Acceptable Loss

ROWAN’S POV

“Rowan.” Cleo’s voice fractures. “I don’t — I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t?” I tilt my head and study her, the way her hands have started shaking, the way her eyes dart to Malachi before she can stop herself — the tell she’s never been able to control, the involuntary reflex of a woman who checks with her husband before deciding how to feel. “Really, Cleo? Because