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A comfortable silence fills the space between us, our eyes locking, our hearts beating. There are only inches between us, but it suddenly feels like too much space, as if an ocean divides us.

I lift a hand slowly, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering down the side of her neck. A shiver rushes over her skin, her pupils dilating, her lips parting.

My eyes focus in on her plush lips, and my body pulses with the need for a taste of something so sweet. So perfect.

I lean toward her, my pulse thundering madly as the space between us disappears—

A wail sounds from the monitor, pulling me back to the screen. Clara is standing in her crib, small hands gripping the railing, crying loudly for attention.

I drop my head onto my pillow and drag a hand down my face, exhaling through my nose. What did I almost just do?

Charlotte pushes herself up. “I’ll go—”

“No.” I quickly pull back the covers and slide my legs over the edge. I stand, running a hand through my hair, trying to shake off whatever the hell that was. “You sleep. I’ve got her.”

She hesitates, then settles back down into the bed, watching me for a second before finally letting her eyes close.

I leave the room and cross the hall, Clara’s cries growing louder with every step. The second I open the door, she spots me and reaches out immediately.

“Dada!”

“Daddy’s here, sweetheart.”

I lift her into my arms, and she buries her face against my neck, still hiccupping with leftover tears. I sit down in the rocking chair and begin to sway slowly, my hand moving in steady circles over her back.

“Did you have a nightmare too?” I ask softly, reaching for a nearby quilt to place over her.

It doesn’t take long before her breathing evens out again, the tension leaving her small body as sleep pulls her under.

Eventually, I let my gaze drift toward the window. The full moon hangs high and quiet in the sky.

Who knows what would have happened if Clara hadn’t interrupted us?

Would Charlotte have let me kiss her?

The thought alone tightens something in my chest.

I glance down at Clara, my lips slightly curving up.

“You’ve got terrible timing, you know that?” I murmur. “Good thing you’re cute, little one.” I lean down and press a kiss to her temple. “I love you to the moon and stars.”

Chapter fifteen

Charlotte

Istep out of the plane and onto the top of the stairs, pausing as I look down at several imposing men conversing below. They each wear guns across their chests with ink covering almost every inch of their skin. My steps falter, and I clutch Clara closer against my chest, her presence calming me as fear slithers beneath my skin.

“Charlotte?”

My attention snaps to Alex standing near the bottom of the stairs beside a man who looks like he thrives off of danger.

I swallow hard and cautiously descend the steps, stopping when I’m standing in front of Alex.

Alex gestures toward the stranger. “This is my cousin, Caine. He’ll be taking us to their home in Capri.”

Caine’s mouth curves into a crooked grin, his dark eyes moving between Clara and me. “He won’t admit it, but I’m his favorite cousin.”

Alex sighs. “I don’t have a favorite. I just tolerate you better than the others.”