His brow furrowed.
“Then what are you asking?”
“Nothing.”
That confused him most of all.
I nodded toward the house behind them.
“Eat. Sleep. Take care of your mother, your brother, and your sister. Tomorrow, wake up and decide what kind of life you want to build here.”
For a moment he looked so much like a child that my chest tightened again. The fierce set of his mouth wavered. His fists loosened slightly.
Then the armor came back.
Not gone.
Never that quickly.
But thinner than before.
Miranda’s voice came softly from behind him.
“Matthew.”
This time, when she touched his shoulder, he allowed it.
I looked at her.
“If there is anything your family needs, tell the supply office or the guards assigned to this street.”
She swallowed.
Her answer came cautiously.
“Thank you.”
