The baby’s tiny hand opened and closed against her sweater. Color slowly returned to his face.

Adrian Vale had buried friends, enemies, and the only woman he had ever loved. He had stood through gunfire without blinking and made decisions that changed hundreds of lives.

But when he saw his son’s fingers curl around Hannah’s sweater, he lowered his head and began to cry. He made no sound. He did not try to hide it.

For twenty minutes, nobody moved. When Lucas finally fell asleep against Hannah’s chest, Dr. Bennett checked his pulse and nodded. “The immediate danger has passed.

But he’ll need regular feedings and close observation. This may not be resolved in one night.”

Adrian wiped his face and recovered the hard expression the city knew. He asked everyone except Hannah to leave the office. Once the door closed, he stood across from her like a man preparing for a negotiation.