hardened her like it had so many. At least while Lucky was in her care, he’d be well taken care of. For now, that had to be enough.

9

Pressure.

Allye tried to shift to a more comfortable position, but a weight seemed to rest on her. She couldn’t lift her arms. Couldn’t move her body.

“Boo.”

She jerked fully awake at the whispered word. And froze.

A masked face hovered barely a few inches above hers. An unearthly green glow filled her bedroom, creating almost a halo around the intruder. He was on top of her, his weight pressing her hips into the mattress, hands pinning her upper arms.

“I got away with it.” He rose slightly, though the pressure didn’t ease.

With the increased distance between their faces, she found her voice. “Got away with what?” Her words came out with a breathy quality.

Instead of answering her, he lifted one hand and traced the bruised area of her neck. “We have unfinished business.”

Him. It was him. Chill bumps rose over her entire body. A lump formed in her throat, nearly blocking her airway. She couldn’t scream. Could barely think.

He’d come after her again. Here, at her house.

Her fight response finally kicked in. She screamed and simultaneously struck out with her left arm and kicked her legs. But her limbs tangled in the heavy quilt she hadn’t realized still lay between her body and the intruder’s, and what little noise escaped her bruised throat before his hand clapped over her mouth was pitiful.

He let her flail, seemingly unperturbed. After a long moment of desperate but futile fighting, she collapsed into an exhausted stillness. With her mouth covered, she could barely draw in enough air, and her chest heaved.

He lowered his face to hover just above hers again. “Are you finished?”

She didn’t even try to respond, but a tear leaked from the corner of her eye.

“Good.” He looked over his shoulder and nodded, then turned his attention back to her. “Now, I’m going to get up, and so are you. You try anything, and youwillregret it. Get anyone’s attention, and they will die. Understand?”

She managed a nod.

He lifted his hand, letting it hover over her mouth as if testing whether she would attempt another scream. When she remained silent, he stood and allowed her to do the same.