Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 270

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Taryn shushed the air once more, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Don't go blabbing, okay? We don't want Elaine's little spies to overhear. It's our little secret!" Good ol' Taryn, always the heart of gold, watching over her comatose granny.

Sammy made a quick mental note.

So, Granny in her vegetative state needs Mom's experimental new drug?

Her fingers twitched, and Sammy gently prodded the old lady's index finger.

He rose to his feet and quietly made his way out, his little legs carrying him back to the main yard. No, he had to do something he needed to tell Mom.

He was going to step out of this mansion!

"Danny?"

Elaine was back, checking to see if the little rascal was home. Her eyes settled, and she reprimanded, "I heard from Lyra that you've been causing a fuss all morning, skipping preschool and mouthing off to Lyra and the bodyguard. You're getting too bold, young man. I might just have to discuss this with your daddy tonight."

Sammy rolled his eyes inwardly, fearless.

A sweet smile plastered on his face, "Sure, Mommy, go ahead. Let's see who Daddy believes-Lyra, who jumped to scold me, or your false accusations." Elaine's mood, previously uplifted, chilled at his words.

Lyra quickly poured poison into Elaine's ear, "Miss, see? I told you something's off with him. He never talks back like this, acting all sly."

Elaine found the kid's behavior odd but chalked it up to a sudden streak of rebellion.

Seeing that the duo had run out of steam and with his deadbeat dad not around, Sammy didn't bother keeping up the act.

He stomped upstairs, tugged at his little blazer, then, struck by inspiration, turned back down, "Mommy, I want to go shopping!"

"What?" Elaine objected outright. "No way. You tried to run away last night, and you think your daddy will let you out to gallivant? Stay put." "Why not ask him?"

having any of her nonsense. He approached the landline,

Ludwik picked up swiftly.

and they've

like sportswear

was actually quite impressed. He liked this version of his son who was

Mommy go with you?" Ludwik considered. Going out wasn't out of the question, but he feared the

then sweetened his voice, "Mommy just got back and she looks tired. If Daddy worries, just send a few extra bodyguards

in

up, Sammy glanced coolly at her and marched out the door, bypassing

Boss! He's getting closer to him. If he starts to turn the Boss against you with

escaping her lips, "What can a three-year-old possibly do? If he wants to play games with me,

little brat, Elaine

the stairs for a nap, waiting

mind: "Elaine, it's been years, and I'm still thinking of you." Elaine closed her eyes, memories of passionate moments with

had passed with such blandness, and she was

place with 'Sammy' in tow, Tiana's jaw could have

clutching her teddy bear, gaped at

Mister... you're

speech was imperfect, her eyes glued to 'Daniel' as

at me like some love-struck puppy." Danny, ever so proud, handed her a tissue, his cheeks tinting with a touch of

boy's demeanor, his looks-it was Ludwik all

mind racing, unable to keep calm, "Whitney, this boy... is

Valerie wasn't here before coming over. I just need you to watch him until tonight." Tiana inhaled sharply, her hand over

know, the better,"

to respond, her mind a whirlwind of shock and

ago, it took her a long time

child Whitney bore was picked up by Ludwik. They had been trying to

jumped into the sea with had

Had Whitney not known she was

speculation, after the fact, that it