The Weight of Innocence

Declan's POV

The neon sign for the rundown motel flickered above as I parked the car in the lot. Gravel crunched under the tires, the sound loud in the quiet night. I killed the engine and turned to look at the back seat. Leo and Mia were still out cold, their small faces slack with the kind of peace only children could have. It wasn’t real peace, though—not with everything going on.

I tapped my