Later that night, when Darius finally returned to their suite, the quiet of the evening wrapped around him like a heavy cloak. His shoulders were sore from the day’s endless meetings and preparations, but the first place his feet carried him was not to his own room, but to Nathan’s.
He pushed the door open gently, careful not to wake the boy. The soft glow of the nightlight painted the room in warm amber tones, and there was Nathan, sprawled across his bed with his little arms wrapped tightly around his stuffed wolf. His chest rose and fell in the deep rhythm of childhood sleep, his lips parted slightly as though he was still in the middle of telling a story in his dreams.
Darius’s heart softened instantly. He crossed the room, leaned over, and pressed a tender kiss against his son’s for
