That plan died the second I pushed open the door to the big exam room. The air felt heavy, like the moment before a storm breaks. I stopped with one foot inside.They were already there, all three.Jaden sat on the exam table by the window, one knee bouncing. Silas stood against the far wall in black, arms folded. In the chair by the desk, leaning back like he owned it, was a man I hadn’t met. Sandy hair. Easy smile. Way too relaxed for this room.“Morning, Doc,” he said.“Checks don’t start until eight.”“I know. Couldn’t sleep.” He stood and held out his hand. “Lex Harlan.”I shook it. Warm. Dry. He let go at exactly the right moment, which somehow made it worse.“Why are you all here?” I asked.Nobody answered. Silas looked at the door, then at me. Lex smiled.“Great,” I muttered. “Alphabetical, then. Harlan, Kane, Rourke.”“That puts me last,” Jaden said.“Yes.”“I don’t like last.”“Take it up with the alphabet.”Lex laughed. Silas’s mouth twitched. Jaden stared at me like I’d sl
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