His voice had risen.

Violet pulled off one side of her headphones. “Why is the shiny man mad?”

Damon’s anger collapsed under a wave of shame. He leaned back and forced himself to breathe. “I’m sorry, Violet. I’m not mad at you.”

She studied him. “Are you mad at Mama?”

Damon looked at Cassandra. “Yes,” he answered honestly. “But I’m trying not to be scary about it.”

Violet accepted this and replaced the headphone. Cassandra’s eyes filled with tears she refused to let fall.