“She has resources,” I said, looking down at the concrete. “She won’t let you go easily. Neither will Salvatore.”

“I don’t care about the empire,” Adrian said. “I never did. I just want them to be safe. I want to be their father, if you’ll let me.”

I searched his eyes, looking for any hint of deceit.

The gray in his eyes was identical to Oliver’s, a genetic stamp that I could never erase.

“They don’t know you,” I said softly.

“Then let me show them who I am,” he replied.

He took the food back to the cot, sitting down on the edge of the mattress.

He opened the jar and carefully spread peanut butter onto the dry crackers using a small plastic knife.

He handed the first one to Lena, who took it with a shy smile.

“Say thank you,” I prompted. “Thank you, Daddy,” Lena mumbled, her mouth already full.

Hearing her use that word sent a shiver down my spine.

Adrian froze for a fraction of a second, a look of pure, raw emotion crossing his face before he masked it with a warm smile.