He wasn't naive. He didn't wish to anger his mother and miss out on more than just candy. She'd instructed him to stay put, wait here, and he wasn't about to disobey her so easily.

Simms' patience seemed to wane, impatience creeping into his demeanor.

His eyes darted toward Ariana conversing with his agent in the distance. With a derisive sneer, he tilted his chin toward her.

"Is that your mother?"

Melon nodded obediently.