Louisa fell asleep in my arms thirty minutes later. I wanted to stay, but I couldn’t.Fortunately for me, Lisa was a deep sleeper and I was able to slip free when her arms clamped down on me.I contemplated using the front door, as she’d suggested, but that would have been an awkward conversation if I stepped into the hallway and ran into Uncle Niko or Rosette.I went back out through the window.I was halfway across the lawn, patting myself for yet another clean escape because I still got it, when a voice cut through the darkness.“Good evening, Kyler.”I froze mid-step. Speak of the devil.Uncle Niko stood on the porch, a lit cigarette between his fingers, smoke curling lazily around him into the night. “Uh, good evening, Uncle Niko.” I scratched the nape of my neck as I looked at him. I suddenly felt fifteen again. “I was just, making sure Lisa was fine.”He took a slow, casual drag of his cigarette, his expression relaxed in the dim porch lig
Last Updated : 2026-04-17 Read more