I shake my head and slam the papers onto my desk. What the hell am I doing? She has been here a day. One fucking day! I don’t know anything about her, yet I am jealous of another man wanting her. Carter is no threat; he doesn’t get close to women. He has too much on his plate to begin with.

I run my hands through my hair and walk out of my office. Pausing at the door, I look down the corridor toward my room, thinking about checking on Little Red again. I decide against it and follow my nose to the kitchen, where Leo is having waffles, and Maria is busy making lasagne for dinner.

“Morning, buddy.” I kiss his head in greeting, ruffling his hair.

He smiles as I sit next to him up at the kitchen bench, and have another coffee while watching Maria place the pasta sheets one by one, followed by the meat and the cheese in perfect layers.

“I just went up and put fresh clothes on her bed. She was already up and in the shower. She didn’t eat much, such a little thing. I think she needs a good bowl of Bolognese,” Maria states, her eyes not leaving her masterpiece.

“What did she eat?” I ask, wanting to know given that she hasn’t eaten in the 24 hours since she has been here.

“The small fruit bowl, and that is it. She didn’t touch the pastries or bread.” Maria sounds astounded, and I know from her healthy roundness that skipping carbs is not something she can fathom.

I nod in acknowledgement, and then notice Leo looking up at me.

“She is just a houseguest, Leo. She won’t be here long, but I’m keeping her here safe with us for now. You don't need to worry.” I answer the question I think he is asking me with his eyes. It must do the trick, because he nods and looks back to his waffles, dribbling more maple syrup over them and eating with gusto.

This is what I don’t understand. Leo looks and acts perfectly fine. He is smart, he eats well, and sleeps without issue. He reads and plays. Sure, he lacks confidence and doesn’t make friends easily. Hell, he won't leave the house to make any. But otherwise, he is 100% healthy, so why he doesn’t talk is an absolute mystery to me. Traumatic Mutism is the terminology that has been thrown around by the various doctors and specialists we have seen.