The moment the SUV door opened, something in him snapped back into alertness—not confusion, not hope this time, but recognition. His body went rigid, every muscle drawn tight like a wire pulled too far.
The man stepping out looked like he’d been driving too fast for too long. Dust on his shoes. Phone still in his hand. The kind of face that doesn’t look at the ground until it has to.
“Bo!” he called, already moving closer.
The name hit the air like it belonged there.
Bo pressed himself against my leg.
Not running.
Not freezing.
Choosing.
I stood up slowly, keeping my hand on his collar—not forcing him, just there.
Janine’s voice was still in my ear, breaking up with static and fear. “Don’t let him take him—please, don’t—”
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