I write until the sun has come up and a new day has begun. I write with purpose—for kids who are still there. I write with apology—for Sarah and the so many who have probably been lost to the system. I write for myself, until my hand aches and my eyes feel like they’re about to bleed, because I deserve this too.

I write until I fall asleep. The next thing I know, the sky outside the window is bright and my doorbell is ringing.

I scramble out of the den, wondering who Secret Service is letting ring my doorbell.

I’m confused because Nick appears just as surprised to see me as I am to see him. “Oh. Hi, Nick.”

As strange as it is to see him, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s on the short list.

“Good. I’ll tell Fitz you’re okay.”

I shake my head. “What?”

Nick sighs. “The guy sent me eight panic texts and called me at six AM before his practice. Said he hadn’t heard from you since yesterday morning.”

“My phone was on silent and downstairs,” I ramble. “I’ll send him a message now⁠—”

“Parker.” Nick’s eyes flick at Agent Samuels. “Do you mind if I come in for a second?”

“Oh, sure. I was just about to make some coffee.” I step aside so Nick can walk through. “Can I get you a cup?”

“No, nothing for me. But while I have you, I’m hoping you and I can have a little chat.”

While I haven’t spent much time with Nick, every other occasion, apart from our awkward first encounter, has been relatively pleasant. So I’m not sure why the air has grown thick and uneasy.

“Listen, Parker,” Nick begins. “When we were sitting right here in this kitchen months ago, discussing your arrangement, I had my concerns. To be honest, I told Fitz that it was a one-way ticket to heartbreak.”

“I’m not following.”

Across from me, Nick leans against the island. “I can’t have him up half the night worrying because you don’t answer the phone, that’s one thing.”

“I was sleeping,” I say. “That’s something most people do at night.”

“I need his head in the game. I can’t have it anywhere else. I hoped, with you two just putting on a show, Fitz could do that. But since there’s more here…”

More?